Bellows maintenance

[NGH]

What do you guys do (if anything) to keep the bellows on your folders in good shape?

Do you use any leather treatments or whatever to keep the supple and less likely to develop tears?

 

[compur]

I use leather treatment on those that look like they're getting dry.

 

[Derrel]

Neat's Foot Oil???

 

[NGH]

I use leather treatment on those that look like they're getting dry.

Any particular brand?

 

[compur]

Lexol and Tannery are two that I have on hand at the moment. I've used others but can't remember the brands. Tandy maybe?

 

[OldManJim]

I think you'd want to avoid Neat's Foot oil - it tends to soften leather and that might make the bellows loose it's shape. No experience with this, just a supposition.

 

[petrochemist]

I think you'd want to avoid Neat's Foot oil - it tends to soften leather and that might make the bellows loose it's shape. No experience with this, just a supposition.

The instructions I've seen for making replacement bellows generally use card reinforcing for maintaining the shape, I would think softening the leather is exactly what you'd want.
I've not had issues with any of the used bellows I've brought so haven't yet got round to servicing them. Maybe if I start using my 5x4 with longer lenses I might find some faults...