Fiebing's Mink Oil Paste on jacekts?

[horseman308]

I just got a US Wings Steerhide Legend jacket. It's great in many ways. However, the leather is a little drier to the touch and a little lighter color than I hoped, so I was thinking I could both condition it and darken it with some kind of good leather conditioner. I have the Fiebing's Mink Oil Paste I use on my cowboy and hiking boots. Would that work on a jacket? I usually rub it in with bare fingers in a kind of circular, expanding motion a little bit at a time. I just put on a thin layer once a year on those boots. Is there a better method to use for a jacket? Or do y'all recommend something else?

 

[Jeff M]

Avoid.
Nothing will really "re-hydrate" leather.
Many treatments just add weight..and may actually have a detrimental affect on leather.
From a Wikepedia section on another oil...neatsfoot oil;

"If used on important historical objects, neatsfoot oil (like other leather dressings) can oxidize with time and contribute to embrittling.[6] It also may leave an oily residue that can attract dust. On newer leather, it may cause darkening (even after a single application), thus may not be a desirable product to use when the maintenance of a lighter shade is desired. Neatsfoot oil is more useful for routine use on working equipment."

If I want to apply something to a leather jacket, I use Pecard's Antique Leather dressing.
Used by museums to maintain fragile leather items.
I apply a VERY light coat about every 3-5 years, (if at all) and let it sit overnight, then remove the excess. That's it.

From "Aero Leather" re; "treating" their leather jackets;

"Do nothing, absolutely nothing. Do not oil it, don't treat it with hide food - even ours, this is for old steerhide jackets and dried up old vintage horsehide jackets from the 1930s and 1940s, not for your Aero, well not until maybe 2035."

 

[scotrace]

Agreed. Avoid the mink oil in any form, or neatsfoot. Yes, they used them "back in the day," but we know better. Get Pecards.

 

[gtdean48]

Lexol conditioner wipes - very convenient, use them on boots, jackets, saddles, saddlebags, seats, belts, sofa, etc....

 

[Sloan1874]

Now there's a good invention. Haven't felt the need to condition any jackets so far, but I have this abiding fear of overdoing it and ending up with a drenched, wrecked mess. These, I guess, would take the guessing out of it.

 

[ButteMT61]

I also use Lexol as a light and effective quick clean/conditioner. I've used it for a long time, so I'm comfortable recommending it. I use it on our leather furniture, belts, boots, watch straps, etc. Hard to over-do, which is a big concern. A greasy jacket is awful and basically, ruined.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

By all means avoid mink oil. It's really awful stuff. I just scored an old leather valise that I will use as a camera case. The leather is in good shape but somewhat dry, so Pecard's is what I will use on it.

 

[horseman308]

Message received - I'll stay away from it on my jacket. Do y'all still recommend avoiding it for boots?

 

[scotrace]

Avoid putting it on anything that used to be part of an animal.

 

[Jeff M]

Or contains silicone.