Leather preservation

this works really well for boots https://workboot.com/collections/leather-care/products/viberg-leather-preservative-8oz

this will revive, shine and protect it but will not make it super soft and slightly tacky. mink oil will also work and surely make it soft but can continue to break down the leather and soften it to the point of tearing eventually. also slightly tacky.

but I guess it depends what the situation is.. is it furniture, boots, belts, the old lady's whip? if its not for boots you may want to look at an oil?
 
If it’s fine leather use an oil. If it’s heavy leather like boots use the link from Artic87. It’s excellent stuff. Either way be aware it will probably darken the leather.
 
Neats foot oil, made from shin bones of cattle. Sometimes mink oil can be too much. Lee valley sells resonance wax depending how dried out it is
 
I'm gonna hold my input...everyone has an opinion on stuff like this.
One question that needs pondering...is the leather gonna be used or is it going to decorate a safe queen? Safe Queen...follow the museum procedure. Personally I like a consistency like Vaseline for maintenance. But I rarely muck about with dried out leather...too easy to fix it or change it as opposed to tryna bring it back to useable.
Let us know what you go with and how it worked out.
 
The sling is on a Boer Mauser. It hasn't been touched in decades. The sling is important because the Boer owner carved his name in it. The sling needs to be preserved as an historical artifact - not as something to carry the rifle.
 
This is a good discussion with multi pronged approaches and varied results. Frequently case straps and handle bases, parts that take strain, are affected the worst. In my restorations of 100-150 year gun cases I’ve found that some leather dries out to the consistency of cardboard, it has no strength, shreds easily. If not bent sharply or pulled or strained it will hold it’s shape but is only useful for static display. Call this type 1. The other type I frequently encounter is very hard and inflexible, it cracks easily if bent. It will sometimes continue to serve if not badly cracked. I call this type 2. Type 1 can be made to look good with most commercial non liquid leather dressings but nothing will restore the lost strength. I haven’t found anything, including Neat’s Foot Oil that will restore the suppleness to type 2 items. Any actual experience on items like this would be appreciated.
 
tiriaq said:
What can be used to soften, preserve and protect old, stiff, dried out leather?
Click to expand...

my dad his dad and so on... now me.....neats foot oil...on all the harness...and anything leather that needs softening ....it will darken it but only for a while,,,, saddle /riding gear shops have it or can order it ITS OLD SCHOOL nice to see others get it ...don
 
tiriaq said:
The sling is on a Boer Mauser. It hasn't been touched in decades. The sling is important because the Boer owner carved his name in it. The sling needs to be preserved as an historical artifact - not as something to carry the rifle.
Click to expand...

Go with the method museum's use...I'm gonna guess wax IIRC.
Funny that while we all agree that we can never alter the appearance of a milsurp...I'm seeing folks telling you to use something that will change the appearance?
As it is a historical artifact...it doesn't want to be changed in appearance.
Personally, go with the museum method...to hell with what I say or anyone else's advice as well...if it changes one iota the appearance...I'd not go with it.
By all means...don't just tease...throw a picture up. I'd be politely interested to see it.
 
The Vasoline is safe to put on 1 day old babies.

The question of leather preservation and restoration has been a topic of many curator’s discussions. Not many definitive answers either through anecdotal discussion or study.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom