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Bruce Hamilton writes:

Does anyone have a repair solution for a leather desk
top that is in the condition shown in this picture? This is
what I believe is referred to as leather rot.

The only thought I have would be to clean the surface
with a solvent like naphtha, seal with padded on shellac
and then in paint.

Bruce




Bruce Hamilton updates:

Thank you for all your helpful information and replies.

As is often the case, what we do in the end to object
has much more to do with what the client wants
rather than what would be best for it. This piece of
leather was on a huge carved turn of the century desk
made in England. The client had had part of the
doorway removed in order to get the desk into their
home office. We had only one day on sight to repair
the structural problems, make the wood work look
decent and do something with the leather.

After making all the repairs to the eight carved lion
feet, the drawer stops and bottoms, we applied
colored wax ( a soft shoe polish )  to the leather and
all the finished surfaces and buffed it out. The
transformation was incredible.

Unfortunately, I forgot to bring the camera. The client
did not want to replace the leather and I said to them
that in order to use the desk top as is was they would
have to add a glass top to which they were readily
willing to do. There are still three, 72", large book
cases to be restored and added to the office
sometime in the future.

Bruce





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