Fiebing's Tan-Kote - Leather Protector, Finisher & Sealer - Resin Based Top Coat for Natural Shine & Moisture Protection for Leathercraft, Boot, Belt

Excellent productI am only a hobbyist leatherworker, but from my research into what some of the professional leatherworkers whose work I admire are using, and having used the product myself, Tan Kote is now my top coat of choice. This product is easy to work with, its resists moisture and when dry, it gives my projects a nice mellow finish. Additionally, it allows you to clean and oil the leather when needed. It’s a bit pricey, in my opinion, but just about everything associated with leatherworking is. Although, it would be an added benefit if Fiebings could see their way clear in easing up on the price point.

Love this stuff. It’s gives leather some protection and a nice glossy finish. But it also still allows oils to penetrate which in turn allows the leather to develop a nice patina. Use a damp sponge to apply and put on a light coat. You can always apply another coat if you wanted to. Resolene on the other hand is nice if you need your leather to be water resistant but won’t be able to oil the leather down the line and it also makes the leather kind of fake looking. It’s too shiny imo. That’s why tan kote is my go to finish

Drys quickly, does not add a high gloss sheen, the leather will appear more like a satin than a dull leather. Will use on all my leather.

Sealed my leather seat perfectly with out discoloring it. Great product.

As a hobbyist leatherworker, I'm always researching products used by professionals in the field. Based on glowing reviews, I decided to try Fiebing's Tan Kote leather finish and protectant. After using it on several projects, here is my detailed assessment:Pros:- Provides a nice mellow semi-gloss finish on leather goods- Allows the leather to be cleaned and conditioned as needed- Resists moisture well to protect the leather- Easy to apply smoothly without discoloration or streaks- Durable finish feels very solid yet flexible- Enables occasional thinning with water for different effects- Highly trusted brand among leathercraft professionalsCons:- Very thick viscosity right out of the bottle- Water-based so takes significantly longer to fully dry- Can feel overly stiff if applied too thick on flexible items- Certainly on the pricier end of leather finishing productsOverall, Tan Kote delivers an excellent durable finish for leather projects. Despite the premium price tag, a little goes a long way. Experienced leatherworkers consistently recommend it for good reason. Just go easy on flexible pieces and account for extended drying time. For me as a hobbyist, the quality, performance and reputation make Tan Kote well worth the investment. It takes my homemade leather goods to the next level. Hope this review helped.

Works really good as a resist before using antique on leather

Great top coat for protect leather from the elements. Not recommended to use as an antique process protection.

Leaves leather a bit shiny depending on how much you use, but not quite a high gloss, which is pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Apply carefully to dyed leather though, if you rub it on you'll bleed dye pretty heavily. I used a dauber to gently apply a fairly generous coat. I could tell from the dauber that it did lift a little bit of dye still, but not much and I like the way it looks. No rub off after drying. The smell reminds me a bit of the blue liquid in outhouses when it's in the bottle, but after application and drying it becomes a more mild and pleasant pine scent.