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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Holland Park, Brisbane QLD
    Age
    48
    Posts
    34

    Default Finish for vintage luggage/ports

    Hi there

    A friend of mine has asked me how to restore the former glory of her parents' luggage - you know those old leather/cardboard ports that are boxy in shape and have metal and leather buckles and straps?

    I was thinking that something like a combined wax and oil would seal them and add some low lustre sheen to the surface - with the effect of restoring some of the colour and protecting the surface. I don't think they should really be sanded back at all - more so just cleaned down??

    I have not seen them in person yet - so can't confirm whether the surface is wood, leather or cardboard. I have only seen a photo. Any suggestions out there?

    Cheers
    Dan

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Newcastle
    Age
    73
    Posts
    1,064

    Default

    A couple of years ago I got some RENAPUR Leather Balsam , English stuff made from a bees wax base
    Was available in Aus from Renapur Aust 14 Glynda St Dandenong 3175
    Ph 03 97692244, fax 03 9769 2707
    Have used it on hiking , and riding boots , leather luggage and one of those antique suitcases , and it restores , waterproofs and needs bugger all , still have about 200ml of 300ml jar


    Rgds
    Russell




    Useless infomation for the day

    Man who farts in church sit in his own pew.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Canberra
    Age
    48
    Posts
    318

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dan_tom
    those old leather/cardboard ports
    How to pick a queenslander!

    Cheers

    Trav
    Some days we are the flies; some days we are the windscreen

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Kuranda, paradise, North Qld
    Age
    63
    Posts
    2,026

    Default

    Brown boot polish would work, it's what my old school case was polished up with.

    Mick
    "If you need a machine today and don't buy it,

    tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."

    - Henry Ford 1938

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Redlands area, Brisbane
    Posts
    93

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Trav
    How to pick a queenslander!
    Port is short for portmanteau. Just thought you would like to know that.

    Regards,

    Mark (an ex-Queenslander, or is that lapsed Queenslander)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    East Bentleigh, Melbourne, Vic
    Age
    68
    Posts
    180

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by journeyman Mick
    Brown boot polish would work, it's what my old school case was polished up with.

    Mick
    Or good old fashioned Dubbin.

    Cheers!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Redlands area, Brisbane
    Posts
    93

    Default

    Dubbin is nasty stuff guaranteed to make things rot faster. I would steer clear of it. Wax or even boot polish, as Mick suggested, would be better than Dubbin.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Holland Park, Brisbane QLD
    Age
    48
    Posts
    34

    Default

    What do you guys think of Organoil's oil and wax combination that comes in the gold plastic container? I have since found out that it is timber.

    Cheers
    Dan

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    jandowae qld.
    Posts
    12

    Default

    The old ports were made of "swedish fibreboard". It looked like a cross between cardboard and masonite. The better models had timber corners on the long sides.They came in a range of colours brown, red, blue etc.some even looked like crocadile skin. I agree with Mick that boot polish would possibly be the best to restore the finish.You may have to get clear if they are coloured but do not attempt to sand.the surface is very thin. Vinnie

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