Getting Green Gunk Off Leather

[The Preacher]

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.

 

[Baxter6551]

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.

 

[Headjar]

Saddle soap is all I have ever used on leather. It will clean and condition as well as anything.
Mike

 

[Liftrat]

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.

 

[Papa Lee]

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.

 

[Igiveup]

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.

 

[The Preacher]

Thanks all, I'll try some of your advice and see what happens.

 

[D Brown]

Isopropyl Alcohol, A.K.A. Rubbing Alcohol will take it right off.

 

[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...

 

[LoboGunLeather]

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.

 

[jeeps]

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.

 

[Patrick L]

All good suggestions, I'll just add Ballistol also makes short work of it, and it's good for the leather too.

 

[RMFnLA]

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…

 

[Patrick L]

I'm with Richard, I don't bad mouth WD40. Been using it PROPERLY for over 40 years and wouldn't be without it.

 

[chief38]

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 Preacher]

Thanks again folks. I'll get it done.

 

[haywood]

Google Ballistol and read about it

 

[fiasconva]

Please let us know what you came up with and what worked if you don't mind.