Treating a holster that is a bit mushy?

[Malcolm P.]

Just got a holster that seems a bit mushy. I think it has had neatfoot oil or something similar applied. How does one go about treating for this?

[John Sabato]

This is a difficult situation... but you can remove excess oil or other liquid contaminants from the holster by filling it with Cat Litter (make that CLEAN and DRY Cat Litter) <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> and then placing the holster in a small bucket and filling the bucket with the same material. Let it sit for a few weeks in a warm dry place and the dry material will leech the oils out of the holster. When you retrieve the holster, dump out all the cat litter material and clean with compressed air, and a dry shoe buffing brush. It won't be new, but at least the excess oil will have been removed from the leather and won't continue to soften it. The nice thing is that this process is completely non-destructive... AND you can still use the cat litter for it's intended purpose

I know that our member 'GT' used this process to salvage a hardshell holster not too long ago that had previously had some type of oil generously applied to it...

Good Luck... and let us know how it works for you.

[Bob Tracy]

What type of Cat litter the clay or the clumping? It would seem that some of the litter now made has chemical additives in it.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Bob, I have used the cheap non clumping litter but be sure it has no perfume added! Any cheap clay litter will do. It might take several months... Jerry Burney

[John D.]

Ummm...

What I've used is "Speedi-Dry" which is "kitty litter" on steroids for car mechanics who spill oil on their garage floor (not that I WOULD DO THAT!!! ) You can buy a 50lb bag for about $7 at most FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Store). And no - no perfume included, as most mechanics and their shops "smell sweeter then a daisy"....

After you use about 2 lbs. for your holster - you can use the other 48 pounds to hold a block party for all the neighborhood kitty's...

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

John D.

[lugerholsterrepair]

John makes a good point. I thought about garage floor absorbant but was not aware it was any better than kittie litter.

One other thing I forgot to mention...this treatment may not improve on the mushy flexibility of the leather. It will certainly remove some of the oil but chances are if it is mushy now it will stay that way as the leather fibers have been broken or are sliding past one another and are no longer fixed in place.

Let us know how it turns out! Jerry Burney

[Malcolm P.]

It is not heavily saturated, but noticeably has been oiled and shoe polish applied. It is more flexible than my WWI holster and about to the same level as my Western holster for my Ruger .45 Vaquero. Been thinking about it and have thought of the following as possible other treatment options:
1) Heating to relatively low temperature in oven to help evaporate the oil out (150F-170F).
2) Wipe it down gently with cloth soaked in alcohol to help leach out the oil.
3) Wipe it down gently with cloth soaked in acetone to leach out the oil.

These are simply thoughts I have kicked around today after receiving the holster. I can not think how any of these methods will really harm the leather. Using kitty litter does not sound like it does anything like really leaching out the oil, which is what I want to do. Has anyone tried any of these methods?

[Navy]

Hi Malcolm,

Heat, alcohol and acetone will only hasten the distruction of the leather. I would avoid all of those techniques.

Tom A.

[John Sabato]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by John Sabato:
<strong>
I know that our member 'GT' used this process to salvage a hardshell holster not too long ago that had previously had some type of oil generously applied to it...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">that's my story and I'm stickin' to it... here is the original thread:

http://forums.lugerforum.com/cgi-bin...=000140#000001

GT? if you are listening... how about relating the story first hand... and giving us an update?

[lugerholsterrepair]

Malcom, Boil it and eat it, it's your holster. The idiot who put oil on it had some of the great ideas you are now having.

Vintage leather is not something to be treated so cavalierly. It does not respond well to these harsh chemicals or heat. Neither does your skin which is pretty much the same thing.

The oil will be extracted from the holster with kittie litter. Never all of it but enough to make a big difference.

The collectors here have given you good advice and Tom armstrong has more leather and experience with it than a hundred others I know.

You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.....Jerry Burney

[Malcolm P.]

Jerry,

I plan on following the advice! Just wanted to know if my thoughts represented anything like a worthwhile option. I was not about to try anything until I knew what would be the best approach that won't ruin the leather or cause more problems! The link on GT and the information in the general section was very helpful. Thanks for the advice.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Malcom, Good Man! Let us know the results...Jerry Burney