Color of leather (Connolly)...
 

This question has already been discussed on the Forum.
I received recently the Connolly cream to treat my leather stuff, and I treated some parts. The problem is : the color of the leather changes a lot ! Have a look at this closure strap, it was clear brown before treatment, now it is dark brown...ok, I will NEVER treat again my leather !
:confused:

after
 

after :grr:

before
 

before

after
 

after :grr:

yes, it 'treats' well, but it turns everything darker!


Very irritating when it is a nice medium brown, but has a damaged spot so, you 'treat it", then it goes dark on you!



Ed

I believe that the only darkening that occurs is the result of putting moisture back into the leather. I have never had a problem with it changing the color of leather.

Yes it does really liven it up, and makes it look healthier, but it takes away a bit of the 'relic, or antique' look to some things. I believe that's way the general consensus is, to just.....not treat things unless they BADly need it. Just my .02c
BTW, how did you apply it, and did you wait for it to do its job before wiping it over?

My closure strap was clear brown colored , it is now dark brown. I applied a few drops on the leather and wiped slowly with a clean rag.
I should have tested before on a very small part ! George, there was no moisture on this closure strap, I do not understand.. I presume the leather was damaged. I am furious !

Christian, I understand your concerns. Connolly's is primarily Lanolin. It has some alchohol spirits to facilitate evaporation.

Yes, it will darken leather a shade or two. I would have assumed this would be either common sense or discovered here on the Forum as I have written reams about it.

All is not lost however! Do not dispare! I have found that with time the leather will lighten up and return back towards it's original color.

You see...leather lightens as it loses molecular moisture and as other lanolins and creams dry out & tighten up and are not so expanded.

Wait some time and I think the color will return somewhat.

As for treatment...I have on more than one occasion told board Members here that I primarily use Connolly's on new leather and old leather that NEEDS it.

My recomendation is to use nothing on leather that is pliable and without fault. I will say this about Connolly's. I would rather use it and have the color drop a shade as not use it and have the leather surface & edge crack from bending. Once leather cracks there is no getting it back. 90 year old leather straps on Artillery rigs are prone to just this happening. I have seen many a closure stock strap that is a really pretty & dry surface color that will ripple and crack the surface when bent, ruining it forever, causing breaks in the surface and later flaking. A light treatment with Lanolin would have prevented this.

Jerry Burney

Jerry,

Thank you for repeating again your precious advice ! I believe now that my closure strap had moisture into the leather, as George said. My 1st photo (before treatment) shows a yellow-green color of the leather, so the darkening was inevitable. I really made a stupid mistake. It is so difficult to find Arty rigs with all leather parts from the same color ! Thanks again Jerry and Gentlemen.

settle down Christian , its a beautifull looking holster !

I concur, it is still an absolutely beautiful looking holster, you havn't done any harm to it ;)

Christian. I agree that you have not harmed your holster rig... you did what you intended to do and that was preserve it... don't beat up on yourself... your holster has lasted 90+ years and will last even longer now. Better slightly darker and pliable than lighter and prone to cracking...

Chris, Went, John..you are right..Thank you very much Gentlemen !

I think that I am "picky" enough, but I would accept a few drops of leather conditioner.

I used Connolly cream on my Artillery rig after advice from this Forum and I am glad that I did, as some already said, it is better to have a good sturdy holster with a bit difference in color than a brittle one that you canâ??t handle and enjoy.
Alf.
:)

i dont think the component parts of an artillary rig were ever all the same colour different makers ,weight of the leather parts . i have been using hide food for years first the leather darkens then after a few months it lightens up as jerry said