Leather Care -- The Basics

[rtb178]

Hello everyone,

I received this great looking leather bag http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/4065811/7538348.htm . Now I need some help with overall maintenance, etc. How do you all take care of your leather goods? Is there a big difference between (quality) leather goods -- say, this and a leather messenger bag? Where should I go to find products to keep this thing in good shape? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[ducatisteve]

I would take my advice from Saddleback Leather.

"How do I care for my leather?

Oil or condition it after you've had it for 6 - 12 months then, once a year or so after that. You don't want to do it too often, because you don't want to saturate the leather. It's just not good for it. And, it won't kill it if you wait a little longer than 12 months.


Which leather care products do you recommend?

Baby Oil is good and smells great. Mink oil waterproofs whatever it touches and darkens it some. Lexol Conditioners and Oils are great, and can darken it a little. Not really sure about Beeswax."

Then maybe a spray waterproofer since it will be holding toiletries. Perhaps something like the spray made by Allen Edmonds for Nubuck leather.

[elkaholic]

Check out www.obenaufs.com. They make leather care products that wildfire fighters use, so it should handle anything you or the TSA can throw at it.

[VT_Hokie]

I'm a car detailing guru, you may think this is crazy but trust me it works.

SPF 65, no silicone at all.

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-66-adams-leather-conditioner.aspx

[bossdog79]

leather dressing, like the kind you get with saddle bags works real good....not sure where to find it other than bike shops though.

[Kouros]

Neutral shoe polish works well on leather.

[Leche]

Check out www.obenaufs.com. They make leather care products that wildfire fighters use, so it should handle anything you or the TSA can throw at it.

Simply the best.

[Rustolium]

check out www.obenaufs.com. They make leather care products that wildfire fighters use, so it should handle anything you or the tsa can throw at it.

+ 1

[DaveNJ74]

I think all the advice given so far is great but I like it when the leather is worn and beaten a little.

[ducatisteve]

I think most folks like that look for leather goods as well. The thing to remember is that the best way to make a quality piece of leather look it's been used for 20 years is to take care of it while using it for 20 years. Unfortunately there are no real shortcuts without either ruining the leather or looking super fake!

[Feraud]

Hello everyone,

I received this great looking leather bag http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/4065811/7538348.htm . Now I need some help with overall maintenance, etc. How do you all take care of your leather goods? Is there a big difference between (quality) leather goods -- say, this and a leather messenger bag? Where should I go to find products to keep this thing in good shape? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks.

First off that is a gorgeous leather bag! :thumbup1:

There is a difference in leather goods depending on type of leather, cut, and tanning treatment. Your bag should be good to go for a number of years w/out much worry. Right now I would suggest keeping the finish more or less clean, dry, etc.
If and when you notice some drying of the leather, Pecards is a highly regarded leather conditions. A little goes a long way.
http://www.pecard.com/
I've used Pecards on 30+ year old dried leather jackets and it works wonders.

[scottish steve]

I always tend to treat my leather as best I can and find beeswax to be extremely respectful of anything I've put it on and it softens things up nicely. I'm absolutely sure all of the other products are top-notch, but if you see some in your daily travels, you can be sure it will do the job. It also doesn't stay forever on leather, and as far as I'm aware, even if you do go a bit nuts with it, it'll just naturally abrade/evaporate/get washed off. Good leather is an intensely sensual and expensive material, but good leather is also very resilient to all but the most careless of treatment. I mean, look at how many pints of sweat you pour into your shoes every day?

[ImaWestie]

Beeswax and lanolin are both good natural oils for dressing leather.

My best outcomes have been, on a nice hot summer day (40+ celcius / 100+ F ) put both the product and the dressing in full sun - on concrete or a solid table - for about 1/2 an hour. Apply just a little bit too much dressing and let it sit for 10+ minutes then buff off whatever you can get off. Leave it in the heat for a bit longer then bring it inside.

Once it cools, buff it again... if it is still greasy, maybe use a little powder (talcum powder) to stop it greasing all over your other belongings. The powder will soak up the excess but not dry out the leather at all.