I have noticed some interest lately in cleaning up or rehabbing
holsters, so I thought I would share some of my "secrets".

1. Spray bottle with distilled water. I use total immersion if
the holster is extremely dirty or stinky, or if I plan to re-shape
the holster. But usually I just spray the holster lightly with
the distilled water. Distillation removes minerals and other
impurities from the water.

2. Then I use Dawn dishwasher liquid. Just a few drops are
sufficient. Dawn is used to clean the birds after oil spills, so
I figure it is strong enough, yet gentle enough for my gun
leather. I scrub with a kitchen sponge and work up a lather.
I use an old toothbrush to get into the deep carvings. I might
repeat this a few times, depending on what is coming off.

3. I use a microfiber cloth to wipe off the grime. It is quite
absorbant and it picks up the grime without scratching or
damaging the leather.

4. I use a hair dryer on the low-warm setting to dry the
holster. I know, I should let it set overnight and dry naturally,
but I am impatient. My Mama always told me to never put off
til tomorrow what you can do today. And at 83 I cant be too
sure I will be available tomorrow.

5. After drying, I massage BlackRock Leather 'N' Rich into
the holster. turnerriver gave me this idea a few years ago
and I have used it ever since with good results. I get it at
my local saddle shop for about ten bucks for a 4 oz. jar.
It is also available on-line.

6. After the BlackRock is good and dry, I buff the holster to
a shine with my shoe brush. Recently I was admiring the shine
on one of Red Nichol's holsters and asked him how he does it.
He uses Fiebing's Tan-Kote. So I got some at my local Tandy
store. About eight bucks for a 4 oz. bottle. I have been using
it lately. Just wipe it on and let it dry. It makes a nice shine.

Now, I have to go shopping and see if I can find another
holster that needs rehabbing. If I find something I will post
a before and after photo.

Attached Images

SAM_1175.jpg (114.4 KB, 108 views)

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

The above offers some good tips for leather cleaning. I for one am always ready to learn or try an improvement. Leather was never cheap and these days it surely pays to take care of it. New to me, I found some 'tack sponges' at my local Tractor Supply the other day. Another good addition to my leather care kit. A good vacuuming with attachments for truck/car detailing is also a good bet. THANKS!!
P.S.
I also put a bit of white vinegar in my spray bottle along with the distilled water, which by the way, is used in my little Lyman Sonic cleaner so it is always on hand as I buy it by the case of six gallon bottles.

Good Morning crazyphil,

Thank you so much for sharing your incredible useful knowledge. Your holster cleaning process has scientific validity.

Were you to go in business, you'd have holsters shipped to you rather than looking for 'em ;-)

I have to say, I never use any kind of hair dryer on leather. I just lay it in front of a small fan I keep on and let it air dry. I also never use hot air on any boots that get wet. I just stuff the with newspaper and let air dry on their own. Saved a very expensive pair of Tony Lama boots that got wet in a lake (another story ) with this method. JMHO

Great post. I've never done much besides wipe it clean with a cloth and apply Ren wax.

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Psalm 27:2

We call him 'crazy' for a reason. Just don't do any of this to a genuinely vintage holster, the wetting/drying can cause the leather to crumble (ask me how I know).

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Funny. I figure I have cleaned over 200 holsters and haven't had one
crumble yet. Maybe the one that was a problem for you crumbled for
some other reason.

You just have to quit trying to boil those Wessonhide holsters Red.
They are made of cardboard and they will crumble.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

I have a bottle of Lexol cleaner and one of Lexol conditioner. Both have worked well for their intended purpose. My leather for the bike has gotten soaked on many occasions and when I get home I clean/recondition it and have yet to see any kind of degradation in the leather after hours in pouring rain.

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

Sure it did :-). Well, I am only just learning about holsters.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

I just snagged a little floral carved J Frame holster with "dog ear" by
S. D. Myres. Pretty dirty so it should be a good before and after. Watch
for it here in a week or so. And thanks to all for your interest.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

After brief but fierce bidding I won the little S. D. Myres floral carved
holster with "dog ear". Any time I can get an S. D. Myres floral carved
holster for under sixty bucks I consider it a win. If you have read
RENOWNED GUN LEATHER you know my strategy.

The seller just "thought" it was by S. D. Myres because the printing inside
the little box, just above the stitiching, had worn off. Fortunately I have
other S. D. Myres holsters, including the model #624 shown below, so
I was able to compare the stitching and carving. I am sure it is by S.D.
Myres.

The first photo on the left is the subject holster, shown for comparison
with the model #624. Second from left is the back of the same two
holsters.

Third photo from left is after I performed the rehap steps outlined above.

Fourth photo is the back after the cleanup.

5th photo from left is the holster with my little Charter Undercover.
Sorry, but my S&W J Frames have no hammers. The belt is the famous
thirty dollar belt.

I think I got it "kinda right". Maybe Red will let us know.

You can click on the picture to enlarge and click again to
enlarge it more.

Attached Images

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	SAM_1179.jpg (165.5 KB, 47 views)
	SAM_1180.jpg (167.1 KB, 59 views)
	SAM_1181.jpg (198.8 KB, 45 views)
	SAM_1182.jpg (126.3 KB, 59 views)

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In Omnia Paratus