Tips on cleaning and polishing leatherette? Where's the gloss?

keithostertag · Dec 9, 2017

In cleaning old leatherette on old cameras, what do you use to restore the black and the shine?

I'm using a q-tip with some isopropyl alcohol to clean the leatherette on my Minolta Autocord. The swab comes back dirty, but the leatherette doesn't really look clean, and the gloss is gone. (I mean the gloss was already pretty much gone to begin with, and cleaning it does not bring it back).

I also tried using just water, and then a little detergent, but in all cases the leatherette never gets back that shiny new look.

Is there something easy and effective to get it to be really black and shiny like new leatherette? Something easy to use on a q-tip so I can get into tight corners?

Maybe some type of light oil? What type of easily available oil would be suitable?

shutterfinger · Dec 9, 2017

I use alcohol on a paper towel to clean the surface. Water will damage the naugahyde if you get it too wet.
Once clean spray on some Pledge Furniture Polish, the Pledge in the yellow can. Let it set 5 to 15 minutes then wipe off the excess and buff with a soft clean cloth.
If the leatherette is faded then coat it with Kiwi Color Shine http://us.kiwicare.com/kiwi-color-shine between the cleaning and the pledge.
The leatherette is Naugahyde so any good conditioner for naugahyde will work as will some leather conditioners.

Patrick Robert James · Dec 9, 2017

Shoe polish.

E. von Hoegh · Dec 10, 2017

keithostertag said:
In cleaning old leatherette on old cameras, what do you use to restore the black and the shine?

I'm using a q-tip with some isopropyl alcohol to clean the leatherette on my Minolta Autocord. The swab comes back dirty, but the leatherette doesn't really look clean, and the gloss is gone. (I mean the gloss was already pretty much gone to begin with, and cleaning it does not bring it back).

I also tried using just water, and then a little detergent, but in all cases the leatherette never gets back that shiny new look.

Is there something easy and effective to get it to be really black and shiny like new leatherette? Something easy to use on a q-tip so I can get into tight corners?

Maybe some type of light oil? What type of easily available oil would be suitable?

Different cameras used different materials. Prewar Contax, earlier Rolleis, many other older cameras used real leather often held down with shellac - so be careful using alcohol to clean. Cleaning leather or leatherette will remove the gloss as well as the dirt, I've had excellent results with shoe polish to re-blacken, and Butcher's Wax (brand name) to protect and bring up a nice gloss. Work it in with a soft toothbrush, let dry, and buff to a gloss. Oils and leather conditioners on real leather can soften it and result in flattening the fine pebble grain. Some cameras, such as the early postwar Canon rfs, had a really poor quality "leatherette" that seems more like embossed cardboard, these are very delicate and difficult to preserve/salvage.

guangong · Dec 10, 2017

E. von Hoegh said:
Different cameras used different materials. Prewar Contax, earlier Rolleis, many other older cameras used real leather often held down with shellac - so be careful using alcohol to clean. Cleaning leather or leatherette will remove the gloss as well as the dirt, I've had excellent results with shoe polish to re-blacken, and Butcher's Wax (brand name) to protect and bring up a nice gloss. Work it in with a soft toothbrush, let dry, and buff to a gloss. Oils and leather conditioners on real leather can soften it and result in flattening the fine pebble grain. Some cameras, such as the early postwar Canon rfs, had a really poor quality "leatherette" that seems more like embossed cardboard, these are very delicate and difficult to preserve/salvage.

Thanks for the info. This past summer humidifier wasn’t working and cameras covered with a touch of mold. Used leather conditioners, but sparingly, on cameras of various age. No damage done, but will keep your observations in mind should the need arise.

E. von Hoegh · Dec 10, 2017

guangong said:
Thanks for the info. This past summer humidifier wasn’t working and cameras covered with a touch of mold. Used leather conditioners, but sparingly, on cameras of various age. No damage done, but will keep your observations in mind should the need arise.

For light mold wipe down with a rag dampened with Listerine, it discourages mold. I've learned the hard way not to use anything but pure neat's foot oil, sparingly, on leather bellows and to avoid "conditioner" goop on leather coverings.

