MTFCA Forum

I made a leather fan belt about six years ago. I used good latigo leather, but I believe it has Finally stretched out of adjustment. I stitched the scarf joint after gluing it with Barge Cement. I soon found out that antifreeze dissolves it ! I note that the parts book illustrations of leather belts show them stitched the entire circumference. Perhaps the stitching retards stretch ? I didn't do that

I have some horse butt for the next one. It's preferred for belts you wear because it doesn't stretch much.

I have noticed that many top bow saddles and other straps seem to be made from chrome-tanned leathers which do not weather well. They tend to fry like bacon in the hot summer sun, and shrink a lot. Oak-tanned leather lasts better, I believe, especially if treated occasionally with saddle oil. Ray Holes saddle butter is an excellent treatment for leather exposed to the elements, if you can find it.

Last, if you make these accessory items from oak tanned leather, you can "dye" them black with an iron acetate solution. It turns the leather black, but will not come off on your hands or clothing. Simply steep some steel wool or clean nails or bolts in vinegar for a few days, and apply.

Here's a neglected lubrication point ! Hoods on the brass cars have strips of leather for cushion/anti-rattle lining. Apply saddle oil now and then to keep them supple !

I made these top straps a few years ago. I should have oiled them sooner, some weather checking shows, but they'll be okay if oiled regularly.

Too late for the bow saddle liner, but the strap is responding to the oiling. I'll be making new ones.

Thanks for the heads up. Its seems to be very popular & available on-line. This a link to Ray Holes on-line store price is low too.https://rayholesleathercare.com/products/saddle-butter
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Question: Many years ago my friend used Saddle Soap on his real leather car seats . It made them very slippery, caused you to slide around not good for driving. Would Ray Hole's saddle butter do the same?

Frank, leather upholstery is almost a thing in itself. The color and finishes applied are often very different from saddle leather. That said, it can certainly profit from maintenance that maintains an optimal moisture level. Personally, I don't have much use for saddle soap. There are a number of proprietary saddle soaps. Some may be good at cleaning without drying out the leather, since they need to be rinsed off with clear water on a damp rag. I'm told Lexol products are very good for leather upholstery.

Saddle butter is very good for straps, any leather that isn't "enamelled" like most upholstery leathers are finished

I am happy to see you taking care of the leather. Of course, mine are nice and crispy. Just the way I like them. And original I believe.
Keep up the good work.
Rich

Just like bacon, huh Rich?

I have save a few intact but hard leather pieces by putting them in a zip lock bag with neats foot oil for several weeks.
They came back to life.