SmartPak Ratings and Reviews

Customer Reviews for Hydrophane Darkening Oil

Hydrophane Darkening Oil

A unique dual-action formula that first penetrates new leather and progressively darkens light colored leather, and, secondly, the unique oil formulation helps protect new leather and ensure that mud and sweat can be removed with cold water.?16.9 oz?
Average Customer Rating:
4.786 out of 5
4.8
 out of 
5
(14 Reviews) 14
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating breakdown 14 reviews
5 Stars
12
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
13 of 14(93%)of customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Review 1 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

It Works

May 19, 2013
Byluv2jump
fromWilmington, NC
I have used this product for:1-3 months
Expertise:Intermediate
Riding Style:Hunter/Jumper
Competitor:Local/Open
Quality:
5 of 5
5 of 5
Value:
5 of 5
5 of 5
"I used this on my new Antares leathers. It works very gradually, so give yourself ample time to apply several coats, letting each one dry in between. It does not stiffen the leather at all and soaked right into the soft leather. I have also used it on some of the worn places on my saddle, as well as the seat to help protect it from the elements."
Review 2 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

Excellent product

April 16, 2013
Bytqfcowgirl
fromNC
I have used this product for:less than a month
Expertise:Trainer
Riding Style:Hunter/Jumper
"Does the job. It takes several applications to achieve desired darkness...which is great so you don't get too dark with only one application! This product takes the cake for darkening oils."
 
Products related to my content
 
Review 3 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

My All Time Favorite Oil

April 12, 2013
ByBettyAnne
fromNew Hampshire
I have used this product for:1-3 months
Expertise:Expert
Riding Style:Dressage
Competitor:Rated
Quality:
5 of 5
5 of 5
Value:
5 of 5
5 of 5
"I bought this oil based on the recommendation of a very helpful customer care woman. Because all of my tack is black, I was fine with the fact that this oil will darken tack. It was great on some of my older black tack where it was no longer quite as black. The Hydrophane "re-blackened" the tack. I was thrilled. The oil does not leave sticky residue. I will never use another oil!"
 
Products related to my content
 
Review 4 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

Got the Job Done

March 29, 2013
Byjlockm
fromWV
I have used this product for:less than a month
Expertise:Intermediate
Riding Style:Eventing
Competitor:Local/Open
Quality:
5 of 5
5 of 5
Value:
5 of 5
5 of 5
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
"I purchased this with the hopes to darken a used french calfskin saddle that I had recently bought. The saddle was a mix between brown and orange, uneven from wear. All of my tack was a deep brown and I wanted this to match. It was a bit difficult to open ( something that could be resealed would be nice) but I ended up just poking holes in the top with a sharp screwdriver. The soft leather of my saddle ate this stuff up and produced a nice even color. After one coat the results were very prominent. I applied two coats to the flap, and three coats to the seat and knee rolls, as they started out more orange. Now, the saddle is one uniform shade, exactly what I had wanted."
My Photos
(click to see full-size image)
User submitted photo
 
Products related to my content
 
Review 5 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

Great product!

February 15, 2013
ByNoted
fromNew Hampshire
I have used this product for:1-3 months
Expertise:Expert
Riding Style:Hunter/Jumper
Competitor:Rated
Quality:
5 of 5
5 of 5
Value:
5 of 5
5 of 5
"This oil did exactly what I needed it to do. It darkened my saddle into a beautiful shade of chocolate brown and didn't harm the leather at all (and my saddle is calf and buffalo!). Very impressed... I even had my friend buy it to darken her saddle, she was so impressed with mine :)"
Review 6 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

Hydrophane products ROCK!

July 25, 2011
Bymyhorseskeeper
fromNewville, PA
I have used this product for:less than a month
Expertise:Intermediate
Riding Style:Hunter/Jumper
Competitor:Local/Open
Quality:
5 of 5
5 of 5
Value:
4 of 5
4 of 5
"I've been using Hydrophane oil for years, and this is the first time I've bought the darkening oil. I recently purchased a bridle w/o reins, and wanted to make my current reins match the new bridle. I put 2 light coats of the darkening oil on the reins, and voila - perfect match! It pains me to spend so much money on oil, but it truly is the best I've ever found!"
Review 7 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

Love this oil!

