How to make leather polish or balm with only 2 ingredients - full guide

[@JamesBerry]

Check out my Etsy store: www.etsy.com/listing/789954402 Tools used all listed here: www.amazon.com/shop/jamesberry

[@caseyreid3287]

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[@maximiliankaysen1425]

@Casey Reid instablaster ;)

[@caseyreid3287]

@Maximilian Kaysen thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and im in the hacking process atm. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@caseyreid3287]

@Maximilian Kaysen It worked and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thanks so much you really help me out!

[@maximiliankaysen1425]

@Casey Reid no problem :D

[@FB_Sinan]

I made it with natural cocoa butter, sweet almond oil and beeswax with bain-marie method and there was no darkening on the skin, I tested it on light colored skin.

[@Holy_shit69]

nice

[@luckyigbinedion2001]

Why didn't you share your formulation or recipe

[@greyviking2412]

Just finished making 4 4oz canning bottles of “Balm” ratio... Thank you for this video... it was exactly what I needed today!

[@JamesBerry]

Ah that's great to hear :) Glad it worked so well for you and thanks for the message!

[@janicescragg2388]

This is the best video I have seen so far for making a leather protector. Thank you.

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks Janice, glad this helped you :)

[@whitandpark]

Love this! Definitely going to try it out. Nice work James👍🏻

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks for your message, I'm glad you like it :) Your channel and content was one of the ones I would watch for inspiration when I started leatherwork, so I'm really touched you appreciate this video! Keep up the great work :D

[@proudpict2057]

Today I’m knocking up my own batch.

[@B3RG3RS0N]

Could this be used on leather work gloves as they require to be soft and flexible?

[@iwaristama6064]

Hi, i try to make the balm with your recipe, put it on a 500ml glass jar But when i use it, it's kind of grainy and leave a white waxy layer on my leather, especially on the stitches Can you help me?😅 Thank you before 😁

[@fredsonvideo3709]

Thank you so much for sharing this very informative video! 👍😊♥️

[@JamesBerry]

Hahah you're welcome!

[@-----REDACTED-----]

Huh, I came up with a mix of mink oil, beeswax, and lanolin… Good to know I was probably not entirely on the wrong path!

[@JamesBerry]

Your mix sounds perfectly fine to me :) Mink oil specifically has been used in leatherwork for a very long time and works a treat.

[@-----REDACTED-----]

@@JamesBerry Thank you! ☺️

[@ThinhPham2991]

hi , great video, I have a question ,how long will this product last time! if as not used all Thanks

[@LOFIGSD]

Great Video, just what I needed, I bought a dozen pairs of Boots and Shoes from Samuel Windsor as they are shutting down, and wanted a way to condition them, this should be lot cheaper, and probably more effective than buying products, what is your opinion on mink oil?

[@JamesBerry]

I've only ever tried mink oil as an ingredient in the Saphir Renovateur cream so I don't know if I can fully answer your question. I do now that that specific Saphir product works great for me however and highly recommend it!

[@miaouew]

Thank you so much! This helped a bunch

[@danpost4755]

Great video!

[@510MyTube]

Is there an expiring date on how long you can keep on shelf before it goee bad?

[@JamesBerry]

I've still got some from the batch made in this video from 4 years ago and it's 100% fine. I don't think it's going to budge any time soon.

[@510MyTube]

@@JamesBerry thanks for the info.

[@jojopaul6136]

How long we need to wait after waxing? Can we dye the leather after waxing? Pls advice

[@m.ferzaapriansyah5713]

Hi sir, I'm from Indonesia, I want to ask besides neatsfoot oil, what ingredients can I use to mix leather balm. What oil can you recommend for me to make leather balm without using neatsfoot oil. Is there any other alternative besides neatsfoot oil which uses and results similar to neatsfoot oil

[@JamesBerry]

Hi there, I've read many people use pure olive oil or coconut oil, but I've also read people saying they are worried that those oils could spoil over time. That being said I have not tested those and have always used neatsfoot oil. Sorry I can't give you a better answer.

[@sakr.slingshot44]

😢

[@pepleatherlab3872]

@@sakr.slingshot44 Use almond oil and unscented/filtered coconut oil. The new types don't spoil. I do find that too much coconut oil can leave a cloudy film over the leather when dry (I tend to avoid it, but it will work.)

