Kill Mold NOW!!

lugerholsterrepair · 06-30-2008, 07:15 PM

I have been experimenting with killing the pesky mold spores for years. I won't bore you with the experiments only the SUCCESS!

It is relatively simple but involves your Wife's kitchen appliances...

Good luck! I have deleted this very bad advice...See more current method.

Jerry Burney

Navy · 06-30-2008, 08:45 PM

Yo, Paratrooper,

How long have holsters treated thusly been mold free?

YAP,
Tom A

lugerholsterrepair · 06-30-2008, 09:52 PM

Tom, A month is all I can claim right now. I seem to have certain problem pieces. No matter what I put on them they would regrow mold. Other pieces have never had any mold on them. It's so dry here I can't understand how mold grows anyway.

I used these problem pieces-MP40 sling strap-as tests. It was covered white! So far it has not shown a spec of mold growth.

I guess it is still an ongoing experiment but it sure as heck makes the thick white mold disapear! The stuff is hard to clean off any of the normal ways and I always worry I could be spreading it around.

It's promising anyway...I would be very surprised if it did not kill it permanently.

Airborne!

Jerry Burney

Edward Tinker · 06-30-2008, 09:59 PM

how come the heat of boiling doesn't break down the leather?

Went Blakely · 07-01-2008, 02:46 AM

I wondered that also, pretty hot. Sounds promising, keep us updated!

raygun · 07-01-2008, 09:49 AM

I have a problem with Mildue on my collection of guns and accessories in my safes . I think "Mold" is similar , some sort of Fungus.

A museum conservator told me air circulation is the key to getting rid of such pests . Apparently they like still damp air. I have tried bags of silica gel but it makes no difference .

He suggested installing small electric fans like in a computer , or simply opening up the safes and putting on a fan now and again , to keep the air circulating. worth a try .

lugerholsterrepair · 07-01-2008, 12:07 PM

I as well as many others I know have had problem pieces for many years. The stuff seems to select a piece it likes and makes a home there while leaving others alone.
Perhaps museums have a more controlled environment that most homes. I have talked to many a collector who has mold problems even with the dessicant and safe hot rods.
Once this stuff takes hold it's a problem to shake off.

Ed, I guarentee you 212 degrees will not harm leather. I have tried it many times and the mold disapears, the leather is soft and pliable. Just like it should be. The leather only gets the heat and no moisture penetrates.

Another consideration...the mold is doing extreme damage to the leather. Eating the thread too..It's best to kill it.

A lot of people who send me holsters for repair don't even know they have a mold problem but I often find thick mold on the insides of holsters. Take a look with a flashlight at the insides!

Jerry Burney

Went Blakely · 07-01-2008, 12:47 PM

Interesting, i did a little research of my own today after i saw this thread and discovered some damned interesting info. The mold can survive incredibly high temperatures and pressures, low temps (about 2 degrees!), can survive being airbourne, stay alive in a dormant state, and live unnoticed to the naked eye! only when colonies have established, does it become visible. no wonder it's so hard to get rid of. Touch wood, but currently i'm not seeing much at all in my gear, except since you mentioned it i did have a real close look, and have taken a suspect 45 holster away from the group. Where are you blokes storing stuff, for this to happen?

lugerholsterrepair · 07-01-2008, 01:24 PM

Went, In your research how high a temp can they survive?

I get no mold on 99% of my leather stored in plastic or cardboard boxes,, holsters with a known problem get it laying out in the open on a shelf. Some holsters I have had for 30 years with no problems. Others have been infected and get a white covering every several months.

Jerry Burney

Vlim · 07-01-2008, 02:11 PM

The trick to killing of molds seems to be rather simple, but it's actually difficult. Without moisture, they die.

The trick is to remove the moisture without damaging the leather and to keep moisture levels to an acceptable degree afterwards without damaging (drying out) the leather.

I guess that's why Jerry's method works. Creating a vacuum, boiling and then freezing should remove most moisture from the molds direct environment thus killing it off.

TooTech · 07-01-2008, 10:50 PM

I had heard that mold could be killed by putting the leather or canvas piece in a plastic bag with a couple of mothballs, seal the bag and let everything sit for a few days.

