Cleaning The Meander/basket Weave Pattern

[rockinjleatherwork]

I have recently taken my leatherwork from a hobby to a second business and need some tips on cleaning saddles. I know all the basic steps to cleaning, oiling and conditioning leather. It seems that roping saddles use alot of meander and basket weave stamping. The problem I have is fully cleaning each and every groove of the stamping pattern. These saddles haven't ever been properly clean, so there is yellow residue deep in the grooves of the stamping. Any help or tips for cleaving this residue would be greatly appreciated.

[Chief31794]

I don't know much about saddles, but when I have basket weave to clean (crud in the grooves), I use Leather Balm with Atom Wax, dip an old soft toothbrush in it and then use it on the grooves, takes a little work to get to it but it will clean them.

Hope that helps,

Chief

[WyomingSlick]

It should be easier to do if you warm the surface with a hairdryer, or hot air gun, being sure not to overheat the leather and draw out the oils in the leather

[Grey Drakkon]

^ That's how we would clean up horse tack, a soft toothbrush and saddle soap, or sometimes q-tips to get into hard spots.

[cgleathercraft]

Buy the cheap brushes at the dollar store. Cut the bristles down by half to get into hard to reach places, this allows the bristles to fall into grooves a little easier when working between layers. I use Bee Natural Saddle Soap from Weaver. Works up a nice lather and pulls the dirt out of every nook and cranny!

Cleaned two breast collars with it, the first was caked on mud/sweat/grime from years of work and no maintenance. Getting between all the spots took forever. Really wish I had before and after pictures...only have the before ones. Customer ended up tipping me they were so thrilled.

The second was so thick with mold and grime it turned whatever it touched black instantly. Also did the reigns and bridle that matched it, all in about the same condition. Traded that work for a Pony saddle. Now I have 3 bridles, 3 sets of reigns, and 2 more breast collars to do for him.

[rockinjleatherwork]

Chief,

I have used the Leather Balm alot with saddles in the past, and had great results. However the depth of the tooling will not allow for a tooth brush brissels to get deep enough to remove the yellow residue. This is not ordinary dirt or mold that I'm dealing with. I always use compressed air before cleaning just to help break up and build up in tight areas. I've cleaned probably around 200 trophy saddles and this is first one that I've had this problem with. It's all most as if a pick is needed to get it out of the grooves. I think alot of it has to do with how the owner is storing the saddle and the fact that its used to go catch cattle every day (used like a borrowed mule).

Chris

[Grey Drakkon]

Oh I think I know that gunk that you're talking about, it's nearly tar-like! I'd be tempted to go in there with a dental tool and see if it can be picked out.

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

I've had this problem a lot. I think it comes from people applying conditioner, and in some cases, a saddle-lac type finish, over dirty leather. In other words, not bothering to properly clean the saddle before applying anything. There have been saddles I've had to go over entirely with a dental pick type tool, as mentioned above. This takes loads of extra time and should be charged for. Ordinarily I use a toothbrush and Lexol Leather Cleaner, along with plenty of water. There is just no way to do a decent job on really filthy horse equipment if you skimp on the water.

[rockinjleatherwork]

Yes Grey, it is tar like and a pain the *** to get out. Big Souix your are exactly right. Most cowboys just throw some oil on it and keep riding it. However they don't realize that oil just makes the grime bond to leather. Almost like adding glue to it. I did purchase two sets of fine picks Friday. Similiar to dental picks. Took one and cut the tip off, heated it and hammered out a small flat curved pick. I used the curved pointed one (similiar to the one that the dentist use) and the custom made one to clean the saddle groove. However, if I tell you a price I stick to it and didn't charge the owner any more for the extra 4 hrs of picking. Needless to say learned my lesson to inspect saddles in detail before I set a price. Thanks all for the help and suggestions.

[Grey Drakkon]

Bummer that you did all that extra work for naught, but I suppose it was a learning experience.