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Cabinet and Chassis Restoration and Refinishing For help with cabinet or chassis restoration (non-electrical), please leave a message here. |
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12th Dec 2017, 5:34 pm | #1 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 981
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Leather renovation?
Hi I have a Mc Michael suitcase battery portable radio, about 1933. The case is leather and it has a deep wide grain which is in good condition but it is dirty deep down, it has been polished with a wax polish before I had it and I must confess I did try as well. So I need to do a proper clean and use something to preserve the finish.
I would be grateful for your advise. Thank you. It has suffered a little from damp and there is a trace of grey mould on the back, all my radio's suffer from this up against a outside wall. Not a lot I can do about this I am afraid. Cheers. Geoff. |
12th Dec 2017, 5:37 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK.
Posts: 8,932
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Re: Leather renovation?
All I have ever used is a quality leather polish from supermarkets and mildew can be removed from leather by various stuff on Ebay solely for that purpose.
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12th Dec 2017, 5:44 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 13,996
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Re: Leather renovation?
See here: https://www.liquidleather.com/cleaning-leather-i87
Their leather-reconditioner's not cheap but it works most impressively to clean, restore lustre and flexibility to the seats of a 1960s Daimler, and I used what was left on my flying-jacket. |
12th Dec 2017, 5:49 pm | #4 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.
Posts: 875
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Re: Leather renovation?
There are various leather cleaners and conditioners out there - Home Bargains do some at very reasonable prices [ditto Aldi & Lidl]..... and then there's 'saddlers' too.
The main thing with leather is that it must be kept moist and flexible {have you ever dried a chamois leather out on the washing line in the sun?}. In it's 'desiccated' condition it is very prone to damage a'la a leather car seat that is exposed to prolonged sunshine. A Guy that once sold me a fine leather jacket in Greece [when asked how I best maintained it] confided "I find that the best thing is Nivea cream"! This makes sense - because leather is merely skin - as is the surface of your hands.
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12th Dec 2017, 6:22 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 4,255
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Re: Leather renovation?
I'd put in a word for
https://www.renapur.com/shop/renapur...r-balsam-200ml Expensive, but I've had a pot this size for around 20 years and used about half of it so far, on several radios (Roberts R77s, Rolls Phantom Five etc.) and a multitude of leather book bindings. It's seemed always beneficial and sometimes astonishingly so. Paul |
12th Dec 2017, 7:18 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 4,106
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Re: Leather renovation?
I use leather food (I think it's branded Tableaux) It's the consistency of yoghurt, but dries without leaving any noticeable residue.
As for the wall, have you tried a proprietary water repellent inside and out? (Eg 2 coats of Thompsons Water seal) |
12th Dec 2017, 10:37 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,934
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Re: Leather renovation?
If you are passing a branch of Halfords, they'll have leather care products from both Autoglym and Meguiars; won't be the cheapest solutions but unlikely to disappoint. I've been using bee's wax polish on my dealer boots; seems to be absorbed wonderfully and leaves a good finish.
I wonder if putting sealants on walls can sometimes "backfire"? Useful to have the on-site input of an expert on such matters. B
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13th Dec 2017, 10:15 am | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
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Re: Leather renovation?
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13th Dec 2017, 12:04 pm | #9 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 981
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Re: Leather renovation?
Hello all, many thanks for the info. I had completely forgotten about 'Gliptone' products. The wall may improve as I have had a tree that was almost up against the wall removed and also a quantity of ivy. ( got to be careful, council property.).
Recharged the batteries and away it went. Thanks again. Cheers. Geoff. |
13th Dec 2017, 12:41 pm | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Charmouth, Dorset, UK.
Posts: 3,601
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Re: Leather renovation?
I recently 'recoloured' a cream three piece suite and it looks excellent - so far. I got the colouring from 'Furniture Clinic' on ebay. I thoroughly cleaned the leather with soapy water then when it had dried I wiped it all over with meths, you then apply it with a sponge and wait for it to dry. So for its showing no signs of failing.
Peter |
13th Dec 2017, 1:56 pm | #11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK.
Posts: 5,337
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Re: Leather renovation?
My wife has had years of experience of treating leather from when she was a PE teacher, and decided that the expensive leather treatment products that we were offered when we bought our leather 3 piece suite weren't necessary. She has just been cleaning the leather every 6 months using soap and does not rinse with clean water but just wipes it dry. It is still immaculate some ten years on.
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13th Dec 2017, 2:16 pm | #12 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK.
Posts: 7,079
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Re: Leather renovation?
I'd suggest Carr Day & Martin 'Belvoir' tack cleaner, to get the muck out (squeezy spray bottle) with a soft toothbrush if necessary. Followed by a wipe over with leather dressing (eg Hydrophane). Don't use neatsfoot oil, it tends to go rancid.
Saddle soap (again, the spray stuff from a bottle) will get a super shine, but use last, after the dressing has soaked in for a day or so. Shoe polish or toner will dull any scratches. The rest of the stuff, visit your local saddlery or tack shop. |
14th Dec 2017, 11:51 pm | #13 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 981
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Re: Leather renovation?
Hi thanks again, I was afraid to use water, I don't really know why, so soap and water is OK but to ask probably a silly question any particular kind of soap?
The leather is about 5mm thick and has a really thick deep grain, there is still some muck deep down. Seems that a soft tooth brush and soapy water will have to be used first. By the way the leather is not soft but quite hard. Cheers. Geoff. |
15th Dec 2017, 12:34 am | #14 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK.
Posts: 5,337
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Re: Leather renovation?
For our leather furniture, which was supple to start with, my wife has been using a strong solution of ordinary Fairy Liquid washing up liquid, applied using a chamois leather, and then dried off by wiping with a towel without rinsing the soapy water off with plain water.
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15th Dec 2017, 6:47 am | #15 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK.
Posts: 2,552
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Re: Leather renovation?
One of the oldest products around and only £6.00 a tin (Amazon)
And if you're wondering "Neat" is the old word for cattle. My late uncle was a saddler and a general leather restorer and had a shop in Great Dunmow, swore by it but it had a side affect, after 30 years of using it, his finger nails were stained yellow/brown. And no, he never smoked.
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When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it! Last edited by camtechman; 15th Dec 2017 at 6:56 am. |
15th Dec 2017, 1:09 pm | #16 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 981
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Re: Leather renovation?
Well I am blowed I have a tin of Neatsfoot somewhere, used it to soak my rifle piston seals in. Fairy liquid I have plenty of - any thoughts on the high salt content? Not criticizing at all, just wondering.
Thank you. Cheers. Geoff. |