Gum arabic is a leather finishing gum that smooths and shines the edges of vegetable-tanned leather. In addition to waterproofing the edge, gum arabic will give the edges of the leather an antique look. Gum arabic can also be used to glue the fibers on the crust side of the leather to prevent it from pilling.
Gum arabic or gum tragacanth? Gum arabic and gum tragacanth are obtained by the same process but are not derived from the same sap. Gum arabic is obtained from the sap of Acacia species. Gum tragacanth is obtained from the sap of a shrub species in the Astragalus family. Unlike gum tragacanth, gum arabic is water-soluble, which explains why the gum is much more liquid. Both gums are applied in the same way, with gum arabic giving a slightly darker result.
How to use gum arabic on the edge of leather? 1. Prepare the leather edges with a sandpaper and then sand them with an abrasive sponge or sandpaper. Sanding should always be done in the same direction and at a 45° angle to the edge. 2. Apply a thin amount of gum arabic using an applicator tool. 3. Wait a few moments for the eraser to start to dry, then rub briskly with a soft cloth or smoother. Apply several layers of gum arabic until you obtain the desired smoothness. It is possible to color the edge of the leather by mixing water-based dye with gum arabic.
How to use gum arabic on the crust side of leather? 1. Using a spatula: apply a thin layer of gum arabic to the crust of the leather. 2. Wait a few moments for the eraser to begin to dry, then rub with a tempered glass smoother or a wooden smoother.
Gum arabic can only be applied to the edges of vegetable-tanned leather. However, on the crust side, it can be applied to vegetable-tanned or mineral-tanned leather. We do not recommend using it on suede or nubuck leather (with a brushed surface).
