I like & use both Obenauf’s Oil & LP. They have made impressive improvements in leather texture & evening color in some instances where washing & other conditioners alone did not. Obenauf’s site suggests that Oil is for moderate conditions & LP for extreme. I interpret that for the condition of the bag I’m rehabbing not necessarily how or where I’ll be carrying it after.
I’ve found the Oil to be a great conditioner. If a bag warrants it, I typically use after Leather CPR. A favorite example was last year when I used it on a light (saddle) color vintage bag that needed serious help. It turned that leather from dry & suede-like back to soft & smooth. I wouldn’t have believed it if it hadn’t been with my own hands!
After other conditioners, I use LP (instead of or in line with Blackrock) as a final step. I find hand applying simple & I love the scent of it. I feel like it helps neutralize ‘old leather’ smells then fades.
While leather darkening is a concern with many products, so far, I haven’t had unfavorable experiences with Obenauf’s. I’ve learned not to panic after applying when leather can initially look very streaky/splotchy. Time is needed for products to absorb & ‘settle’.
*** My leather rehab expectations & experiences may vary from others’. ***
Obenauf’s website is pretty informative. Here’s some info from there:
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Leather Oil
* Restores dried & sun-faded leather
* Repels water, chemicals, manure acids, and salt
* Resists cracking, dry rot, scuffing, mold, mildew, and bacteria growth
* Applies easily with the lambs wool applicator or clean cloth
* Allows leather to breathe
* Ideal for "breaking-in" new boots
* Penetrates deeply into leather
* Can be buffed to shine or polished over
* Excellent for touch-ups between applications of Heavy Duty LP
* Contains no harmful petroleum, solvents, or paraffin
Obenauf's Leather Oil provides protection to your leather items subjected to the elements, especially when hot, dusty, and dry conditions are dehydrating your leathers. Our Leather Oil is your best preservative for:
* Work Boots, Dress Boots, & Leather Apparel
* Saddles & Tack
* Belts, Holsters, Scabbards, & Sheathes
* Vintage Leather Clothing
* Motorcycle & Automotive Leathers
* Leather Furniture
* Leather Athletic Gear
* And More!
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Heavy Duty LP
Our Heavy Duty Leather Preservative provides industrial strength protection to keep working leather looking like new as long as possible. Originally developed for the severe working conditions of the Wildland Firefighters and to provide the best waterproofing naturally! Heavy Duty LP repels water, preserves, restores, and conditions leather shoes, boots, waxed flesh leather, saddles, motorcycle leathers, tool pouches, athletic gear, and cotton oilskin dusters.
Benefits of use:
* Repels water, acids, petroleum, salt, and chemicals
* Restores dried & sun-faded leather
* Prevents dry rot
* Resists mold, mildew, and bacteria
* Resists scuffing, abrasion, stitch tear, and premature cracking in flex areas
* Odorless after applied (will not spook game)
* Contains no harmful petroleum, solvents, or paraffin
Features
* Three natural oils are suspended in Beeswax and Propolis creating a smooth cream. In the leather, these oils gradually seep out of the Beeswax/Propolis* Suspension Formula. If exposed to heat or flexing the oils are released faster so leather gets oiled when and where it needs it most instead of parched and cracked. This Beeswax/Propolis* Suspension Formula provides a time release lubrication to inner fibers, reinforcing the surface against scuffing and abrasions, while still allowing the leather to breathe.
*Propolis is an antibacterial tree resin that resists bacteria and mold. It is a barrier against body acids, salt, and caustic chemicals. Combined with beeswax it will repel water better and longer.
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DEALING WITH MOLD AND MILDEW ON LEATHER
Mild vinegar and water solution kills mold at the root. Once you have eliminated the mold, you need to immediately treat the article with Obenauf’s Leather Oil or LP to restore the natural oils. Obenauf’s Leather Oil and Heavy Duty LP have anti-bacterial properties that will provide protection from future mold and mildew problems. Dirty and damp leather will mold. Keep it clean and treated with a preservative and stored in ventilated dry areas.
