Conditioning Leather

[willyto]

Frye's are a bit precious.

But yeah, boots need to be cleaned. What causes cracks is a build-up of dust and grime which cuts through leather, once settled in the creases so brushing them off is essential. Adding oils helps too.

That's the main reason why brushing the shoes after wearing and before wearing is a key to longevity.

I do it all the time. Never miss a brushing.

 

[Johnny Deadlifts]

Looks like this company put a new meaning to the expression "protection racket":

Top 39 Reviews From Legit UV3 MasterGuard Buyers

My husband and I bought a love seat and a couch from Ashley Furniture and upon checking out, the salesman asked if we wanted a furniture policy. We immediately declined, ...

www.consumeraffairs.com

They definately took my money, and likely killed my jacket.

 

[Johnny Deadlifts]

Damn. I put that jacket through it paces too. It was a solid jacket. Typical Cal wear, nothing like I think I see in the pics. Given that, I don’t think the product mentioned in the OG post is something anyone should use.

It being small doesn’t help, but that normally leads to a separated seam somewhere. I checked and seams were still strong on this one tho. And I’m not a wiry fellow. With Cals, one area I always concern myself with is the strength of the seams. They are old, and they normally were used in more stressful situations- police on a motorcycle.

Definitely a live and learn. I’ve been there.

It was a solid jacket when you sold it to me, no issues at all. Seams are all still good, no loose threads at all. Things started going badly after that conditioner; might be coincidence but I don't think so. Won't do that again.

 

[mdgnowles]

To clarify, I believe that adding oil to a dry jacket might be beneficial, at least to some extent, which is why I am a proponent of pure liquid silicone. It isn't organic thus bacteria wants nothing to do with it, it lasts forever & it won't affect the color of leather. Once it sets in place between fiber strands, its operation is purely mechanical so that can't be bad.

Tales of silicone clogging pores proved to be a myth with zero basis in reality. I've used silicone on most of the jackets I intended to keep and all of the areas that I felt required treatment have either improved or in the least do not seem to be getting any worse.

Oil does the same thing but it's organic and leather's supposed to be 100% legit dead and I want it to stay that way.

What do you think about using obenauf's leather oil on naked cowhide on say a late 80s 118 schott? It's a very dry to the touch oil. Weirdest stuff I've seen and to be honest, I love the stuff and am a tad obsessed.