Need some holster cleaning help

[Crystal]

Hi All-

I was given this holster to replace a snap. I had to take the stitching apart to get to the snap and found this wonderful green gunk on the backside of the snaps. What would be the best way to go about cleaning this?

The holster is stamped 1944 and the leather is in fairly good shape, just a little dry. See anything wrong with giving it a good scrubbing with saddle soap, a rinse, air dry and a light coat of neatsfoot oil?

Thanks for the help!

Crystal

[MikePatterson]

Your on the right track crystal, something like BlackRock or any good oil cond. will be fine.

[tonyc1]

it's called Verdigris. It usually happens with brass and those snaps would be plated brass. I think vinegar will remove Verdigris, can't be sure of that, though.

Tony.

[Crystal]

Your on the right track crystal, something like BlackRock or any good oil cond. will be fine.

Thank you, Mike!

it's called Verdigris. It usually happens with brass and those snaps would be plated brass. I think vinegar will remove Verdigris, can't be sure of that, though.

Tony.

The green is gunky and greasy feeling. I will attack it with some vinegar and see how it goes. Thanks for the help!

Crystal

[Frank]

Just remember one important thing about vinegar. It needs to be neutralized after using it on leather. Vinegar by itself will remove bluing from a gun in about 5-10 minutes and it's not a good thing to use on gun leather without neutralizing.

Thank you, Mike!

The green is gunky and greasy feeling. I will attack it with some vinegar and see how it goes. Thanks for the help!

Crystal

[Crystal]

Just remember one important thing about vinegar. It needs to be neutralized after using it on leather. Vinegar by itself will remove bluing from a gun in about 5-10 minutes and it's not a good thing to use on gun leather without neutralizing.

Thanks Frank. Didn't think about that. I had read to use vinegar to get rid of mold, but don't remember seeing anything about neutralizing it afterward. I had seen where you need to neutralize the vinegroon and thought that was to stop the chemical process and help to eliminate the vinegar oder.

Crystal

[Hedge]

Thanks Frank. Didn't think about that. I had read to use vinegar to get rid of mold, but don't remember seeing anything about neutralizing it afterward. I had seen where you need to neutralize the vinegroon and thought that was to stop the chemical process and help to eliminate the vinegar oder.

Crystal

Crystal,

Why not try using some baking soda in water and scrubbing the green off with a toothbrush?

That should work without having the concern with the acid in the vinegar.

Hedge.

[Crystal]

Crystal,

Why not try using some baking soda in water and scrubbing the green off with a toothbrush?

That should work without having the concern with the acid in the vinegar.

Hedge.

Thanks, Hedge. I had that suggested to me last night. I think that is what I will try instead. I just don't want to ruin someone's 65 year old holster!

Crystal

[Hedge]

Thanks, Hedge. I had that suggested to me last night. I think that is what I will try instead. I just don't want to ruin someone's 65 year old holster!

Crystal

You're welcome.

(Hey, when do we get to see pics of your herd?)

Hedge

[Crystal]

You're welcome.

(Hey, when do we get to see pics of your herd?)

Hedge

The herd has been indulging in "spa" days. They are enjoying their mud wraps, so as soon as I can knock some of that off and get a little bit of a polish on them I will snap some pics! They need hair cuts too if I am going to do their school pictures.

Crystal