Best preservative dressing for smoker bellows

[viridens]

The title says it all really. The thin leather can age and crack quickly, especially on the cheaper imported stainless jobs I've seen recently.

Any tips and recipes to prolong their life?

 

[victor meldrew]

The title says it all really. The thin leather can age and crack quickly, especially on the cheaper imported stainless jobs I've seen recently.

Any tips and recipes to prolong their life?

Bit of bees wax turps mixture , you could add a smattering of lard to keep the leather soft!

John Wilkinson

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Try a proprietary dressing like neatsfoot oil or saddle soap (a pint of neatsfoot costs a fiver and will last a lifetime, or get a small pot of lanolin from your local chemist and rub that in - you should always use animal based oil/dressings on leather, don't use mineral oil based stuff like vaseline or anything like linseed.
Another good dressing (although it pongs a bit when it first goes on) is mars oil i use these for my deck shoes and the dog's leather slip leads - it makes them nice and supple and they never crack

 

[For want of a better word]

I have a tin of WREN'S waterproofing leather oil ( liquid dubbin)
Reckit Household products.

Lasts for ever... price ticket says Beddington General Stores 1/- 3 1/2d

was my grandfathers... and I am pretty sure the Germans took out the general stores in WW2 with a doodlebug with most of the cable factory and cottage hospital !!

 

[Midland Beek]

Leather? You might have the Rolls Royce of smokers but my Etna one has imitation leather bellows.

 

[davemacdon]

This may sound silly, but ask an old bagpiper. They used to use animal product bags on their bagpipes, more recently switching to man made bags. I remember my dad pouring all sorts of things to preserve and maintain air tightness, including egg yolks etc.
I will ask him what he used to chuck in, when I next speak.
May help, may not. Please consider fully before trying anything suggested.

Dave.