Tried searching-but had no luck.
My leather pad is getting ugly. Have been using Mink Oil after
light buffing with black shoe polish to cover scuff marks.
What do you use?
Hal,
The leather pad on my Churchill is fairly new, and I simply use a quality black shoe polish and buff it. I've read several articles on butt pads, and when the discussion turns to leather ones, shoe polish with buffing is always mentioned.
I do use mink oil on my leather boots but believe that the shoe polish would protect the soft leather pad better.
Karl
I personally stopped using mink oil years ago. There’s just so many other products out there now that are light years ahead of mink oil...and many leather workers will tell you that mink oil is actually detrimental to good leather. I’ve used either Obernaufs or Skidmores on my leather goods, to include leather covered pads for years now.
I would imagine that the mink oil would eventually harden the leather, and that Lefusil's suggestions would restore it. My pad has a softer than normal base pad under it, which may cause it to flex excessivly and induce cracks. I may just switch to a good conditioner to keep it soft.
Karl
I don't own anything with leather-covered pad, but for shoe care I have been very satisfied with Kiwi brand products. No need for it, but if one wants to go fancy/smancy there is always John Lobb shoe cream (made by Kiwi
).
Many thanks for your responses! Looking like new--almost...
I used to work in a saddle shop and the saddlemaker was adamant that most people are wrong in thinking that leather should be soft. It needs to be supple if it bends (like shoes where they flex) but otherwise should get only small amounts of ntural oil coupled with a surface treatment. In the case of leather pads shoe polish is about the best way to keep them in top shape.
Gil,
Shoe polish was the recurring mention in everything that I read on butt pads.
Karl
I’ve been very pleased with Bick 4 available at better sadelries. I’ve used it on everything from shoes to belts to car seats to leg-o-mutton cases with excellent results.
I've used Pecard's Antique Leather Dressing with very good results on cases and pads.
Kevin McCormack does the restoration work on my, and other's here, leather gun cases. The two products he uses are Lexol and Blackrock Leather 'N Rich.
https://www.blackrock-leather.com SRH
I've used Pecard's Antique Leather Dressing with very good results on cases and pads.
I've had success with Pecard's as well but it isn't easy to find. Anybody know a supplier?
Thanks, Bob---I should have done the search myself myself.
I found this product years ago at a gun show here in Calgary---somebody brought in a good supply but it all disappeared and never re-appeared.
Bill
I use Pecards on my boots. I scrub with Fiebings saddle soap to help re-moisturize the leather and replace lost oils. Then I rub down with Pecards dressing. For waterproofing, I topcoat with Snoseal.
As I said, this is just what I do on my boots, it may or may not work on a leather pad. I can attest to the rejuvenating abilities of the combination of the Fiebings and Pecards.