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Elegant -> RE: Old leather question (11/13/2006 5:28:35 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: shynewboy
Ok, a bit of an odd question here, maybe- but I recently found and aquired an old looking whip, from my friends ranch. It has a wooden handle and leather (at least, I'm guessing its leather) strips braided into a single tail. I have no idea how old it might be, but I can see some good sized patches of darker color on the leather, but about 80-90% of the dark color has either faded or rubbed off. Anyway, my question is, what is the best way to care for it? Does it make a difference if it is antique leather or not? Im going for display and preservation, not use :)
Start by using a soft brush to remove any dust and soil from the exterior of the whip. The use a soft toothbrush to get between the strips of leather braids of the whip.
Use a quality saddle soap and water for cleaning. Froth up a mixture of the soap and water and try to use more suds than liquid. Apply with a soft brush (I use a facial brush found in drug strores) Apply soap in small sections approxmately 3" lengths and brush gently in circular motions. Use another brush and clear water to remove all of the saddle soap on the section before proceeding. Residual saddle soap will damage leather, just as dried soap left on your skin will damage and cause excessive drying. Dry each section with a soft towel and then proceed to the next 3 inches.
After cleaning the whip lay it on a towel for a few days to dry completly.Do not dry in direct sunlight, beside a heating vent or in front of a fire.
Use a quality non-animal based conditioner on the leather. Avoid liquid conditioners as they are harder to control application into the crevices of the whip. (I prefer a light coating of Aussie Leather Conditioner for toys). Apply lightly in small sections using a soft brush or cotton cloth to get between the strips of leather. Massage conditioner into the leather but do not leave 'globs' of the product between the strips. Do not lift strips of leather or try to pry them apart.
When the entire whip is conditioned place it on a towel for 2-3 days. Use a lint free cotton cloth and rub every visible section of the leather. If the leather still appears dry then the conditioner has probably soaked in. If this is the case then apply a second coat of conditioner as described above, let sit again for a few days and repeat the rubbing.
Use a soft, clean horsehair brush and buff the whip, paying special attention to between the strips of braided leather.
How do you plan on displaying and/or storing the whip?
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