Glove restoration project

[lefty147]

I had used it on the white nappy "suede" type leather that seems to darken when it gets wet. The leather in the glove you just posted looks different.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by lefty147

I had used it on the white nappy "suede" type leather that seems to darken when it gets wet. The leather in the glove you just posted looks different.

I understand. I decided not to try it on the white glove, but I tried it on this tan glove because of the ink writing. I'll show you the results in the morning.

[Runscott]

The ink writing on the palm, and the marker writing on the strap were pretty bad. I probably scrubbed too much on the thumb, as shown by these pics. Not too worried about it, as the leather was so stiff and bent that it was really an unpleasant piece. It's now softened up a bit and almost all the ink writing is gone. Just a matter now of getting a more uniform look to the leather.

I'll post the next 'in progress' pics later today, then the final results early this week.

[lefty147]

Looking good

[Runscott]

Thanks Mike. The glove is finished, but I'm not going to post pictures. I think this is boring to most forum member, and the first glove illustrated what I was trying to show. If anyone picks up an old beat-up glove and wants to try restoring it on their own, please feel free to contact me. The white ones are rare, but I probably learned more trying to restore the last one I posted.

[Lordstan]

I would post the results Scott. Your thread has over 1000 views, so I don't think it's boring at all. Just because I didn't post prior to now, doesn't mean I am not interested in seeing your results. Often times, I'll just file info like this away until i need it.

[Runscott]

Okay, Mark. I was just thinking that since I'm not a glove restoration professional, and there actually are several really good ones, I might be going a bit too far with this thread. If you check William's homepage (Huntington BBC), you'll find loads of examples of 'before and after' restoration pictures. He does a fabulous job and my dark brown one should arrive in his shop Monday or Tuesday.

I have done quite a bit of vintage pool cue leather restoration, including dying, so this isn't a foreign area to me, but trying to make old black leather look like nicer old, black leather is a lot different from handling these old gloves with their various shades of brown, and various levels of damage. It's always a gutsy move to dive into something like this if the item has any significant value, and I would say it's generally best left to a professional.