Removing shoe polish from holsters?

Olle · 04-13-2020, 04:06 PM

I just started buffing a black holster with Connolly's and found that the color was coming off. I figure it's either shoe polish, or it could be a repurposed holster that has received some other treatment to make it black. After a little work, I found that it was a nice brown underneath so I would like to remove the black color entirely. Connolly's will obviously remove it, but it would be a painfully slow process to do the whole holster.

I googled it right quick, and found all kinds of tips like acetone, lighter fluid, alcohol etc, everything short of sand blasting. I would, of course, like to hear what you guys say about this so I don't ruin the holster. Is there a tried and true way to remove the black stuff without hurting the leather?

04-13-2020, 04:06 PM	#1
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 664 Times in 318 Posts	Removing shoe polish from holsters? I just started buffing a black holster with Connolly's and found that the color was coming off. I figure it's either shoe polish, or it could be a repurposed holster that has received some other treatment to make it black. After a little work, I found that it was a nice brown underneath so I would like to remove the black color entirely. Connolly's will obviously remove it, but it would be a painfully slow process to do the whole holster. I googled it right quick, and found all kinds of tips like acetone, lighter fluid, alcohol etc, everything short of sand blasting. I would, of course, like to hear what you guys say about this so I don't ruin the holster. Is there a tried and true way to remove the black stuff without hurting the leather? __________________ Deer Hollow Enterprises, LLC Gun repair and restoration