Cleaning a Leather Sling

Andy, I use melted beeswax, applied to a small section at a time and worked in and removed again with a little steam from a kettle and a lot of paper towels. If you're not cleaning just rub in the beeswax or even a matching color KIWI shoe polish is good. Use both on a regular basis for hunting slings and old military leather, great preservatives as well. Stay away from saddle soap on old cracked leather, sometimes just make the problem worse. bearhunter
 
I always wanted to know the answer to the same question Andy asked ...... :D

How about a bit of a diversion to rubber......

I have various antique scope eyeshields that have turned hard over the years. Are there any compounds or other treatments that I could put on without damaging them, to help restore some of their original rubber pliability?

Thanks for any feedback ...... :)

Regards,
Badger
 
Andy said:
Any tips on cleaning and restoring the suppleness of an old leather sling?
Click to expand...

I use Neatfoot Oil on my leather slings and knife sheaths. It works great

Neatsfoot oil is an oil rendered and purified from the feet and shinbones (not the hooves) of cattle. It remains liquid down to low temperature. It is used as a conditioning, softening and preservative for leather.
 
BadgerDog said:
I always wanted to know the answer to the same question Andy asked ...... :D

How about a bit of a diversion to rubber......

I have various antique scope eyeshields that have turned hard over the years. Are there any compounds or other treatments that I could put on without damaging them, to help restore some of their original rubber pliability?

Thanks for any feedback ...... :)

Regards,
Badger
Click to expand...

Some rubber take dunking in brake fluid very well. It contains rubber rejuvenators that restore suppleness to seals and soft rubber parts. I do this periodically on my cameras' eyepieces; just clean the parts with dishwashing detergent, dry them with a paper towel and drop them in a closable glass container that has enough brake fluid to cover the parts.
after a week, they'll be softer.
Good luck!
PP.:)
 
Andy, you are asking the million dollar question that I have asked numerous curators of a lot of museums. None have the definitive answer and each have a different answer.

All of the above suggestions are used/good. However as with any type of preservation, be careful how much is applied as they can all leave a pastey build up.

I have also used Vaseline with success. If people use it on their baby's skin, I'll stick it on some leather.
 
Sorry, guess I am talking more preserving, rather than cleaning..

Clean as you would your skin, soap and water, trying not to soak the leather. Then preserve as per above advise.
 
PerversPépère said:
Some rubber take dunking in brake fluid very well. It contains rubber rejuvenators that restore suppleness to seals and soft rubber parts. I do this periodically on my cameras' eyepieces; just clean the parts with dishwashing detergent, dry them with a paper towel and drop them in a closable glass container that has enough brake fluid to cover the parts.
after a week, they'll be softer.
Good luck!
PP.:)
Click to expand...

Awesome .... :)

Thanks partner......

Do I just go to Canadian Tire and buy any old run-of-the-mill brake fluid, or is there a specific kind I should get, or avoid?

Regards,
Badger
 
"I use Neatfoot Oil on my leather slings and knife sheaths. It works great!"
Just be careful NOT to use it on holsters or any molded leather items that need to stay ridgid. neatsfoot oil is great for restoring suppleness to dried leather.
When you need to keep leather hard and stiff, use beeswax; you apply it by hand, melt it with a hairblower then wipe the excess with a clean cotton rag.
Good cleaning!
PP.:)
 
Do I just go to Canadian Tire and buy any old run-of-the-mill brake fluid, or is there a specific kind I should get, or avoid?
You just need some fresh brake fluid. All ordinary brake fluids can do because they have to meet or exceed some very stringent standards to be allowed on the market. Castrol is a good brand; Motomaster is, too.
Just try to get the rubber as clean as possible so the fluid can work easily. An old toothbrush, dishwashing liquid detergent and hot water is all you'll need for that.
Good luck!
PP. :)
 
use a leather shoe product called Mink Oil - available at any shoe store in the mall. ive used it a few times on some slings and it works like a charm.
 
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