[LargeFormat] Neatsfoot Oil on Bellows?

[Karl Wolz]

A neat, according to Webster's, is a common domestic cow.  This term was in
use in the English language since before the 12th century.  The bones of the
lower extremities of cattle are rich in oil, and this oil is called
neatsfoot oil.  I used to use it for breaking in bicycle saddles.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Clive Warren" <Clive.Warren@megacycle.co.uk>
To: <largeformat@f32.net>; "Large Format" <largeformat@f32.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2001 7:54 AM
Subject: Re: [LargeFormat] Neatsfoot Oil on Bellows?


> At 00:33 22/02/01 -0500, Douglas Cooper wrote:
>
> >I remember being told -- perhaps here? -- that Neatsfoot Oil was good for
> >keeping bellows supple (both leather and synthetic).  Now Ken Ruth (the
> >virtuoso camera repairman on Bald Mountain) tells me that this stuff is
the
> >worst -- bacteria like it, which can erode glue etc.
> >
> >I'm afraid I already doctored the synthetic bellows on my Super Graphic
with
> >this oil (as well as the vulcanite on my Leica -- this too was
suggested).
> >Any notes from the trenches?  Am I in for trouble?  Anything I can do to
> >remedy this?
> >
> >By the way, he recommended high end plasticizer -- Black Magic and the
like
> >-- which you can purchase at car supply places, for cleaning vinyl seats
and
> >keeping them supple.  I'm just wondering if I've already done damage.
> >
> >Douglas Cooper
> >http://www.dysmedia.com
> >
> >NO ARCHIVE
> >
> >(oh, another question:  *does* this stuff get archived?  and is this how
I
> >can stay out of the archive?)
>
>
>
> Douglas,
>
> You didn't pick up the advice here!  We have discussed the use of various
> substances for rejuvenating camera bellows and leather in the past - it's
> all in the archives at f32.net.  There is a search engine......
>
> Anyway, here is something I wrote to the list a while ago:
>
> >I treat my bellows with a British product called "Hide Food" which
> >contains Lanolin and white spirit. I have a jar sitting next to me right
> >now near an old B&J monorail which was treated about a week ago for the
> >second time. The bellows no longer make any worrying cracking sounds when
> >extended :-)
> >
> >Some people advocate the use of modern silicon compounds to avoid any
> >sticky after effect, however I am a traditionalist when it comes to
> >leather. Have used the stuff for many years on leather jackets and camera
> >bellows :-) Silicon tends to seal the leather whereas lanolin lets it
> >breathe naturally.
>
> I have used Neatsfoot Oil in the past on leather but found that it rotted
> stitching in my leather motorcycle jackets so stopped using it.
>
> I don't think you'll have too much trouble with your bellows - probably a
> good idea to wipe them down carefully with something absorbent just to
> remove any excess oil.
>
> As to what is in Neatsfoot oil, probably used to be Neats, but you don't
> see so many of them around anymore ;-)
>
>
> All mail to the LargeFormat list is archived with no exceptions. EMail
> addresses do not appear in the archives.  Take a look at the top of this
> message and you'll see a link to the archives.
>
> All the best,
>                  Clive   http://www.f32.net
>                          Large Format Travel and Stock Photography
>
>
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