Care of wicker baskets?

[Kevanf1]

I just brushed the magical mixture on with a paintbrush. If you do it inside don't forget to put some newspaper underneath to catch the inevitable drips I gave mine a couple of coats over a couple of days. I waited until it started to go a bit tacky before brushing the 2nd coat on. I also paid more attention to places like the legs and the bottom (ooer missus) as they are going to be in contact with the ground.

[MGs]

I only did mine yesterday. It is already taking on a far better patina

[Kevanf1]

Yes, it's amazing the change in colour. The latest one I did had been used and kept outside for years. A friend used it to keep ferrets in while he cleaned out their usual home. It was quite grey in colour! Now it has that beautiful golden hue to it I really must find the time to make a new strap for it though. I could buy one ready made by any one of a number of leather worker specialists but I want to have a go myself. I intend on using leather belts from Asda of all places. Having looked at them and measured up I think I can do this and the price will be very nice indeed.

[Loop Erimder]

Right got all the info to do my basket now, is a 24 hour dip in water sufficient or too long and do you wait til it's dry before painting on the linseed concoction ?

[Kevanf1]

I gave mine a good scrub with soap and water, rinsed it off and then let it dry. Once it was dry I then started the process of brushing on the magical concoction

[WildCarpFisher.]

Not sure if the cheaper ones will stand a soaking in water overnight? I only paid £20 for mine so have just give it the coating today of mixture mentioned before. I will give it another tomorrow as the weather is warm and it should dry quickly?

Doing the bottom several times is a good thought, as it will sit on wet ground mostly?

[WildCarpFisher.]

I've treated mine with the 3 part mixture now. Do they remain sticky or do they dry non-sticky? It's been in the sun for two days and is still tacky?

[MGs]

Mine dried after a week. It has been a while now and it isn't tacky, although the smell of linseed remains. Not that I mind that

[Watermole+]

..I inherited an ancient trout creel which was in rather a parlous state and in desperate need of a lot of TLC. There was no hinge remaining on the lid and all the straps & leatherwork had gone. This old thing had been hung up in the garage for years gathering dust and decay until I read all the posts on this forum concerning the restoration of baskets and decides to try and bring this one back to life..

The creel was washed first, then all the broken parts carefully mended and patched up, then finally treated with Haydn's special formula, letting it thoroughly dry out in between dressings. The latchwork is my own design, the new strap adapted from one taken from a 1941 gas mask bag with new leather fittings.
All the leather is 200+ years old!
Have a look at this first..

http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/mcshipwreck

..I was fortunate enough to be involved in work pertaining to the dives on the wreck at that time and as a result, was given about 1/2 dozen complete reindeer hides and a piece of the original timber, from which I have (so far) made one trout rod reel seat. The outer wood was like sponge but the heart wood was so hard, it was almost petrified and the turning swarf came off like dust!

..Anyway, here is the final result, with which I am rather pleased, so thank you Haydn and all who contributed to the thread!

[MGs]

Very nice. A lovely deep colour. Maybe in 20 or 30 years mine will look as good