Petrified, can it come back ?
Jun 22, 2021 15:30:14 #
petercbrandt
Loc: New York City, Manhattan
Does anyone know if an old Kodak Brownie movie camera 'carrying case' can be revived from petrification ? Something to soften the leather-like material.
It is all there, just hard as wood ! Its part of an assembly of a kit.
It is all there, just hard as wood ! Its part of an assembly of a kit.
Jun 22, 2021 15:45:32 #
You could ask one of the experts:
Village Tannery
4.7
(61) · $$ · Leather goods store
173 Bleecker St # A · (212) 673-5444
Open ⋅ Closes 7PM
In-store shopping·
In-store pickup
Modern Leather Goods
4.2
(159) · Leather repair service
2 W 32nd St 4th floor · Near the Empire State Building · (212) 279-3263
Closes soon ⋅ 4PM
Leather repair & restoration services
Badichi NYC
4.5
(65) · Leather goods store
367 W Broadway · (212) 533-2107
Open ⋅ Closes 7PM
In-store shopping·
In-store pickup·
Delivery
Village Tannery
4.7
(61) · $$ · Leather goods store
173 Bleecker St # A · (212) 673-5444
Open ⋅ Closes 7PM
In-store shopping·
In-store pickup
Modern Leather Goods
4.2
(159) · Leather repair service
2 W 32nd St 4th floor · Near the Empire State Building · (212) 279-3263
Closes soon ⋅ 4PM
Leather repair & restoration services
Badichi NYC
4.5
(65) · Leather goods store
367 W Broadway · (212) 533-2107
Open ⋅ Closes 7PM
In-store shopping·
In-store pickup·
Delivery
Jun 22, 2021 15:51:37 #
petercbrandt wrote:
Does anyone know if an old Kodak Brownie movie camera 'carrying case' can be revived from petrification ? Something to soften the leather-like material.
It is all there, just hard as wood ! Its part of an assembly of a kit.
It is all there, just hard as wood ! Its part of an assembly of a kit.
I have used Neets Foot Oil on leather with decent results. Hard cracked and dried out will soften with the product applied liberally. One side effect is that it does tend to darken the leather.
Jun 22, 2021 16:01:30 #
Neatsfoot oil. Used it on old dried saddles and bridles for years.
I have even taken old dried out bridles and soaked them in the watering trough overnight and then dried them off and used the Neatsfoot oil.
I have even taken old dried out bridles and soaked them in the watering trough overnight and then dried them off and used the Neatsfoot oil.
Jun 22, 2021 16:28:12 #
petercbrandt wrote:
Does anyone know if an old Kodak Brownie movie camera 'carrying case' can be revived from petrification ? Something to soften the leather-like material.
It is all there, just hard as wood ! Its part of an assembly of a kit.
It is all there, just hard as wood ! Its part of an assembly of a kit.
A great product to consider is Pecard's Antique Leather Cream have used if for years on antique leather items.
https://pecard.com/shop/classic/leather-cream/
Jun 23, 2021 02:51:48 #
petercbrandt wrote:
Does anyone know if an old Kodak Brownie movie camera 'carrying case' can be revived from petrification ? Something to soften the leather-like material.
It is all there, just hard as wood ! Its part of an assembly of a kit.
It is all there, just hard as wood ! Its part of an assembly of a kit.
Peter, Id get professional advice. I have an old Leica carry case (called the Doctors Bag https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-131231-1.html), probably about the same vintage. In mint unused condition but like yours, gone hard. I haven't been able to find anyone here confident enough to treat it. One of the problems is affecting the mint look of the stitching. Another is, because the outside is almost like a paint, an oil might cause the veneer to flake.
I'll watch this thread to see if any safe alternative comes up from someone who has successfully restored an old 'leather look' case.
We have used Neatsfoot oil on tack when we had horses and it is wonderful, but of course it was all good quality leather.
Jun 23, 2021 06:18:15 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
petercbrandt wrote:
Does anyone know if an old Kodak Brownie movie camera 'carrying case' can be revived from petrification ? Something to soften the leather-like material.
It is all there, just hard as wood ! Its part of an assembly of a kit.
