How to clean and store mauser sling

fourbore · January 25, 2018, 07:27 PM

I have an Swedish m96 with target aperture sight. I purchased an old 2 piece sling target type leather sling. The leather is worn but solid. The brass parts all have a waxy green muck. I like to clean, (not polish) the brass and then apply something like Mink Oil to the leather.

The questions are how to safety dissolve the green crap off the brass. A lot of that stuff is stuck down between the folds and stitching of the leather. The brass is clean under neath that stuff. I dont want to to experiment with solvents and end up damaging the leather. How to clean that out?

Then best way to restore and preserve the leather. "Best" being the operative word.

Thanks in advance,

burrhead · January 25, 2018, 10:42 PM

Brasso for the brass hooks and saddle soap for the leather. I'm not really familiar with mink oil; will it soften the leather?

Scorch · January 26, 2018, 12:04 AM

Clean the leather with saddle soap, then mink oil or beeswax to preserve its flexibility. Clean the brass with 0000 steel wool or copper wool. If you use Brasso on the brass hooks, you will probably get some on the leather and the ammonia in the Brasso can rot it.

fourbore · January 26, 2018, 06:58 AM

I will get some saddle soap and I have the Mink oil for use on my boots. I may have both. Good deal, thanks.

I do have some product to treat motorcycle seats. I dont know what the stuff is. It seems similar to mink oil. But I will stay traditional and safe.

The brass will clean up with a tooth brush. There is no tarnish. What ever was used on the leather has taken on the consistency of butter and turned green from the copper. The brass under all that is very clean. I am tempted to try some kind of oil to get inside the tightly stitched loops. There is a lot of that buttery green crap packed in the crevices of those loops. I was using a tooth pick and chinese chop stick to poke that out. I was wondering about Mineral Oil, the old time remedy for constipation. Not the paint thinner. While I am not recommendation it it should be taken orally, it is still used for dogs.

DT Guy · January 26, 2018, 07:20 AM

Mink oil will soften the leather; personally, I'd use Lexol for the leather, to condition it without a risk of getting it floppy.

Larry

tangolima · January 26, 2018, 11:15 AM

I don't like applying oil to leather, except for sofa or jacket, where softness is desired. For sling I use wax. Clear shoe polish or the renaissance wax.

-TL

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fourbore · January 26, 2018, 06:06 PM

Now, I am confused. I have Renaissance wax too.

Edit: Ok, I applied Renaissance wax. The sling went from a pleasing old brown to a very dark aged looking color. I dont know if I did the belt any good. I hope I did. It sure looks an extra 50 years older. It also seems like this will be staining my clothes. I tired to rub as much off as I could. The soft side faces the shooter. The gloss side is mostly folded toward the inside. Honestly, I wish I just left it alone.

tangolima · January 26, 2018, 09:20 PM

Sorry to hear that. Renaissance wax is clear. It shouldn't darken the color or stain clothings. I used it on slings and holsters. I should have asked you to try it on a small and hidden area first. My apology.

-TL

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fourbore · January 26, 2018, 09:42 PM

Not a problem. I think any substance would be absorbed into the felt like side.

it is way too cold to shoot outside prone. In a few months it will probably dry out some.

tangolima · January 26, 2018, 10:41 PM

I only apply the wax to the smooth side. Wait 20 min or so that wax dries up. There will be a slight haze on the smooth size of the leather. Then I wipe with cloth to polish. It is just like shining a pair of leather shoes. Never have had any problem.

-TL

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T. O'Heir · January 27, 2018, 01:16 PM

That waxy green muck is copper oxide from the copper in the brass coming out. Cleans with plain vinegar. Down between the folds is cleaned with a soft toothbrush.
Like Scorch says, use saddle soap on the leather then regular shoe polish.
Renaissance wax is just a brand name. Expensive stuff too.

shuvelrider · January 27, 2018, 09:30 PM

There is a natural product I have been using on all my leather goods, from holsters, cartridge belts, to the leather scabbard of the bayonet for the Model of 1917 rifle I have. It's called "Leather Lube" and is a moisturizer for leather, not a cleaner of any sort. It has no petroleum byproduct in it, so it will not rot your leather in time. Old leather dries out and some of the "cleaners" will degrade the old fibers of the animal hide, Leather Lube put moisture back in so the leather will loosen up, and remain pliable. I found it in the Miejer store chain, costs around $5 for a container. Let the item set overnight and the product will soak in.

