I prefer to wear my revolver in a suede IWB holster during the Summer. I take the gun out and wipe it down with a CLP soaked rag every night, and place the holster on top of my warm computer monitor to dry overnight. I had treated the suede with several heavy applications of silicone leather treatment, hoping to seal the suede from transmitting moisture from my body to the gun.
My revolver is fairly worn and missing blue where it has rubbed through. Several times I found pitting starting on the cylinder and barrel after a long day of running around out in hot weather. Apparently the silicone spray was not sufficient enough to protect the gun. So, I decided to try another approach, and it has worked out so well that I thought I should share it.
I wanted to spray some CLP in the holster so that there was always a film of CLP protecting the steel, instead of the suede wicking the CLP away from the steel. The problem is that I didn't want the CLP to seep through the suede and stain my clothing. So,........
I took some silicone aquarium caulk and rubbed it all over the exterior of the suede holster, as well as into the edge of the seam. After I let it dry thoroughly, I sprayed a couple of light coats of CLP into the holster. I have had no rust issues since.
I guess any silicone caulk would work, but the aquarium caulk does not have acetic acid in it, so no worries about skin irritation, even though I always have a layer of undies between me and the holster anyway. The silicone actually helps to keep the holster from slipping around, and the CLP makes drawing and reholstering easier.
Here is how it looks when done. That wet, slippery look on the holster is actually the dried, tacky silicone, which has proved to be impervious to moisture and CLP so far.
