Color of leather (Connolly)...

laoshi75 · 07-16-2008, 09:15 AM

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 !

laoshi75 · 07-16-2008, 09:15 AM

after

laoshi75 · 07-16-2008, 09:17 AM

before

laoshi75 · 07-16-2008, 09:17 AM

after

Edward Tinker · 07-16-2008, 10:30 AM

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

George Anderson · 07-16-2008, 11:28 AM

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.

Went Blakely · 07-16-2008, 11:38 AM

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?

laoshi75 · 07-16-2008, 11:58 AM

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 !

lugerholsterrepair · 07-16-2008, 12:28 PM

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

laoshi75 · 07-17-2008, 02:48 AM

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.

raygun · 07-17-2008, 07:51 AM

settle down Christian , its a beautifull looking holster !

Went Blakely · 07-17-2008, 10:54 AM

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

John Sabato · 07-17-2008, 04:44 PM

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...

laoshi75 · 07-17-2008, 04:53 PM

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

alvin · 07-18-2008, 05:01 PM

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

A.Mifsin · 07-20-2008, 02:09 AM

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 canÃ¢??t handle and enjoy.
Alf.

nickn · 07-22-2008, 10:36 AM

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

07-16-2008, 09:15 AM	#1
laoshi75 User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Thailand/France Posts: 490 Thanks: 288 Thanked 96 Times in 41 Posts	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 ! Attached Thumbnails

07-16-2008, 09:15 AM	#2
laoshi75 User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Thailand/France Posts: 490 Thanks: 288 Thanked 96 Times in 41 Posts	after after Attached Thumbnails

07-16-2008, 09:17 AM	#3
laoshi75 User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Thailand/France Posts: 490 Thanks: 288 Thanked 96 Times in 41 Posts	before before Attached Thumbnails

07-16-2008, 09:17 AM	#4
laoshi75 User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Thailand/France Posts: 490 Thanks: 288 Thanked 96 Times in 41 Posts	after after Attached Thumbnails

07-16-2008, 11:38 AM	#7
Went Blakely User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 231 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	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? __________________ Went Blakely

07-16-2008, 10:30 AM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	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

07-16-2008, 11:28 AM	#6
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,772 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	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.

07-16-2008, 11:58 AM	#8
laoshi75 User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Thailand/France Posts: 490 Thanks: 288 Thanked 96 Times in 41 Posts	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 !

07-16-2008, 12:28 PM	#9
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,857 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	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 Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

07-17-2008, 02:48 AM	#10
laoshi75 User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Thailand/France Posts: 490 Thanks: 288 Thanked 96 Times in 41 Posts	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.

07-17-2008, 07:51 AM	#11
raygun User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: brisbane Posts: 150 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	settle down Christian , its a beautifull looking holster ! __________________ arma tuentur pacem

07-17-2008, 10:54 AM	#12
Went Blakely User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 231 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	I concur, it is still an absolutely beautiful looking holster, you havn't done any harm to it __________________ Went Blakely

07-17-2008, 04:44 PM	#13
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	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... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

07-17-2008, 04:53 PM	#14
laoshi75 User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Thailand/France Posts: 490 Thanks: 288 Thanked 96 Times in 41 Posts	Chris, Went, John..you are right..Thank you very much Gentlemen !

07-18-2008, 05:01 PM	#15
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	I think that I am "picky" enough, but I would accept a few drops of leather conditioner.

07-20-2008, 02:09 AM	#16
A.Mifsin User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Malta Posts: 570 Thanks: 74 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	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 canÃ¢??t handle and enjoy. Alf. Attached Images __________________ I prefer a Luger

07-22-2008, 10:36 AM	#17
nickn User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 36 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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