Olsen Stelzer Saddle

[5050ranch]

Howdy,

My first post here, hoping to get a little help, maybe an answer or two. I aquried an Olsen Stelzer saddle, same as the Boot maker in Henrietta Texas. This saddle has been in storage a VERY long time and supposedly has never been on a horse, looks like it any way. Well, like I always do, I oiled with pure Neats Foot Oil and to my chagrin, some of the deep hand tooling turned a lot more dark than I expected. Is there any method to reverse this ? I have heard of using acetone to remove NFO in antique leather restorations but really have no knowledge and would love some ideas, input or comments.,...other than " you really screwed up". Heres a pic as an example.

Thanks ! David

[Colter]

I'm no Saddle expert in the slightest, nor do i have an answer to reverse that, but, i have to say, it makes the tooling stand out and makes the saddle look Very Cool. Other than if you wanted it otherwise or it's a physical harm, i see no problem at all with it!

Edited January 11, 2010 by Thalaskaru

[Timbo]

First off the tooling takes more oil than the smooth sections due to the surface of the leather being broken. So in the future go lighter over these sections.

Before you do anything to correct this that might cause harm.............just wait. If it hasn't been at least a week since you oiled it, just wait. I would not do anything else to it for at least 2 weeks. Give the oil a chance to migrate.....leave it in a warm room if you can as it will help the oil move around. But don't try to speed it up by applying heat as that will just dry out all the leather. Just be patient for awhile and see how it turns out.

Tim

[bruce johnson]

Over time that oil will disperse through the leather and even out more. Tooled areas always tend to darken up quick with oil, but then lighten over time. The biggest mistake most people make is to add more oil to the light areas right away to even things up, and end up with the whole thing over oiled. Hard to tell for sure from a picture, but doesn't appear like that from here. Set it in a normal temperature room and don't look at it for a week, and I suspect it will look better. I would not use acetone or any other solvent to remove the oil. You will not be happy.

Edit - After I posted this, I saw Timbo's post. We must be on the same frequency of brain waves.

[5050ranch]

Thx for th replies fellas. It has been only a few days and its VERY cold down here in the Texas Hill Country, at least cold for us, 13 degrees the other night. The saddle has been in my garage....along with along with Her plants LoL and its maybe 40 degrees in there. I will take your advice and just wait. Usually its hotter than Hades down here and the over oiled look usually never happens or evens out right away in the heat, I guess because the pores in the leather are wide open. Just wasn't prepared for this look because of the cold. The tooling does stand out from the oiling, doesn't it. Either way, what a find, a "new" old saddle. It's kind of like finding a 55 Chevy Bel Aire that got bought, driven home and then parked in the garage ever since. You can imagine my delight when I found this beauty. The really sad thing is that it's too narrow for my horse, I am sooo disappointed. Gonna sell it because its no use to me and like any really nice peice of equipment, it should be used and enjoyed by someone instead being a living room ornament.

Thanks again for your input and I'll be back to this great forum to check out the latest. I always have saddle and tack coming and going at my place and I'm sure I can oick up some pointers here from the experts.

David

5050 Ranch

Bulverde, Texas

[CharlieR]

David--I'm with the rest of the guys--just let it sit for while. It should even out in a bit--if it ever warms up down here. By the way, I just live up the road from you at Spring Branch and my saddle restorations are kinda slowed down too with this cold weather. Good luck and enjoy the forum. Charlie