Chinstrap restoration question

[SQUEAK!]

Hi all,

I bought a chinstrap from an online auction for very little money a few days ago. It's complete and original but the leather is dried out to the point where parts are almost breaking off. Does anyone have any experience with making a chinstrap in this condition supple again? Would oiling it do the trick?

[CWP]

Oiling it might temporarily make it more supple but it will not stop the cracking and probably will only make it worse. Once leather loses its natural moisture, you cannot restore it to the way it was.

[blackadder]

The one from marktplaats ?
hmmm... boy that one is far gone, that one is dry as hell.
I would suggest oil, but in a bath an take your time. do not rust.
The oil needs to penetrate the entire leather.

do not bend it to soon

[stahlhelm47]

I had some dried leather slings and used a product called "Leather CPR" on them. It is advertised as bringing leather back to life. It made them much more flexable and just slightly darkened the leather. It is sold in horse saddle shops here in the states. This website is listed on the jar. www.farnamhorse.com under leather care. It is a cleaner and conditioner. If they ship overseas, I would get some and soak the chinstrap in it. It will work better than oil.

Good Luck,
Pete

[SQUEAK!]

Thanks for your advise guys! I received the chinstrap today (it is indeed the one from Marktplaats, blackadder ) and it really is dry as a bone.. I'll definitely try to get a hold of the CPR stuff, but no luck in finding a seller that ships to the netherlands so far...

I had some dried leather slings and used a product called "Leather CPR" on them. It is advertised as bringing leather back to life. It made them much more flexable and just slightly darkened the leather. It is sold in horse saddle shops here in the states. This website is listed on the jar. www.farnamhorse.com under leather care. It is a cleaner and conditioner. If they ship overseas, I would get some and soak the chinstrap in it. It will work better than oil.

Good Luck,
Pete