How to clean/restore leather on vintage cameras?

>>> Hello all. My boyfriend has a number of cameras that are on average about 20 years old. He noticed that the leather on one camera (about five years ago) was starting to get sticky. He ignored this and put the camera back in its case - a decision he now regrets. The leather is no longer sticky but it has developed small specks and smells of mold or mildew:

Mold is the colloquial term applied to a large diverse number of fungal species where their growth result in a moldy appearance on objects, including leather. A layer of fungal growth discolors such objects. Molds are fungi that grow in the form of multi-cellular filaments called hyphae. The hyphae are generally transparent, so the mycelium appears like very fine, fluffy white threads over the surface. The dusty texture of many molds is caused by profuse numbers of asexual spores formed by differentiation at the ends of hyphae. The mode of formation and shape of these spores are traditionally used to classify the mold fungi. Many of these spores are colored, making the fungus much more obvious to the human eye at this stage in its life cycle. Molds cause biodegradation of natural materials like leather. It can then be unwanted as mold-damaged property. Mold requires moisture for growth. Like all fungi, molds derive energy not through photosynthesis but from the organic matter on which they live. Typically, molds secrete enzymes that degrade complex substances into simpler substances, which can be absorbed by the hyphae. Molds reproduce through producing very large numbers of small spores. Mold spores may remain airborne indefinitely or cling to leather and fur. It can survive under extremes of temperature and pressure.
Mold decontamination is treated with a leather fungicide as shown in this Kit A3.mk for aniline leathers.
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/servlet...t-A3.mk/Detail

Attachment 1999
Leather Doctor Kit A3.mk – Aniline Leather Mold Killer Kit
Leather Doctor® Kit A3.mk, aniline leather mold killer kit is designed for mold preventive and decontamination care during storage or after growth. Water damaged leathers and storing in a humid condition promotes mold growth. The presence of mold infestation is detected by its characteristic musty odor and moldy appearance. Mold is a living organism and damages are progressive that timely preventive anti-fungicidal control is preferred over corrective restoration. A progressive mold infestation will result in unsightly sinking pits that may require physical removal with refinishing. When leather is store away, a d’Mold-3.6 treatment preserves the leather for a potential period of 8 months. d’Mold-3.6 is a waterbased leather-safe non-phenol fungicide designed to kill mold growth. An effective mold decontamination process would include a restorative cleaning with Prep-4.4, sticky residue removed with Cleaner-3.8 and follows by Rinse-3.0. Mold growth draws its nutrients from the leather fat and oil and will need replenishing. Rejuvenating the leather includes hydrating to relax the stick together fibers and to eliminate surface tension with Hydrator-3.3. Fat and oil follows immediately with Fatliquor LS-5.5 to rejuvenate the leather with suppleness and diffusing a classic leather scent. This follows with d’Mold-3.6 treatment when dry and proceeds with Protector-B+ for a holistic leather care. Note that the mentioned products suffix numbers denotes its pH value in this holistic approach for both aniline leather mold preventive and corrective care.

>>> He has another camera that has started to have the same 'sticky' consistency, and yet another that feels very greasy to the touch (all of these cameras were in storage and not near anything that would get them dirty). Assuming this is a problem with moisture/temperature combined with not treating the leather properly? We are unsure how to proceed in cleaning/fixing these problems without damaging the leather... Any help would be appreciated! Below is a picture of the camera that has started to feel 'greasy' - this problem is mostly just occurring on the strap.

>>>Sticky consistency:

Sticky consistency is either the structure problem or the finish problem or both.
Leather is an amphoteric material and as the pH of the leather shift from average pH 4 upwards to 8 to 10 it turns sticky. This is due to the sweat that have traces of urea that when ferment with the natural bacterial from the atmosphere results in breaking of ionic bonds between the ionic positive (+ve) protein fiber with the other non-amphoteric leather constitutents especially the tanning agents. To rectify this situation is to pH balance back the protein fiber back to its neutral of average 4 with the help of Acidifier-2.0 (pH 2.0).
When the sticky leather is put to dwell up to 72 hours with control evaporation the leather will return to its healthy squeaky feel.

If it is the finishes especially the topcoat that turns sticky from various contaminated reasons (sweat, high alkaline cleaning products) it deteriorates and begins attracting atmospheric moisture need to be tied up with a fresh coating of crosslinker added to the new topcoat.

Attachment 2000
Leather Doctor® Kit B7, bicast leather sticky refinishing kit is an innovative system developed to restore finishes sticky problem. The sticky problem is often described from owners as follows. The finish gone dull on the seating areas and any material comes in contact sticks to it. The finishes feels a bit rubbery but after 5mins of sitting clothing were stuck to it. The location that suffers tackiness also reveals roughness to the touch. When sitting down and getting up, there is the sound of tape pulling and you can actually see a pattern on the couch from the jeans. If these experiences sound familiar then this kit is the answer. Stripping the surface contamination is done with Degreaser-2.2 and the help of Eraser-4 for better traction to removed surface materials. Suspended soiling is towel extracted and rinse with Acidifier-2.0. 2000-grit sandpaper is used to smoothen rough surface. A 10% Crosslinker-25 is added to the BicastTop-76G for extra finish strength from stickiness. Protector-B+ imparts a non-stick buttery-feel against sticky soiling; a rub-resistant against friction wear and diffuses a leather scent that enhances leather sensuous and luxuriously.
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/servlet...-Kit-B7/Detail

>>> Greasy to the Touch:

The feel of the leather will improve with Protector-B+ for a buttery-feel after decontamination cleaning with:
Leather Doctor® Protector-B+, a buttery-feel with a classic leather scent is design for pigmented, aniline and nubuck oil pull-up leather types. This is a non-film forming, non-stick, rub-resistant protector that enhances a soft natural tactile feel for imparting a breathable barrier essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling and preventing the too common pesky ballpoint from ever ready rolling out its nasty ink. Moreover, for helping to release those tenacious blue jeans dye-transfer stains obviously on light colored leathers easily. Its natural buttery-feel protection increases the leather resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reduce stretch; scuff and abrasion with reduce friction squeaks.

Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
www.LeatherDoctor.com