Leather Belts and Oil ?

[TheBishop]

Have a new set of leathers in for a Belt Sander.
I have read that folks put mineral oil on them first before a paste or rogue.

Never tried that, but am thinking if anyone has had good luck with them?

I'm going very low 1 micron Born and .50 Oxide on these 2 ... Question is would first putting mineral oil on then help cut down on the amount of paste?
And if so, apply to the inside (for me rough side) or the outside and let it sit for a day then apply the paste?

It seems my belts dry fast, trying to figure if oil would give the pastes longer shelf life on the belt.

Any answers appreciated.

 

[Komitadjie]

I've never used any kind of oil on my belts, I assume you're talking the Hand American stuff? That's the same pair of compounds I use (like probably 75% of everyone) and I'm still on my first application, probably 50+ knives later. Stuff lasts FOREVER, a little dab goes a long ways! It really doesn't matter much which side you apply it to, I have mine on the rough side. Once the liquid agent has carried the abrasive around and dried, the abrasive itself remains lodged in the belt and will be very nearly impossible to remove by ANY means.

 

[TheBishop]

Yep, same stuff. Also wanted to test out some rouges.
Just curious as recall reading somewhere on mineral oil first.
I've always just gone straight.

I've never used any kind of oil on my belts, I assume you're talking the Hand American stuff? That's the same pair of compounds I use (like probably 75% of everyone) and I'm still on my first application, probably 50+ knives later. Stuff lasts FOREVER, a little dab goes a long ways! It really doesn't matter much which side you apply it to, I have mine on the rough side. Once the liquid agent has carried the abrasive around and dried, the abrasive itself remains lodged in the belt and will be very nearly impossible to remove by ANY means.

 

[Komitadjie]

I've heard of people using mineral oil to thin out bar-type compounds to make them easier to get on in a smooth coating, but never heard anything about using it for the HA compounds. I'd be really careful, given that the HA carrier agent is water-based, and an oil might make the belt repel the compound. Not entirely sure how that'd work.