Pad Life was developed to help eliminate sticking pads and clean the tone holes of the 'waxy build up' that happens with leather pads. The philosophy of Pad Life is to keep the 'pores' of the leather clean and open so that the moisture can pass through the leather into the felt backing and backout... which will extend the life of the pads. Other types of products seem to want to prevent the moisture from getting 'into' the pad...but that seems to be the way a pad is made. This product will not make the pad gummy, one can not use too much of it or use it too often. Within an hour, the pad will be back to it's color, being dry and leaving the leather more softer and flexible without changing the 'seat' of the pad.