Use acrylic paints and a clear acrylic lacquer/varnish (available from WH Smiths). Get a small, soft brush which can be moistened into a clearly defined point. Clean the jacket with a damp cloth and let it dry thoroughly. Sketch the design out using feint chalk or make a stencil using masking tape. Paint in thinly applied layers and allow each layer to dry fully. Apply four or more coats. Finally, apply two coats of the lacquer over the design plus a 1cm border.

Acrylics are best. Clean the jacket with warm soapy water. Use a 'flexible medium' if possible. If using Liquitex brand you may get away without. You can varnish with with clear acryclic coating to protect further. T-Shirts can be done above but the flexible medium is essential. This way is better than buying fabric paints. See similar questions...

In developed countries you can buy flat-black spray paint that says "non-toxic when dry" on the label. Otherwise, black tempera paint works, but you have to be careful not to wash it off when you wash the pot. Solar cookers in Uganda report that they use aluminum pots that have been blackened on the outside by fire. See similar questions...

The major command patch on brown leather or the U.S. Air Force shield on brown leather is worn on the right breast. The brown leather nametag on black leather is worn on the left breast. Rank is not worn. See similar questions...

Wear of patches on flightsuits is governed by each major command, but in general the following usually applies: See similar questions...

Full grain, quality vegetable tanned domestic steer hide. We use only the finest hides available from select tanneries in the USA. See similar questions...

It's a good idea to condition your leather every 4-6 weeks with a good quality leather conditioner like Chilhowee Buffalo Butter. To keep your leather from fading from the sun's UV rays, we encourage customers to apply 303 Anti-Fade Protectant more frequently. See similar questions...

Keep your new leather and garments out of direct sunlight and store them in unzipped garment bags. Doing so will allow the leather to breathe. Professional leather cleaner will have the best leather care products for your new Leather For ME products. Most recommend a spray protector--these can enhance the life of your leather garments. Of course, for best results, get your leather and suede items cleaned at a professional leather cleaner, but only when necessary. See similar questions...

We use 8-9 oz. cowhide which is finished with a black waxy latigo treatment. This is a traditional type of leather for these products. Click here to learn more about latigo. See similar questions...

Keep in mind that no matter what paint you use on wood it won't hold up forever when exposed to the elements. Just look at an old painted wooden house ? that's what you'll get in time: Pealing, cracking, discoloring, etc. There are lots of different opinions about painting and you can always ask a professional painter or someone experienced at your local paint store if you want a second opinion. See similar questions...

On hard plastic bodies you may use enamel, lacquer or acrylic paints On poly-carbonate bodies (the see-thru type) you must only use poly-carbonate paint. This is applied on the inside of the body and remains flexible - if you do not use polycarbonate paint then the paint will crack and peel off the first time the body is bent. The protective coating on the outside is then removed to reveal a sparkling painted finish. See similar questions...

There are two answers for this. If you do in fact have leather shoes you can say that you got them before going vegetarian or vegan, and that it would be wasteful to throw them out just to purchase new ones. You can also say that next time you go shopping you will be buying one of the many cruelty-free pairs of shoes that are on the market now a days. If your shoes are synthetic then you may want to say, "They're non-leather, but I appreciate your concern. See similar questions...

Many leather goods are made from the byproducts of the slaughterhouse, so while you may not be contributing to the destruction of animals, you will be contributing to the profits of these establishments. Some leather is purpose made, i.e. the animal is grown and slaughtered purely for its skin. The Nov/Dec 1991 issue of the Vegetarian Journal has this to say about leather: "Environmentally turning animal hides into leather is an energy intensive and polluting practice. See similar questions...