Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh verdigris!

2hawk

2hawk

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Anybody know the BEST way to remove verdigris from brass leather fittings?

I was rummaging around in my leathergoods dept. (I'm sure you all some version yourselves), and I pulled out a nice Galco / Jackass SH that I've had for many years, but haven't used for quite awhile. I was appalled to see A LOT of the nasty green stuff on a lot of the snaps and Chicago screws.

I know there's probably no magic available, but if anyone has some good tips on getting rid of and keeping verdigris away from my leather I would appreciate it greatly!

TIA
 
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You are right in that there is no magic solution. For heavy accumulation,I use alcohol wipes to remove the majority of it and then a dental pick to get into the tight spots around the screws and into the snaps.
f.t.
 
fat tom is correct. Its a real problem for unused leather in my opinion. I have never had verdigris on my leather that is used day-to-day. I am not certain on how to keep it off stored leather as I have to check leather stored regularly and clean it to keep it free of the green goo. I just scrape it off each time I go into my unused leather boxes.
 
Yep, looks like thinking the silicate crystal bags would take care of the climate control was a mistake. Thank you for the replies- in my panicked web searching I've seen white vinegar, alcohol, baking soda solutions, etc. all suggested. But it looks like the tried and true is picks, or some sort of wood implement to scrape, and swabs to finish up. Looks like a full evening :(

Boy, I HATE VERDIGRIS!
 
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One thing that I do with some success so far, is after removing as much of the verdigris as possible, I wax the screws and snaps. I take Ren Wax and force as much as I can around the screws and snaps as I can. I then heat the surrounding area with a hair dryer to melt the wax and cause it to flow even more around the metal parts.

It seems to have worked pretty well so far. Time will tell. I am sure turnerriver probably has to deal with more of this than most of us. Maybe he has some secrets to share.:)
 
Wood toothpicks and a toothbrush. Anything harsher, including metal tools and/or chemicals (alcohol, vinegar, etc.), is going to score the brass and damage the leather adjacent to the brass.

The trick is to remove the verdigris completely the first time. If you leave only a tiny bit, it tends to spread again quickly but when fully removed, it takes awhile to establish itself again. Use the toothpick to swipe deeply under snaps and such, you may have to do it dozens of times before all of it's removed. You need to get down below where you can't see, that's usually where the deepest and the start of the verdigris is located.
 
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Try Hoppes #9 on Qtips. It does make it fiz and go away. I'm thinking there is no magic wand that will make it not come back. I try separating my more loved holsters by putting them in ziplock bags by themselves. That's also a pretty good prevention for the ugly mold that sometimes appears. If its anything contageous, isolating them helps. And if you want to test various things like silca gel, you can get a comparison. Good luck.
 
I work a verdigris farm, always a new crop coming in. Everybody has it right although I have yet to try Hoppe's. I do use dental picks, also toothpicks, bamboo skewers, tooth brushes and anything else I can lay my hands on. I try to get to a holster once every 6 months but once a year is probably more accurate. I'll pull a tub out while I'm watching tv or put the ear buds in and listen to music. I've hoped for a motivated teenager like I once was- I cleaned a lot of guns learning from the collectors who taught me when I was a youngster but I haven't found one yet.
Sorry- got to get back to the north 40 and harvest some more.
Regards,
turnerriver
 
I don't think I would try Hoppe's. It is a solvent on copper and brass, that's why it's used to clean guns. I know when I leave a patch with Hoppe's on my brass jag it causes the same green growth on the jag.
Just my $.02
 
Man, I can only imagine...

turnerriver said:
I work a verdigris farm, always a new crop coming in. ...
Sorry- got to get back to the north 40 and harvest some more.
Regards,
turnerriver
Click to expand...

Having been privileged to see some of your great collection, my hat is off to you on the vigilance and effort required to maintain it.

If I find a magic cure I'll be sure to post it, but right now I am laying in a stock of bamboo skewers and clean patches. Uuuuuggghhhh!
 
turnerriver said:
I work a verdigris farm, always a new crop coming in. Sorry- got to get back to the north 40 and harvest some more.
Regards,
turnerriver
Click to expand...

That is funny. With as many holsters as you have, if you don't have a secret, there is none!

If you could find another use for your harvested verdigris, you would be a richer man!:D
 
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