Conditioning Tack
Instructions:
When should you condition leather? Once a week, once a month, once a year, never? It can be very confusing when people are telling you different answers instead of listening to them, listen to your leather. Leather should only be conditioned or oiled when needed. If you over use your conditioners/oils you will cause the leather to break down faster and become week. Some people oil their new tack because it feels stiff, do not do this. The leather is well conditioned during the processing. Instead let it soften and break in with use. How often you need to 'feed' your leather has to do with how you use it and your climate. One of the best conditioners on the market is still pure neat's foot oil. A common myth is that neat's foot oil will damage the leather and rot the stiching. This is true of neat's foot 'compound' but not pure neat's foot. Just remember not to over use it. Conditioner should be apply lightly to clean slightly damp leather. Allow it to soak in and then apply a second light layer if needed. For really dried out leather you can dip it into conditioner and then wipe of the excress right away. But do no do this with things like saddles because the conditioner can ruin things like the stuffing and suede. |
