Leather Care

JLaw · Post by **JLaw** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:45 pm

Looks like Diode didn't get around to posting this question before he left work, so here goes...

Do leather holsters require any regular maintenance? I.E. cleaning with saddle soap, applying any special oil, etc.? Keeping the finish looking nice is one thing, but is there any chance for a leather holster to dry out and get ruined from lack of any maintenance?

JLaw

Mike1951 · Post by **Mike1951** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:06 pm

Holster makers have different ideas on this. If a quality holster bought from a top maker, I would suggest contacting them for care.

That said, it's a good idea to keep the interior clean. A toothbrush will remove particles that are abrasive to your guns finish.

If I have no instructions to the contrary, I use Lexol to keep them supple.

nemesis · Post by **nemesis** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 1:10 pm

Polish it with shoe polish but avoid the oils and liquids that can soften the leather and lose the shape.

Post by **Charles L. Cotton** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:26 pm

Mike1951 wrote:Holster makers have different ideas on this. If a quality holster bought from a top maker, I would suggest contacting them for care.

As nemesis said, several holster makers recommend shoe polish. By all means, keep them clean with a damp cloth and Mike's toothbrush suggestion is an easy way to clean the interior.

If you use an IWB during the summer, sweat will eventually deposit salt inside the holster, unless it has a sweat guard like the Milt Sparks #1 Heritage. It takes a while, but it will happen so be on the lookout. I know, it sounds crazy, but I saw my youngest son's IWB do just that. We were able to scrape out the salt with a knife.

Chas.

age_ranger · Post by **age_ranger** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:18 pm

When I was in the military there was a cleaner that would remove the salt form our boots. After sweating in them all day, no matter how much we polished them, they'd look terrible. So, after finding some of the salt remover, it made it easier to clean them up and polish them. I'm sure i'd probably use a neutral wax, but for now, I'm not doing anything to my holsters. I think Galco rocommends a light saddle soap for cleaning. Not sure about maintenance to keep them stiff though..........I figure if they last a few years, I can just replace them if they become unserviceable.