Shoe wax on leather Bible?

[JTB.SDG]

Has anyone tried this before? The Bible is goatskin. The main reason is the navy color I had done is a good bit lighter than I thought; and was hoping to use black wax polish to either make it a darker navy or turn it black. Good idea? Bad idea?

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

Bad idea. It will leach out onto your hands and clothing over time.
Get leather dye, deglazer to clean beforehand, and apply with microfiber cloth, e.g.,

https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Black-Professional-Oil-Dye/dp/B00435PPSK

If you will settle for a darker version of the current color, clean it with dish soap. Rinse. Dry. Then use neatsfoot oil compound:

https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Prime-Neatsfoot-Compound-Oil/dp/B0038DB5GY (get the 8 oz size).

 

[JTB.SDG]

Patrick,

I'm a little scared of doing a full blown dye on it.

What about leather honey? Have you heard good things about that? It's supposed to condition leather well and people say it darkens the leather as a side effect.

 

[JTB.SDG]

Also, another reason I'm asking is that the front cover has a kind of splotch/impression/spot on the leather and I had heard that wax polish had a chance at covering that up. Any suggestions for that too?

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

Patrick,

I'm a little scared of doing a full blown dye on it.

What about leather honey? Have you heard good things about that? It's supposed to condition leather well and people say it darkens the leather as a side effect.

Yes, leather honey will work just as well.

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

Also, another reason I'm asking is that the front cover has a kind of splotch/impression/spot on the leather and I had heard that wax polish had a chance at covering that up. Any suggestions for that too?

What is it exactly? A stain? A natural artifact of the leather that you do not like?

 

[Edward]

My inclination would be to clean and condition it like you would a saddle and tack, but taking special care to not get anything on the paper.

 

[JTB.SDG]

What is it exactly? A stain? A natural artifact of the leather that you do not like?

I'm not sure. I got my Bible rebound and it was there when I unwrapped it. The rebinder didn't seem to notice it. I contacted the leather supplier and sent him pictures; he said it was either a natural defect or an "impression" in the leather. He said these kinds of things were usually permanent (disappointing because I had ordered grade 1), but that I could probably cover it if I applied shoe wax.

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

I would try using some saddle soap to see if improvement can be made on these impressions.

 

[JTB.SDG]

I would try using some saddle soap to see if improvement can be made on these impressions.

So saddle soap, just on the spot with the mark? Or the whole bible? That won't hurt the leather will it?

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

So saddle soap, just on the spot with the mark? Or the whole bible? That won't hurt the leather will it?

It will work on the all the leather as a general cleaner and conditioner.