Haven't had the occasion to try this myself, but I know the fumes from mothballs are toxic, so it sounds like it might be worth a try.

Went Blakely · 07-02-2008, 03:41 AM

Jerry unfortunately there was no base answer, rather just 'extremely high temperatures' Most of mine are in a glass cabinet with a few holes, save a few that i don't have room for and am still yet to build a new shelf/cabinet to show them in. I'll have to get some plastics slips to seal them in and put them in a drawer until i get around to it. My suspect one appears to be starting around the stitching, strangely its the best condition one i have, that looks to have been treated very very well, almost unissued condish. Could it be something in a leather treatment that can trigger it off? Also a bit off topic, but i did get around to using that Connollys - LOVE it, it's the bomb!

lugerholsterrepair · 07-02-2008, 11:43 AM

Went, Thanks! As far as living things on the surface of the Planet goes..212 is a pretty high temperature I guess!
Mold, like most everything else has to eat, drink and breathe. This is why it is suggested by most not to use any leather treatment if that is an available option. Mold eats it. They like thread too. Linen thread is made of a plant fiber.
Glad to hear you like the Connoly's. It really is great stuff if used correctly.

Too Tech..The stink of mothballs is too terrible for me to be around. It might work but it's not a solution for me. I like to sniff my holsters!

Jerry Burney

Went Blakely · 07-02-2008, 10:57 PM

Not a problem, you're not wrong about the mothballs, i have never owned and never will own them, the smell drives me crazy!

gunbugs · 11-13-2017, 10:20 PM

When you sniff the mothballs, how do you spread their tiny little legs?

Edward Tinker · 11-13-2017, 11:24 PM

Well, with that low comment

I see this was never a sticky, nor closed

lugerholsterrepair · 11-13-2017, 11:50 PM

An old joke I first heard in grade school..60 years ago! And it's likely as old as mothballs..It did bring this old thread to my attention though..it was full of bad advice so I deleted the original post. Use my better method for mold removal..NOT this!

06-30-2008, 07:15 PM	#1
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,933 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Kill Mold NOW!! I have been experimenting with killing the pesky mold spores for years. I won't bore you with the experiments only the SUCCESS! It is relatively simple but involves your Wife's kitchen appliances... Good luck! I have deleted this very bad advice...See more current method. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know." Last edited by lugerholsterrepair; 11-13-2017 at 11:25 PM.

06-30-2008, 09:52 PM	#3
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,933 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Tom, A month is all I can claim right now. I seem to have certain problem pieces. No matter what I put on them they would regrow mold. Other pieces have never had any mold on them. It's so dry here I can't understand how mold grows anyway. I used these problem pieces-MP40 sling strap-as tests. It was covered white! So far it has not shown a spec of mold growth. I guess it is still an ongoing experiment but it sure as heck makes the thick white mold disapear! The stuff is hard to clean off any of the normal ways and I always worry I could be spreading it around. It's promising anyway...I would be very surprised if it did not kill it permanently. Airborne! Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

06-30-2008, 09:59 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	how come the heat of boiling doesn't break down the leather? __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

07-01-2008, 02:46 AM	#5
Went Blakely User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 231 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	I wondered that also, pretty hot. Sounds promising, keep us updated! __________________ Went Blakely

07-01-2008, 09:49 AM	#6
raygun User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: brisbane Posts: 150 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I have a problem with Mildue on my collection of guns and accessories in my safes . I think "Mold" is similar , some sort of Fungus. A museum conservator told me air circulation is the key to getting rid of such pests . Apparently they like still damp air. I have tried bags of silica gel but it makes no difference . He suggested installing small electric fans like in a computer , or simply opening up the safes and putting on a fan now and again , to keep the air circulating. worth a try . __________________ arma tuentur pacem

06-30-2008, 08:45 PM	#2
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Yo, Paratrooper, How long have holsters treated thusly been mold free? YAP, Tom A

