Tip: Mink oil for leather cases

[alansoon]

I picked up a small can of Kiwi Mink Oil yesterday to help restore some old camera leather cases. It works wonders! If anyone is looking to restore some chipped/cracked leather, this is the way to go.

It's oil, not wax, so it absorbs quickly without leaving a tacky residue. It's not slippery. There's no color, and better yet, it doesn't smell as bad as shoe polish!

[Jon Goodman]

It is also good for your hair.
Jon

[alansoon]

I could definitely do with more hair!

[Pherdinand]

My indian friend puts coconut oil on his hair. Maybe i'll ask for some to use on my old cameras:D

[kmack]

I always suggest a good cleaning before adding any conditioner like mink oil, lanolin or neats foot oil to leather.

If you can find a good saddle soap, use it first, If you do not have access to saddle soap, I have used Dove brand or other conditioning soap. Remember to rince and remove all traces of the soap before allowing the leather to dry. Do not dry with heat. Be patient and dry in a cool dry place.

After cleaning add the conditioner, do not overdo it. Conditioners will darken leather, and if it is not clean to begin with the finish can darken in spots.

Leather is animal skin after all, treat it like you would your own skin.

[richard_l]

Castile soap or glycerin soap is actually gentler to leather than saddle soap, or so I've heard.

[bmattock]

How does one oil a mink, exactly?

[Socke]

I could definitely do with more hair!

Hair is not my problem, if only the brown with white to the pure white stage weren't so long.

[Fedzilla_Bob]

How does one oil a mink, exactly?
Very Carefully. Also, if you don't oil them often enough they get real squeaky.

Happy 4th

[Nikon Bob]

I thought neats foot oil was a no no from a previous thread.

Bob