Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - shallac on leather wraps?

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liberalswine
03-10-11, 12:10 PM
I've seen people shallac cork wrap and other non leather material to attain that classic leather look. However, while at the lbs the other day my gf fell in love with the owner's bike who had shallac'd his toshi wraps along with the twine work.

My gf bought some brooks leather wraps to match her seat. I've done research about the leather wrap and it seems that it wears out quick and turns into "zombie flesh". With this said, would it be okay to shallac leather wrap? Also, will the surface be slippery due to the nature of the finish? Furthermore, is it just stupid to do that to real leather bar wrap?

rustybrown
03-10-11, 12:23 PM
only one way to find out
liberalswine
03-10-11, 12:26 PM
True. But damn these brooks wraps are expensive.

Leukybear
03-10-11, 12:37 PM
Can I get pictures of the shallac'd toshi straps? You've intrigued me. :D
rustybrown
03-10-11, 12:37 PM
True. But damn these brooks wraps are expensive.

Therein lies your answer.
liberalswine
03-10-11, 12:53 PM
Can I get pictures of the shallac'd toshi straps? You've intrigued me. :D

Didn't get to take a picture, but it certainly looked proper on vintage sparrow bars and raw fully lugged, fillet frameset built by himself. Its actually a two piece frame he designed...breaks away at the top tube and downtube and used these special fasteners. He did it mainly for traveling purposes and fits in a standard box when flying as opposed to paying for oversized items.

Next time I'm there, I'll snap a pic of this beautifully built bike. I believe its the owner of city grounds in costa mesa, ca
adriano
03-10-11, 01:56 PM
it seems like a waste. use your leather up then replace with cotton and shellac.
Retem
03-10-11, 02:24 PM
shellac will preserve the leather it may need reapplying when it get worn out it will also respond to moisture and become tacky at times best to try a small test bit
Build your own
03-10-11, 07:52 PM
Even clear shellac will change the color a bit so the matching brooks may not be so matchy after.If the saddle is honey,amber shellac over yellow tape will do the trick.Just in case you decide to ditch the leather.