• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Topic: Finish safe leather conditioners?

I dug some vintage tooled leather straps out yesterday and started conditioning them real good and working the leather to get them good and soft (Planing to start using them more often) Anyway, The thought occured to me "What if this conditioner reacts with the guitars finish" :eek:  So I was wondering what you guys use to condition your leather straps?? Are there certain conditioners to stay away from?  I'm not worried about the silicone issue... I'm more concerned about damage to the finish. Thanks! -Chris

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Guitarpix's Website

  • From: NY
  • Registered: 2009-08-26
  • Posts: 4,320

Re: Finish safe leather conditioners?

I don't have an answer for ya Pix, but I thought leather conditioners were pretty much oil based which sounds safe for a guitar finish.  Hmmm... curious to hear the thoughts of others.

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mekidsmom's Website

  • Registered: 2009-11-16
  • Posts: 605

Re: Finish safe leather conditioners?

Saddle Soap schold work if it's really worked in. I'd stay away from sprays though

  • viejo
  • Junior Member
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  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 6

Re: Finish safe leather conditioners?

Deerfoot oil.

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: Finish safe leather conditioners?

Saddle soap or neatsfoot oil.  Neither should harm a guitar finish, but I'm no expert on that.  If it damages your guitar's finish, it'll damage your shirt where the strap comes across your shoulder first.  You shouldn't have so much conditioner on your leather that it seeps. 

- Zurf

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  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2010-11-01
  • Posts: 30

Re: Finish safe leather conditioners?

Never tried it man.

  • From: Clarion PA
  • Registered: 2008-05-18
  • Posts: 328

Re: Finish safe leather conditioners?

an oil based conditioner shouldn't hurt the finish as the lacquer clear coat should protect it. I'd be careful on areas where there is no lacquer (the fretboard especially) as oil of any type will soak into the wood eventually softening the wood. Personally I think I'd use saddle soap as you can apply it more evenly than some type of oil

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