How to restore antique baseball gloves?
by
HazeKomp
+7
I have two old gloves that I would like to clean and soften up before putting into a deep shadowbox display for my son. I have photos of his grandfather and great-uncle playing pro ball from years gone by, but I think adding the gloves would be a fun touch. I'm afraid to handle them much as the rawhide (?) strings sewing them together looks brittle and frail. HELP! Suggestions?
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Go to a farm supply store. They have a much larger variety of leather restorer from spray to paste. Think of all the horse saddles, bridles and leather stuff that needs to be taken care of.
I'd have them appraised first. Check with a boot store for what they use on leather boots. Nice thing you are doing for your son. You're a great dad.
vasiline
If they are leather, use a good leather cleaner until they are as clean as you can get them. There are also leather conditioners that you can use once they are clean, just follow the directions as you may have to wait until the gloves are dry. This should help them look much better to go into the shadowbox. I would consider occasionally taking them out of the shadow box and conditioning them to keep them looking good all the time.
Call a boot/shoe repair shop to ask what they would use. They'll probably say mink oil or saddle soap. This is a very thoughtful idea! What a wonderful legacy!