Instead of using a cloth, I use a plastic bag. I put it on my hand like a glove to spread the product on the leather. I prefer a plastic bag because the plastic doesn't absorb any of the liquid. A cloth absorbs too much of the conditioner which is wasteful and especially if it is expensive.
A cloth helps to prevent excess from sitting on the leather and helps massage it into the leather because it's textured. If you use a plastic bag, you'll likely still need use a cloth after.
I've been doing the same thing for quite some time and it's the most underrated technique for applying liquid, cream or wax to a substrate. I always wondered why this wasn't more commonly recommended? As for the person in the comments saying it's better to use cloth so that it doesn't pool or oversaturated an area, I find no problem with the applying with the rubber gloves and then going back with my cloth and brush to remove excess.
Dunno how I ended up here but I guess it’s because I am into leather goods. The conditioner helps lubricate the fibres of the leather thus allowing them to slide and make the leather flexible. To increase break in you might also want to gently pull the straps around a pole (think a round smooth chair leg) to work the leather around it as if you were polishing or sawing through the pole. That movement combined with the conditioner will help to soften the leather and that’s why for example massaging the leather is one of the things recommended to break in new leather boots.
For a moment there I thought that was a dark grey horse behind her lol. Thank you for explaining how to do this, it will be perfect for some old leather goods I need to breath new life into.
Thanks so much! I just got a second hand surcingle and the billets are VERY thick (around 1/4 an inch!) and are super stiff making it SO painful to girth up!
Any other ideas that don't require ordering or buying other products, household items, I have boot conditioner, I cant afford single use items, I don't have a lot of leather that require conditioning , thank you for any advice god bless
Hi! The Leather dressing is hydrophane: amzn.to/3AiUoGR And I made a video with my favorite leather products too: ruclips.net/video/DW4Lz7Smi1w/видео.html
I once dated a girl with an amazing family. Her mom made top notch saddles and other leather stuff and her dad broke horses. If only they had given me a chance lol Her work was fascinating tho.
It was so hard to put my new stirrup leathers in my stirrup irons. Hopefully it will become easier to slide in. Is that normal for anyone else? Should I use a cloth with leather conditioner to soften it?
For leathers, it’s the same process. What I also do is find a stall bar, or some kind of easily accessible metal bar and run the leathers back and forth. It will wear in the leather and soften it up, then I condition.
I used mink oil paste on my new heavy duty leather jackets. Put a good layer all over the jacket, set out in the sun to let it soak in better. When it looks like its soaked in, buff with a clean cloth. Check to see if more applications are needed. I always put in multiple applications around areas that flex especially the elbows, armpits and shoulder. Once a year I put on a light coat to keep the leather from drying out.
The point of a video is to SHOW rather than just tell. All I see is product being rubbed on leather. No visuals on the leather softening up or gauging how 'soft' the leather has become.
Instead of using a cloth, I use a plastic bag. I put it on my hand like a glove to spread the product on the leather. I prefer a plastic bag because the plastic doesn't absorb any of the liquid. A cloth absorbs too much of the conditioner which is wasteful and especially if it is expensive.
A cloth helps to prevent excess from sitting on the leather and helps massage it into the leather because it's textured. If you use a plastic bag, you'll likely still need use a cloth after.
nice idea ,, but cant we just use rubber or latex gloves?
I've been doing the same thing for quite some time and it's the most underrated technique for applying liquid, cream or wax to a substrate. I always wondered why this wasn't more commonly recommended? As for the person in the comments saying it's better to use cloth so that it doesn't pool or oversaturated an area, I find no problem with the applying with the rubber gloves and then going back with my cloth and brush to remove excess.
Dunno how I ended up here but I guess it’s because I am into leather goods.
The conditioner helps lubricate the fibres of the leather thus allowing them to slide and make the leather flexible.
To increase break in you might also want to gently pull the straps around a pole (think a round smooth chair leg) to work the leather around it as if you were polishing or sawing through the pole.
That movement combined with the conditioner will help to soften the leather and that’s why for example massaging the leather is one of the things recommended to break in new leather boots.
OMG this video is so much help because I buy so many new pieces of tack
Thank you for your time in making this. It's very informative. You have a beautiful horse!..enjoy..!!
Yea!! Adding to my tack cleaning supplies! A great reason to go horse shopping!
Just in time I just bought a new bridle!
This is so so so helpful!!! My grandma has super old tack that might fit my lease and I can now use it :0
Love Hydrophane leather dressing!! Been using it for years.
Does it work on painted leather too?
Thank you! I just got a new horse and just bought this bridle Thanks 😊
For a moment there I thought that was a dark grey horse behind her lol. Thank you for explaining how to do this, it will be perfect for some old leather goods I need to breath new life into.
Thanks so much! I just got a second hand surcingle and the billets are VERY thick (around 1/4 an inch!) and are super stiff making it SO painful to girth up!
I love horses
Any other ideas that don't require ordering or buying other products, household items, I have boot conditioner, I cant afford single use items, I don't have a lot of leather that require conditioning , thank you for any advice god bless
Hi thanks for this helpful video!!! Could you post a link to the conditioner? Also could you list the items in your leather cleaning box? 🥰🥰🥰
Hi! The Leather dressing is hydrophane: amzn.to/3AiUoGR
And I made a video with my favorite leather products too: ruclips.net/video/DW4Lz7Smi1w/видео.html
❣️💜💜love your channel! Binge listening at work today 💜💜❣️
Can you do this with a saddle as well?
Cool video!
Can these products also be used to soften up stiff leather billiard pockets?
Will this work on automotive leather seats?
I once dated a girl with an amazing family. Her mom made top notch saddles and other leather stuff and her dad broke horses. If only they had given me a chance lol
Her work was fascinating tho.
Do you have a link to the Conditioner? Can't make out what you said or see a label.
Great info
Please, What is the name of the 'great smelling' leather conditioner you suggested? Thank you
It is Antares Baume A Cuire.
I have only ever heard of mink oil/paste to soften and waterproof leather...is this suitable as an alternative to hydrophane?
I recall people soaking stiff leather in a bucket of oil, overnight!
Thank you this will very much help with my civil war gear, my cartridge box strap and flap is very stiff
Will this work with suede leather gloves to make them more malleanle to the hand or no?
Yes
Does this work on painted leather too?
It was so hard to put my new stirrup leathers in my stirrup irons. Hopefully it will become easier to slide in. Is that normal for anyone else? Should I use a cloth with leather conditioner to soften it?
For leathers, it’s the same process. What I also do is find a stall bar, or some kind of easily accessible metal bar and run the leathers back and forth. It will wear in the leather and soften it up, then I condition.
Can this work on boots?
Can I use these in leather boots? I have a pair that is so hard!
Does this work for a stiff 100% leather jacket?
I used mink oil paste on my new heavy duty leather jackets. Put a good layer all over the jacket, set out in the sun to let it soak in better. When it looks like its soaked in, buff with a clean cloth. Check to see if more applications are needed. I always put in multiple applications around areas that flex especially the elbows, armpits and shoulder. Once a year I put on a light coat to keep the leather from drying out.
Like this!
What about a leather vest that’s really stiff
I got my tail wet and the leather hardened so.. Somehow I'm here now watching a video on how to soften leather tack. Idk what happened.
What about tack that’s so old that it’s stiff and fragile?
I think you could try it - it won't get any worse right?
The point of a video is to SHOW rather than just tell. All I see is product being rubbed on leather. No visuals on the leather softening up or gauging how 'soft' the leather has become.
This softens leather over time... Not minutes.