Opinions on Vaseline???

[Gebhi]

I am going to have label you guys the "LINER DESTOYERS".

Label it if you must as its easy to do so. Items that you have not seen like salty crusty liner attached to helmet band I picked up whilst in Regensburg needs drastic measures, even my carefull packing has damaged some of stitching in transit.

In my opinion and observation am reconditioning to what would not take long to fall apart and is last course of action as tated. I would not leave and watch it fall apart as I rest my helmets on gas mask containers like soldiers did whilst in their Kasserne.

[Nische]

I put a coat of Pecards antique leather dressing on my liner about 8 years ago. Since I'm not looking to sell my helmet anytime soon, I kind of like the darkened look of the liner.

JMHO, I like the look

[CWP]

Label it if you must as its easy to do so. Items that you have not seen like salty crusty liner attached to helmet band I picked up whilst in Regensburg needs drastic measures, even my carefull packing has damaged some of stitching in transit.

In my opinion and observation am reconditioning to what would not take long to fall apart and is last course of action as tated. I would not leave and watch it fall apart as I rest my helmets on gas mask containers like soldiers did whilst in their Kasserne.

You are wrecking the liners of your helmets.

[Robert P.]

I am not a headgear collector, but have had a few I have picked up in groups I have purchased - and sold. This has been a very educational thread for me to read! Now I know what NOT to buy if I ever should start collecting helmets. The last thing I would want is a 'time-bomb' treated liner in a helmet. I personally agree with the others in leaving the things alone, period! This has been our opinion on badges too. Some badge collectors want to alter their badges by dipping them in some quik-dip acid solution to make them shine again. They're vintage antiques, and I say leave them alone. They are destroying these pieces by doing this. You can never get me to agree that refinishing anything is better than just leaving them as is. And I don't mean to confuse this with carefully washing dirt away. It had been better if they never fell into the hands of these well-meaning, but misguided, collector's hands. This should be the starting thread on every forum for all beginners to read and heed to - 'Do's and Don't's of Collecting'.

I'm on the side of just leaving them alone. If you want a nice piece, just buy one - don't try and create one.

Robert

[Shawn Southern]

Preservation of Leather

Interesting and important topic. I have used Pecard's on a leather U.S. A2 jacket and it seemed to work well, but no idea if there are long term deleterious effects. Anyone know who the leading experts are in the field of leather conservation? It would be simple enough to write/e-mail them or study their scholarly works. I found a Texas A&M website on museum conservation and they mention the use of several techniques including one involving a solution including glycerin. Here's a website I found with a couple of publications on leather preservation...anyone read any of these publications?

http://www.museumofleathercraft.org/


Best Regards,

Shawn

[Hofstetter]

Well, i don't care what anyone says about leaving leather alone. I think to leave drying leather alone and not treat it is the worst thing you can do.
Once the leather is dry it is stuffed, if you treat it before it dry's you are preserving it.
One pair of boots i have had for about 16 or 17 years were getting pretty stiff and i treated them with dubbin and they recovered very nicely and are still in great condition, and i assure you are much better than the dry ruined boots they would be now.
I don't know how many ruined items i've seen over the years that could still have been excellent items if only the owners treated them instead of leaving them alone to dry out.IMO
Greg

[Perry Floyd]

My advice would be against treatment of helmet liners.

[Jean-Loup]

"I rest my helmets on gas mask containers like soldiers did whilst in their Kasserne."
Do you also fire bullets at your helmets like the russians fired at the Germans? Resting your helmets on a gas mask canister is a very bad idea, and you should change display methods first, before attempting to restore anything.

Perry is a moderator on the helmets forum, and anybody who wants to restore leather should read his post very carefully, he knows what he is talking about, as do Nutmeg and the others. They dont leave their helmets on gas mask canisters after "restoring" them.
A helmet with a treated leather is considered second class. An untouched helmet, even in not so good condition is considered first class. Same goes for the prices.

JL

[Fred S]

I've seen several liners treated with vaseline: a disaster. Smells, the leather is worth after, definitely a waste of time and history.