January 25, 2018, 07:27 PM	#1
fourbore Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2015 Location: new england Posts: 1,159	How to clean and store mauser sling I have an Swedish m96 with target aperture sight. I purchased an old 2 piece sling target type leather sling. The leather is worn but solid. The brass parts all have a waxy green muck. I like to clean, (not polish) the brass and then apply something like Mink Oil to the leather. The questions are how to safety dissolve the green crap off the brass. A lot of that stuff is stuck down between the folds and stitching of the leather. The brass is clean under neath that stuff. I dont want to to experiment with solvents and end up damaging the leather. How to clean that out? Then best way to restore and preserve the leather. "Best" being the operative word. Thanks in advance,

January 25, 2018, 10:42 PM	#2
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	Brasso for the brass hooks and saddle soap for the leather. I'm not really familiar with mink oil; will it soften the leather? __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

January 26, 2018, 12:04 AM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Clean the leather with saddle soap, then mink oil or beeswax to preserve its flexibility. Clean the brass with 0000 steel wool or copper wool. If you use Brasso on the brass hooks, you will probably get some on the leather and the ammonia in the Brasso can rot it. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 26, 2018, 06:58 AM	#4
fourbore Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2015 Location: new england Posts: 1,159	I will get some saddle soap and I have the Mink oil for use on my boots. I may have both. Good deal, thanks. I do have some product to treat motorcycle seats. I dont know what the stuff is. It seems similar to mink oil. But I will stay traditional and safe. The brass will clean up with a tooth brush. There is no tarnish. What ever was used on the leather has taken on the consistency of butter and turned green from the copper. The brass under all that is very clean. I am tempted to try some kind of oil to get inside the tightly stitched loops. There is a lot of that buttery green crap packed in the crevices of those loops. I was using a tooth pick and chinese chop stick to poke that out. I was wondering about Mineral Oil, the old time remedy for constipation. Not the paint thinner. While I am not recommendation it it should be taken orally, it is still used for dogs. Last edited by fourbore; January 26, 2018 at 07:04 AM.

January 26, 2018, 07:20 AM	#5
DT Guy Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 958	Mink oil will soften the leather; personally, I'd use Lexol for the leather, to condition it without a risk of getting it floppy. Larry __________________ He who fights and runs away had better run pretty damn fast. Government, Anarchy and Chaos

January 26, 2018, 11:15 AM	#6
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,806	I don't like applying oil to leather, except for sofa or jacket, where softness is desired. For sling I use wax. Clear shoe polish or the renaissance wax. -TL Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

January 26, 2018, 06:06 PM	#7
fourbore Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2015 Location: new england Posts: 1,159	Now, I am confused. I have Renaissance wax too. Edit: Ok, I applied Renaissance wax. The sling went from a pleasing old brown to a very dark aged looking color. I dont know if I did the belt any good. I hope I did. It sure looks an extra 50 years older. It also seems like this will be staining my clothes. I tired to rub as much off as I could. The soft side faces the shooter. The gloss side is mostly folded toward the inside. Honestly, I wish I just left it alone. Last edited by fourbore; January 26, 2018 at 08:19 PM.

January 26, 2018, 09:20 PM	#8
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,806	Sorry to hear that. Renaissance wax is clear. It shouldn't darken the color or stain clothings. I used it on slings and holsters. I should have asked you to try it on a small and hidden area first. My apology. -TL Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

January 26, 2018, 09:42 PM	#9
fourbore Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2015 Location: new england Posts: 1,159	Not a problem. I think any substance would be absorbed into the felt like side. it is way too cold to shoot outside prone. In a few months it will probably dry out some.

January 26, 2018, 10:41 PM	#10
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,806	I only apply the wax to the smooth side. Wait 20 min or so that wax dries up. There will be a slight haze on the smooth size of the leather. Then I wipe with cloth to polish. It is just like shining a pair of leather shoes. Never have had any problem. -TL Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

January 27, 2018, 01:16 PM	#11
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	That waxy green muck is copper oxide from the copper in the brass coming out. Cleans with plain vinegar. Down between the folds is cleaned with a soft toothbrush. Like Scorch says, use saddle soap on the leather then regular shoe polish. Renaissance wax is just a brand name. Expensive stuff too. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

January 27, 2018, 09:30 PM	#12
shuvelrider Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2011 Location: West Coast of Michigan Posts: 132	There is a natural product I have been using on all my leather goods, from holsters, cartridge belts, to the leather scabbard of the bayonet for the Model of 1917 rifle I have. It's called "Leather Lube" and is a moisturizer for leather, not a cleaner of any sort. It has no petroleum byproduct in it, so it will not rot your leather in time. Old leather dries out and some of the "cleaners" will degrade the old fibers of the animal hide, Leather Lube put moisture back in so the leather will loosen up, and remain pliable. I found it in the Miejer store chain, costs around $5 for a container. Let the item set overnight and the product will soak in.

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