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Thread: Preservation and maintainance of old stuff

  1. #1
    Drew Bedo's Avatar
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    Preservation and maintainance of old stuff

    I posted a question on another thread here asking about preserving the finish on antique brass lenses with a thin coat of wax.

    I now have another question on preserving very old gear.

    I have a set of Waterhouse stops in their leather pouch. If they are from the 19th century the set may be 120-150 years old. The stops are in good shape with little wear. The leather pouch is also in pretty good shape; intact, tight and flexible.

    What should I do to keep this leather pouch in good shape? A shores wrangler recommended salad oil (really!) but I can't see myself doing that. What about "Neat's Foot Oil" or a shoe polish or dressing? What do museum curators use?
    Drew Bedo
    www.quietlightphoto.com
    http://www.artsyhome.com/author/drew-bedo




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  2. #2
    Ron (Netherlands)'s Avatar
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    Re: Preservation and maintainance of old stuff

    Treating (old) leather bellows I use this so-called leather balm:

    https://www.quality-shop.com/nl/saph...hoCCQkQAvD_BwE
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  3. #3

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    Re: Preservation and maintainance of old stuff

    Lanolin based leather preparations are the most common universal use... These replace missing collagens that keep the structure strong and supple...

    Other preparations that contain silicone seal off from moisture, but don't allow new treatments to be applied evenly in the future, or allow anything to bond to leather when making future repairs...

    Neat's foot oil is used as a softener, such as stiff baseball gloves...

    Steve K

  4. #4

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    Re: Preservation and maintainance of old stuff

    When I was 9 yrs. old I was given a new baseball glove for my birthday. It was so stiff I couldn't close it. A friend in my class told me to bring it to his families leather shop, and that his dad would know what to do for it. The shop was a 4 minute walk from my house. His grandfather was the only one there and as I was telling him about the "recipes" that some of the other boys said, like "put in in a bucket of motor oil", the grandfather leaned down, put his hand on my shoulder and said "son, never put anything on leather that you wouldn't put on your own face."

    Show the pouch to a leather worker for the best advice.

  5. #5
    Unwitting Thread Killer Ari's Avatar
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    Re: Preservation and maintainance of old stuff

    New baseball gloves always got coated in Vaseline.
    By day, we'd work the glove to make it softer and snappier, by night it went under the mattress to get it to close easily.

  6. #6
    Foamer
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    Re: Preservation and maintainance of old stuff

    I wouldn't use something like salad oil as that will eventually turn rancid.


    Kent in SD
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  7. #7

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    Re: Preservation and maintainance of old stuff

    Lexol has worked well for me. Meant for leather-bound books, It's also popular among people whose cars have leather interiors.

  8. #8
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Re: Preservation and maintainance of old stuff

    I use only https://www.obenaufs.com/leather-and...ucts-s/101.htm on leather

    Many restore wood with new finish. In 500 years they may curse us

    Cleaning is OK, Renaissance wax is OK

    almost any bicycle, car, truck, motorcycle is worth far more as 'original survivor' than restored, even Tin Cans!

    I try to not clean my lense's glass unless it really needs it

    I have 50 to 120 year old leather bellows that do not need anything...so I just lightly dust them
    Tin Can

  9. #9
    chris73's Avatar
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    Re: Preservation and maintainance of old stuff

    I use baby oil on bellows and pouches. Not sure if it is a scientifically acceptable solution but i can not see any harm so far.

    You may have to apply many coats until the leather is saturated. And then leave it to dry for many days before puting it back in any sort of case.
    Your thoughts on that?

  10. #10

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    Re: Preservation and maintainance of old stuff

    https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/cle...olish-leather/

    Some good information in the link above. Have used Saddle Soap on heavy leathers, like horse saddles. Works well. The light stuff we moved to the Lexol years ago.

    Then treat with Mink Oil. Has worked for leather bellows now for a long time.
    ” Never attribute to inspiration that which can be adequately explained by delusion”.

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