saddle question

[Strummer]

A friend of mine gave me a old saddle. The leather seems to need a good oiling . I'm just not sure what to use on it . What do y'all recommend ?

[txarcher]

Saddlesoap first, then linseed oil is my suggestion.

[keep's keeper]

neatsfoot oil. that's what I use.

[Cam-Mac]

Tractor supply might have some leather conditioner you could use. Or any tack supply store should have it. Are you planning on using it? Or just decoration?

[Bweger]

Neatsfoot oil

[nativetexan]

Be careful with the saddlesoap if the saddle is tooled. You can get a pretty heavy waxy buildup in the crevices.

[Tubby]

Is there any molding or mildew on the saddle or straps?

If so, this needs to be removed FIRST!

Wipe off any visible mold/mildew with a dry soft cloth first. (both sides of the straps if evident). Mix equal parts of water and lemon juice and sponge onto the affected areas. Wait a few minutes and then wipe off the excess with a clean dry cloth. Once dry, wipe down again with a clean dry cloth.

Neatsfoot oil or Lexoil will work to clean and help bring back the leather.

[Tubby]

If the seat itself is suede, clean any waterspots with a stiff toothbrush or a hard bristled cleaning brush. Set in waterspots can be cleaned with a brown eraser. NOT a pink eraser as it can stain the suede. Usually just a good brushing will bring back the natural color of the suede.

[Strummer]

Yeah I plan to use it, well my wife will use it . No mold or mildew over all its not it to bad shape . Will the neatsfoot oil stain her clothing ?

[Tubby]

Yeah I plan to use it, well my wife will use it . No mold or mildew over all its not it to bad shape . Will the neatsfoot oil stain her clothing ?

It shouldn't stain her clothing if it's applied properly and allowed to completely dry before use.



Cleaning: (if it's BAD dirty)
Place a small amount of a gentle, moisturizing soap such as Dove on a damp cloth and bring it to a light lather. Rub the damp cloth on the leather without putting too much water on the leather. Wipe away lather with a fresh damp cloth. Don't rinse the leather in water. Polish leather with a dry towel. Treat leather with a leather conditioner after it has dried completely.

Cleaning/Conditioning:

Wipe down the saddle with a damp towel to remove dirt, hair, dust or mildew. Take off any extra pieces of equipment and undo all buckles and straps on the saddle. Remove anything that will get in the way of cleaning all leather surfaces of the saddle. Dampen the sponge with water, but wring it out. You don't want the sponge dripping wet. Rub the sponge in the saddle soap and work it into a lather on the sponge Apply the lather to the saddle. Rub it in circular motions on all areas of leather on the saddle. Rinse and re-lather the sponge so you are not wiping dirt onto the saddle. Use a toothbrush with soap to clean in crevices and tooled detailed areas of the saddle. Wipe the saddle with a damp cloth to remove the last of the saddle soap. Soap that is left on the saddle may damage the leather. Go over the saddle with a towel to dry the leather. Use metal cleaner to clean and shine any metal parts on the saddle.


Neatsfoot oil is more for conditioning than cleaning... (can be used after using saddle soap once the saddle has dried completely)

Using Neatsfoot oil:

Apply with a brush or clean cloth and allow to dry. Reapply a second coat if necessary. DO NOT wipe off any of the Neatsfoot oil. DO NOT get Neatsfoot oil on suede as it will stain it!

**some of this was pulled from the web**

Hope this helps!

[Pistol]

Tubby, I am going to contradict you and probably the web. My experience with Neetsfoot is that it will stain clothing and it isn't the best thing for some leathers. I do have some in my kit, so it's not all bad. I use it on my headstalls, reins etc. Excess oil will attract dirt. However when it comes to my saddle, I prefer Saddle Butter. It is a bit more difficult to find. Just google it.
You have great info on proper cleaning too!

Just my opinion, which most people don't agree with until they pay me for it.

[Tubby]

Tubby, I am going to contradict you and probably the web. My experience with Neetsfoot is that it will stain clothing and it isn't the best thing for some leathers. I do have some in my kit, so it's not all bad. I use it on my headstalls, reins etc. Excess oil will attract dirt. However when it comes to my saddle, I prefer Saddle Butter. It is a bit more difficult to find. Just google it.
You have great info on proper cleaning too!

Just my opinion, which most people don't agree with until they pay me for it.

I don't have any saddles but do some leathercraft work and have been studying up on leather in general. I don't use neatsfoot oil on anything myself (just read and heard about using it). I've always just used Saddle Soap to clean with then used Mink Oil or Lexoil.

Gonna have to look for the Saddle Butter now.

[Deb]

I used mink oil.

[keep's keeper]

I was curious about saddle butter so I looked it up. I've only ever used neatsfoot oil and never had any problems. Saddle Butter lists it's ingredients as several kinds of wax and pure neatsfoot oil.

IMHO if the saddle is in that bad of shape use the plain neatsfoot oil first and several times to clean/condition. Treat, let dry, repeat.....several times. Then after the oil has restored some health to the leather use the Saddle Butter as a protective barrier and to maintain the good condition.

Thanks for the info on the Saddle Butter. Looks like good stuff.

http://www.rayholesleathercare.com/saddlebutter.htm

[CamoQuest]

Leather Life or Extra Virgin olive oil. I know it sounds greasy and gross, but EVO is great for leather. It soaks in, doesn't rot, and it doesn't leave a residue to stain your clothes or attract dust and dirt. Put the saddle in the sun and apply it with either a mist bottle or sponge, depending on what is easier. It will darken the leather drastically at first, but after it sets in it will lighten back up. I don't use anything else on tack anymore. It works on suede too, which is one of the reasons I like it so much. I took a full rough-out Wade hardseat and soaked the whole thing, after it went for an unexpected swim. The leather soaked it right up, and dried without gumming up the nap. The saddle looks great and feels great too.