Restoring a holsters luster.

[stitch45]

Resolene and Mop & Glo have a lot in common it would not surprise me that they come from the same manufacturer. The ammonia in them cuts the oil and that is why they hold up on oiled leather. But Neatsfoot oil has a smell that some of my customers have complained of and it takes a few days if not weeks to lighten up in color after application.

The folks suggesting shoe polish don't wear white shirts or pants either. Ever see the butt of someone using shoe polish on a saddle? Leatherwise nothing wrong with it the oils in shoe polish and shoe paste are good for the leather but remember the black marks on your momma's floor on Sunday morning after ya all polished your shoes for church.

Order from Springfield Leather or Tandy online and you can get anything you need in your mailbox in 2 or 3 days. Save an oil well by not driving all over looking for something not made for the purpose.

I do have a wholesale account with Tandy just in case, there is one in phoenix but I get most of my supplies like that form Panhandle leather supply in Texas, They are closer to me and their wholesale prices on oils and such are way better.
For 30 years I've never used any Neatsfoot oil other than 100% pure, no "Compounds" never had a problem, But I do occasionally use EV Olive oil on saddles, all depends.
I always heat oil to a minimum of 90 degrees and oil by hand light coats one at a time and get good results.
Ha, I like this ... Who say's you cant teach an old dog ( Me) new tricks. always enjoy hearing how others do things, Any day I can learn some thing is a good day.

 

[x-cop]

Saw your post and I have been working with making holsters now for over 40 years. One with a holster that is aged you will prob never get the original high gloss finish it came with. Handling leather and transferring oils from your skin changes the composition and leather will soften also with use. Not all bad. Getting it really clean important and using proper component for this important. As one post said do not use Neats foot compound only pure Neats foot. Lexall and Mink oil in my opinion good to maintain leather. A good neutral wax is good way to polish. I don't recommend liquor thinner to clean the leather as some do use this. If you have access to a good buffing wheel designed to polish leather great. Buffing by hand will not give you the same effect.
The surface type of applications that Tandy offers is a temporary fix and in my opinion not quality way to go. I like Lexall products for cleaning and conditioning because it is non toxic and works.
Another opinion, hope this helps
Also you might go on line and check out best way to condition and polish leather furniture for add tips and products.

 

[Protected One]

Saw your post and I have been working with making holsters now for over 40 years. One with a holster that is aged you will prob never get the original high gloss finish it came with. Handling leather and transferring oils from your skin changes the composition and leather will soften also with use. Not all bad. Getting it really clean important and using proper component for this important. As one post said do not use Neats foot compound only pure Neats foot. Lexall and Mink oil in my opinion good to maintain leather. A good neutral wax is good way to polish. I don't recommend liquor thinner to clean the leather as some do use this. If you have access to a good buffing wheel designed to polish leather great. Buffing by hand will not give you the same effect.
The surface type of applications that Tandy offers is a temporary fix and in my opinion not quality way to go. I like Lexall products for cleaning and conditioning because it is non toxic and works.
Another opinion, hope this helps
Also you might go on line and check out best way to condition and polish leather furniture for add tips and products.

Thank you all so much! It was a Lexall product that I used to clean it. I also have some Lexall Leather Conditioner. Think I will apply a coat before giving it another treatment of neutral polish and brushing.

 

[HCH]

Would you be so kind as to take before and after pictures?

Thanks.

 

[koz5614]

I use Kiwi shoe polish on all my holsters. Their "Parade Gloss" is phenomenal for black leather.
Here's a Safariland #28 holster for a 2-1/2" K frame. It was pretty beat up and had blue ink all over the front of it. I took leather cleaner and cleaned it up, but was left with a dull finish.

After one coat of Kiwi Parade Gloss:

I scored this bizarre DeSantis rig in a junk holster box at gun show:

After two coats of Parade Gloss:

 

[Larry69RT]

You want to be careful using shoe polish, especially black and especially if you have a vehicle with light colored seats.

Don't ask me how I know.

 

[trbl4u2]

Do members of the younger generation have a clue what that is?

It seems some of the younger generation might very well know what show polish is! I would say that most former military (no matter what branch) definitely knows what shoe polish is! The ole "spit shine". Something that I use on my holster's that have a "gloss" finish to them is what we use to waterproof leather boots with, it is called "Bear Grease". I have never seen it at any stores, even the local cobbler had no idea what it was when asked, but you can find it online. Use it sparingly and rub it in good and then use a nice horsehair shoe brush to bring it to a luster.
That is my 2 cents and now I am broke!

 

[-db-]

Here's one of my better "before and after" jobs, used nothing but a rag dampened with water to clean the piece and some black Kiwi to bring it back to life: http://smith-wessonforum.com/gun-le...ger-holster-identification.html#post138544329