Brewer, T.; "SC6000 and Other Surface Coatings for Leather: composition and effectiveness", The Bonefolder 2(2) (2006) 33-35
URL / PDF
URL / PDF
From the introduction:
The field of conservation has recently adapted newer techniques for the coating of leather bindings as a measure of protection and aesthetic appearance. The much used, and older, method of treating leather with lanolin and neatsfoot oil is now avoided, as it does significant damage to the text when applied too heavily, migrating through the leather and causing staining and deterioration of the paper. Most commercially produced neatsfoot oil is made of lard, whose excess fatty acids can cause spew on the surface of the leather, while lanolin steals the skin’s natural moisture (Fredericks
The field of conservation has recently adapted newer techniques for the coating of leather bindings as a measure of protection and aesthetic appearance. The much used, and older, method of treating leather with lanolin and neatsfoot oil is now avoided, as it does significant damage to the text when applied too heavily, migrating through the leather and causing staining and deterioration of the paper. Most commercially produced neatsfoot oil is made of lard, whose excess fatty acids can cause spew on the surface of the leather, while lanolin steals the skin’s natural moisture (
The original report dated from 2004 is also available online at:
http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~cochinea/pdfs/t-brewer-04-sc6000.pdf