holster cleaning help

mathayus · 08-31-2017, 02:05 AM

ok. got some Connolly to clean my holsters.
never done before, so I tried on a $60
P38 1st. barely using any, rub aND "looks" like color is
coming off on rag but could possibly be dirt.
just wanted to see what others thought before I try on a $500 holster.

Eugen · 08-31-2017, 09:00 AM

Well, it could be some of the original leather's coloring, but it could also be the removal of other products applied by bubba like shoe polish, oil, and who knows what that may have been applied. Oh, and yes, dirt and grime could be getting removed as well. My advice is to proceed slowly and gentlely.

Lastly, my first holster (black 1939 vintage) had gloss black spray paint applied?!

After meticulous and careful effort I was about to remove the paint. I used plastic and dental picks to pick and pressure, that eventually flaked the paint off the leather and stitching. I was amazed how well the holster looked after hours of work. My point is that it can be worth the time and effort. I saved a holster; you can too.

wlyon · 08-31-2017, 09:40 AM

I have many holsters. Have used Connolly's for many years. Have never had it remove original color. It may well change the color somewhat but that's mostly dirt or previous junk. Since Jerry steered me to Connolly's many years ago I would not consider any other product except maybe pure lanolin after Connolly's. Bill

mathayus · 08-31-2017, 01:15 PM

it DOESNT really look like the holster lost any color. just shinier.
Pretty much why i got this 1 holster , to practice on before going to the expensive ones.
THANKS for the replies

08-31-2017, 02:05 AM	#1
mathayus User Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: AZ Posts: 26 Thanks: 10 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	holster cleaning help ok. got some Connolly to clean my holsters. never done before, so I tried on a $60 P38 1st. barely using any, rub aND "looks" like color is coming off on rag but could possibly be dirt. just wanted to see what others thought before I try on a $500 holster. Attached Thumbnails

08-31-2017, 09:00 AM	#2
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 757 Thanks: 366 Thanked 594 Times in 313 Posts	Well, it could be some of the original leather's coloring, but it could also be the removal of other products applied by bubba like shoe polish, oil, and who knows what that may have been applied. Oh, and yes, dirt and grime could be getting removed as well. My advice is to proceed slowly and gentlely. Lastly, my first holster (black 1939 vintage) had gloss black spray paint applied?! After meticulous and careful effort I was about to remove the paint. I used plastic and dental picks to pick and pressure, that eventually flaked the paint off the leather and stitching. I was amazed how well the holster looked after hours of work. My point is that it can be worth the time and effort. I saved a holster; you can too. __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

08-31-2017, 09:40 AM	#3
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,614 Thanks: 3,140 Thanked 2,519 Times in 939 Posts	I have many holsters. Have used Connolly's for many years. Have never had it remove original color. It may well change the color somewhat but that's mostly dirt or previous junk. Since Jerry steered me to Connolly's many years ago I would not consider any other product except maybe pure lanolin after Connolly's. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

08-31-2017, 01:15 PM	#4
mathayus User Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: AZ Posts: 26 Thanks: 10 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	it DOESNT really look like the holster lost any color. just shinier. Pretty much why i got this 1 holster , to practice on before going to the expensive ones. THANKS for the replies