Leather for pickguard?

[larryguitar]

Does the acrylic act like a hardener? Do you recommend a specific product?
I'm not looking to do this myself just curious..it sounds similar to what woodworkers do with spalted and live edge woods to stabilize them.

The acrylic (something like Resolene) seals the leather and, as a byproduct, can help stiffen it. It's not the same as the vacuum stabilization woodworkers use, but something most 'working' leather gets (I generally do belts and holsters.)

What can really stiffen vegetable tanned leather is appropriate use of water and heat during drying; it stiffens the collagen in the leather. There are also products that can make it even stiffer, if needed.
The attached photo shows veg tanned leather after molding and drying; it will retain that shape for a long, long time.

Larry