I bought some very nice leather slings for some rifles. Should get them shortly. Two are tan leather with white stitching. One is black leather with white stitching. And one is a mix of tan and black leather with white stitching. I want to use something to preserve them and everything I've ever used in the past has darkened the leather some. I want to avoid that and definitely want to avoid staining the white stitching.

I think neatsfoot oil is out. For me, that has always darkened leather and somewhat discolors stitching.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

I like Bick No. 4. I have not noticed that it darkens leather, but, in fairness, I have never tried it on a raw leather. I use it on cowboy boots which have fancy stitching on the shafts, and on a leather flight jacket. All of these leathers are already pretty dark, so I don't know how lighter leather would be affected.

In your circumstances, and given that one wrong product could permanently color the leather, I'd call the manufacturer and ask.

Question: you mention that both have white stitching; are they both made of two pieces of top-grain sewed flesh side to flesh side?

That aside, my inclination would be to stay away from oils of any kind and instead use a cream or paste type preserver that has bee’s wax for its base.

Bicks Number 4. No question.

Renaissance Wax is recommended by several top leathersmiths. I have been using it for years on not only leather but guns also.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
Question: you mention that both have white stitching; are they both made of two pieces of top-grain sewed flesh side to flesh side?

That aside, my inclination would be to stay away from oils of any kind and instead use a cream or paste type preserver that has bee’s wax for its base.

Not sure of the terminology. The two-colored sling is tan leather framing underlying black leather. Smooth side of both is up. Suede sides are down.

Okay, Bick No. 4 looks good.

https://www.amazon.com/Bickmor...nished/dp/B001CS2Q4M

Renaissance Wax. Never heard of it. Amazon has that for $25 per 200ml jar. Looks like that is more of a metal wax. Looks like some people use it to polish hard, formed leather. Is it useful on leather that needs to stay pliable?

The following is based on my experience on my leather bag:

This took green sharpie off of my saddleback bag:


Followed by this to add moisture back to it:
This doesn't appear to darken the leather once dried.

Start:


Cleaned:


Conditioner added:


All done:


Lesson learned, don't rub quite so hard, let the cleaner do the work. If I showed you the bag today, you wouldn't know it had green sharpie on it.

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
The following is based on my experience on my leather bag:

I saw Chamerlain's on a website showing the "10 best" leather conditioners.

One of the others I saw is Lexol Deep Conditioner. I forgot, I actually have some of that in the garage that I use on my wife's car leather seats.

I'll have to find some light tanned leather to see how it does. The leather seats in the car are finished. Tanned leather seems more likely to soak stuff up and discolor. I'll test it.

Thankfully the chamberlains took the sharpie off the bag. I wasn't happy when the youngin opted to put it there. I try to go over the gear about once a year, and it seems to do well. I am satisfied with the results. This thread might prompt me to clean it over the weekend. Will post before/after if desired.

The best? Leathrique is the best.

Griot's that you can buy at Autozone.

It's a spray leather cleaner and conditioner that does all that but doesn't darken the leather.

Another vote for Chamberlains. I use it on my briefcase and all my shoes.

Lexol darkens while it is wet, but then it dries and is absorbed and the item returns to its previous color.

quote:

Originally posted by Micropterus:

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
The following is based on my experience on my leather bag:

I saw Chamerlain's on a website showing the "10 best" leather conditioners.

One of the others I saw is Lexol Deep Conditioner. I forgot, I actually have some of that in the garage that I use on my wife's car leather seats.

I'll have to find some light tanned leather to see how it does. The leather seats in the car are finished. Tanned leather seems more likely to soak stuff up and discolor. I'll test it.

I use Lexol on my boots and leather furniture and it does not darken the leather. Works well and it's easy to apply

quote:

Originally posted by dewhorse:

quote:

Originally posted by Micropterus:

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
The following is based on my experience on my leather bag:

I saw Chamerlain's on a website showing the "10 best" leather conditioners.

One of the others I saw is Lexol Deep Conditioner. I forgot, I actually have some of that in the garage that I use on my wife's car leather seats.

I'll have to find some light tanned leather to see how it does. The leather seats in the car are finished. Tanned leather seems more likely to soak stuff up and discolor. I'll test it.

I use Lexol on my boots and leather furniture and it does not darken the leather. Works well and it's easy to apply

I'd recommend Lexol also, they make a non darkening formula now that is in a white spray bottle (instead of brown) just for light colored leather. You can find it at Advanced Auto parts and similar places.