Restoring Leather Case

[Mark1966]

I recently purchased a nice 'Standard' set with a leather case. The case is a little scuffed as you can see:

What is the best product to bring this leather back to its former glory. Shoe polish seems too easy

Thanks in advance

 

[Oldguy]

I recently purchased a nice 'Standard' set with a leather case. The case is a little scuffed as you can see:

What is the best product to bring this leather back to its former glory. Shoe polish seems too easy

Thanks in advance

I use Armorall Leather Care on all my leather cases. Not only does it clean the leather but conditions the leather with Lanolin and puts moisture back into the dried out leather. Another benefit is the older cases have leather hinges which get brittle and crack. The Armorall brings it back to it's original softness and prevents any further cracking.

Len

 

[ghostknife]

Mark, personally I used this just because I had it for my shoes & lounge suite. You can get it locally (to us) at some shoe repairers but it's not that easy to find so I suggest the bay. It's based on beeswax but is quite soft, cleans, moistuises and shines. Can sometimes leave a slightly greasy finish but I've found it depends a lot on what type of leather it's used on so maybe test on something. EDIT: Mostly that is on shoes that came Oiled (or oilskin jackets etc) so it *should* be good, in any case I didn't have a problem.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Renapur-Leather-Balsam-Conditioner-Large-250ml-/260668098685

http://www.renapur.com

 

[Picaro]

Dubbin will put a bit of life back into dry old leather. You gently rub a coat on and let it soak. It will usually darken the colour a shade, but it works well.

I've just done a 1930's Travel Kit that was as dry as your box looks.

If you cant find the Armorall product or one of these, let me know and I'll put a "decant" of Dubbin in the Travelling Razor Box for you.

 

[Mark1966]

DUH!

Dubbin, of course, I have a fresh tin I use for my R M Williams boots.

While it might not be quite up to the Leather Balm (thanks Ghostknife) or Armorall it is here, cheap and available. I'll give it a go

 

[Picaro]

I have used Dubbin on a thick English leather jacket, almost as thick as motorcycle leathers.
On lighter leather jackets, you would probably be better off using a more liquid lanolin dressing. Dubbin is a good product but it will leave a waxy feel on the leather.

 

[ghostknife]

DUH!

Dubbin, of course, I have a fresh tin I use for my R M Williams boots.

While it might not be quite up to the Leather Balm (thanks Ghostknife) or Armorall it is here, cheap and available. I'll give it a go

Ah i wouldn't use that, dubbin is animal fat based.

I've read various here-say/evidence/rumour that it can/may/does/doesn't cause strange things to happen to stitching and *some* leather. Plus it's a lot thicker and harder to use than the renapur. Just to be safe I didnt use it.
If you want some renapur I have 2 jars I can decant some and send it forth.

 

[drandall]

i've always used lexol products. they're made exclusively for leather.

the cleaner is a very mild soap similar to saddle soap. the conditioner is a light spray which you allow to sink in. it smells great and treated leather feels supple and smooth afterwards. it's especially good at preventing cracking

 

[woodfluter]

i've always used lexol products. they're made exclusively for leather.

+1 on Lexol.

Re saddle soap (in passing), my retired chemist friend worked for the company that developed Lexol. He wrote some articles that cautioned against using saddle soap under any circumstances. The benefits are short-lived and it screws up the pH at which leather is happiest, leading to damage over the long haul.

- Bill

 

[highball]

I use a Little bit of pure neatsfoot oil, then Renaissance wax on my leather cases

 

[Mark1966]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys - relly appreciated!