How to smooth rough leather (hot air balloon basket)

[NathanD]

Hi guys,  

first off, I'm a newbie, so please be patient with me :-)

First question:

The bottom scuff leather on the basket has some road rash that I would like to cleanup.  Is there anyway to smooth that out and make it shinny/durable again?  While screwing around in the garage last night, I grabbed a cloth polishing wheel and drill and hit the rough spots.  It seemed to help by "melting" the little fibers together, but I'm no expert and I'm afraid of messing something up.  Any other suggestions on what I could do to help get a uniform look?  (see first two attached pictures)

Second question:

My top leather bolster is starting to dry out and also show differences in texture. I'm planing on dyeing it using the Fiebing's Pro Oil Dye. That should get it back to black, but what about the shine and finish?  I know someone recommended mixing Lexol and a little bit of Oil Dye to help bring the shine back, but is there something else I should use?  The basket will be exposed to the sun and possible moisture.. 

 

Thanks guys!

[Boriqua]

For the kind of heavy outdoor use that is going to see my suggestion would be mixing up a paste of 50% neatsfoot oil and 50% beeswax by weight. Another gem I picked up on here a couple years ago. In a double boiler set up ... I put the contents in a jar and then place the jar in a saucepan on the stove gently melt the bees wax into the neatsfoot oil. When it is nice and melted I give a quick stir with an ice cream stick and you set it aside and let it congeal. It will harden to a bit harder consistency than good shoe polish.

When you are ready .. soften it slightly by putting the jar in the microwave for a few seconds and rub into the leather. I then take a hair dryer and melt it in gently into the leather and allow to dry. Then buff and repeat until you are happy. It makes for the most beautiful shine! and I cant swear that anything but gortex is 100% water proof but I can run water over the item and it just runs off. It absorbs so it will protect against further abrasion and help to "paste Down" the abrasion that is there and if you do manage to put a healthy scratch in it just take out your jar and a rag and treat the area like you would with any shoe polish and the scar is gone. I love it but .. With some colors I can get some rub otherwise it would be my one and only final sealer. Its that durable and beautiful.

In your circumstance, its outdoor gear and rub is less an issue than say a holster you may wear on your khakis. Apply your dye. Let it dry a couple of days. Buff it until you are about ready to pass out and then go with the Neatsfoot and beeswax paste and I highly doubt you will be disappointed.

Alex

Edited April 27, 2016 by Boriqua

[NathanD]

This is exactly what I was looking for.. Thank you Alex!