Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Hi all

I have unrolled a Latigo hide I bought about 4 years ago and it is covered in a White material. My first thought was mold but I have used diluted bleach with no results then I tried Isopropyl Alcohol with a little improvement but now I am wondering if it is just waxes coming from the leather itself.  I can scrape it with my thumb in some spots.  Any thoughts ? 

I have attached a pic to give you an idea.

IMG_7410_Moment(2).jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

HI There, no idea what that white could be, but i reckon if you give the hide some saddle soap all over then it would most likely disappear.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm betting waxes.... Give it a rub. And maybe a little heat.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Like you & bikermutt said, it's most likely the wax coming up with age and lack of use. If you take a soft rag or some buffing material, you can just rub it back in. I have some pieces of horse leather that do this if I let them sit too long. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How common is mold for you guys that have been working with leather for a long time and might store stuff away for a while? Are there any good solutions if it does happen and ways to prevent it? Do I have to worry about buying old leather and it "contaminating" other leather ? I was recently reminded I could buy old thrift store items to play with while I learn. 

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you allow air to circulate ( don't need fans or forced air ) around your leather, you'll have no worries..
Don't wrap it in airproof things unless you are "casing" it..
Mould is a problem of humidity and relatively static air allowing fungi / mould to grow..

Edited by mikesc

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For the most part mold shouldn't be a problem. It depends on where you setup shop. Currently I'm working in an unfinished basement that has a dehumidifier running. I have to keep an eye on things because it still gets damp in some parts of the basement though. I've only had a few spots show up. I think it was just on a couple half hides of patent leather. It's been wet for months in Ohio so the dehumidifier couldn't keep up. But if you're working in a normal part of your house, i.e. an office or bedroom, you won't have to worry about.  

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
On 5/3/2019 at 1:28 PM, arashikage said:

For the most part mold shouldn't be a problem. It depends on where you setup shop. Currently I'm working in an unfinished basement that has a dehumidifier running. I have to keep an eye on things because it still gets damp in some parts of the basement though. I've only had a few spots show up. I think it was just on a couple half hides of patent leather. It's been wet for months in Ohio so the dehumidifier couldn't keep up. But if you're working in a normal part of your house, i.e. an office or bedroom, you won't have to worry about.  

 

I see okay thanks. If you do get mold is it hard to get rid of or is it mostly localized? Since I will be shopping at thrift stores for scrap leather I'm wondering about this since it's possible I might miss this. I've also been offered free leather goods but they mentioned they had started to form mold so I didn't take them.

Edited by JC2019

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've never had mold on my leather, but my understanding is that it is a pain to get rid of, so something to be avoided.

- Bill

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
On 5/2/2019 at 4:06 PM, bikermutt07 said:

And maybe a little heat.

I was thinking I would try this next ... thanks Bikermutt07

And thank you all for your responses ... I am pretty sure it is just the waxes coming out, have to say it was a bit startling when I rolled it out. 

My shop has been in a storage bin for 2 and a half years so wasn't sure what shape everything would be in. I have to say almost everything lasted just fine (other than a few bottles of dyes and finishes.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm pretty sure that is just waxes. What is known as bloom, I believe.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just wanted to share my results ...

It was just the waxes coming out of the hide and a little heat with a hair dryer worked like a charm. 

Thank you all for your comments and bikermutt07 for the heat idea :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
On 5/2/2019 at 9:27 PM, Rbarleatherworks said:

Hi all

I have unrolled a Latigo hide I bought about 4 years ago and it is covered in a White material. My first thought was mold but I have used diluted bleach with no results then I tried Isopropyl Alcohol with a little improvement but now I am wondering if it is just waxes coming from the leather itself.  I can scrape it with my thumb in some spots.  Any thoughts ? 

I have attached a pic to give you an idea.

IMG_7410_Moment(2).jpg

 

Looks like it might be wax. Maybe try buffing it with a soft brush

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
21 hours ago, GDH said:

Looks like it might be wax. Maybe try buffing it with a soft brush

Yes ... Thanks GDH ... You are right, that is exactly what it was and a hair dryer with medium heat fixed it right up :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...