What do you treat your leather holsters and belts with to keep them happy?

TargetTerror · April 23, 2008, 11:26 PM

What do you you all put on your leather holsters and belts to protect them and otherwise keep them happy and looking good? Black shoe polish comes to mind as suitable, but I've always found that there is a little bit of polish that comes off on my pants no matter how vigorously I buff and polish. I'd rather not have that black polish come off on my pants and shirts.

A clear shoe polish seems like it might be the ticket. Anyone know of any other special polish/creams?

wogpotter · April 24, 2008, 05:26 AM

Pledge furniture polish.
It will keep the shape & firmness of the leather without softening it so it deforms.

dairycreek · April 24, 2008, 03:05 PM

I use clear shoe polish and buff the holster. Here's a pic of a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar buffed just a bit.

Steady52 · April 25, 2008, 09:28 AM

Depending on the climate and usage situations (wet / dry), leather will dry out over time and may begin cracking at some point. The trick is to find something that keeps the leather healthy without making it too soft. In the old days people used to use neatsfoot oil, but that will soften the leather over time and probably not what you want. You might try visiting a riding apparel store and see what they suggest for saddles and other leather products that would protect the leather without making it soft and losing its shape. As for wear spots where the color needs to be restored, you may be stuck with something like shoe polish, but buff the heck out of it after applying the polish to remove any residue that would rub off on clothes and car seats.

My 2 cents worth.

Inspector3711 · April 25, 2008, 11:06 AM

Johnsons wax

Martyn4802 · April 26, 2008, 05:47 AM

Lexol. It's made for leather.
I use that on the knife sheaths I make.

Martyn

tc556guy · April 27, 2008, 02:05 AM

I've never polished my gun leather, even when my duty stuff was leather. Its functionality, not appearance for me. Besides, if you carry concealed, no ones going to see it but you. For functionality, I use Leather Lightning on my newer holsters til they break in:

http://www.mitchrosen.com/product_li...duct_line.html

mikenbarb · April 27, 2008, 09:00 AM

I love to use Sno Seal an all my leather. Slings, Holsters, Boots and everything else. Its a bees wax waterproofing paste that works great. All you have to do is heatup the leather a little with a hair dryer and rub it in. It also keeps it from dry rotting. The downfall is that it darkens the leather a bit but my opinion is the look is great. And it lasts 3 times longer than mink oil or greases.

JP Sarte · April 28, 2008, 10:32 PM

Galco makes a leather treatment like "lotion". It is about $8.00 for a small bottle but I have found that it lasts quite a long time. Use very little because too much can make your leather too soft.

JP

drail · April 29, 2008, 07:36 PM

Saddle soap.

parrothead2581 · May 1, 2008, 06:57 PM

"Neutral" shoe polish.

Be careful with what you use. Products like mink oil will turn the holster into a limp piece of leather, vaguely resembling a holster.

RedneckFur · May 1, 2008, 07:31 PM

I like obernauf's. Its honey-based and I use it on all my leather, belts, holsters, wallets, etc.

TraderJack · May 1, 2008, 08:11 PM

Kiwi shoe polish the color of the holster/belt. Then buff.
Once a year I rub the interior with Rosen's Leather Lightning. I think Galco makes something simalar that is cheaper. My buddy uses silicone.

WESHOOT2 · May 10, 2008, 01:55 PM

Absolutely nothing.

Suggest contacting holster maker for acceptable products.

April 23, 2008, 11:26 PM	#1
TargetTerror Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Posts: 424	What do you treat your leather holsters and belts with to keep them happy? What do you you all put on your leather holsters and belts to protect them and otherwise keep them happy and looking good? Black shoe polish comes to mind as suitable, but I've always found that there is a little bit of polish that comes off on my pants no matter how vigorously I buff and polish. I'd rather not have that black polish come off on my pants and shirts. A clear shoe polish seems like it might be the ticket. Anyone know of any other special polish/creams? __________________ Head shots are hard, but nut shots are twice as hard.

April 24, 2008, 03:05 PM	#3
dairycreek Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 1998 Location: North Plains, Oregon, USA Posts: 1,867	I use clear shoe polish and buff the holster. Here's a pic of a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar buffed just a bit. __________________ ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR HEARING AND VISION GOOD SHOOTING

April 25, 2008, 11:06 AM	#5
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	Johnsons wax __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

April 26, 2008, 05:47 AM	#6
Martyn4802 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Grayling, Michigan Posts: 737	Lexol. It's made for leather. I use that on the knife sheaths I make. Martyn __________________ US Army Retired NRA Benefactor Life Member JPFO

April 27, 2008, 02:05 AM	#7
tc556guy Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2000 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 763	I've never polished my gun leather, even when my duty stuff was leather. Its functionality, not appearance for me. Besides, if you carry concealed, no ones going to see it but you. For functionality, I use Leather Lightning on my newer holsters til they break in: http://www.mitchrosen.com/product_li...duct_line.html __________________ Information posted is personal opinion and should not be considered information released in an official capacity

April 24, 2008, 05:26 AM	#2
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Pledge furniture polish. It will keep the shape & firmness of the leather without softening it so it deforms.

April 25, 2008, 09:28 AM	#4
Steady52 Member Join Date: April 24, 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 29	Depending on the climate and usage situations (wet / dry), leather will dry out over time and may begin cracking at some point. The trick is to find something that keeps the leather healthy without making it too soft. In the old days people used to use neatsfoot oil, but that will soften the leather over time and probably not what you want. You might try visiting a riding apparel store and see what they suggest for saddles and other leather products that would protect the leather without making it soft and losing its shape. As for wear spots where the color needs to be restored, you may be stuck with something like shoe polish, but buff the heck out of it after applying the polish to remove any residue that would rub off on clothes and car seats. My 2 cents worth.

April 27, 2008, 09:00 AM	#8
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	Sno Seal for leather I love to use Sno Seal an all my leather. Slings, Holsters, Boots and everything else. Its a bees wax waterproofing paste that works great. All you have to do is heatup the leather a little with a hair dryer and rub it in. It also keeps it from dry rotting. The downfall is that it darkens the leather a bit but my opinion is the look is great. And it lasts 3 times longer than mink oil or greases. __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle

April 28, 2008, 10:32 PM	#9
JP Sarte Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 229	Galco Galco makes a leather treatment like "lotion". It is about $8.00 for a small bottle but I have found that it lasts quite a long time. Use very little because too much can make your leather too soft. JP Last edited by JP Sarte; April 28, 2008 at 10:32 PM. Reason: Galco

April 29, 2008, 07:36 PM	#10
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	Saddle soap.

May 1, 2008, 06:57 PM	#11
parrothead2581 Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Posts: 1,268	"Neutral" shoe polish. Be careful with what you use. Products like mink oil will turn the holster into a limp piece of leather, vaguely resembling a holster. __________________ But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. Psalm 52:8

May 1, 2008, 07:31 PM	#12
RedneckFur Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2007 Location: Central NC Posts: 1,424	I like obernauf's. Its honey-based and I use it on all my leather, belts, holsters, wallets, etc.

May 1, 2008, 08:11 PM	#13
TraderJack Member Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: The Fruited Plain Posts: 44	Kiwi shoe polish the color of the holster/belt. Then buff. Once a year I rub the interior with Rosen's Leather Lightning. I think Galco makes something simalar that is cheaper. My buddy uses silicone. __________________ “I would rather be your friend, but if you are not interested in that, I am prepared to be a capable and efficient enemy.” - Jeff Cooper

May 10, 2008, 01:55 PM	#14
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Absolutely nothing. Suggest contacting holster maker for acceptable products. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"