|
|
10-30-2023, 10:53 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 95
Liked 484 Times in 130 Posts
|
|
Getting Green Gunk Off Leather
I've received an old but nice leather rifle cartridge holder from my elderly neighbor. Unfortunately he left rifle cartridges in it for decades. The result is that wonderful green tarnish junk is on the leather loops that he had cartridges in. Is there a good way to remove the green gunk without harming the leather too much? Thanks.
|
10-30-2023, 10:56 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 4,389
Liked 3,375 Times in 961 Posts
|
|
I generally use a toothbrush to get it off and then shoe polish if it is finished leather or some leather conditioner if it is unfinished. Unfortunately it seems to me once you get it it keeps coming back. Maybe others will chime in with some better or permanent suggestions.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-30-2023, 10:56 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 37
Likes: 8
Liked 113 Times in 20 Posts
|
|
Saddle soap is all I have ever used on leather. It will clean and condition as well as anything.
Mike
|
10-30-2023, 11:01 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Colorado
Posts: 267
Likes: 289
Liked 295 Times in 138 Posts
|
|
I've used a soft brush (a used toothbrush works well) to get any surface verdigris off, then saddle soap, on a couple old holsters. It may not take all the green out, but it's been good enough for my purposes. Note that the saddle soap may soften the leather.
|
10-30-2023, 03:34 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,856
Liked 747 Times in 159 Posts
|
|
Verdigris
Verdigris is a greenish-blue substance that forms on the metals copper, brass, and bronze after they have been left in wet or damp conditions (or, in this case, contact with tanned or treated leather.) Nickel plated cartridges usually don't cause this reaction.
__________________
Lee Erickson
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-30-2023, 10:30 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 2,177
Likes: 5,723
Liked 1,685 Times in 933 Posts
|
|
My little majic solution is to rub it off with my wife's laundry dryer sheets. It seems to rub off easily, and also works with the white mold that sometimes forms on leather holsters.
__________________
Kevin in Oregon
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-31-2023, 07:47 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 95
Liked 484 Times in 130 Posts
|
|
Thanks all, I'll try some of your advice and see what happens.
|
10-31-2023, 08:29 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 21,164
Liked 7,109 Times in 1,990 Posts
|
|
Isopropyl Alcohol, A.K.A. Rubbing Alcohol will take it right off.
__________________
Dave Brown
SWCA #3279
|
10-31-2023, 08:54 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 37
Liked 5,413 Times in 1,756 Posts
|
|
Here's some blasphemy for you -- WD-40 not only takes it off but keeps it off.
Ssshhhh... don't let anyone know I said something good about it...
__________________
Pisgah
Last edited by Pisgah; 11-01-2023 at 03:50 PM.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-31-2023, 10:45 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 7,518
Likes: 19,273
Liked 32,340 Times in 5,474 Posts
|
|
I recommend club soda used in small amounts with a piece of old towel material, then allow the leather to dry thoroughly and seal with a bit of neutral shoe polish.
Using the leather loops to carry cartridges is fine for the hunting season, but leaving them in the loops for months at a time guarantees a recurrence of verdigris.
__________________
Life of the party until 8:00PM
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-31-2023, 01:08 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Southside
Posts: 919
Likes: 280
Liked 1,278 Times in 417 Posts
|
|
a hot dryer will kill mold,and Pure Murphy oil soap on rag for wipe down. Heat kills the white mold fast .And green wipes off with Murphy on rags cleans it off.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-31-2023, 01:32 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 21
Liked 2,097 Times in 572 Posts
|
|
All good suggestions, I'll just add Ballistol also makes short work of it, and it's good for the leather too.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-31-2023, 02:20 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 624
Likes: 492
Liked 636 Times in 291 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pisgah
Here's some blasphemy for you -- WD-40 not only takes it off but keeps it off.
Ssshhhh... don't let anyone know i said something good about it...
|
Like any other tool, WD-40 works great when used as intended…
__________________
Richard
Last edited by RMFnLA; 11-01-2023 at 12:45 PM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-01-2023, 07:40 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 21
Liked 2,097 Times in 572 Posts
|
|
I'm with Richard, I don't bad mouth WD40. Been using it PROPERLY for over 40 years and wouldn't be without it.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-01-2023, 02:37 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 17,759
Likes: 7,836
Liked 25,615 Times in 8,661 Posts
|
|
More than likely, Verdigris will form around Brass snaps and brass cartridges left in leather carrier loops and pouches. If Verdigris does form, I use Isopropyl Alcohol, a sharpened Chop Stick (sharpen in a pencil sharpener) and a microfiber rag. That works well.
These days, I carry a Sig P365 and an extra magazine in a belt pouch so I no longer get any Verdigris. Most modern carry ammo is loaded into Nickel plated cases and so Verdigris is pretty scare these days. Brass ammo is a recipe for Verdigris and so if you have any choice in the matter - go with Nickel plated ammo cases.
Since I no longer use any holsters that utilize snaps, straps or brass metal hardware or Brass cartridges, Verdigris is pretty much a thing of the past for me. Old holsters are the worst culprits.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-02-2023, 09:51 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 95
Liked 484 Times in 130 Posts
|
|
Thanks again folks. I'll get it done.
|
11-02-2023, 04:08 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2006
Location: N. Ohio
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 9,355
Liked 2,709 Times in 991 Posts
|
|
Google Ballistol and read about it
__________________
Two Handguns every day
|
11-02-2023, 05:32 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: York County, VA
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 0
Liked 4,903 Times in 1,808 Posts
|
|
Please let us know what you came up with and what worked if you don't mind.
__________________
Why duck?? It's a 9mm!
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|