[@fathonielias707]

Nice to see your sharing, I'm using petroleum as treatment, which better ?

[@JamesBerry]

I have seen a few people use petroleum but I would always say to stay well away from that as it is not a natural product to be putting on leather and can deteriorate leather over time.

[@daks4s]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@JamesBerry]

You're welcome, glad I could help!

[@jrathjen2]

Very nice! Thanks for showing this. Where did you find the small tins you are using as receptacles?

[@JamesBerry]

Glad you like it Jeff :) I simply buy them on Amazon as it's the easiest way for me to get some. If you need big quantities you could buy direct from the suppliers though but for 10/20 tins Amazon is great.

[@IdratherbeinHobbiton]

Most craft stores carry these or similar items as well if you have one close by.

[@Smarth-v3h]

Thank you so much. Any alternative oil to neatsfoot oil

[@JamesBerry]

For leather you could use mink oil if you want something with an even stronger penetrating power. Some people would suggest olive oil but I have never tested that on leather (though enough people have reported success with it for me to be comfortable telling you about this as an option).

[@alysonlomas7564]

Does this balm/oil work for a little water damage on a vintage leather bag? I would love to make this and give it a try but local bootmender says unlikely anything will help.

[@JamesBerry]

Unfortunately it's not going to help repair water damage... It only helps nourish dried out leather and prevent further damage. Sadly, water damage is often one of those things that will last a long time with no solution (though it gets better over time).

[@CeeJay254Art]

Will the leather be water-resistant? Or can u make one which will lead the leather to be resistant to moisture?

[@JamesBerry]

It helps a lot to protect against water and weather in general, especially the wax recipe. It does take some work to apply well though so test it on scraps first :)

[@lowspeak]

@@JamesBerry what's the difference between wax and balm? Thanks James.

[@JamesBerry]

The only difference is that the wax recepie will be harder in texture. This will protect the leather more against water but you will need more effort to buff it off and get it perfect.

[@momentplease]

Nice one JBL,

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you :)

[@scottroberts4551]

Hi, great video. I've got a new expensive motorcycle black leather jacket and want to take care of it right from the beginning. Do you recommend this mixture? How often should I be protecting it? Riding exposes it to a lot. Thanks.

[@JamesBerry]

Hi Scott, glad to hear you liked the video :) You can definitely use this for your jacket and I think a light coat every three to six months could go a long way to keeping your jacket supple and protected. Bear in mind that this method requires a good amount of time to apply and then rub off the excess compared to using other industrial products. That being said it's a great way of being sure what products you're putting onto and into your leather :)

[@scottroberts4551]

@@JamesBerry Thanks James. Is there something else you would recommend for simplicity's sake? Something over the counter?

[@JamesBerry]

@@scottroberts4551 I would recommend Saphir universal cream: amzn.to/2Jw6HdO It's really easy to apply and will work a treat for nearly all leathers. This will help clean, nourish and protect your jacket and can be used every 3 to 6 months depending on your need. I always recommend Saphir products easily as they are by far the best I've found. Hope this helps :)

[@newangelpark4551]

Nice video thanks. Would I be able use it on shoes and buff them ?

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you! Yes you would be able to do this but make sure you don't use much as the oils will nourish the leather and the wax, as it's pure beeswax, is slow at taking a shine. But with patience this works a treat!

[@1lobont1]

hello man! I'll definitely goin to try out..what u think about adding some kind of essentials oils for a better smell? The neatsfoot oil should have a strong scent...it is not so?

[@JamesBerry]

Glad to hear you like this idea! I wouldn't recommend adding any essential oils to change the smell as these could damage the leather over time: quite often they can be harsh for the leather fibers. I would recommend you go check the web to see if anyone has done this before and how it turned out for them since I've never tried this.

[@1lobont1]

@@JamesBerry thank u man! Where u think I can find some good advice about that? Btw i really like ur channel and ur videos! If u want follow me on ig! I'm the.howlin.lobo ☺

[@1lobont1]

@@JamesBerry i've read something interesting bout lemon essential oil..

[@pepleatherlab3872]

Sorry to be a bit late. My recommendation is to cut back a bit on the Neatsfoot oil and substitute with almond oil to eliminate most of the aroma. Some use coconut oil, but I find it can also be quite fragrant. You should be good with 2 parts bees wax, 2 parts almond oil and one part Neatsfoot. I prefer my finish product a little gooey as I use it mostly for applying to thread for hand stitching. (It binds and protects the thread from daily abrasion in products.)

