Saddle bag oil or treatment?

[will52100]

Looking for an oil or finish for poor quality leather saddle bags.  From what I can tell it's split grained and pressed vegi tanned leather.  I've died them with Fiebings light brown oil dye and waxed the tops with kiwi neutral shoe polish, then used Buffalo butter oil on the rest.  The leather was starting to take on a lizard skin dry and faded look, nearly white from sun bleaching.  The above method worked for 6 months or so, but are needing another treatment.  This time I tried pure Balistol oil, put a good heavy coat on, we'll see how it works.  If they'd used top grain leather I wouldn't have this issue.

What are everybody's suggestions on something to treat leather for outside use and to protect from the sun, wind and rain, but mainly sun.  I don't mind the mottled look it gets, but don't want zombie skin either.

Thanks.

[Major 2]

I'm a fan of Skidmore's....

I wouldn't use water based formulas which will dry and make it harder.

[will52100]

Thanks.  I've never used the ballistol on my bags before, I've used it on some gun leather and sheaths with OK results, made it a bit softer than I liked, kinda like boot leather soft.  Think I will try some leather conditioner or just plain neats foot oil next time.

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[will52100]

I've heard good and bad about skidmore's, I will order some from amazon and give it a try, the leather is such poor quality I really can't screw it up.  I may eventually wind up re working it myself.

[TexasToby]

It sounds to me like by the time you get thru buying all the stuff to try to make the bags something that they ain't, you would be better off just to buy a good pair of saddle bags and probably cheaper in the long run.  Don't mean any offence so I hope you don't be offended. Texas Toby

[will52100]

No offense taken, like I said, I'll probably just re-do them myself eventually with top grain leather.  For now I just want them to look good and last a few more years.

[Johnny McCrae]

I would suggest Skidmores's also. Please let us know how it works out for you.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

I would suggest Skidmores's also. Please let us know how it works out for you.

I second what Johnny is saying, you just can't beat Skidmores Leather Cream....

tEN wOLVES...