Restoring/Protecting Old Leather?

WeaponsCollector · Jan 12, 2017

Restoring & Protecting Old Leather?

Just wondering what works best to protect and/or restore some dry and stiff 100 year old leather.
I have a lot of antique leather items and have always tried to avoid putting anything on it but the leather chin strap on this US WWI helmet I found recently definitely needs something.
It's very dry and stiff and the surface is starting to crack a little and I'm worried it will only get worse if I don't do something.
Heard Ballistol, pure neatsfoot oil, or even olive oil will work but before I put anything on it I want to be sure it will protect the leather and not damage it.
Thanks!
Here's a photo of the leather:

iH8DemLibz · Jan 12, 2017

Contact the Tandy Leather Company.

They sell a product that may help you.

If the leather isn't too far gone.

WeaponsCollector · Jan 12, 2017

Already have Ballistol and olive oil and would like to use one of those if it won't harm anything but want to be sure first instead of trying to experiment.

Boom Boom · Jan 12, 2017

I use Zaino Z-9 leather cleaner and Z-10 leather conditioner. Used it last week to help a Vietnam vet with his leather pistol holster from the war. For who knows how long, he used brown shoe polish on it. Without much effort, Z-9 got all the shoe polish off. Z-10 brought the leather back to life. The stuff ain't cheap but works really well on leather and vinyl. The Z-10 smells great, just like new leather.

I would *not* use Ballistol or olive oil. I have plenty of both. They will over-soften vintage leather and hasten its demise.

2nd=Good+Substantial · Jan 13, 2017

I've used Lexol.

jtb81100 · Jan 13, 2017

Carnauba cream. Little bit goes a long way. Use a soft clean rag or a damp new sponge (completely wrung out) to work a light application of it in. Let it sit for at least a few hours before repeating until you're satisfied.

somd_mustangs · Jan 13, 2017

The pros use Connolly Hide Care cream (lanolin).
It's expensive though.
The Luger Holster Doc is one of the best leather guys out there and that's what he recommends and uses,
and he works on some very, very rare and valuable items.

Most other stuff will damage the leather in the long run (or in the short run in some cases).

Pecard's is a good product too (and a lot less expensive) but you have to use it very sparingly or it will turn the leather to mush.

Ballistol and olive oil are bad juju

KH195 · Jan 13, 2017

Another thing to keep in mind for preservation after you find something to restore it is the humidity in your home. Leather will desiccate and dry/crack if exposed to long periods of low humidity (under ~35% or so from what I've read). My home gets super dry with our gas heat over the fall/winter months (like 20-25%) so I run a small humidifier in my collecting room to keep the humidity in a more normal range, around 40%.

newmuzzleloader · Jan 13, 2017

I would suggest stopping in at a tack shop or looking on some horse forums to see what is recommended on all the leather saddles bridles etc

Ironnewt · Jan 13, 2017

I will post the name of the stuff I use. It comes in a yellow plastic screw top "can" The stuff stinks but works great.

Machodoc · Jan 13, 2017

somd_mustangs said:
The pros use Connolly Hide Care cream (lanolin).

^^^ This. It's worth the price, and it will probably last you a long time if you keep the container sealed up.

somd_mustangs said:
Ballistol and olive oil are bad juju

^^^ Also, this. Olive oil is slightly acetic, and you don't want that on leather. Yeah, it will soften the leather, but it's not good long-term.

I don't know as much about how Ballistol works with leather, but I'm under the impression that it's not made to soak into dried leather, and is more intended to be a surface protector for new leather goods.

DE21740 · Jan 13, 2017

you could contact a place like this:
http://www.hawkinsleather.com/specialcustomleatherprojects.aspx

they will install new leather

somd_mustangs · Jan 14, 2017

With old helmets (and holsters etc) it's best to try to save and preserve the original leather (and other parts) if at all possible, even if it's not in the best of shape.
The strap in the OP doesn't look too bad, just needs some TLC.

Tankfixr · Jan 14, 2017

Pure Neatsfoot Oil is your friend when it comes to leather that is exposed to the weather.

It's not a cleaner, but a great conditioner and protector.

You can pick it up cheap in the horse tack section of your local Tractor Supply.

ThePhantomPatriot · Jan 14, 2017

Tractor Supply sells various leather conditioners and oils. I've used some Neatsfoot Oil before on stiff new unconditioned knife sheaths and worked it in, makes the leather flexible and helps preserve it.

Justemily · Jan 14, 2017

check out RENAISSANCE WAX (Ren Wax) used by major museums, art galleries and institutions for the preservation of the precious pieces. $$$$$ but well worth it. look it up I've been using it for years.
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somd_mustangs · Jan 14, 2017

Ren wax is great for sealing/protecting but not so much for putting life back into dried out leather unfortunately.
I use Ren Wax too but pretty much limit it to high-polish blued or raw metal, where it excels.

Overboost44 · Jan 14, 2017

I use this in my truck and it works well. I also have Lexol. I don't think the Lexol lasts as long.
http://www.krsaddleshop.com/Leather-Conditioner

lee2 · Jan 14, 2017

treat your leather like your skin.

INMY01TA · Jan 14, 2017

Neatsfoot oil is great stuff for leather.

Restoring/Protecting Old Leather?

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