Renovating a leather jacket

[celticleather]

I've been asked to renovate a 1970s leather jacket that's been lanquishing in a wardrobe for about twenty years. I have no problem with restoring the colour (black), or re-stitching pockets, seams and buttons. What worries me is that the leather has dried out to the point where it 'crackles' like building-gauge plastic sheet, and almost stands up unsupported! It hasn't quite reached the point where it becomes brittle, but it's not far off.

What is the best way to restore some suppleness to the leather? My thoughts are leaning towards leather balm (Lexol or similar), hide food, or possibly some mixture of neatsfoot oil and spirit (which may leave a greasy residue).

If anyone has had experience in this area, I'd be glad to hear from you before I do anything irreversible!

[Luke Hatley]

use the Lexol product if that don't work for you, hang it back in the closet..

"things just dont last unless one takes care of them on a regulsr basis".

[UKRay]

Skidmore's Restoration Cream would be the ideal stuff for this, Terry.

[badger]

Terry,

I'd go for the Skidmore's too.

Sit in front of the telly rubbing it in all over with your fingers.

I mean into the jacket, not the TV

Badger

[barra]

If looking for Connolly hide food, It is now called Hide Care. I think they had to take away the reference to "food"

Barra

[Saddlebag]

When I worked for a prominent museum in the library division, we used Lexol conditioner on the old leather bindings. That was all we were allowed to use. In our case we had to make sure that nothing increased the acidity which causes breakdown. In some cases the bindings were several hundred years old and were in surprisingly good condition while others didn't fare so well.

[celticleather]

I cracked this one with a bit of experimentation! I gave the jacket four sprayings with Fiebings Leather Care (similar to Lexol, I think), allowing three days between sprayings for the Leather Care to absorb. It eventually absorbed about a half-litre! I then resprayed all over with black oil dye, and another coat of Leather Care.

Two coats of Skidmore's on top, and a good rub-down, and it was like a new jacket! The guy didn't recognise it . . . another happy customer!

Thanks to all for your input!

Terry