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Anyone have any real experience restoring old leather? The (red metallic) leather in the Starfire is very decent but also shows the scars of 58 years of life. It is dry, has typical cracking, and a small rip or tear here and there. It’s presentable and I would never consider replacing it because it original and this car will never be restored. I’ve seen a zillion YouTube videos on this trick and that to ‘restore’ old leather. Has anyone ever had any success (or failure) reconditioning vintage leather? At the least I’d like to soften it and prevent additional cracks-even better I’d like to disguise the distressed portions. I’m obviously concerned about doing more damage than good.
As a native texan and one who wears boots until they literally come apart, I use saddle soap to clean them, and give them a good liberal coating of mink oil. Then let it absorb into the leather and wipe off the excess. Polish if needed and buff it to a shine.
I use saddle soap to clean them, and give them a good liberal coating of mink oil.
x2
Only use products on the seats designed for leather. After cleaning them with saddle soap and water you can use a little bit of mink oil or the beeswax leather cream (ofen sold under the Dr. Marten's brand). All of those products work great!
I was told by a professional car detailer who specialed in Mercedes and Rolls Royce that mink oil is the best thing for leather it preserves and softens.
Does this really work for these metallic hued leathers and vinyls? Its quite different from the leather in a Mercedes or Rolls.
Saddle soap, mink oil, etc. won't damage the leather. They're products designed specifically for leather. IMHO, mink oil should be used sparingly. It seems to leave a residue on the leather after brushing. While I know it isn't a bad thing, it's just a personal preference.
Does this really work for these metallic hued leathers and vinyls? Its quite different from the leather in a Mercedes or Rolls.
Vinyl and leather are no where the same. Vinyl will not absorb anything put on it topically, maybe the cheaper vinyls will, but leather is an animal product and vinyl is man made.
Vinyl and leather are no where the same. Vinyl will not absorb anything put on it topically, maybe the cheaper vinyls will, but leather is an animal product and vinyl is man made.
Yeah I lumped those in there together but my point was the finish on the leather is not natural and they both seem to have a similar metallic, dyed finish. It's not tanned leather like a belt or a gun holster. Will the oil permeate the outer layer? I can see where it would get into the cracks in the outer layer but maybe not penetrate the outer surface. I'm completely serious here.
Don't try to re-dye the leather. My father; Oldsguy, and I dyed a leather sport steering wheel we installed in his 69 Delta 88. We dyed it black while it was originally tan. We used a professional leather dye and followed the directions impeccably. It turned out that the black dye would rub off on your hands and get on your trousers as you entered and exited the car.
If you try to dye the seats I bet you experience the same thing. Just treat the leather and reinstall the interior. Those seats look darn near perfect for an interior that's 58 years old. It's only original once!
..Those seats look darn near perfect for an interior that's 58 years old. It's only original once!
You’re 100% right - I have no intention of replacing the leather...just hoping to prevent more cracking and soften it up... and thank you-I’m privelged to be the caretaker of this car...made my skin crawl to drill holes to anchor seatbelts
February 22nd, 2019, 08:14 PM
