How To Make A New Saddle Look Old.

[greyhawk]

Hi i have a newish made saddle which i was gifted and i want to try and make look old/worn /weather and well used can anyone help with some advice please also i want to try and make the colour less chocolate brown any advice would be much appreciated as i', a newbie in this , i'm from England thanks

[greyhawk]

Also is it possible to add more tooling to the saddle?

[electrathon]

The best way to add tooling is to buy a different saddle. As to aging, depends on how aggressive you want to be. Wire brush, sandpaper, sunlight. Anything agressive will age it. You are trying to do 20 years of use in a few hours, so look at what would wear any concentrate on those spots.

[greyhawk]

Thanks Electrathon for the advice which spots would you recommend i concentrate o also is there away to make the saddle darker in places without using dyes? or making the colour warmer less dull and flat. Don't get much sun over here this time of year . Thanks

[electrathon]

I would look at another saddle and try to emulate the wear on it. As to changing the color it is difficult to say what finishes are on it so even with dyes it is an unknown what will happen.

[greyhawk]

Thanks again for the advice electrathon , so do you think the saddle looks ok to you with out attempting to do any ageing as i appreciate your expert opinion.

[Airth]

In the movie industry when they want to age leather products, they beat the *&%^$* out of it. Really! Adding scuffs, rub marks, folds, whacking it in a few places with a chain or rough wooden board...pretty much anything to give it that battered and well-worn look. As for changing the color to make it more 'patchy' in appearance, splatter tea, coffee, even diluted blood in key areas and wipe it off. Be sure to reseal any 'damaged' areas before they turn into actual damage.

[greyhawk]

Thanks Airth i was thinking on that line myself if i can pluck up the courage to do so.

[lranger]

Why don't you just sell, or give it away and go buy an old, beatup, ugly saddle?

[Spartan]

I have a saddle of the same style, made back in the 30's. Are you going to use it or is it for decoration?