for the life of me, I cannot remember what this process is called.

also, what is the best way to clean it off without causing leather discoloration.

do you just wipe it off?

tia

Verdigris. The same thing occurs to cartidges stored in leather loops. I just use a sttiff nylon brush to clean the hardware. Coating with clear nail polish sometimes helps.

.....Verdigris is a vexing problem around great old holsters. It is a chemical reaction between the metal fitting and the leather and can if left untreated really mess up leather.
If you Google it you will find several methods for removal. Some use a tooth pick and rags and clean it off, others use some mixture using white vinegar.

Thanks......that's it.

I got some cleaning to do!

I've been told by collectors that verdigris is a sign of age that can't be faked and it should not be cleaned. I might gently brush some off with a toothbrush if the build-up is excessive, but I wouldn't do anything more to a collectable holster.

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"I also cook."

It will eat the brass over time!

they are Galco shoulder rigs that I have had in storage since the 90s.

I want to sell them.

Ask a Marine. For some reason they seem to be the experts on this subject.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474

Verdigris is a constant battle for me. I spread some newspaper on the coffee table & use dental picks & other implements to scrape it off onto a paper towel,usually while watching TV at night. I'm always pulling out the Rubbermaid tubs I store my holsters in & going over them-I think I probably go over each holster about once a year.Verdigris stains leather & will corrode brass;it seems to me that it grows more readily around brass & less so with nickel hardware.Some makers' leather seems to produce less-I generally have to clean my Myres leather less frequently than Heiser, for instance. No matter what,though, I'm constantly fighting verdigris.
Regards,
turnerriver
SWCA # 1426

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turnerriver

I think the amount of verdigris has a lot to with how the leather was tanned.

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Lost it all in a boat accident