What are some suggestions for keeping the Tefiliin Retzuos (straps) black? How can I prevent the Retzuos from needing to be painted and/or replaced?
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1Buy the two sided black retzous– SimchasTorahCommented May 8, 2011 at 22:10
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@SimchasTorah Believe it or not, I have the two-sided ones and they also have begun to lose their blackness...– yydlCommented May 8, 2011 at 22:17
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But yes, that is a nice suggestion. You should put it as an answer– yydlCommented May 8, 2011 at 22:17
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I was under the impression they are black all the way through– SimchasTorahCommented May 9, 2011 at 12:05
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4 Answers
Always keep one of those handy tefillin paint pens in your outer tefillin bag. Check them once a month for need of paint on erev Shabbos and repaint accordingly.
The only way to prevent retzu'os from ever needing to be repainted or replaced is to not wear your tefillin. Even then, due to lack of contact with your natural skin lipids they would become hard and brittle.
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1The only downside is that the pens dry flat and not shiny. But it is the easiest way.– YDKCommented May 9, 2011 at 12:28
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3There are pens, but there are also little jars of paint, much like white-out.– MosheCommented May 10, 2011 at 20:39
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Moshe, try getting those jars through security at an airport. Keeping it in your tefillim bag runs the risk of forgetting it in there when getting ready to travel.– YahuCommented May 11, 2011 at 6:49
buy the ones that are dipped in paint, this way they have the sides and back black, but most of all if some part get a little worn off the inside is black and not brown, since it was dipped the inside get colored too
I find that the specific leather used in the Retzuos seems to matter. The retzous that my dad got me with my tefillin at my bar mitzvah were very soft and supple, but the paint cracked and it was difficult to maintain.
The replacement pair I got have been pretty much maintenence free for the last 15 years or so.
I wish I knew how to describe the differences in real terms, but clearly there is a major difference.
If the all black retzuos have a kosher shade of black on the insides/sides and back then when the glossy black paint wears off (They put a layer of gloss over the painted top) a matte shade of black will be revealed. This is also a kosher shade of black. Be sure to choose a pair of retzuos in which the underside/sides/inside are black as if they aren't then there's no difference between these and the regular retzuos and the surface would require painting when the black paint wears off.
Leather that is too soft, while very comfortable, will stretch. Leather naturally stretches and paint doesn't so it will crack. Quality retzuos are 14-15mm wide. If they stretch to less than of 10/11mm wide they are bedieved and less than 9mm may e pasul. They commonly stretch at the point where they are tightened on the upper arm.
