Help, Please....removing Saddle Soap Residue?

[hestes]

I have been working on a pancake holster for a customer that didn't want the leather dyed, only oiled and finished. While burnishing my edges, I guess I left a little bit of saddle soap on the leather long enough that it discolored some spots. Is there any way to get that off? I didn't want to apply more water to leather unless that would allow me to get those spots off...I'm hoping I didn't ruin this thing.

Edited September 15, 2013 by hestes

[Red Cent]

I believe you may have to go the water thing. I find that a rough cloth removes the viual spots but spreads the soap. I use a small soft bristle brush and .....wait for it....wait.......water. I burnish with beeswax/parafin and I use the brush and slightly soapy water.

The use of a leather cleaner is usually used with a damp rag and that puts you baxck to square one.

Hope someone else tells us another way.

[hestes]

I believe you may have to go the water thing. I find that a rough cloth removes the viual spots but spreads the soap. I use a small soft bristle brush and .....wait for it....wait.......water. I burnish with beeswax/parafin and I use the brush and slightly soapy water.

The use of a leather cleaner is usually used with a damp rag and that puts you baxck to square one.

Hope someone else tells us another way.

Thanks, Red Cent. I'm fine with using the water, but I didn't want to just jump in and try it if was going to make matters worse. I feel like I still have so much to learn. I appreciate the reply!

[Red Cent]

Learn? You and I both gal. Kinda like chess. You can learn to play in a day but you learn how to play the rest of your life.

[hestes]

Learn? You and I both gal. Kinda like chess. You can learn to play in a day but you learn how to play the rest of your life.

So true!

[chiefjason]

That residue is one of the reasons I have moved over to mostly Gum trag for burnishing. I may use a 50-50 beeswax/paraffin block too. The white saddle soap is not as bad as the yellow.

If you have not oiled it yet, the oil will darken the leather up and may help hide the boo boo as well. It's not about being perfect. it's about fixing the mistakes you make. Good luck.