Just wondering what else besides neatsfoot oil can be used for a lube on pump leathers? Olive oil, fish oil, Castrol 20w-50?
Hello, I use Sewing machine oil. It is highly refined and absorbs quickly into the leather. I have heard some use motor oil and soak the leather overnight. No doubt there will be more replies and some new methods discussed. Chuck
I use 3 in One oil and Hoppes gun grease. They seem to provide pretty good lube and keep the leather supple. The gun grease is light, and it is not too viscose. I am sure there are others that can provide good or better service.
I use fishing reel oil and grease ( from Mitchell)and it will also do the job; they typically come in small containers which makes for easy traveling when your out in the bush with your classic. And if you have money to spend, Coleman around these parts do have small tubes of basically neetsfoot oil. Have a leather shop in your area? They'd most likely have it by the truck load!!
I found Neats foot oil in a 500ml container at the local shoe repair shop. Very cheap considering the Coleman "pump lube" (which has neats footoil written on the side) costs $6 for 1/2 ounce. I purchased the 500ml for $10! A much better deal! -franco
$6 for 1/2 oz.? Wow, I guess I got a good deal when I paid 50 cents for a Coleman cargo kit with the 1/2 oz tube. All the other lightweight lubes make sense. Now it makes me wonder about using WD40 or maybe valve oil that is used on brass musical instruments. Of course, 500ml of neatsfoot oil should last a lifetime.
remind me to hit you up for some of that oil, chummy!!?? I'll have a Nalgene with my name on it. We'll have to have a Canadian Collectors Gathering one of these days......I'm just hoping I have as many pieces to show off like you!
Obenauf's LP leather treatment. Unlike neatsfoot or mink oils, it doesn't soften the leather or destroy leather's natural elasticity - both lead to premature failure. (Put neatsfoot on a quality pair of boots, for instance, and after a while they will become very soft and stretch easily. This is a bad thing.) All it does is to restore the leather's natural lubrication and protect it from water. I've used it for many years, and absolutely will not use anything else on anything made of leather. (My wife, who makes holsters and belts, had a client present her with a *very* expensive belt from a well-known maker. He had used neatsfoot on the belt, and it lost all structural integrity - useless for holding up anything but pants, and even for that it was iffy. He learned a hard lesson, and now uses Obenaufs exclusively.) Available all over the U.S., or you can get it direct: Link No interest other than a phenomenally satisfied customer.
I use neats foot oil because it doesn't harm leather.the trouble is unless you start with a fresh leather chances are it has already been soaked in a petroleum oil and your efforts are mute.Petroleum will over time destroy leather, ask any mechanic.It eats the shoes off your feet.So for the average pump leather motor oils seem to be the most common.The gun grease idea is different I never heard that one.Gun grease is good stuff Huuumm! Dan
I don't like Neatsfoot oil because it makes the leather too plyable and is posable for the leather to turn inside out in the tube. Automatic transmition oil is also out, Because if this is used on roo hide it will bugger the leather in a few weeks. Although it appears to be ok on ox hide. Can you tell the difference? alot of people can't. I have seen leather cups smothered in petrolium jelly, these seem to be ok and plyable. But how old were they? I realy don't like this because it takes too long to sofen the leather from new. Also I feel it is too thick and could cause a problem with the air getting to the other side of the leather cup for the next pump stroke. I like just ordenry engine oil. It soakes into the leather in a few min if worked, It puts a good lube on your pump shaft to stop wear on the guide nut.
3-in-1 for me. When that runs out I'd planned to use engine oil. Glad to hear that you find this OK ,Albert. Colin.
