i'm having a bit of problem with some old leather and i wonder if the experienced folk hereabouts might have some useful insights.
so I've got a lovely old piece of 4oz veg tanned leather, roughly 10 sq ft at a guess, that has completely dried out. the stuff has got to be 50 years old and has barely been touched in the last 40 years. although it looks great it in the rolled up state it's been sitting in for ages, and it seems fine when you flatten it out, it readily cracks if i flex it even close to 90 degrees. i'd like to restore some suppleness to the stuff in order for it to be suitable for use in various projects i have in mind.
so far i've tried a beeswax+lanolin "conditioner", a bit of plain olive oil and a few other things but they don't seem to improve the situation much.
i've goobled around, tried the Utubes, etc but i'm pretty much coming up short.
so, anyone know a tried and true recipe to return some life into dessicated old leather?
so I've got a lovely old piece of 4oz veg tanned leather, roughly 10 sq ft at a guess, that has completely dried out. the stuff has got to be 50 years old and has barely been touched in the last 40 years. although it looks great it in the rolled up state it's been sitting in for ages, and it seems fine when you flatten it out, it readily cracks if i flex it even close to 90 degrees. i'd like to restore some suppleness to the stuff in order for it to be suitable for use in various projects i have in mind.
so far i've tried a beeswax+lanolin "conditioner", a bit of plain olive oil and a few other things but they don't seem to improve the situation much.
i've goobled around, tried the Utubes, etc but i'm pretty much coming up short.
so, anyone know a tried and true recipe to return some life into dessicated old leather?