Finish for vintage luggage/ports

[dan_tom]

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

[Ashore]

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.

[Trav]

those old leather/cardboard ports

How to pick a queenslander!

Cheers

Trav

[journeyman Mick]

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

Mick

[markharrison]

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)

[Auld Bassoon]

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

Mick

Or good old fashioned Dubbin.

Cheers!

[markharrison]

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.

[dan_tom]

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

[vinnie]

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