Last updated on March 31st, 2023 at 07:13 pm
This guide will help in choosing the best oil for darkening leather. This guide includes Pros & Cons, Features, Key Points, and much more.
Various types of leather products are available today, including handbags, wallets, shoes, jackets, and Furniture. One thing is sure, however, and that is that all leather products require oil to function correctly. Leather is often used in the manufacture of footwear. Therefore, every shoe lover must possess a shoe shine kit. However, since a variety of shoes are available in the market, you must conduct appropriate research before purchasing a shoe shine kit. This article aims to help you find the best shoe shine kit by examining the five best oils for darkening leather.
This article discusses the best oil for darkening leather. It is mentioned in the article how to use the oil, which oils to use, and how to use them. Links are provided to products that can be purchased.
Table of Contents
Image | Product | Detail | Price |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Darken leather with Hydrophane oil |
| Price |
![]() | Leather Oil from Obenauf Conditions |
| Price |
![]() ” class=”affiliate-img”> | One gallon Sheps Pure Neatsfoot Leather Oil |
| Price |
![]() | LVP Interior Leather Cleaner 3D |
| Price |
![]() | Farnam Leather New Easy-Polishing Glycerine Saddle Soap |
| Price |
1. Darken leather with Hydrophane oil

- Item Form: Oil
- Brand: Hydrophane
- Item Weight: 1.2 Pounds
- Item Volume: 500 Milliliters
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 6 x 3 x 3 inches
“It performs exactly as described. I used it to darken a watch brand that I purchased, which was too light, and my wallet, which was also too light. It took some time for the oil to absorb, but it made it look great when it did.
After you have applied it, I recommend allowing it to sit for a few minutes. It takes some time to soak into the leather, so you may have to work the leather a little bit and reapply it in some areas to achieve this. If your leather item leaks oil after applying this, I recommend wiping it with a paper towel to remove the excess oil.”

More about Hydrophane Leather Darkening Oil
Pros
- Dual Action Formula
- Progressively Darkens Leather
- Provides Protective Barrier
- Absorbing Non-Dye Formula
- Free from chemicals
- Good smell
Cons
- Dries bit slowly.
2. Leather Oil from Obenauf Conditions, Restores and Preserves Dry Leather

- Item Form: Oil
- Brand: Obenauf’s
- Item Weight: 1 Pounds
- Item Volume: 473 Milliliters
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 3 x 3 x 5.25 inches
“My boots are better with this boot oil, which I have used for years. This boot oil has improved the life of my boots by helping to maintain the condition of the leather. Keeping the stitching flexible and sealed from elements will make the boots durable for a more extended period.
The oil is applied to all my leather items. The paste is used to rub-down the boots, and liquid is used to help penetrate that stitching and protect them from the elements. After treatment, if your leather gets any scratches or marred areas, you rub it clean with this oil. I highly recommend it if you need boot oil that works and protects. “
More about obenauf’s leather oil
Pros
- Leather Oil conditions
- restores dry motorcycle leather
- footwear clothing
- for Furniture
- auto interiors
- saddles and tack
Cons
- Bit tough to open the bottle.
3. One gallon Sheps Pure Neatsfoot Leather Oil

- Item Form: Oil
- Brand: Obenauf’s
- Item Weight: 1 Pounds
- Item Volume: 473 Milliliters
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 3 x 3 x 5.25 inches
“This product has softened several pairs of reins and spur straps. It is an excellent value. Purchased a pair of neglected Harley Davidson saddlebags on eBay for a good price. It will take some time, but neatsfoot oil will loosen and soften old leather once it has been absorbed.”
More about Best Oil for Darkening Leather
Pros
- Preserves,
- strengthens
- waterproofs leather
- Good stuff
- Great value
- Excellent product for softening leather.
- Easy to use
- Ideal for boots and much more
Cons
- It is a bit thinner.
4. LVP Interior Leather Cleaner 3D

- Specific Uses For Product: Leather
- Item Form: Spray
- Brand: 3D
- Surface Recommendation: Furniture
- Scent: Unscented
“This product is fantastic…it effectively cleans leather and vinyl without any heavy scrubbing required. This product is not only effective at cleaning, but also has a great scent. I will purchase it again in the future. It is fantastic. To the person who complained it did not work, you might need a bit of practice to clean your items properly. It leaves a natural finish and leaves a pleasant new leather smell. Using a horse or boar’s hair brush, scrub until lather appears, and then wipe. “
More About LVP Interior Leather Cleaner 3D
Pros
- No more stains
- Car interior cleaner
- Deepest clean
- Preserve your interior
- It makes the job easier
- Great scent
Cons
- Be careful while using it.
5. Farnam Leather New Easy-Polishing Glycerine Saddle Soap

