Leather cleaning help please.

[relic]

I have done a little leather rehabing. I've softened and made useable some old scabbards and holsters but this is a different project. I have a light colored tan holster with dirty edges and some stains around snaps and rivets.

I searched and read about Blackrock Leather N Rich and Pecard's and others, but I don't find "useage" descriptions. Will those products lift dirt and minor stains? Do they darken light colored leather?

I have used alcohol to lighten stains but that gives leather a bleached look. Even good quality saddle soap darkens light colored leather and I don't want that. I tried to clean up an heirloom H.H.Heiser and it came out really dark and I was very disappointed.

How can I clean and restore leather without making it darker?

[litauer]

Lexol will do it. It's available at Ace Hardware stores, among others. I use it on my old gun cases.

[Marshwheeling]

In my experience, saddle soap darkens leather temporarily, but it lightens up again soon enough.

I never heard that Lexol cleans leather, and the bottle (the one I am looking at right now) makes no such claim. But I don't know of a better conditioner.

So my answer is: saddle soap, followed by Lexol.

That is the advice my saddlemaker ex-BIL gave me, as well as the guy who repairs my motorcycle leathers, and the local shoe repair guy.

[chief38]

When I first started carrying I fancied the natural tan color leather but as time went on I realized that boring black was better because it blends in better with my clothing. If for instance you bend and your shirt rides up temporarily exposing the bottom of your holster, black will not scream out like tan does. Black will also age and wear better, and all that is ever needed is a quick Kiwi "shoe-shine" and it looks great once again.

You might want to consider dying it black - a good old time Shoe Maker should be able to help you out; just a suggestion............

Chief38

[Pete99004]

I use Murphy's Oil soap - don't know for sure if it will darken your project...haven't seen it do that with anything I've used it on, but it works well - small brush (toothbrush works well) and then dab the area with a clean damp cloth to remove any excess. I'd try a small area on the back side first to be sure it doesn't darken the leather your using it on.

Hope this helps.

Pete

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by chief38

When I first started carrying I fancied the natural tan color leather but as time went on I realized that boring black was better because it blends in better with my clothing. If for instance you bend and your shirt rides up temporarily exposing the bottom of your holster, black will not scream out like tan does. Black will also age and wear better, and all that is ever needed is a quick Kiwi "shoe-shine" and it looks great once again.

You might want to consider dying it black - a good old time Shoe Maker should be able to help you out; just a suggestion............

Chief38

I make my own holsters and I've started dyeing them black for that very reason.
I get my supplies from, Leather Unlimited Corp-Friendly Service and Quality Leather for over 40 years they might have something you can use.

[Lee Barner]

+1 on the lexol. lee

[bamabiker]

I have always heard that Pecards was very good but never bought any. Then I read on here about Blackrock Leather and Rich and saw some for sale at a gun show so decided to give it a try. It's very good stuff.
From the jar..."Blackrock's unique formulation is colorless to enhance all leather tones, is easy to use, economical. Genuine carnuba wax buffs easily to a shine. Cleans, nourishes, beautifies all leathers (except suede, naked leathers, unfinished leathers, and glazed lambskin) all colors to a rich mellow glow.
Directions: (Use Sparingly) Remove excess dirt. Familiarize yourself with Blackrock by first applying to small inconspicuous spot for satisfied results. Using fingertips apply a very small amount of Blackrock evenly, allowing to permeate entire article. Take a paper towel and rub entire article, LIFTING OUT DIRT and excess Blackrock. Buff with a polishing brush and shine cloth for higher luster."

[DeadAye]

Originally Posted by Pete99004

I use Murphy's Oil soap - don't know for sure if it will darken your project...haven't seen it do that with anything I've used it on, but it works well - small brush (toothbrush works well) and then dab the area with a clean damp cloth to remove any excess. I'd try a small area on the back side first to be sure it doesn't darken the leather your using it on.

Hope this helps.

Pete

!!! DON'T DO IT !!!

The stuff tastes horrible !!!
And even after a month the taste is still there.
My wife won't kiss me anymore - Heck, my dog won't either.

Man, I can't wait till this toothbrush is worn out and I can get a new one, but this one's only 3 years old - so it's gonna be a while...

[relic]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm learning from this thread to distinguish between naked leathers and finished (hard or slick) leather. The products that are good on garmets and upholstery like Lexol seem not to be what I need for tooled gun leather with exposed grain. That's where the darkening is worst.

The Murphy soap will get a trial but directions on my bottle have it so diluted that I have little expectation of penetrated dirt removal. (1/4 C per gallon).

I need to get some Blackrock and Pecards and experiment some more.

Thanks

[bamabiker]

This question has come before and so I decided to do a little test of Blackrock Leather and Rich.
Here are 2 scrap pieces of leather dyed with different dyes. The right side of each piece has been treated with Blackrock. See what you think.



The treated sides have a softer and smoother feel and also a little more shine. It did not darken either significantly.

[amazingflapjack]

I think Lexol makes both a conditioner and a cleaner.

[relic]

bamabiker: Excellent post! I can sure live with the minor darkening you show with the Blackrock. Thx for the visual. I'm off to find that stuff.

I also did some reading on various "tack and harness" websites. Many endorse the both the Muphy Oil Soap and Lexol & Lexol Cleaner. flapjack got that part too.


My plan is now to try cleaning with Muphy and warm water. If that is not satrisfactory, I'll step up to Lexol Cleaner. I'll finish with Blackrock.

Thanks to both.

[Pete99004]

Hope all works out well - be sure to keep us in the loop on the results you get.


Thanks,

Pete

[Rule3]

Here is another thread

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/...g-leather.html