Leather Heirloom

[Shorty]

To all my associates in the Leather restoration game, I need as much advice as possible on a new project.

An elderly client was recommended to me to "ATTEMPT" to restore a family heirloom.

This was hand made in the late '60's - early '70's and given to this man's father.

Unfortunately, my client gave this to his daughter & then to her brother.

This chap actually found it in the chook-shed in Grafton a couple of months ago & naturally was heart-broken to see it's condition.

It is now very dilapidated from moisture including urine & chook-crap.

I need to know if it can be restored, including colour, which I doubt.

Some parts of the leather are also disintegrating.

I will post a brief description next to each pic, please be patient as I will add these AFTER I upload to FB.

You'll find these on my FB page, along with notations.

Lastly, is anyone here in Australia that could complete this??

Many thanks for your help.

Whitish area is supposedly urine residue, several areas (blackish) where leather has deteriorated, plus blackish cast across the top which I don't know.

The rising sun supposedly used to radiate an orange sunrise.



The whitish stuff I believe is urine residue.



Leather is very stiff, cracking & separating from the Masonite sheet.



Top of artifact, leather broken away, plus top surface eroded.

 

[Old Coastie]

Dangit, I had it all typed out and realized I had just committed blasphemy.

Sorry, mate.

 

[Shorty]

Dangit, I had it all typed out and realized I had just committed blasphemy.

Sorry, mate.

Hey, no wuckin furries mate, believe it or don't, but I've been to the 'states 5 or 6 times, also into Mexico & Canada, so I have heard the odd blasphemy or three.

I welcome all input & output.

 

[Cleanworks]

if it is an original piece worth money, I think you should think about looking for a museum that does restoration. Often they can recommend someone or even share their knowledge with you. if you want to attempt it yourself, you have to go at very slowly. I would use a mild acid solution on a terry towel to try and wipe away the supposed urine residue. Small area at a time. Try a waterless hand cleaner with lanolin and without pumice or any other abrasive. Go slow and stop if you don't get the results you want.

 

[Shorty]

Thanks Ron.

1,200 miles south to my nearest museum.

I'm on my pat malone here.

Cost about AU$800.00 back in early 1971, and they only charged for materials, not labour, so the story goes.

Doesn't sound right to me, apart from the price.

It seems I've gotten rid of most of the urine & poop safely.

Working on getting the leather supple again at the moment.

Going slow & steady, not rushing this one.

 

[Johnny]

What's a chook?

 

[Shorty]

What's a chook?

You're takin' the piss, right ??

Chook = Chicken / rooster / hen ........

The bird that made Colonel Sanders a billionaire.

Chook shed:

 

[Cleanworks]

Don't be choking your chook in public

 

[Old Coastie]

Hey now, let's not be bossing each other around!

Although once a Canadian woman cheerfully said goodbye and "keep yer pecker clean!"

I must've done a double take and stuttered "Wh-what!?"

Turns out to Canuks, a pecker is your nose! HAHAHA

 

[Cleanworks]

only if your name is Woody

 

[Old Coastie]

Uh-oh

 

[Kellie Hiler]

I have a pecker?!

 

[Shorty]

I have a pecker?!

Is that a question or a statement Kellie??

 

[Nate The Great]

I have a pecker?!

Alright, I guess I'll have to find out.....


On a serious note, did you ever get into contact with Roger Koh? Seemed like he really knew leather...

 

[Shorty]

Alright, I guess I'll have to find out.....


On a serious note, did you ever get into contact with Roger Koh? Seemed like he really knew leather...

Not as yet Nate.

Roger started the "Leather Doctor" franchise, yep, he sure knows his stuff.

For those that don't know Roger, he's the guy on the left with the big smile.

 

[Nate The Great]

View attachment 12670

Not as yet Nate.

Roger started the "Leather Doctor" franchise, yep, he sure knows his stuff.

For those that don't know Roger, he's the guy on the left with the big smile.

I got to meet 2 of the 4 pictured....

 

[Shawn Abbey]

Thinking out loud......

If it was a saddle, moisture or gentle steam will get it to lay down flat if you could curl it in the opposite direction. I recently did that to my saddle. Also, if were a saddle, Saddle Soap would be a good cleaner as the glycerin would be the key factor in softening up the leather. Neatsfoot oil will also be used to help restore the leather.

Also, Leather Master makes a great product called Leather Vital. At least on aniline leather, it returns the softness and suppleness of furniture leather back to its original condition. It's a great leather restorer. Oleosa is another Leather Master product to look into as well if it is indeed an oil pull-up leather.

Shawn

 

[Shorty]

Thanks for the advice all.

Because of the stiffness, cracking & curling, I've tackled this piece arse-about.

Rather than attempt cleaning and damaging the curled/cracking areas, I've loaded it up with moisturiser over a few days.

Leather is quite supple now and lays flat.

I have already secured the worst edge, the bottom, back onto the mounting board.

Currently working on securing the top edge.

I have also removed most of the urine salts, although the blackened areas are not responding well.

The owner is in no hurry, so neither am I.

I WILL get there, it's just going to take some time & patience.

I have plenty of patience.

I've been married nearly 34 years.

 

[Cleanworks]

More pics

 

[Shorty]

Not much since last time to see.

Top edge lightly clamped until contact adhesive dries.



Bottom edge fixed.



I will be doing the sides over the next few days prior to starting on the black discolouration.

 

[KevinL]

Gary Heacock is the only one I recognize. Who are the others.

 

[Shorty]

Gary Heacock is the only one I recognize. Who are the others.

Left to right:

Roger Koh of the Leather Doctor franchise from Coquitlam, BC, Canada.

The Late Gary Heacock.

John Watson from (I think ), Washington State, maybe Oregon.

The other bloke is from Cairns, Far North Queens Land, Straylya.