Cleaning Rough Out Holsters

[bullseye]

I have a couple of holsters that have taken on a dingy dark appearance, anyone know of a cleaning product or technique for cleaning & lightning up rough out leather?

[NathanHale]

Saddle soap

[gregs]

As above and a brass brush for dirt and mud.

[bullseye]

Thanks fellas, I already tried the saddle soap/brush technique on a small area on the back of one & wasn't thrilled with the results...Just wondering if anyone here knows of an excellent product that restores rough leather to a like new appearance?

[magnumwheelman]

are you talking abraded areas that have a roughed up or swede appearance, or have they have just darkened over the years, from gun powder residue, oils & dirt???

if you have abraded areas that are rough, you might try spot burnishing those areas ( like is done on the edges ) I've never done it on the middle of a surface, so I'm not sure how that would blend in with the regular finish... I'm sure it will smooth the area, but color matching may be a challenge

[leftysixgun]

I know this sounds crazy, but Ive heard Ballistol works well to restore leather. I havent tried it yet.

[bullseye]

They have just turned a dirty looking brownish-gray color... I think it's just a mildew coating from being left out, as I'm in the humid Midwest & live in a heavily wooded area. Most of my other shuck's get stored in my humidity controlled safes & don't have that problem... I'm just looking to get them cleaned up & back to a more Tan color.

[magnumwheelman]

clean with saddle soap, & apply some tan colored dye to get them looking nice again???

[tdbarton]

I don’t know if this will help or hurt, but my rough-out combat boots get pretty messed up on a regular basis. I make a warm-water solution with just a few drops of laundry detergent. I use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the boots, then repeat the process with fresh water (no soap). I let them air dry and it generally cleans em up real nice.

That being said the life-expectancy of a pair of boots for me is maybe 12 to 16 months. I have no idea how this affects the leather long-term.

[Squatch]

I can't speak to rough out holsters but my RO boots get caked in mud from time to time. I clean them in the sink with running water and a stiff brush. Then let them dry naturally and re-apply a heavy coating of Obenaufs. It will darken it and won't come back fromnit but it will be uniform.

[bullseye]

I appreciate all the responses, I found an old piece of leather that's in about the same state & will give these suggestions a try & see what works best.

[potatojudge]

A pic might help.

Mildew should respond well to a bleach solution.

I agree with the brushing, but brass is likely to leave some colored residue behind. I'd go for a stiff bristled synthetic brush.

I start with a soap based cleaner, maybe just dish soap and water- spray, brush, blot with a towel, repeat. Wipe down with a damp cloth as a final step and brush for final textural restoration.

[dhd]

Treat them similarly to boots/shoes. Rough out boots are typically cleaned with a stiffer than horsehair brush that restores the knap. Pig bristle brushes are a good example.

I love leather shoes/boots/belts/holsters almost as much as nice guns and they are definitely a study to themselves. Give those holsters some love like you do your good boots.

If you might need to clean them with a relatively strong cleaner, remember to give them back some nourishment. To keep the color without to much darkening, Bick 4 is inexpensive, works well enough to be recommended by true boot nuts, and really doesn't darken the leather as long as you don't get crazy with it. Bick 4 is a conditioner, not a treatment like Obenauf's (which is also a fine product. Nick's boots!!!). Saddle Soap was mentioned and does a great job but will tend to darken a few shades for a time. I will spot clean a particularly dirty or stained area with an alcohol dampened clean rag on lighter colors. Use the pig bristle or suede brush before and after the cleaning and the rough out should look nice. Rough out is tough as nails and looks great in my opinion.