Restoring colour of black saddle?

[spider]

Does anyone have any tips for smartening up a black saddle that is beginning to go brown in places? Should I put shoe polish on it?

 

[Goldenstar]

Try rubbing in a little olive oil.

 

[Equi]

Oz will know. I will let him know you are askin.

 

[ellsbells285]

Usually a good saddle soap with some leather balsam does the trick and if its really bad try the balsam over a few days

 

[Sugarplum Furry]

I've been looking for the answer to that myself. I wonder if this would work?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-Lea...Leather-Car-Interiors-Seats-etc-/260898316042

It does say in the blurb it can be used on equestrian items.

 

[Tnavas]

Take it to a good saddler and have it dyed again - next time buy brown it ages with decorum, doesn't fade and go a yucky grey/green colour.

 

[cremedemonthe]

I've PM'd you with some info, Oz

 

[spider]

Have been sent some really interesting links by Oz, thank you. Tnavas, I much prefer brown tack but with a limited budget and an awkward to fit pony, ended up with black! Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

 

[9tails]

I've PM'd you with some info, Oz

Can you PM me too please, Oz? My black saddle is older than Methuselah and looks it.

 

[Tnavas]

Are you able to put the links directly onto the sites please?

 

[spider]

I will put the links on - think I'm allowed? Oz probably isn't allowed to as it mentions
his own leather conditioner which you can buy.
http://www.unicornleather.co.uk/dying_your_own_tack_a_different_colour.html
http://www.unicornleather.co.uk/leather_conditioning_and_cleaning.html

 

[cremedemonthe]

I will put the links on - think I'm allowed? Oz probably isn't allowed to as it mentions
his own leather conditioner which you can buy.
http://www.unicornleather.co.uk/dying_your_own_tack_a_different_colour.html
http://www.unicornleather.co.uk/leather_conditioning_and_cleaning.html

No I would get booted if I did and please don't buy any conditioner as I am running low and need to make some more !

 

[Tnavas]

Thanks Spider

 

[9tails]

So am I stuffed with a green tinged black saddle? It's soft as butter and regularly conditioned with one of CDM's rival's leather balsam.

 

[cremedemonthe]

So am I stuffed with a green tinged black saddle? It's soft as butter and regularly conditioned with one of CDM's rival's leather balsam.

fraid so, to get it back to true black you'd need to get all the fats out for starters, then get it done professionally (re dyed) and most importantly sealed so leather dye didn't leech out

 

[9tails]

Ahh well, I'll live with it. Most is covered by my fat arse anyway.

 

[cremedemonthe]

Ahh well, I'll live with it. Most is covered by my fat arse anyway.

lol know the feeling, I locked myself out of the house once and proceeded to go through the dogflap. I had been through it several times before but on this occasion I had my fat wallet (not money making it fat, but receipts) in my back pocket and got my arse well and truly wedged in the dogflap, couldn't get out for several minutes!

 

[Tnavas]

OMG! Just spat tea everywhere, that has started my day with a good laugh.

 

[cremedemonthe]

OMG! Just spat tea everywhere, that has started my day with a good laugh.

All that came to mind at the time was "does my bum look big in this"

 

[paddyrose]

Ive always used black shoe dye. Works a treat!

 

[cremedemonthe]

Ive always used black shoe dye. Works a treat!

And it's probably aniline, carcinogenic

 

[shannonandtay]

I use magic black, turned my green saddle a lovely black, doesn't come off on your jodhpurs and once on stays on.

 

[Auslander]

CDM - do you have any thoughts on vinegaroon? My grandfather used to make it and use it on the inside of hunting boots - his boots always looked amazing

 

[cremedemonthe]

CDM - do you have any thoughts on vinegaroon? My grandfather used to make it and use it on the inside of hunting boots - his boots always looked amazing

Old home recipes are sometimes the best, I have never made or used it to be honest, doesn't seem to be harsh or carcinogenic give it a go.
I would have thought it would need conditioning afterwards though as the ingredients may dry the leather out

 

[Auslander]

Old home recipes are sometimes the best, I have never made or used it to be honest, doesn't seem to be harsh or carcinogenic give it a go.
I would have thought it would need conditioning afterwards though as the ingredients may dry the leather out

My tack is brown, so don't need to use it myself, but thought it might be worth a go for all the green saddles out there!

Recipe here http://graybear.com.au/vinegaroon-black-leather-dye/

 

[cremedemonthe]

My tack is brown, so don't need to use it myself, but thought it might be worth a go for all the green saddles out there!

Recipe here http://graybear.com.au/vinegaroon-black-leather-dye/

Actually I haven't heard it mentioned since I was at saddlery college back in 1987!