Obenauf's - what's the deal?

Ok, I just ordered their small kit - Leather oil, LP and Silicone Shield and tried the LP and leather oil on a brown leather bag (Colenel Littleton's). I applied just a tiny bit of each in a small area, but I noticed that both products darkened and dulled the brown leather, the Leather Oil moreso than the LP. IMHO, it muddied the look - almost eliminating the patina. I just got a new pair of Wolverine 1000 mile shoes and am hesitant to apply this product to the shoes, since I don't like how it darkened the bag. Anyone else experience the same thing? I can't return it but am thinking of just keeping it for those old boots and shoes that I don't care if they get darkened. Or am I wrong?

Bob

its a leather protector, not shoe polish. its meant to extend life rather than make it pretty.

Originally Posted by Sylvr

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its a leather protector, not shoe polish. its meant to extend life rather than make it pretty.

Ok, I will save this for shoes and boots, keeping it far away from leather bags and coats, but that's not their website says. They say it is suitable for fine leathers - including jackets. I suppose if I had a black jacket, I'd give it a try, never on my brown leathers though.

Bob

LP shouldn't darken the area too much and is okay to use on lighter leather colors. It may look darker for a bit, then lighten. I've noticed repeated oil applications may lead to darkening, however.

Originally Posted by Sylvr

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its a leather protector, not shoe polish. its meant to extend life rather than make it pretty.
+1 Obenauf's will work wonders for most any leather product (bags and jackets included): it preserves and oils the material. It will not give it a sheen. This isn't polish.

You actually can get a shine if you buff it. It won't be as strong as polishing with wax polish, but try buffing with a horsehair brush or a cotton cloth after it dries.

Well, I must say, some of this is my fault. Without reading the info closely enough, I used the oil on my brown Katahdin boots and they got fairly dark color to them from the oil, but at least they were still brown. I later used the LP and are now the muddiest looking color a boot can have. I am hoping that the color will eventually come back to the (nice looking) medium - dark brown they were. I will try polishing them in a day or so to see what's up, but even understanding that this is for protection, NOWHERE did the info state that the shoe/leather will turn colors with the oil.
I did use the LP on a pair of tannish work boots and they develpoed a slightly deeper color - that's ok, actually look better. But I applied a bit to a small area of a brown leather ((Colenel Littleton bag) and glad I stopped where I did. Darkened and muddied the leather well enough that I be crazy to use it on any jacket, bag or shoes other than black. Glad I didn't ruin my new brown 1000 Mile Boots with this stuff.
The fact hat the salesperson didn't return my call isn't making me like the product either. Ok, the search continues to find a quality leather preservative/waterproofer that is way more color neutral.

Bob

It's difficult to find something that doesn't darken leather. I have read that Obenauf's LP will wear off over time so it shouldn't be permanent.

i haven't found it darken the leather, or at least the dark browns and blacks i have but i have noticed it does take the shine away and "dull" it. My Paul Smith Ricards used to have a brown shine finish on the black leather, and after applying it, has turned dull black. Same goes with my black leather jacket. I however, enjoy this look as it makes it less dressy which is a look im going for.
Beware if your leathers have a really special sheen or finish as applying the oil will most likely rub it off.

Originally Posted by bobm

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Well, I must say, some of this is my fault. Without reading the info closely enough, I used the oil on my brown Katahdin boots and they got fairly dark color to them from the oil, but at least they were still brown. I later used the LP and are now the muddiest looking color a boot can have. I am hoping that the color will eventually come back to the (nice looking) medium - dark brown they were. I will try polishing them in a day or so to see what's up, but even understanding that this is for protection, NOWHERE did the info state that the shoe/leather will turn colors with the oil.
I did use the LP on a pair of tannish work boots and they develpoed a slightly deeper color - that's ok, actually look better. But I applied a bit to a small area of a brown leather ((Colenel Littleton bag) and glad I stopped where I did. Darkened and muddied the leather well enough that I be crazy to use it on any jacket, bag or shoes other than black. Glad I didn't ruin my new brown 1000 Mile Boots with this stuff.
The fact hat the salesperson didn't return my call isn't making me like the product either. Ok, the search continues to find a quality leather preservative/waterproofer that is way more color neutral.

The darkening you describe has less to do with the color of the leather than the quality and type of leather. It's not a good idea to soak cheap, dull leather in oil, because it will just soak it up and retain it. LP is fine on smooth finished leather, like the 1000 mile boots. I use LP on very light boots and belts all the time.

Actually, just look at your 1000 mile boots. Notice the leather is smooth and glossy. Compare with the Katahdins. Completely different finish. You don't use it on suede for the same reason.

Originally Posted by Froosh

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It's difficult to find something that doesn't darken leather. I have read that Obenauf's LP will wear off over time so it shouldn't be permanent.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooh, I hope you are right. Those boots hada real nice old brown color/patina to them and are now the dullest, muddiest color I have ever seen.

Bob

Originally Posted by meso

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The darkening you describe has less to do with the color of the leather than the quality and type of leather. It's not a good idea to soak cheap, dull leather in oil, because it will just soak it up and retain it. LP is fine on smooth finished leather, like the 1000 mile boots. I use LP on very light boots and belts all the time.

Actually, just look at your 1000 mile boots. Notice the leather is smooth and glossy. Compare with the Katahdins. Completely different finish. You don't use it on suede for the same reason.

Aha! Makes more sense now. Suede would be a definite no-no; that's a given.
I don't want to sound like a kid about it, BUT wtf don't they say that on the label? Ala "warning, not for use on "dull" leathers, will drastically affect finish".
I did try it on my CL bag, which does have fairly high quality leather, not glossy, more a matte finish and it darkened and dulled that too - just damn glad that I just used it on a small area.
Bob

Both the LP and the oil are known to darken leather. I could have sworn that I read that on the website when I ordered it, but who knows, maybe I read it on the forums instead.

Originally Posted by bobm

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Ok, the search continues to find a quality leather preservative/waterproofer that is way more color neutral. Bob
I would personally use pure horse oil to 'revive' the leather, and then seal the goodies in with a simple beeswax or beeswax/neatsfoot compound. Slightly more hassle, but at least I know exactly what I'm putting into my leather, and these simple mixtures won't darken the leather (i.e. the colour regresses once the leather dries and settles).

Obenauf's is beeswax though. The katahdin's have oil pulled leather uppers so they will darken no matter what, but if you look at the katahdin thread pics they do lighten up over time and show patina. I'd stop worrying about it and wear the **** out of them this winter, they'll be fine.