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[Dxqcanada]

Looking back into the archives there are some discussion about leather treatment, but so far I have not figured out the best solution.
 
I have an old ROC folding camera and the outer leather is so dried out that it flakes off. It is also dirty/dus

[Marty]

This is the subject that first brought me to this group.

 
I always try to save the old leather, even if it's ugly.  Different situations work with different things, but

[Dxqcanada]

Thanks for the info.
 
I am not sure if I should just protect the worn leather or attempt to bring it back to black ... I am thinking that would be too much.
 
This is what I am working on:
 

[img]https://kyp.hauslendale.com/classics/for

[Dxqcanada]

What Lexol product are you recommending ?
 
FYI: this is a link to the same camera in better leather condition
 
ROC Folding Premier

[Fallisphoto]

I'm not sure I am seeing this right. Where the color has worn through, is that red? If so, the leather has a condition called red rot. Leather with red rot can't be restored. It will crumble if it cets scratched. The best you can do is to somewhat

[Dxqcanada]

Upon closer examination ... under the blackish top layer it does look like red dried out particulate.
 
Some of the leather has completley flaked off or has been scratched off exposing some sort of lacquer layer on top of the wood.
 
What would

[Marty]

That's a wonderful camera you have there,Dxgcanada!  I have to confess I'm really covetous of that!
This is a very illuminating thread!  I have to confess I've never heard of red rot...  This led to me do some considerable googling.  From what

[Dxqcanada]

Yes, it is a great camera ... though quite a big leap for me as I normally do not collect cameras, especially ones this old.
 
I rescued it from Silvano's old collection that was being sold off (after the company closed). Grabbed it for $75.00.

[Marty]

At $75, you made a killing!  That's a VERY nice camera.  It looks like the innards are in pretty good shape, too.  If wood is dried out badly, I'll usually use a little high quality wax...  Old English is good.  Renaissance Wax is very good, a

[Dxqcanada]

We didn't intend to sell this camera, we wanted to make sure it did not go to waste by some Lomo people picking it up because it looked cool.
 
Not really sure what we are going to do with it.
 
Yes, the innards are great ... it's the ou

[Marty]

Well, if you do decide to get into the shutter, cleaning will probably be all it needs.  Any lubrication generally eventually works it's way between the shutter blades and gums them up.  Back in the late 60's when I started doing this, I cleaned

[Dxqcanada]

Looks like I am going on a search for Klucel G.
 
I may take a closer look at the shutter also.

[Fallisphoto]

It's a beautiful camera, but what I would do is go to a used book store and look at old bibles and hymnals. Those have thin and very high grade leather. Find an old one or two with leather that does not have red rot and take the cover(s) off, then s

[Dxqcanada]

Hmm, interesting idea on getting leather material ... though I would have to get a number of large books to cover this camera.
 
Handle is also missing.

[Marty]

Old bibles and hymnals sounds like a good source of old leather...  I've never thought of that.  Is there much of a problem with the leather shrinking after you soak it off?