Leather preservation

[Johnny Peppers]

Was looking at a site on German helmets. Found this and thought it might be of innterest to the group.


Leather Balms, Oils, and Preservatives:


In an effort to prevent dry rot, many collectors have considered or have used "leather balms" or "preservatives" that reportedly restore

the natural oils in the leather. Unfortunately, these agents have been shown to accelerate deterioration rather than decrease it!

While many substances are sold for this purpose, the only two that have ever been found to be moderately helpful without causing

further damage include Pecard's Antique Leather Restorer�® and also Lanolin�®. Pecard's�® is considered the best and is also

recommended as the only treatment acceptable for long term leather preservation by the United States Smithsonian Institution.


Never use the following on German helmet leather parts or liners:


Neats-Foot�® brand oils, balms, salves, creams, or conditioners


Lexol�® brand leather oils, creams or conditioners


Water and basic soap solutions


Saddle-Soap�® applied in any fashion whether it be bar or cream


Any type of commercial leather shoe or handbag "restorers" or "cleaners"


Gun, machine, or motor oils of any kind


Vaseline or petroleum jelly


Use of any of the commercially sold leather restorers other than Pecard's�® or basic Lanolin�® will result in permanent damage to the

leather fittings in the helmet. Although the products mentioned above advertise that they will not damage old leather, tests of these

substances on old leather shows that they accelerate deterioration by introducing oils that cause dry rot or wet rot in the cellular

structures of the old leather. Remember! If in doubt about how to restore old leather, simply leave the helmet as it was found and

apply no treatment whatsoever!