Hello, i have heard of both chrome tanning and alum tanning separately but I have a batch of old leather soccer balls that have "alum chrome leather" printed on them. They are indeed white, the cross section is grayish though. Has anyone ever heard of this type of tanning? Is it as sensitive to moisture as alum tanned leather? Can I wipe them clean with mild wet cloth? Can they be conditioned? I am just doubtful because of what I have heard that alum tanned and moisture do not combine yet I don't see it would make sense making a sports ball with it.
Thanks for your time and the great forum!
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Alum pickle, chrome finish (tan). Or vice versa. (chrome "crust", alum finish.) It's a chrome tan for all intents and purposes and should hold up very well.
Is dubbin acceptable or would you recommend any other conditioner? This leather hasn't been fed in 40 years!
Thanks for the quick responses!
I would not use anything water-based if it's really special and sentimental to you. I've never heard of "dubbin" so cannot say. Use a glycol? (non-aqueous) or solvent based conditioner. Wilson's Leather Lotion seems good, works great on my chrome tanned jacket.
It sounds a lot like this piece is a Alum tanned leather and then retanned in Chrome. This is frequently done in fur dressing when the Tanner decides he wants to dye the skins but they can't withstand the dye fixing temperatures. A good tan.
Thanks Bruce! There is really little or no information on the net about this leather. Do you know what is a good way to clean this skin? I was afraid of using a little water but it seems the chrome tanning helps the alum stay in place. The skin seems to absorb water very easily almost staining it until it dries and goes back to its normal color. Is it ok if I used any oil based conditioner (zymol, lexol, etc) too?