Darkening Natural Veg Tan Without Stains/dyes?

[Colt W Knight]

I use to get all of our horse tack out of yhr barn and give it a good oiling every year. One time I thought I'd get off cheap and use vegatable oil, and that stuff did go bad. It took me forever to scrub all the mold and crud growing on the bridles and halters off. Never had that problem with extra virgin olive oil.

Another reason I would soak new reins in olive oil is because it would soften them up. They came very stiff like veg tan leather.

[impulse]

Just a word of caution using any sort of oil! Yes, it makes it darker and supple, but too much can affect the strength of leather, and leaves the surface dull. I make my own leather dressing from beeswax, paraffin wax and neatsfoot oil, melted together into a creamy paste. This works into and softens the leather ( applied both sides, particularly the flesh side). Then, after leaving for an hour or so, buff up with a cloth to a glowing shine. Natural leather turns to a golden tan and is also water resistant, due to the bees wax content. To make this a darker brown, treat with cold black tea and allow to dry overnight before applying the leather dressing.

Lois

[Boriqua]

Just a word of caution using any sort of oil! Yes, it makes it darker and supple, but too much can affect the strength of leather, and leaves the surface dull. I make my own leather dressing from beeswax, paraffin wax and neatsfoot oil, melted together into a creamy paste. This works into and softens the leather ( applied both sides, particularly the flesh side). Then, after leaving for an hour or so, buff up with a cloth to a glowing shine. Natural leather turns to a golden tan and is also water resistant, due to the bees wax content. To make this a darker brown, treat with cold black tea and allow to dry overnight before applying the leather dressing.

Lois

I use the Bee's wax and Neatsfoot oil paste using equal amounts of bee's wax and oil by weight.. What is your formula when you add the paraffin? When you do the flesh side are you getting color rub?

Thank you

Oh and to the original OP question .. the coffee works well and then finish it up with a light application of oil and you have a nice light to medium brown.

Alex

Edited May 19, 2014 by Boriqua

[BDAZ]

If you are looking for a way to really darken leather in a more natural way, look up vinegaroon. I use that in combination with olive oil..sort of a salad for the leather.

If you want to "age" leather, a few days in SW sun will do the trick. I had to match a mandolin strap to much older guitar strap for a customer. # days in the sun plus some neatsfoot made it look 15 years old.

Cya!

Bob

[Boriqua]

If you want to "age" leather, a few days in SW sun will do the trick. I had to match a mandolin strap to much older guitar strap for a customer. # days in the sun plus some neatsfoot made it look 15 years old.

Cya!

Bob

Any chance you have a pic. I would love to see the aging the sun produced. What color did you start with or did you use the natural strap?

Alex

Edited May 19, 2014 by Boriqua

[BDAZ]

I started with standard natural vegetable tan \.

Cya!

Bob