07-01-2008, 12:07 PM	#7
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,933 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	I as well as many others I know have had problem pieces for many years. The stuff seems to select a piece it likes and makes a home there while leaving others alone. Perhaps museums have a more controlled environment that most homes. I have talked to many a collector who has mold problems even with the dessicant and safe hot rods. Once this stuff takes hold it's a problem to shake off. Ed, I guarentee you 212 degrees will not harm leather. I have tried it many times and the mold disapears, the leather is soft and pliable. Just like it should be. The leather only gets the heat and no moisture penetrates. Another consideration...the mold is doing extreme damage to the leather. Eating the thread too..It's best to kill it. A lot of people who send me holsters for repair don't even know they have a mold problem but I often find thick mold on the insides of holsters. Take a look with a flashlight at the insides! Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

07-01-2008, 12:47 PM	#8
Went Blakely User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 231 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Interesting, i did a little research of my own today after i saw this thread and discovered some damned interesting info. The mold can survive incredibly high temperatures and pressures, low temps (about 2 degrees!), can survive being airbourne, stay alive in a dormant state, and live unnoticed to the naked eye! only when colonies have established, does it become visible. no wonder it's so hard to get rid of. Touch wood, but currently i'm not seeing much at all in my gear, except since you mentioned it i did have a real close look, and have taken a suspect 45 holster away from the group. Where are you blokes storing stuff, for this to happen? __________________ Went Blakely

07-01-2008, 01:24 PM	#9
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,933 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Went, In your research how high a temp can they survive? I get no mold on 99% of my leather stored in plastic or cardboard boxes,, holsters with a known problem get it laying out in the open on a shelf. Some holsters I have had for 30 years with no problems. Others have been infected and get a white covering every several months. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

07-01-2008, 02:11 PM	#10
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	The trick to killing of molds seems to be rather simple, but it's actually difficult. Without moisture, they die. The trick is to remove the moisture without damaging the leather and to keep moisture levels to an acceptable degree afterwards without damaging (drying out) the leather. I guess that's why Jerry's method works. Creating a vacuum, boiling and then freezing should remove most moisture from the molds direct environment thus killing it off.

07-01-2008, 10:50 PM	#11
TooTech User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 23 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I had heard that mold could be killed by putting the leather or canvas piece in a plastic bag with a couple of mothballs, seal the bag and let everything sit for a few days. Haven't had the occasion to try this myself, but I know the fumes from mothballs are toxic, so it sounds like it might be worth a try.

07-02-2008, 03:41 AM	#12
Went Blakely User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 231 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Jerry unfortunately there was no base answer, rather just 'extremely high temperatures' Most of mine are in a glass cabinet with a few holes, save a few that i don't have room for and am still yet to build a new shelf/cabinet to show them in. I'll have to get some plastics slips to seal them in and put them in a drawer until i get around to it. My suspect one appears to be starting around the stitching, strangely its the best condition one i have, that looks to have been treated very very well, almost unissued condish. Could it be something in a leather treatment that can trigger it off? Also a bit off topic, but i did get around to using that Connollys - LOVE it, it's the bomb! __________________ Went Blakely

07-02-2008, 11:43 AM	#13
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,933 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Went, Thanks! As far as living things on the surface of the Planet goes..212 is a pretty high temperature I guess! Mold, like most everything else has to eat, drink and breathe. This is why it is suggested by most not to use any leather treatment if that is an available option. Mold eats it. They like thread too. Linen thread is made of a plant fiber. Glad to hear you like the Connoly's. It really is great stuff if used correctly. Too Tech..The stink of mothballs is too terrible for me to be around. It might work but it's not a solution for me. I like to sniff my holsters! Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

07-02-2008, 10:57 PM	#14
Went Blakely User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 231 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Not a problem, you're not wrong about the mothballs, i have never owned and never will own them, the smell drives me crazy! __________________ Went Blakely

11-13-2017, 10:20 PM	#15
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 659 Thanks: 365 Thanked 1,177 Times in 394 Posts	When you sniff the mothballs, how do you spread their tiny little legs?

11-13-2017, 11:24 PM	#16
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	Well, with that low comment I see this was never a sticky, nor closed

11-13-2017, 11:50 PM	#17
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,933 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	An old joke I first heard in grade school..60 years ago! And it's likely as old as mothballs..It did bring this old thread to my attention though..it was full of bad advice so I deleted the original post. Use my better method for mold removal..NOT this! __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."