doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com How do you restore the leather on a gun case

I have a number of original English oak and leather gun cases that need to have the leather re conditioned. The leather is dark on them, is dried out, and some scuff marks are present. What is the proper way to restore them?

First cleaning with soapy water, then drying, then applying animal oil (oil that made from animal joints).

Saddlery shops are a good place to start to find what you need. I start with leather car seat cleaner and then finish with a saddle preparation to feed the leather. You get a good clean shine without losing the patina of age. Lagopus.....

I like to start with a glycerin based soap wash and then an oil for dark leather or one of the white creams for light colored leathers. If it has dirt in/on tight areas, a soft bristle brush or even a small toothbrush will help when cleaning.

I found this cream to be the best of the creams I've tried. Being a horse nut for about 10 yrs, I tried all kinds of leather cleaners and conditioners. http://www.eliswesternwear.com/western/p...anerConditioner

LD1:
Old leather can only be "helped" so much. It has a finite life. A cleansing with saddle soap, light touch up of scuffs with a good dye, and a final work-in of Pecard dressing is about all I do. And about all that's probably doable. For straps, a good soak in PURE neatsfoot oil is often helpful. Get this at shoemakers or saddle shops. The stuff at the hardware is not good.

Best, Kensal

i recently found a product called weaver leather creme. it is expense, but works well. also, kiwi leather lotion works. and then there is wally's original leather conditioner for dry, cracked leather. it works wonders, as does most of wally's products. speaking of wally, saw and chatted with him at a gun show in pa recently. he is still going strong. anybody who has regularly attended gun shows in the north east anytime during the last 50 years must remember wally?

Listen to Kensal. I can tell he knows leather. When leather is dry and cracked it is finished. Ed, even the torch won't help it.

Like the lads above said..if its so dry n messed up , & you can tear it like thin cardboard , it's done!
But i have a nice soft style LO Mutton Water Buff' case I have been treating for years w/ Olive Oil, & it seems to work great
franc

Several years ago, I read an article with photos showing a pair of wing tip shoes that were hand made for Prince Charles. The interesting part is that the leather hide was from the hold of a sunken ship from the 18th century. Obviously, the Englishman who worked/restored this leather and made the shoes knew what he was doing.

Olive Oil .....Worse comes to worse you can chop it up and eat it in a salad.