Leather restorer for old camera case

[Edubarca]

Hello. Greetings from Colombia. I am in the need of a liquid or similar product to help me restore a cracked and faded leather case of my Rectaflex camera. Any suggestions available on Ebay or Amazon? Thank a lot EDUARDO

 

[guangong]

Neetsfoot oil. I bought a lifetime supply from a tac store. Good for restoring all leather products. However, don’t bother with straps...buy new ones.
I just restored a shaggy looking Pentax Spotmatic case. Almost oops like new now.

 

[Edubarca]

Thank you very much for your advice. I'll get it. Concerning straps, my Rectaflex case has just a piece of strap, useless. Can you suggest me where to purchase them?

 

[GregY]

Edubarca, here's an article about the +/- of Neatsfoot oil. As kids we used to use it on our baseball gloves. https://favoredleather.com/is-neatsfoot-oil-bad-for-leather-2/
It would not be my choice for that job. Check out Lexol products on either Ebay or Amazon. I used their conditioner on the bellows of my Deardorff. The advantage is that it doesn't leave an oily residue or weaken stitching.
You can also find leather strips to make a new strap both on E* and A*

 

[beemermark]

Neatsfoot or Minx oil works wonders also (might be the same thing for all I know)

 

[Edubarca]

Edubarca, here's an article about the +/- of Neatsfoot oil. As kids we used to use it on our baseball gloves. https://favoredleather.com/is-neatsfoot-oil-bad-for-leather-2/
It would not be my choice for that job. Check out Lexol products on either Ebay or Amazon. I used their conditioner on the bellows of my Deardorff. The advantage is that it doesn't leave an oily residue or weaken stitching.
You can also find leather strips to make a new strap both on E* and A*

Thank you very much. Can you clear me what do you mean when you say I can find the leather straps either on E* or A*? And what is a Deardorff? Never heard this word before. Thanks again!!

 

[GregY]

Deardorff view cameras 1923-88. Mine was from 1938 with original leather bellows.....never had any pinholes.
leather for straps https://www.ebay.com/itm/2843515998...g3GAdRfuCcZalddT79QGdrmfUATK|tkp:BFBMisSNgJxh

Amazon.com. search 1/2" leather strips

 

[Edubarca]

Everything clear now, Eternally grateful!!

 

[GregY]

My pleasure.

 

[snusmumriken]

Edubarca, here's an article about the +/- of Neatsfoot oil. As kids we used to use it on our baseball gloves. https://favoredleather.com/is-neatsfoot-oil-bad-for-leather-2/

I don't disagree with anything in that article, but my experience-based view is slightly different. Neatsfoot oil penetrates the whole thickness of the leather, and will make stiff leather supple again within reason. I don't think it restores any strength, and it certainly doesn't heal cracks. The big downside, IMHO, is that it spoils any waxy surface finish that the leather had, and that tough surface may be where much of the strength and water-repellency and good looks reside in an old camera case. So I use Neatsfoot only sparingly, and prefer to use a waxy/greasy 'dubbin' product most of the time. However, I find it best to avoid anything that has a harsh petroleum-like smell, like most shoe-polishes, although they will give the best surface shine. (In fact I make my own dubbin by melting together hard animal fat, beeswax and a dash of wood tar as a preservative. Best applied with the fingers in a melted state.)

 

[GregY]

From the looks of the case, it doesn't really need to be made supple, contrary say to a neck strap. What i believe is needed is a conditioner. Something you'd use on the leather seats of your BMW (Beemermark ;-) ).... something that doesn't leave an oily or greasy residue. We used to use 'dubbin' and similar products on our rough out climbing boots. The best conditioner i've used are the products offered by Lexol. I used it on my leather view camera bellows..... & you could use it on leather furniture. What would you use your homemade 'dubbin' for...? I sure wouldn't let it anywhere near a view camera bellows.

 

[snusmumriken]

From the looks of the case, it doesn't really need to be made supple, contrary say to a neck strap. What i believe is needed is a conditioner. Something you'd use on the leather seats of your BMW (Beemermark ;-) ).... something that doesn't leave an oily or greasy residue. We used to use 'dubbin' and similar products on our rough out climbing boots. The best conditioner i've used are the products offered by Lexol. I used it on my leather view camera bellows..... & you could use it on leather furniture. What would you use your homemade 'dubbin' for...? I sure wouldn't let it anywhere near a view camera bellows.

I'm not actually recommending my home-made dubbin! I just felt some explanation was needed as to what I use instead of Neatsfoot Oil. FWIW, I use it for boots, bicycle saddles, bags, straps, belts ... but I wouldn't put it on kid gloves or a camera bellows.

BTW, neatsfoot oil is almost perfect as a honing oil, in case anyone is interested.

 

[Edubarca]

I appreciate very much all your help and suggestions. Thank you very much. After carefully reading my conclusion is I don'y know what to use. You saw the photo of my Rectaflex case. Can you, my friends, agree finally what to use? AgaIn thanks
EDUARDO

 

[Dwight Anderson]

Many years ago I had a car upholstery expert recommend a product called leatherique. I've been using it ever since on the antique cameras I collect. I use their rejuvenator oil on dry flaking leather and the cleaner after that. It doesn't leave any oily residue and doesn't change the leather's color. It even restores sun bleached red bellows without darkening them. It's not cheap but Amazon does have it in a smaller 8 ounce size