How to Polish Leather and Achieve Smooth, Shiny Edges

Polishing the edges of your leather project always provides that final finishing touch and ensures a more luxurious appearance. Additionally, it helps maintain the leather’s beauty over time. But how do you achieve those smooth and shiny polished leather edges? Let’s go through the process step by step.

Gather the Essential Tools:

Here are the items you’ll need for achieving smooth, shiny, polished leather edges:

Leather Polish: I’m using Tokonole Burnishing Gum, but you can also use other brands or beeswax. Tokonole Burnishing Gum may be a bit expensive, but a small jar will last you a long time.

Polishing Machine or Hand Polishing Stick: I use a polishing machine with a wood-turned polishing wheel, but for small projects or if you want to try it out first, you can use a hand polishing rod, which is available in most leather supply shops.
Fine-Grain Sandpaper or Sanding Polishing Disk for the Polishing Machine: While you can sand the edge by hand, using a polishing sanding disc is faster and highly recommended. You can even create your own polishing disc with two different coarseness levels.
Leather Conditioner: If you desire a smooth and nourished-looking top surface, you can use leather conditioner. It moisturizes the material and restores its suppleness. Keep in mind that Burnishing Gum, mentioned earlier, is for the edges of the leather, not the surface. We recommend using Bolster & Benefield leather conditioner because it’s transparent, easy to work with, and compatible with all the leathers we use. You can purchase it in our shop.
Microfiber Towels: These are perfect for applying and buffing polish without scratching the leather.

Step-by-Step Leather Polishing Guide:

Now that you have your tools ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of polishing leather:

Prepare the Leather Edges: Before you start polishing, ensure that the leather edges are smooth and free from any roughness or excess glue. If needed, trim or sand the edges to achieve a clean and even surface. You can use the fine-grain sanding paper or a sanding disk with different grains for a polishing machine. Remove any dust or debris from the edges.
Choose the Right Polishing Wheel: Polishing machines usually come with various attachments or wheels designed for different materials. Select a polishing wheel suitable for leather and securely attach it to the machine. For example, my polishing machine has a sandalwood polishing wheel with five grooves, approximately Ø 5 mm.
Apply Polishing Compound: Put a small amount of leather polishing compound or wax onto your leather surface. You can use specific sponge brushes for this purpose, but I prefer to use my fingers to distribute it evenly.
Polish the Edges: Turn on the polishing machine and gently guide the leather edge along the spinning wheel. Apply light pressure and move the leather back and forth to ensure the entire edge contacts the polishing wheel. Keep the leather edge steady, and avoid pressing too hard.
Finishing Touch with Leather Cream: If you desire a smooth and nourished-looking top surface, you can apply leather cream. Please note that the polishing cream I use is mainly intended for burnishing the edges. Apply a small amount of Bolster & Benefield leather cream to your microfiber cloth and rub it into the leather’s pores.
By following these steps, you can achieve beautifully polished leather edges using a polishing machine, enhancing the overall aesthetics and durability of your leather products.

Additional Tips for Leather Polishing Success:

Before starting to polish leather, always test any leather products, cleaners, conditioners, or polishes on a piece of residual material. This will help you ensure that the products are compatible and produce the desired results.