Re: [CR] Leather preservation and restoration now Proofide vs. Sno-Seal

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme)

In-Reply-To: <OF32CEF737.B256A3C8-ON86257718.005AC084-85257718.005D7E6F@smtpgate.us.hsbc>
References:
From: "Doug Van Cleve" <dvancleve@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 11:31:01 -0700
To: stephen.p.kinne@hsbcpb.com, CR discussion list <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] Leather preservation and restoration now Proofide vs. Sno-Seal


Stephen,

The old time Cyclopedia catalog recommended Sno Seal for tensioned leather saddles. It seems plausible to me that it would be better for a saddle in good condition, since it doesn't have any animal fats in it. Comparing the red Proofide to Sno Seal, the Sno Seal seems thicker and waxier to me. Proofide reminds me of thick, red petroleum jelly that smells faintly of fish. Once a saddle is broken in, seems like anything that protects it a bit and delays further softening and stretching would be best but I have only used Proofide on my Brooks'...

Regards, Doug

Doug Van Cleve Chandler, AZ USA

On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 10:01 AM, <stephen.p.kinne@hsbcpb.com> wrote:
> I've only ever had one tin of Proofide that I bought about 10-years ago
> (tan goop, not red), proceeded to spread it all over everything in the
> house and haven't been able to find it since. I do remember that it
> looked, felt and smelled EXACTLY like Sno-Seal that I've used a lot on
> mountaineering boots. Sno-Seal is wax based and designed not to soften
> the leather because back in the days when mountaineering boots were made
> of leather you wanted the boot to stay stiff and not turn to mush, which
> using mink-oil would do. As a disclaimer, I've never tried using Sno-Seal
> on a saddle. But on leather boots it's THE BEST! Spread it on, lightly
> heat with a blow dryer or put it in the hot sun so it liquifies and the
> leather just sucks it in. Boots stay waterproof (for me) for several
> years of light use and I mean supremely waterproof.
>
> Again, I've never used Sno-Seal on a saddle, so "your mileage may vary".
> But it sure looked like the same stuff to me. And it's cheap. I'll bring
> a jar to the Cirq if folks want to compare to a tin of Proofide.
>
> Stephen P. Kinne

> New York, NY

> USA