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Old 03-05-2010, 11:55 PM
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Default Advice needed on a Leather problem

Poking around in my storage locker I found a vintage Bianchi holster for a 6" K frame that I had put up a few years back. The first thing I noticed was a whitish 'mold' had appeared to have grown all over it. Very nasty looking and chalky feeling.
I bought the holster used probably 15 years ago and can't vouch if it had gotten damp before I owned it, but I do remember rubbing saddle soap into it at least once. None of the other holsters in the cabinet have this problem. I'm wondering if it stems from an initial problem with the tanning process or maybe at one time got damp and put up and now the mold is coming from the inside out.
I'm going to put it outside in the sunshine tomorrow in an attempt to kill the mold, but from there I'm at a loss as to what to do.
Does anyone have suggestions as to what I can put on this to stop this process or do you all think it is just a lost cause.
The leather itself feels kind of soft so I'm wondering if it has just been degraded to the point of no return.
Any help/advice is appreciated.
RD
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Old 03-06-2010, 06:15 AM
Stinger4me Stinger4me is offline
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I would try cleaning a small area with vinegar, mild acidic solution. If it removes the white substance you can clean the entire holster. Afterwards you could either polish it or use Neatsfoot oil on the holster. If you oil it you will never be able to put polish on it. It may have just been in a closed area with no air circulation and the white buildup was a result of that.
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Old 03-06-2010, 08:02 AM
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Default Advice needed on a Leather problem

A mixture of rubbing alcohol & water works as well-try it sparingly at first.The softening of the leather is not a good sign but you can't hurt it by trying.Try to remove the mold & then the sunlight sounds like a good idea.
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Old 03-06-2010, 10:59 AM
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Old 03-06-2010, 01:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turnerriver View Post
A mixture of rubbing alcohol & water works as well-try it sparingly at first.
+1. I bet somebody used an animal by-product like Mink Oil in years gone by. Isopropyl alcohol is dirt cheap at any grocery or drug store and works. Followed up by a good wax or specialty leather protectant from Lexol or Pecard.

Bob
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Old 03-06-2010, 08:29 PM
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Thanks all, it's been out in the sun all day (finally got some), I'll try the alchohol & H2O and see what comes of it. I think I got this in a box of stuff years ago and didn't pay a whole bunch for it, so if I have to write it off it's not that big of a deal, I just hate letting things like that go, as we all do.
Have a great Saturday night,
RD
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