Learn the proper method of oiling a leather book or other leather item. Good for books, purses, gloves, jackets and dried, crusty leather. bookbindersdres... Try a can today!
Current thinking is that oil based products should not be used on old leather bindings as the oils can slowly migrate through the spine to the inner edges of the pages resulting in a discoloured margin, up to an inch wide. The effect cannot be reversed and can take months or even years to be come apparent. My thoughts are that providing the dressing is applied very sparingly (not piled on as shown in this video) the benefit will outweigh the risk. But I most certainly would hesitate to use oil-based products of this type on valuable or important books.
I agree with Martin. Please consider reading some literature on the use of oils/dressings/emulsions on leather and the long term effects on those objects.
Hello! I love the idea of oiling leather book covers. They look great. Problem is, I've found information saying that they should NEVER be oiled. The Library of Congress for example has stopped doing this. Is there no right or wrong approach to this? Also, oiling must darken leather, correct? I have a nicely bound set of books from 1846, with medium brown covers covered with gilt stamping. The covers look "lifeless". Will oiling affect the gilt? Will covers darken unevenly? Thanks.
I've recently been working on my own proof set of Curtis's British Entomology bound in green morocco leather A very valuable, 190 years old, eight volume set worth well over $25,000, so I had to get it right. After a great deal of research and thought I used Leather Saver from Preservation Solutions. This product binds with the leather and so does not migrate through the spine. Neither does it darken the leather, except where it was previously dried out and as a result had a bleached look, in which case case it simply brings back the original colour. Immediately after application I removed any excess with a clean, soft cloth and dabbed the product off the extensive gilding using kitchen paper towelling and Q-tips. It worked a treat and the result after a day's curing was simply gorgeous. No stickiness and a feel bordering on the erotic. Now a month later, the books glow and the leather feels supple and soft with a rather nice aroma. The makers recommend it for any leather in good condition, even new. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Sorry Max, to not support your methods and product.
LOC guide says no treatment for leather books except for an "expert." The reality is that leather breaks and wears out, and when it dries out, it breaks and you cant use it. You need something or it falls apart. They also recommend that you open books with your hands, so they can absorb hand oils. This professional advice may apply for certain historic books in their collections, but for the everyday person with an everyday leather book, you need some oil on it.
Wouldn't you have to clean the leather first before putting conditioner on?You would just be smudging in old grime into the leather and coating it in the conditioner.
Thanks for this video. Can you advise me how I can purchase this book binding dressing. I have a large number of books that need some tender loving care.
@@ofthedawn I tried to buy through his website--he returned the PayPal payment basically saying it was not possible for me to buy it (from NZ), too complicated in terms of manifest preparation, shipping costs etc. ...
