Browning leatherette on Rolleiflex

mooseontheloose · May 10, 2020

So a few years ago I bought a Rolleiflex Automat (1950 vintage) to add to my arsenal of TLRs and over time it became my main user. However, I have noticed, that unlike all my other TLRs, that the leather/leatherette has turned really brown. It was not that way when I bought it. Just curious as to what causes it - is it the dye rubbing off? Low humidity? Too much sun exposure? Is this something that is common to the older models? I am not looking to fix the problem as this camera has been pretty beaten up over the last few trips that I took and will soon be retired. That said, I'd like to know what causes this as I just bought a new Rolleiflex (3.5F Planar) that is a lot newer (~1969 vintage) and looks fantastic, so I'd like to avoid (or reduce the odds of) the same thing happening to it.

I've tried searching for answers to this already, but most results come up with leather replacement or brown leather cases - not what I'm looking for. The Photrio search function doesn't seem to be working at the moment.

shutterfinger · May 10, 2020

The dye is fading out. I use https://www.kiwicare.com/en-ca/products/kiwi-color-shine-premium-instant-polish . It does not plug up pores in the leather like paste polish and lasts.

reddesert · May 12, 2020

I have one of similar vintage (possibly 1949) and it has some similar browning, but only in certain wear spots, like near the garage for the wind crank, and under the focus knob where your knuckles hit. So I'd also go with wear-induced fade. It's in a case now but wasn't always - that's one option for reducing finish wear.

Dan Daniel · May 12, 2020

shutterfinger said:
The dye is fading out. I use https://www.kiwicare.com/en-ca/products/kiwi-color-shine-premium-instant-polish . It does not plug up pores in the leather like paste polish and lasts.

So this material doesn't rub off on clothe or anything? Regular paste shoe polish is not good because it can rub off and mark up clothes, etc.

The brown coloration is very typical. Along with what shutterfinger recommends, I might go by a leather goods stores and see what they recommend.

mooseontheloose · May 12, 2020

I guess carrying it around in my hands was the culprit (couldn’t attach a proper strap due to broken strap holders). I’m not sure that I want to fixit, unless this is a precursor to the leatherette starting to peel off. This is a such a beater I may leave it as is.

EdSawyer · May 12, 2020

This is the dye to use. I've redyed Rolleis before and it works great. https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Leather-Dye-Black-4oz/dp/B000HHM20M/

BrianShaw · May 12, 2020

I was just about to suggest that, Ed. It’s also known as “Edge Dressing”... great stuff for shoe and camera maintenance.

shutterfinger · May 12, 2020

Dan Daniel said:
So this material doesn't rub off on clothe or anything? Regular paste shoe polish is not good because it can rub off and mark up clothes, etc.

No it does not rub off. I tried some leather dye from Tandy Leather and it did not work well.

mooseontheloose said:
I’m not sure that I want to fixit, unless this is a precursor to the leatherette starting to peel off

Leather dries out with age which is what causes it to "peel" off. Treat the leather with neatsfoot oil or other leather care product to keep it soft and pliable.

eli griggs · May 12, 2020

Go easy with Neat's Foot oil, it is absorbed, IME, unevenly , where there is wear and skin oils present, which also explains the beautiful patina it will give a brown leather baseball glove.

I used it recently, generously on a soft leather, tan/light brown camera bag, and saw for myself this effect, but, as a casual user dealing with this and my own glove maintenance, others here will have more insight on how to best use it.

Personally, I would give it a good rubdown with a very slight amount of oil, using the warmth of your own hands to warm both oil and leathers you give it an even layer, then put it aside for three or four days, then a second rubdown and wait, and repeat if needed.

Good Luck.

Dan Daniel · May 12, 2020

I've had good luck with Lexol leather conditioner for Rollei leatherette. It is lanolin, I think- oil from wool? I find Neat's Foot oil a bit heavy and prone to stick around. The Lexol conditioner is absorbed, then wipes off easily and dries out with some buffing.

As best as I can tell, the Rollei 'leather' is a reconstituted product. Leather 'powder' combined with glue and formed into the thickness and pattern they they want? I don't believe that it is actual skin/leather. too hard to get consistent results for the quantity that Rollei needed?

eli griggs · May 12, 2020

Yes, lanolin is grease/oil from wool.

I've bought it in the past for making "Ed's Red", from Walmart, though then it was a product call-in at the pharmacy and was used for medical purposes, so the grade was good.

It's hard and 'dry' and I would no buy another type but the pure one pound jar.

Cheers.

shutterfinger · May 13, 2020

The only time I used Lexol is remained sticky and I had to clean it off.
I dip an edge of a cotton ball in the neatsfoot oil, squeeze it out so it does not drip, then wipe an area evenly repeating as necessary to cover a panel. I go for a light sheen then let it soak in overnight.
Use pure neatsfoot oil not the blended stuff. 3 light coats are better than 1 heavy one.

Alex Varas · May 13, 2020

EdSawyer said:
This is the dye to use. I've redyed Rolleis before and it works great. https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Leather-Dye-Black-4oz/dp/B000HHM20M/

I second this one, before the dye I use a leather balsam for cleaning then the dye diluted on 1-1 with isopropyl it allows you to give more uniforms layers and it won’t be noticed. After the dye shoe cream, any good one will do.
This method is not my invention, someone tipped it to me.

thuggins · May 13, 2020

Another caution on the Lexol. I just tried it on the front panel cover of a Rolleicord (removed to service the shutter). The leather became shriveled and brittle, and had to be replaced.

My go to solution (which I should have stuck with) is saddle soap followed by Kiwi paste polish. This has brought the leather on many cameras back to life. Interestingly enough, the black Kiwi paste will not "redye" brown spots. The Rolliecord had some and they came out muted, but not black.

mooseontheloose · May 14, 2020

Lots of useful tips, thanks everyone!

Browning leatherette on Rolleiflex

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