leather rehab advice please

redcedars

July 25, 2003 16:17

I have accumalated some gun leather over the years, slings and cartridge belts, that while in good shape have been treated (over treated?) with neatsfoot oil or mink oil, etc. so that the leather is very dark. Is there a method for removing some of the excess, or lightening the leather?

redcedars

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  Der Gebirgsjager

  July 25, 2003 20:45

  Usually the question is, "What can I put on my dried out, cracked leather to make it soft and supple?" Sounds like you have just the opposite problem. I think you'd get favorable results by soaking the oily leather in a strong solution of water and dishwashing liquid soap, then scrubbing it with a stiff brush, rinsing the soap off, and letting it dry. You may then have to treat it again with a product like Propert's Saddle Soap to soften it, as it might stiffen when it drys.

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  gunut 1

  July 26, 2003 04:46

  cover it with oil zorb for a couple hours, it will draw out the oil..

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  redcedars

  July 26, 2003 08:15

  Thanks guys.
  
  Der G: I will try the dish soap process.
  
  gunut: oil zorb? Do you mean the kitty litter type stuff for spills? The problem isn't excess oil on the surface of the leather, but soaked into the leather. Can you be more specific? I'm willing to try just about anything that won't damage the leather.
  
  redcedars

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  Delta514

  July 26, 2003 09:43

  Pressure and Heat will separate Oil from leather as Oil Dry will absorb, I would apply all three. Then instead of Dish Liquid, Try Saddle Soap (you don't need to thourghly all of the Saddle Soap off, is good for the leather). Come back after it is completely dry and uses Carnuba Wax for natural Antique or Kiwi Shoe Polish for color, (Kiwi Peanut Brittle Color is excellent for this), Work the leather while washing, to open the grain for the saddle soap. [;)]
  
  Ronnie G. Perkins

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  redcedars

  July 29, 2003 06:33

  Well guys, I thoroughly cleaned one of the cartridge belts with dish soap and warm water, brushing and rinsing. Judging by the rinse water, I got a lot of stuff out of it. It did dry out and got stiff, so before it dried completely I washed it again with saddle soap.
  
  It does look better, but the color is still a dark chocolate (originally was tan, I think), so little or no lightening, although it is now a very even color and obviously much cleaner. Seems to still be holding oil. The cart loops are still a little dry after saddle soap and may actually need a little more treatment after it dries out completely.
  
  redcedars

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  Der Gebirgsjager

  July 29, 2003 07:21

  Thanks for the report back, redceders. As for the darker color....maybe it was a dark brown cow?[;)]

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  redcedars

  July 29, 2003 17:44

  Der Geb:
  
  Nah, it is a Hunter brand belt, and those were either light brown or dyed black.
  
  redcedars

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  Rhonda

  August 18, 2003 17:05

  Try naptha. Pulls oil/grease from most anything but be careful of the fumes. Wet the leather and if available pack in sawdust to hold the oil as its pulled from the leather. Rinse in soapy water, dry and oil.

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