Vegetable oil for my saddle?

Question

How do you vegetable oil a saddle? My trainer has done it to hers and it's super soft and has a nice dark color. Thanks!

Answer 1

My big problem with vegetable oil is that it goes rancid and the mice like it.  Try using olive oil.  

BUT like the other poster said, use oil sparesely!  If you don't it will cause the leather to "STRETCH" and that can do some really funning things to billets and leathers!

So CLEAN your saddle with glycerin, then LIGHTLY oil it, then CLEAN your saddle again with the glycerin to get any excess oil off of your contact points.

Answer 2

I wouldn't use vegetable OR olive oil... it goes rancid and then it STINKS!! You should use neatsfoot or mink oil.

Answer 3

Use a soft sponge and you can either dip the sponge in the oil or pour the oil onto the sponge.  I dont like pouring the oil directly on the saddle - its a waste of oil, as well as it ends up just making a big mess - Use a soft clothe to go behind and buff, picking up the excess oil.

Answer 4

I recommend olive oil not vegetable oil.  Olive oil will not stain your clothes the way other oils will.

Answer 5

hmmm... im not sure that vegetable oil is the best oil solution for most good quality leather saddles.  I highly suggest the Passier Leather Balm, it makes old tack look almost brand new when used properly.  When oiling you saddle, be sure not to use too much and rub your saddle down afterwords.  If you really want to use vegetable oil that bad, since your trainer does it, why dont you do it with her supervison first that way you do it right and she can help you.

Answer 6

I have used a small paintbrush before ( I used it on my really dry saddle so I could just lather it on), but you can use a sponge or cloth.

Edit:  I would recommend using olive oil, not vegetable oil.  This is what I have used and it works, and it doesn't stain your clothes like vegetable oil does.

Answer 7

use it sparingly!!! Also, only apply oil to the underside (rough side) of the leather! so the panels on the under side of the saddle, the underside of the saddle flap and underside of the skirt. If you use to much, you will end up stretching the saddle. neastfoot would be alot better to use, as its specialy formulated for leather. Beware though as it may stain round cloths, which is why i would suggest not using it on the seat or flaps.

Answer 8

Use neatsfoot oil...not veg or olive oil.

Answer 9

I suggest using Olive Oil instead!  When I  do my saddles, I  saddle soap them first, and then oil them  with a sponge and just keep rubbing it in to the leather.  Most importantly,  put your saddle in the sun for about 30 min before you start to work on it.

The sun helps the leather absorb as much  as it can hold.

Your saddle will last a long, long time.

Answer 10

just pour the oil on a sponge or cloth and use it just like saddle soap. Ive had to do this before and it works, its also much cheaper than saddle soap.