- Specific Uses For Product: Leather
- Item Form: OIL
- Brand: Central Garden & Pet
- Weight: 4.42 Pounds
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 9.75 inches
“It has been 28 years since I started using this product. If you are a horse owner, this product is a gold mine. I find that this product is straightforward to apply, smells lovely, and restores the shine and vibrancy to my tack.
This product can be used safely after each ride as it doesn’t contain any chemicals. To ensure that my saddle and tack remain as durable and long-lasting as possible, I clean and oil the saddles and tack twice a year. During the past 14 years, I’ve never changed my saddle because it’s a brand we’ve trusted and used for many years. “
More About Farnam Leather
Pros
- Cleans, conditions, and polishes simultaneously
- Removes embedded dirt and grim
- Give natural shine
- Replaces Natural Oils Deep Down in Leather
- Easy to use
- Good value
- Quick clean product
Cons
- Dries slowly.
Buying Guide
There are several options for darkening leather with oils. Nevertheless, not every oil is the same. Some oils may darken leather faster than others, while others may not be as effective. We’ve put together this buying guide to help you decide which oil is best for darkening leather.
1. Type of leather
First, you’ll want to consider the type of leather you’re working with. You should always choose a gentler oil if you aren’t sure and choose an oil that is compatible with your leather. Different leathers respond differently to oil, so you should make sure you choose an oil that works with your leather.
2. How quickly you want
The next thing you need to think about is how quickly you want leather to darken. Some oils will darken leather more quickly than others, so if you need the leather to darken quickly, choose an oil that does that.
3. Price
A final consideration is how much the oil costs. Oil prices can vary widely, so you’ll need to find one that suits your budget.
If you keep these factors in mind, you will be able to find the best leather darkening oil.
FAQ’s Best Oil for Darkening Leather
What to put on leather to make it darker?
If you have a leather jacket, purse, shoes, or anything else made of leather, you should educate yourself on how to clean and condition it. Otherwise, you can use one of the following methods to darken it:
Method 1-
Using a pencil, mark the area you wish to darken, then rub it with a sponge dipped in water. Continue rubbing until the desired shade is achieved.
Method 2-
Add 3 tablespoons of coconut oil to 1 tablespoon turmeric and microwave for approximately 1 minute. Add a few drops of lemon juice to the mixture and rub it onto the leather with a sponge. This will darken and shine the leather.
Method 3-
Pour 1 teaspoon of vinegar into a glass of water and apply it to the leather with a sponge. It will turn darker.
Method 4-
Rub brown shoe polish into the leather to form an even coating. This might be the easiest way to make the leather darker.
Does oiling leather make it darker?
If you want to darken the leather, you can apply oil to the shoe and then wear it in the sun. The oil will combine with the polish. The shoe will become darker as a result.
If you wish to lighten the shoe, you can apply shoe polish over it and then wear it in the sun. The polish will blend with the dirt on the shoe. This will make the shoe appear lighter.
Will mink oil darken leather?
Yes, you should be concerned about mink oil darkening leather. The reason is that the oils in mink oil are very similar to those in human skin. Your leather boots or jacket will darken over time to match your skin tone.
As a result, they will look worn out over time, and the boots or jacket might even be mistaken for damaged. You should avoid wearing mink oil-treated products in environments where they will become dirty or wet. For example, you will not be able to wear a pair of mink-oiled boots while riding your bicycle in the rain.
Will coconut oil darken leather?
No, coconut oil will not change the color of your leather. Coconut oil is a vegetable oil derived from coconuts. The vegetable oil contains medium-chain triglycerides. Medium-chain triglycerides are saturated fats.
In most cases, saturated fats are white, and the extraction process does not chemically alter them. Coconut oil is commonly classified as a food product rather than a dietary supplement, so it is usually labeled as food-grade. The process used to extract the oil is, however, the key to the oil soil’s coloring properties.
Conclusion
We hope that you have been able to find what you were looking for regarding this leather darkening oil. We are always happy to assist, so if you have any other questions, please get in touch with us at LeatherAdviser.com. Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day!
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