Anyone heard of Elephant Leather Preserver?

[Jaffa the Hat]

Hi

I have recently bought a new Bad Wolf/U-boat black leather jacket which I am very pleased with. However I got caught in a light shower walking home the other night and although the jacket is absolutely fine it has got me thinking about buying something to treat the jacket with in order to prevent the cowhide being damaged if it gets wet again. I also have a brown Bad Wolf which I bought in 2010 which has had plenty of wear and the leather seems just fine- still soft and supple with no cracking etc.

A local leather specialist http://europeanleathercare.co.nz/ has recommended stuff called 'Elephant Leather Preserver' which I have never heard of. Does anyone have experience with this stuff? Is it any good?

I notice on here a few people seem to think Pecard's is the way to go- any suggestions

 

[Rudie]

It's great stuff. I use it on my Aero goat jacket. It is used by museums to restore leather.

 

[Smithy]

Jaffa, hello from a fellow Kiwi albeit on the other side of the ditch. I use (and have done for years) RM Williams Saddle and Leather Dressing which I swear by. Fantastic stuff and big plus, it will not go rancid. I used to buy it in NZ so you should be able to find it, otherwise piece of cake to order it online if you're out in the sticks.

 

[Jaffa the Hat]

Thanks guys, it's seems like another good Kiwi make!

I will be buying it for my brown Bad Wolf as I have never treated the leather on that and it's now four years old. Although as I have mentioned the leather seems fine I feel I'd better be safe than sorry.
Does anyone know anything about the company? Are they good at what they do?

 

[Rudie]

it will not go rancid.

The Elephant stuff is 100% synthetic, so it won't go rancid, destroy leather or seams. That's why it is used by professionals in museums. You can't go wrong with it.

 

[Smithy]

Thanks guys, it's seems like another good Kiwi make!

I will be buying it for my brown Bad Wolf as I have never treated the leather on that and it's now four years old. Although as I have mentioned the leather seems fine I feel I'd better be safe than sorry.
Does anyone know anything about the company? Are they good at what they do?

Jaffa, are you a Wellingtonian by any chance? Just wondered as that European Leathercare crowd are down there.

There's a few Kiwis here both in NZ and expats.

The Elephant goo sounds like it's good stuff. So long as it doesn't cost an arm or a leg I'd use that if it's readily available.

Have you posted pics of the jackets?

Cheers,

Tim

 

[Seb Lucas]

Pecards is used by the Smithsonian to preserve their leather. In your case don't use anything for several years. Unless your leather is crap, you should leave it undressed for around 10 years.

 

[Jaffa the Hat]

HI, yes I posted pictures but they are not that good on account of me having no one around to take the pictures for me and not having a decent camera phone. They are on Outerwear under U-Boat choices by Ray R.

Seb, seems you are right about leaving the leather undressed for 10 years as I have been in contact with Bad Wolf's tailors in London and they advise all I need do is wipe the leather over with a clean damp cloth now and then and keep away from heaters. The Wellington based company in the link are telling me I need to buy $40 worth of cleaning and preservation materials now!

 

[Seb Lucas]

People often sell care products based on our paranoia. Many a jacket has been ruined by leather care products.

 

[Jaffa the Hat]

Yep, I think I will go with the tailor's advice and just give my brown BW a careful wipe over.