It is all there, just hard as wood ! Its part of an assembly of a kit.
Saddle soap.
Jun 23, 2021 07:10:32 #
Jun 23, 2021 08:21:47 #
Starting with Neets Foot oil & letting it soak in, depending on the "hardness" of the leather & how Neets Foot soaks in, you may be looking at 3-4 applications. I would start on a small area, perhaps the strap if you have it
Jun 23, 2021 08:26:00 #
As a kid, I had everything in your photo. Lots of fun.
Leather restoration -
https://www.leatherhoney.com/blogs/leather-care/six-leather-restoration-tips#:~:text=To%20start%20leather%20restoration%20and,a%20clean%20lint%2Dfree%20cloth.
https://pecard.com/guide-restoring-antique-leather/
https://www.wikihow.com/Restore-Leather
https://www.hunker.com/13411001/how-to-restore-antique-leather
Leather restoration -
https://www.leatherhoney.com/blogs/leather-care/six-leather-restoration-tips#:~:text=To%20start%20leather%20restoration%20and,a%20clean%20lint%2Dfree%20cloth.
https://pecard.com/guide-restoring-antique-leather/
https://www.wikihow.com/Restore-Leather
https://www.hunker.com/13411001/how-to-restore-antique-leather
Jun 23, 2021 08:36:11 #
Lexol is the best leather treatment I've found so far, and is readily available. It won't darken the leather like neatsfoot oil. I've used it on the leather seats of many cars I've owned over the years, as well as on leather items in my militaria collection, with no negative results.
My second choice, which also works well, would be mink oil.
I've also used neatsfoot oil in the past, before I discovered lexol. I found this warning on an informative website covering leather treatments (https://www.libertyleathergoods.com/leather-oil/):
"However, the chemical composition of neatsfoot oil also makes it prone to oxidizing over time. This is especially true for older leathers. This, applying this oil will help condition the leather in the short-term, though speed up it’s decomposition in the long-term, making it brittle and prone to cracking.
Thus, is most cases, it would be advised to use a different leather oil for any goods that will be kept for long periods of time. The same is true for any goods where the general look/finish is to be maintained."
My second choice, which also works well, would be mink oil.
I've also used neatsfoot oil in the past, before I discovered lexol. I found this warning on an informative website covering leather treatments (https://www.libertyleathergoods.com/leather-oil/):
"However, the chemical composition of neatsfoot oil also makes it prone to oxidizing over time. This is especially true for older leathers. This, applying this oil will help condition the leather in the short-term, though speed up it’s decomposition in the long-term, making it brittle and prone to cracking.
Thus, is most cases, it would be advised to use a different leather oil for any goods that will be kept for long periods of time. The same is true for any goods where the general look/finish is to be maintained."
Jun 23, 2021 09:00:00 #
Lexol is good, IMO, Pecards is better. For antique items both neatsfoot & saddle soap are not great choices, plenty of info available online.
Jun 23, 2021 09:22:46 #
Plus one on the Lexol. I've used it to maintain holsters, belts, etc. Use the Lexol leather cleaner first, then apply the conditioner per the instructions. Much better than neat's foot oil.
I've also had a local saddlery and leather shop restitch leather. Done correctly, it's not noticeable. However, cost could be a factor.
I've also had a local saddlery and leather shop restitch leather. Done correctly, it's not noticeable. However, cost could be a factor.
Jun 23, 2021 10:35:25 #
Horseart wrote:
Neatsfoot oil. Used it on old dried saddles and bridles for years.
I have even taken old dried out bridles and soaked them in the watering trough overnight and then dried them off and used the Neatsfoot oil.
I have even taken old dried out bridles and soaked them in the watering trough overnight and then dried them off and used the Neatsfoot oil.
Good advice. I have done the same when needed with good results. Like many other items, good tack costs money. But I’s worth it in the long run.
Jun 23, 2021 10:55:41 #
Connelly Brothers Hide Food is an excellent softener/conditioner/preservative. Made by the company that supplies leather to a number of high end/exotic automobiles, including Rolls Royce and Ferrari last I looked.
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