Undyed Leather And Dubbin

[Jeff the Viking]

Hi folks, I've got a project I'm working on (small document case) and the client asked for undyed leather. It'll clearly need to be protected but test pieces with my usual favoured Fiebings leather balm left horrible streak darkened watermarks. I was thinking that a good quality dubbin well worked in would provide the splash resistance I'm looking for without discolouring the leather, or at least do so in a consistent fashion.

Any thoughts? Experience? Cautionary tales?

Many thanks.

[johnv474]

Nearly anything that applies moisture will slightly darken the leather because, for example, damp cardboard is darker than dry.

That said, I would use dubbin or Sno-Seal or Huberd's Shoe Grease, and just expect to let them sit a few days before delivery. They darkness/splotches that can occur disperse, very slowly, as the material spreads throughout the leather.

If a shiny finish is appropriate, then Resolene (diluted) can provide a good layer of protection in addition to the above.

This undyed leather had water, Lexol, Dubbin I think, a cream Polish, Huberd's, and neutral Polish applied. It's still quite blonde (but was not at first!). Ignore the reddish edge kote that I overapplied.