Questor84 · Dec 10, 2017

I have used a product called 303 Aerospace Protectant on a Yashica 24 and a Mamiya TLR waist level finder and it did help bring back color and luster. I used a Q-Tip and sparingly so as not get it under leatherette and possibly effect adhesive. It is made by 303 Products and I bought it initially to treat eisenglass on a boat and it worked wonders there. I think I got it at West Marine.

keithostertag · Dec 10, 2017

E. von Hoegh said:
I've had excellent results with shoe polish to re-blacken, and Butcher's Wax (brand name) to protect and bring up a nice gloss.

Mentioning Butcher's Wax makes me wonder... have you had experience with trying mineral oil?

Or even lard? (wouldn't that be somewhat similar to neat's foot oil?)

wiltw · Dec 10, 2017

I am just wondering, why do folks want shine? I have owned multiple cameras from new over 40 yrs. and none of them 'shined' on the leather...a very slight sheen at most!

keithostertag · Dec 10, 2017

wiltw said:
I am just wondering, why do folks want shine? I have owned multiple cameras from new over 40 yrs. and none of them 'shined' on the leather...a very slight sheen at most!

Well... there's lots of variation to "shine". Cleaning dulls the finish, and yes, restoring a little sheen is what I want. Further, I guess I'd like something approaching the original like-new look, so that "shining" the top surface isn't completely adaquate since it leaves the valleys below the surface still looking dull or dirty. Basically I think that restoring the original sheen/shine means to make it look clean and like-new, not "shiny" in the strictly cosmetic sense, like some polished trinket. Words can get tricky ;-) but I think most of us know what we what level of clean we like.

wiltw · Dec 10, 2017

Not sure if the product is still available, but decades ago 'saddle soap' very deeply cleaned leather and allowed you to buff it to a sheen.

wiltw · Dec 10, 2017

Yes, saddle soap is still available for purchase.

E. von Hoegh · Dec 10, 2017

keithostertag said:
Mentioning Butcher's Wax makes me wonder... have you had experience with trying mineral oil?

Or even lard? (wouldn't that be somewhat similar to neat's foot oil?)

If you would please read my post, I specifically recommended that neat's foot oil should not be used on leather camera covering. Lard and mineral oil? Looks like even worse than neat's foot oil, if the covering of your camera is someting other than leather (likely), it will result in a slippery mess.

shutterfinger · Dec 10, 2017

Lard and mineral oil will promote rot. Lard will go rancid. Neatsfoot oil is a recommended product for leather. Do not use blended neatsfoot oil. I use neatsfoot oil on Graflex camera that have XXX Moroccan leather coverings. I moisten a cotton ball then rub the leather with the cotton ball until there is an even layer of oil on it. Too much neatsfoot oil will rot the leather. I never let it pool.
Dip the cotton ball in the oil, squeeze out the excess, then wipe the leather.

Sirius Glass · Dec 10, 2017

E. von Hoegh said:
If you would please read my post, I specifically recommended that neat's foot oil should not be used on leather camera covering. Lard and mineral oil? Looks like even worse than neat's foot oil, if the covering of your camera is someting other than leather (likely), it will result in a slippery mess.

shutterfinger said:
Lard and mineral oil will promote rot. Lard will go rancid. Neatsfoot oil is a recommended product for leather. Do not use blended neatsfoot oil. I use neatsfoot oil on Graflex camera that have XXX Moroccan leather coverings. I moisten a cotton ball then rub the leather with the cotton ball until there is an even layer of oil on it. Too much neatsfoot oil will rot the leather. I never let it pool.
Dip the cotton ball in the oil, squeeze out the excess, then wipe the leather.

I too use neatsfoot oil lightly on my Graphic and Graflex.

keithostertag · Dec 10, 2017

Thank you gentlemen! I always learn from you guys...

shutterfinger · Dec 10, 2017

I use the products referenced by me in post 2 and 14 depending on the condition of the camera.
Saddle soap requires water and will damage the thin leather on cameras.

paul ron · Dec 11, 2017

Shoe polish.
Wax is always better than oils.

Tips on cleaning and polishing leatherette? Where's the gloss?

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