Leather Care

Leather items can get dirty, wrinkled and maybe even stained. You may be wondering about preventative measures and even be wondering what you should do to your new special leather item to preserve it.

If you want it to stay looking just like it did when you took it out of the box... Put it back in the box. If you want to rub something on it... it's yours, do what makes you happy.

The leather balm with atom wax is the top coat that is used on belts. It can be used to renew them from time to time. The belts actually look better than new after they are broken in and then are repolished with this product. This can be used on other top grain leather products and helps cover up worn areas. I use it in neutral so it can be used on all colors.

The edge Kote is used on the edges of belts. This will probably not need to be redone.

The Neatsfoot oil compound will darken leather. It is used to make stiff leather flexible. Just use it when making harness leather belts to prepare them for your use.

The Tan Kote is used as a finish on leather. We find it useful for touching up scuffs on leathergoods that are not finished with a wax (Leather Balm).

Leather items may have wrinkles, scars or scratches that are inherent characteristics and natural beauty of the hide, and are not imperfections. Interiors are crafted either in genuine leather or man made materials for added strength and durability. Tan leather front with brown leather trim Buckel magnetic snap closure 2 1/2" wide double shoulder strap 11" drop shoulder strap Contrast stiching throughout 3 large zipper pockets on interior walls 2 slide pockets on interior walls

Preservation and conditioning of leather

The natural fibers of leather will break down with the passage of time. Acidic leathers are particularly vulnerable to red dot , which causes powdering of the surface and a change in consistency. Damage from red rot is aggravated by high temperatures and relative humidities, and is irreversible.

Exposure to long periods of low relative humidities (below 40%) can cause leather to become desiccated, irreversibly changing the fibrous structure of the leather.

Various treatments are available such as conditioners, but these are not recommended by conservators since they impregnate the structure of the leather artifact with active chemicals, are sticky, and attract stains.