I would not change the scuffs. Leather looks best when it is worn. Based on the fact that the leather underneath is brownish, I would guess it is probably a vegetable tanned leather, which would be common for Danish pieces.
Better photos would be helpful, but probably you would not do any damage to the leather by applying _pure_ neatsfoot oil, and it would probably help make it more supple.
Do NOT use any cleaners of any sort on it, or anything with soap in the name. Keep it out of the direct sun and heat, and don't get it wet.
Are there any little slivers of leather you you could slice of perhaps on the underside beside a seam? You could do a vegetable vs chrome tan test with boiling water....
OK, I got some better pictures. The worst part is on the arm rests, the leather there is cracked and peeling.
The front is also a bit damaged.
I included a shot of the underside; it appears to be attached to some sort of fabric backing, and looks like I could get a sliver of leather from there.
How would I go about doing the test (vegetable tanned vs chrome tanned), and, given the better pictures, any different ideas as to how I might proceed?
Thank you so much.
Yes, you could cut a sliver off the seam allowance on the underside. It only needs to be tiny. Drop it in a pot of boiling water. If nothing happens and it just gets wet, it is chrome tanned. If it turns into a ball it is vegetable tanned.
I really like the appearance of the leather as is.
Thanks. So I did that test and the tiny strip of leather immediately curled, though not into a ball, only into a C shape. I take it that still means vegetable tanned?
And if so, still just apply neats foot oil, or otherwise? I'm fine keeping the scuffs, but it seems too dry the way it is, as if it'll keep flaking. I'm interested to hear what you'd do.
If you need any help, please contact us at – info@designaddict.com