Any cure for stiff leather???

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Hi all,I am cleaning up my welding rig, fabricating more storage space, moving things around to make it easier to get at things, etc.  I have a leather jacket and leather sleeve and apron that have become very stiff over the years of hanging on a hook on my truck.  I rarely used the leathers unless I am in a situation where sparks, slag, etc. will rain down on me.  For the most part I get by with good old flame resistant jackets both green and black.I there anything that can be done to soften the leather up.  I imagine it is stiff from being dried out especially here in the Arizona heat.    I also have some leather gloves with the same problem.  I hate to just throw them out.  Do I have to get rid of them?  Any ideas, thoughts?Thanks,Tony
Reply:Throw them in the drier with a pair of boots.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Tony:On the advice of a thread previously posted (sorry, can't find it now) I cleaned my old stiff, dirty, and pretty greasy leather by washing them in the washing machine with normal detergent.  Following the wash, I hung them out to air dry and then to soften them I put them in the dryer on "Air Fluff" (no heat) along with a sneaker or some other relatively heavy non-metallic object for about 10 minutes.  The result was a clean and soft 30 year old set of leathers!I followed the same procedure for a leather jacket I use for overhead work and had the same results.  Good Luck!RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:I have used hair shampoo with lanolin, and water in a bowl and put gloves in it, let them soak for about an hour, then wash them in that solution, rinse with clean water.  Let dry on line naturally.  When almost dry try them on so as they do not shrink.  The lanolin softens the leather same way it works on hair. Haven't tried it on leather aprons, jackets etc.    Best  Bob
Reply:Hay & feed stores or equestrian tack shops have leather care products.  I've seen my wife bring some pretty stiff tack back to life.
Reply:Originally Posted by RumTHay & feed stores or equestrian tack shops have leather care products.  I've seen my wife bring some pretty stiff tack back to life.
Reply:Thanks gentlemen,I'm glad that I can breathe life back into these old leathers.  I'll go the saddle soap and dryer approach. Thanks again,Tony
Reply:Originally Posted by therreraThanks gentlemen,I'm glad that I can breathe life back into these old leathers.  I'll go the saddle soap and dryer approach.
Reply:I  sprayed silicone spray on old hard boots before. It workedMiller trailblazer301gLincoln sa200Miller251Miller spectrum 625Victor oxy-acc2002 Chevy duramax 3500 dually 4x4
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcI haven't done that, but I'd be careful about using the saddle soap or any oil based chemical and tossed into the "wife's" dryer.  I'd be afraid of the remnants of that stuff coating the inside of the dryer, thus maybe leaving residue on her panties and bras.
Reply:Like most stiff things, use it and it will get soft.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:I certainly believe what others have written about using a drier to combat dryness, but the idea doesn't have a lot of intuitive appeal to me.  Also quite unclear to me is the rationale for the idea of throwing in a sneaker. Products made for leather care strike me as more sensible.  Saddle soap is good, but being a paste might be most effective when worked into leather that already has some suppleness.  A leather care product that is capable of soaking leather through and leaving it soft and relatively well preserved is neatsfoot oil, an old and very well established product in the leather industry. tandyleatherfactory.com, among many other leather outfits, will have it.  I would suggest that whatever you might apply to your leathers and gloves, you might try some on your skin first, to ensure that you won't have a problem with the odor of the stuff or with possible allergenic properties.
Reply:The cure for stiff leather........is fat cows!-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:YEE HAA!!  This thread is getting better by the day!!   Bob
Reply:Does anyone have any concern about soaking down your welding gear with oil? I would think that oil, heat, sparks, and flame on a porous wicking material could possibly turn you into the human zippo if enough oil is there.
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmangqDoes anyone have any concern about soaking down your welding gear with oil? I would think that oil, heat, sparks, and flame on a porous wicking material could possibly turn you into the human zippo if enough oil is there.
Reply:http://www.theruststore.com/Fluid-Fi...Fe1xQgodci4A5g  Get some of this stuff, spray it on and done.  Its lanolin oil in a can basically.  Great for conditioning leather.  You can get it at oriley auto parts and napa
Reply:Originally Posted by vwguy3Have you ever seen a cow that was welding overhead burst into flames
Reply:If you want supple leather, you have to work at it a bit."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:thanks for the sig vwguy3
Reply:LOL>>>For soft leathers I wash them in the washing machine with a little extra liquid fabric softener. Then dry them most of the way in the dryer, and then air dry them the rest of the way. The leather gets real soft, and has a snugly smell that is comfortably soft while welding.6"XX P5P8 6G
Reply:Throw them in the washer with Woolite, then air dry, don't forget to wax your snaps when your done.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingdon't forget to wax your snaps
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcI haven't done that, but I'd be careful about using the saddle soap or any oil based chemical and tossed into the "wife's" dryer.  I'd be afraid of the remnants of that stuff coating the inside of the dryer, thus maybe leaving residue on her panties and bras.