Col Del Rio Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Regarding caring for holsters after a match, what are the recommended treatments? Is there a spray to protect the leather? Thanks, Col. Del Rio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Depends on the leather. I have a 20+ year old Mernickle rig. I once asked him for a recommendation for something to treat it, and he said not to use anything, that the leather was sealed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tequila Shooter Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 After a match nothing, I just hang’ em up and let them dry. Usually a 2-3 times a year I’ll clean by washing with mild soap and water with a sponge (don’t get the leather soaking wet) to get the dust and dirt off. Then I use Leather Balm with Atom Wax, but there are a whole host of other things you can use. Keep in mind that leather is a skin and needs lubrication from time to time to keep it from drying out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Saddle soap and a toothbrush OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Sheridan Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Saddle soap and a soft brush, used correctly the leather never gets soaked. When done a light coat of Montana Pitch Blend leather conditioner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 I've used Pecards Antique Leather Dressing on both new and antique leather with good results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Hills Barb Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 We learned of some new products just last week. Check out the site uradus.com. The man selling it cleaned, conditioned, polished my boots. This stuff is nice and not like what we currently use which seems to be Kiwi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Kirkpatrick recommended good quality boot polish for mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 I throw mine on the floor of my gun room when I get home. Worked for almost 20 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shagbark Steve Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Lexol cleaner and KG Leather Kote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
"Big Boston" Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 I went completely old school and made my own wax. I use it to resurrect those really neglected holsters. Pure beeswax mixed 50/50 with real neatsfoot oil. Then it's back to the routine used by Michigan Slim. The holster in particular was a military copy of a M1916 and had shrunk well below 1911 size. Soaked for a minimum of 24 hours in water with some detergent. Then wet formed a 1911 wrapped in some paper and plastic wrap. Let it dry for several days. Applied my Big Boston Holster and Boot wax and it's been good since. It also works to burnish the rough side as well. Most holsters are soaked in liquified beeswax when made. Neatsfoot oil is a boot and harness protector. BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 OMG!!! I'm supposed to clean and condition my leather??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mongo, SASS #61450 Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 6 hours ago, Rip Snorter said: I've used Pecards Antique Leather Dressing on both new and antique leather with good results. This product is great for old dried out leather. I read somewhere that this is the product that the Smithsonian Museum uses on its leather exhibits. A gentle cleaning with quality saddle soap works for dirty leather. Some leather workers recommend Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner for dirty leather. I'm fond of Fiebing's carnauba cream. It's a mixture of a number of waxes. It gives leatherwork a nice polished look and helps with water resistance. It won't darken the leather. Apply it after you've cleaned your leather with a glycerin saddle soap and the leather has dried. Honestly, unless your rig gets super dirty, soaking wet, or has some serious salt/sweat stains, you really don't need to do anything with it except hang it up so your holsters don't get crushed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Haven't encountered a bad Fiebings product. Have used Lexol, very good but it can soften a bit. I had a couple of antique holsters and belts the Pecards reconditioned pretty well and seemed to stabilize them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 I clean with saddle soap, just a little. Condition with Pecards Leather Dressing. On holsters, boots, slings, etc. Have done that for 40+ years and nothing has dried out in NM yet. good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawdog Dago Dom Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 The old police academy trick was if you heard a surprise inspection was coming you sprayed down your leather with Lemon Pledge. It has some wax in it to repel water and really shines up. This is on new leather in good condition. After graduation academy staff said they knew if we figured out an inspection was coming because they could smell lemons down the hall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Just now, Lawdog Dago Dom said: The old police academy trick was if you heard a surprise inspection was coming you sprayed down your leather with Lemon Pledge. It has some wax in it to repel water and really shines up. This is on new leather in good condition. After graduation academy staff said they knew if we figured out an inspection was coming because they could smell lemons down the hall. Hah! Don't forget Simonize on the revolver. Clean, dry and wax. The piece glittered and nothing would stick to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Armor-all makes some wipes for leather. Works well on jackets, boots anything leather for a quick wipe down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.K. Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 I use Lexol products they have a cleaner and a conditioner that works very well. I learned of these products from a ranch hand at President Reagan's ranch. This was all "the Gipper" used on all his leather goods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waxahachie Kid #17017 L Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Use a leather dressing specifically made for leather. The Smithsonian uses Pecard leather dressing, for their leather, both new, and antique. Pecard's moisturizes the leather fibers, and doesn't dry them out. Remember, saddle soap is just that...SOAP...and alone it can dry out the leather fibers over time. IF you use saddle soap, follow that up with Pecard's. You want to moisturize the leather fibers, NOT dry them out!!! If they get dried out the leather will get stiff, and could crack. After an event, when you are done shooting, and ready to put up your leather...wipe down the leather with a damp (not wet) cloth, and then apply the Pecard's by hand. Work/message it into the leather. The heat of your hands, and the Pecard's leather dressing, will work into the leather fibers, and keep them moist and swelled. NEVER use products that are not made specifically for leather!!! (this is the part that I usually emphasize with a Navy cuss word!) Never use: butter, transmission oil, axle grease, crisco, olive oil, corn oil, wesson oil, vasoline, vicks vapo-rub!!! Some use neatsfoot oil, but...I have seen, first-hand, what that can do to leather. Avoid using that. As the name implies, it is an "oil"...it is not a "conditioner". Do not put an "oil" on leather. There ya go. My experiences from messing with leather since 1964. Take it or leave it. My Two Bits. W.K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 3 minutes ago, Waxahachie Kid #17017 L said: Use a leather dressing specifically made for leather. The Smithsonian uses Pecard leather dressing, for their leather, both new, and antique. Pecard's moisturizes the leather fibers, and doesn't dry them out. Remember, saddle soap is just that...SOAP...and alone it can dry out the leather fibers over time. IF you use saddle soap, follow that up with Pecard's. You want to moisturize the leather fibers, NOT dry them out!!! If they get dried out the leather will get stiff, and could crack. After an event, when you are done shooting, and ready to put up your leather...wipe down the leather with a damp (not wet) cloth, and then apply the Pecard's by hand. Work/message it into the leather. The heat of your hands, and the Pecard's leather dressing, will work into the leather fibers, and keep them moist and swelled. NEVER use products that are not made specifically for leather!!! (this is the part that I usually emphasize with a Navy cuss word!) Never use: butter, transmission oil, axle grease, crisco, olive oil, corn oil, wesson oil, vasoline, vicks vapo-rub!!! Some use neatsfoot oil, but...I have seen, first-hand, what that can do to leather. Avoid using that. As the name implies, it is an "oil"...it is not a "conditioner". Do not put an "oil" on leather. There ya go. My experiences from messing with leather since 1964. Take it or leave it. My Two Bits. W.K. The next day, or before a match, you may want to wipe down the leather with a clean cloth if a little of the Pecard's remains on the surface of the leather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 Hang it up by the Buckle so it can dry out if hot out. Couple of times during the year, take Mink oil rub it in. Hang backup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Burr, SASS#12614 Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 I've used Renaissance Wax with good success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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