reviving a vintage saddle?

[avicia]

My daughter's been given two vintage saddles, a gatsby all purpose and a western saddle. The saddler's looked them over and says everything's in working order but they need a very deep clean/oil/condition. I've been finding a lot of conflicting advice on the best way to proceed. What products and procedure do you like to use on very old tack?

Most of the buckles are shiny, but the english stirrups have a heavy patina on them...live with it, or is there a trick to getting a shine back on them?

[RedTahoe]

I do a quick wipe down with a dry soft cloth, and then I use Leather CPR.

I just got done using it on a vintage Bona Allen saddle someone had thrown in a tack room for the past 20 years :)

[avicia]

thanks so much...Leather CPR was actually my first try, but it seems to need a something more, I'll give it another go when my refill bottle arrives.

[NowThatsATrot]

Leather CPR and Leather Therapy (there are several types, one is a conditioner) are awesome. An old instructor once gave me a 30+ year-old Stubben that had been sitting in her tack room unused for ten years, so I just spent about a week cleaning and conditioning it. I think I also used the Stubben Hamanol on it with some success, as well.

On the stirrups I'd try something like Nevr-Dull or one of those softish, green scrubbing pads. (like these (http://www.mdcpackaging.com/Images/ProductImages/3734_xl.jpg))

[Equibrit]

Weavers U-82 Saddlers Oil. Apply (as much as it will take)with a 1" paint brush. Remove excess with a soft cloth. (after cleaning with Murphy's)
http://www.leathersupply.com/downloads/catalog/Leather%20care/weaverleather.pdf

[goodhors]

You might try a buffing wheel and polishing compound on the stirrups if they are Neverrust or nickel. You just can't get the shine back any other way if that is how much you want them polished. A magnet will stick to steel, not the nickel mixes. Steel would take different needs to get shined well or if chrome plated.

Husband just polished up an older nickel bit for me, you can see your face in it! Running it thru the dishwasher had not helped at all. The scrubby pads did nothing, nor did metal polish. Had to go to the heavy equipment to get a shine.

[sk_pacer]

Try Nev-R-Dull (hope I got that spelt right) on the stirrups and other fittings - it takes off crud very nicely and is safe for all metals and leaves no black crap to wash off the leather or your hands. It DOES require rinsing with soap and water for bits though.

[Equibrit]

Industrial grade Scotch Brite pads are the best thing for any horse metal.
http://www.industrial-supply-store.com/Abrasives+-+Accessories%7C%7CSCOTCH+BRITE+PADS%7C%7CkoNNbDu1z 8hmU.php

No chemicals.

[hijumpin1]

Stubben Hamanol is a great, rich conditioner. Works wonders on dry, stiff tack.

[Bluey]

I have reclaim some old saddles by cleaning them very good and using Lexol liberallly.
You can overdo it, but it just takes some time to get the leather to quit feeling noodley and they are fine eventually.

Whatever you try, I would only do a little spot first, because you don't know what else may have been used on a saddle, that may react with whatever you use.

[Thomas_1]

For the leather, then oil and lots of it. I dunk them in a tub of oil for a few days then hang them over to drip dry and then polish thoroughly.

For metal..... depends what it's made of. If its just tarnished then get some metal cleaner. If its rusty you'll need something VERY abrasive and possibly it would be best just thrown away or retained as a keepsake.

[RU2U]

Horse Park told me use mink oil. I don't like neatsfoot because it seems to mold the tack easy, but I was told to warm it in a coffee can on the stove and it will go into the pores better. I like Stubben's Hamanol.

Don't like CPR cause it feels like it has alcohol in it and it feels like it drys the leather.

Good Luck

signed, A horse person with way too much old leather laying around! (I have brought bridles back that are well over 100 years old!)

[mkevent]

FWIW I love the Passier Lederbalsam. I clean the leather with Leather Therapy and then apply the Lederbalsam with my bare hands(warmth of hands helps work it in). I've had good luck with that combo.

[RedTahoe]

Don't like CPR cause it feels like it has alcohol in it and it feels like it drys the leather.

Really? I've never had that issue with Leather CPR. For my really old saddle, it took several coats and rubbing, but it softened and conditioned the leather and didn't dry it out. Maybe it was a bad batch?

Did you contact Leather CPR?