[@eqsharps]

Could you clean with this everyday? Because usually you would oil leather with neatsfoot oil twice a year because it's not good to use it a lot on the same item, but sense this has beeswax, would it be okay to use a lot?

[@JamesBerry]

Hiya, for every day cleaning a simple soft cloth or soft brush is enough. You should not be putting oils and waxes on your leather very often as this will not help it at all. If you are looking for something you can use every day, as mentioned, a quick brush to get rid of dust and dirt are all you need as leather is quite a robust product. You should only need to wax and oil once every few months (or maybe once a month if you are using your leather product in a harsh environment).

[@eqsharps]

@@JamesBerry okay awesome! Thanks for letting me know!

[@Fashiontrends933]

Can this formula be used on car leather seats

[@sodortrains5057]

Thanks for tutorial, I have beeswax and just bought Castor oil which is cheaper than Neatsfoot oil. Since Castor oil is thicker than neatsfoot, can I add coconut oil just to make it more watery. How about 3 ingredients I mention?

[@JamesBerry]

Hiya, glad you enjoyed the video! I've not tried caster oil of coconut oil for leather balm but I've read others used them with good results. So don't hesitate to test, though I can't guarantee the final result myself. That being said, I make a great lip balm using beeswax and coconut oil ;)

[@piecetoyou8285]

Neats foot oil is not made in the same way any more like the traditional old way but it is a oil that has less water than most oils, some oils contain some traces of water, As I wanted to condition my leather razor strops it led me to Neats foot oil, but oils can break down leather so you need to be careful, You also have to condition / nutrition/ feed / the leather be for using a protector, or top finishing coat, Don`t use fats on leather as fats go bad oil and wax are the best, a lot of leather cleaners contain harsh chemicals and are masked with a cent but these can remove dye from the leather, I just use a lightly damp cloth to wipe the leather then leave to dry then add the conditioner leave to soak in then the top coat,

[@akbunny5221]

great tip, thank you.....!

[@ululazmi4651]

Hi, how about to make spray ? are there any additional ingredients?

[@JamesBerry]

That's a very good question though I have no idea how this would be done... I guess you could put neatsfoot oil in a spray bottle but you wouldn't be able to add wax to it.

[@nurwijaya2039]

hi, will this leather balm darken the leather?

[@JamesBerry]

There is a good possibility it would darken it as the oils will penetrate into the leather.

[@sarahnapoleon8237]

Hi can I use candle wax..instead of the beeswax

[@JamesBerry]

Technically yes, but most candles are made from synthetic waxes and may not leave as nice a finish on the leather. Make sure to always test it first on a small area on your leather to check if you like the result.

[@pepleatherlab3872]

Candles largely use a paraffin alternative that leaves a cloudy film when dry. I tend to avoid it, but it will function if you're simply attempting to protect an item. Works best on canvas I find.

[@VinayKumar-pe2xu]

Any alternative for barnishing agent other than tokonole, please suggest

[@JamesBerry]

Hiya, I was using gum tragacanth for ages: it works well but is definitely no match for Tokonole. Alternatively some people use a drop of water and burnish using a cotton rag/cloth.

[@m.ferzaapriansyah5713]

Hi sir, I want to ask is it possible to use olive oil?

[@JamesBerry]

Hi there, it is indeed possible to use olive oil but I don't recommend it as the oil could go rancid over time.

[@m.ferzaapriansyah5713]

Thank you for the information you have provided, success always

[@m.ferzaapriansyah5713]

@@JamesBerry Hi sir, I'm from Indonesia, I want to ask besides neatsfoot oil, what ingredients can I use to mix leather balm. What oil can you recommend for me to make leather balm without using neatsfoot oil. Is there any other alternative besides neatsfoot oil which uses and results similar to neatsfoot oil

[@Theodor86G]

Nice one! Don't Tell the World all your Secrets ;-). I do basically the Same, but I use OliveOil instead of neatsfoot oil... Cheaper, easier to get and it makes the hands soft while using XD

[@JamesBerry]

Hahah yes as long as it's a liquid oil it works in this recipe. I would be worried about the olive oil going rancid, though I've never tried myself so couldn't say. If it works for you then you've got it right anyway :)

[@arfanahmed3008]

Extra virgin olive oil should work better

[@BigHenFor]

Use mineral oil or, coconut oil if you want an organic product. Neither go rancid.