June 14, 2011
ByKelseyS
fromLansing, Michigan
I have used this product for:1-3 months
Expertise:Expert
Riding Style:Hunter/Jumper
Competitor:Rated
Quality:
5 of 5
5 of 5
Value:
5 of 5
5 of 5
"Best oil you can get. I have an oakbark colored Amerigo saddle, and have been using this to get it to a less orange color. Very pleased with it's effectiveness."
Review 8 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

Love this oil

March 21, 2011
ByDion
fromCT
I have used this product for:2-5 years
Expertise:Intermediate
Riding Style:Hunter/Jumper
Competitor:Rated
Quality:
5 of 5
5 of 5
Value:
3 of 5
3 of 5
"I love it. Provides the best protection for my leather"
Review 9 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

Does the Trick!

December 17, 2010
Bylovemymare
fromRiegelsville, PA
I have used this product for:1-3 months
Expertise:Intermediate
Riding Style:Trail Riding
Competitor:Non-competitor
Quality:
5 of 5
5 of 5
Value:
3 of 5
3 of 5
"While a little pricey, this oil does a great job darkening leather, while conditioning at the same time. Easy to apply."
Review 10 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
3 of 5
3 of 5

not impressive results

May 26, 2010
Byposey
fromsc
I have used this product for:less than a month
Expertise:Intermediate
Riding Style:Hunter/Jumper
Competitor:Rated
Quality:
3 of 5
3 of 5
Value:
2 of 5
2 of 5
"Great for softening but did not see a big difference in color."
Review 11 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

Worked Great!

May 17, 2010
Byhunterjumperjen
fromFL
I have used this product for:1-3 months
Expertise:Expert
Riding Style:Hunter/Jumper
Competitor:Local/Open
Quality:
5 of 5
5 of 5
Value:
5 of 5
5 of 5
"I bought a saddle on sale that was much lighter than I liked. I read the reviews on this product and decided to try it. I used about 8 coats (only about half the container) to get it to the color I wanted. The saddle looks great, like it has always been that color. Love this product, I will use it whenever I need to darken my leather."
Review 12 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

Money Saver!!

April 19, 2010
ByLongfieldFarm
fromWest Virginia
Expertise:Expert
Riding Style:Dressage
Competitor:Local/Open
Quality:
5 of 5
5 of 5
Value:
5 of 5
5 of 5
"I had a light colored bridle that at the time matched my saddle. I had to buy a better fitting saddle to fit my horse but the leather was darker and no longer matched the bridle. I loved the bridle so much and I really didn't want to shell out more money for a darker bridle so I gave this stuff a try. I bought it based on the reviews and I will admit I was skeptical. It did take several coats but within 3 days I had my bridle matching my saddle perfectly! It coated it evenly and wasn't spotty. I recommend applying it with latex gloves on so it doesn't stain your hands! Will definitely turn to this stuff again instead of buying new tack!"
Review 13 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
4 of 5
4 of 5

Protection and color change

February 15, 2010
ByJHogan
fromOregon
I have used this product for:less than a month
Expertise:Intermediate
Riding Style:Eventing
Competitor:Local/Open
"I have a dark, dark bay horse and struggled to find a dark brown or black close contact saddle for him. A) so it would look good and B) so I wouldn't have to buy a brown bridle and could just use my black dressage bridle. I found a chocolate brown saddle and got the Hydrophane Darking Oil to make it a little darker and to protect my investment from the sometimes rainy NW weather. The leather looks great after only one coat and I'm looking forward to putting another one or two on to take the redness out of the saddle."
Review 14 for Hydrophane Darkening Oil
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
5 of 5

Awesome product that every barn needs

July 1, 2009
Bycoppercreekperfhorses
fromBuckley, WA
I have used this product for:1-2 years
Expertise:Expert
Riding Style:Other
Competitor:Rated
Quality:
5 of 5
5 of 5
Value:
5 of 5
5 of 5
"A good friend turned me onto this incredible product. If you need to darken anything without worrying about blotchy uneven results, this is the product to wisk those worries away. I bought a new western show saddle and it wasn't quite the color I wanted. With all the tooling I knew it was going to be a chore. The Darkening Oil took care of it with ease. It's a gradual result but worth the time. Leaves the leather gorgeous but remember to condition it afterwards for a great look. Will never go without this product again!"