[@michaelcorbidge7914]

Any oils that go rancid means that they oxidize and polymerise. They become sticky if you've noticed say with olive oil or rice oil or canola oil . Linseed oil definitely gets sticky then it gets hard thus was used as a varnish as in french polish .Commercial paints were made once from linseed oil and even canola/rapeseed oil. ..........there's a big discussion in all this stuff .

[@prettypaws3115]

Amazzzzzing!!

[@staraseelfarm7259]

Any alternative for neatsfoot oil

[@alphanumeric1529]

Potentially Mink or Olive. Check your local laws for the labeling of "olive" oil. I know in the US, basic "olive" oil can be mostly just "vegetable" oil. I think the "virgin" or "extra virgin olive oil" has to actually be entirely derived from olives. Shady world just getting shadier by the day. Each of these oils could change your ratios of oil to wax, mind you. Best to try on scrap, and observe for 10 years of use to see how it goes! And I'd like to point out that I did "experiments" aka messed up pieces when I was just starting out, and one of the mistakes was adding too much neatsfoot oil to a vegetable tanned piece, especially on the flesh side, but that piece of leather turned into mush. It has never dried out. It was a stiff piece of 8-9oz, about 3+ mm thick, raw vegetable tanned leather. And it wasn't like I soaked it or anything, I added just little more neatsfoot oil than I had previously. There seems to be a tipping point. You can add and add oil until, boom, the leather goes to mush, and is irretrievable, at least in my experience.

[@denniskireev9861]

Hi, what is the difference between leather balm and leather wax? Thanks

[@JamesBerry]

A balm will be softer and more moist with the goal of cleaning and nourishing the leather. A wax will not nourish as much, be harder to the touch and is used mainly to protect the leather and give it a nice shine.

[@denniskireev9861]

@@JamesBerry so ingredients are the same just the point is in portions, right? Nice video, now I’m trying to find neatsfoot oil and beeswax to do this by myself. Thanks again was very helpful

[@JamesBerry]

@@denniskireev9861 exactly, it's a very basic recipe and you just have to adjust the ratio of the two ingredients to find what works best for you. I advise to test out in small batches first.

[@denniskireev9861]

I’ve bought timberland Kendrick shoes and the official site says waximum should be used for their care. Can you tell me if your product will work for them? As I understand timberland shoes are made of waxed leather. Thanks

[@fathonielias707]

Nice to see your sharing, I'm using petroleum as treatment, which better ?

[@thegroovingpict4363]

I’ve been making leather protectants for years. And the the first rule of thumb, is Do Not, add too much neatsfoot oil. It will slowly rot your leather from within. Definitely avoid this recipe for shoes and furniture.

[@ZoSuryanto]

Hi, can we use pure beeswax for leather and waxing the thread? Pure beeswax without combining with any other oil whatsoever

[@samehadlyph]

Hi how to make Leather spray

[@synwannleathercraft8506]

How can i make neatsfoot oil in hom e

[@JamesBerry]

I'm afraid I don't think you can. It's a specialized item and you'll want to get it from a leather supplier.

[@muhammadrakib2459]

Good

[@TheCustomer]

Cant you just use vaseline or baby oil directly on leather shoes?

[@JamesBerry]

Those solutions would be a temporary fix only and aren't the best options to keep your leather healthy for years to come.

[@diykhan]

Wow very informative guide. #diykhan

[@LeNguyen-im8dm]

Can anyone describe the smell? I am afraid of bad or weird smell.

[@Holy_shit69]

you can add essential oil baby

[@seniorfourgsmvmcbkibeho2023]

wooooooh

[@plojo3981]

👍

[@JamesBerry]

:)

[@Bartek9452PL]

[@yoheff988]

Cheap vaseline works just as well

[@synwannleathercraft8506]

?

[@bobfarley4102]

Lol, you'd spend more on this concoction than you would just buying quality products in the first place.

[@lucasbluecas4476]

please dont microwave it!!

[@JamesBerry]

This is indeed good advice - bain-marie is the best/safest way to go. That being said, microwaving it does work, though you need to keep an eye on it to not go too hot and it does become especially dangerous afterwards because of this.