Suede IWB rust issue solved

[derringer]

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.

[Bald Biker]

What is CLP?

[Mad Geek]

Originally Posted by Bald Biker

What is CLP?

It's an ALL PURPOSE cleaner/lubricant.

Look Here

[ordu]

Another thing I've had success with is boot wax. Though it takes WAY longer to treat/retreat and let it fill in all the holes.

It's melting temperature is very high so you usually need a blow drier/heat gun to apply it. Then you have to let it sit, scrape off the extra, then reapply, repeat, repeat. Once it's done it's completely waterproof and not tacky to the touch.

I like your idea better

[mark]

old cowboy I know treats his holsters with virgin olive oil, says it helps prevent the leather from ruining his SA's

[Keith92555]

There is also mink oil. It is used to condition and waterproof hiking boots. We used to use it on our boots in the Marines.

[derringer]

Probably most any oil would be fine once the suede was sealed with an oil barrier, like the silicone caulk, to prevent the oil from migrating onto your clothes. I think I'd lean toward synthetic or petroleum-based oils though, since it seems animal oils may also have natural salts in it (though I realize tallows and lards were used in the old days).

[desertrat]

For the leather the BEST thing to use is R.M. Williams. Its all
I will use on my saddles

[Patrolman]

The olive oil is an old saddle makers trick, it has been used for many years.

[El Gato]

suede holsters...blahblahblah....same old yesterday....haven't used one since my affair began with tt gunleather....neet trick of course... as in neets foot oil ... or does that hurt the leather... I could never remember....

What I want to know about is the gun!
what is that hiding in the leather hide?
OoooooooAAaaaaaa is that a colt?
my laptop won't resolve the image on the stocks....

[derringer]

Ja.

[El Gato]

Originally Posted by derringer

Ja.

Colt .357... the lawman isn't it... Pop's had a copy... that is the first gun I ever carried loaded in the old truck... had to sell it in the early 80's...great gun.... you should outfit it with a cool ttgunleather holster....cool gun... cool holster....what else could a fella ask for....

ok...well....ok...maybe a cute wife who likes cool guns and cool holsters except then she takes them all and acquires them for herself and then tells you to budget to get yourself one when you already bought yourself one but she took it and now it's hers and not yours and sometimes she might let you borrow it and yes I have issues....

[Keith92555]

Originally Posted by derringer

Ja.

Obviously a utility piece judging by the worn bluing. Looks like it has many miles on it, making more attractive in my eyes. This gun has been protecting someone for a long time. Thanks for sharing, derringer.

[NikNak]

Originally Posted by derringer

Ja.

Nice group, now let me tell you what you're doing wrong ....

[NikNak]

Originally Posted by derringer

I prefer to wear my revolver in a suede IWB holster during the Summer. 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.

IMHO - You did a great job of sealing the moisture out of the holster. The silicon will repell the water/moisture just fine. The problem is that the moisture is then displaced to the "iron." By coating the holster with CLP over the silicone .... it will mate with the CLP on the gun and the mositure should "suspend", or "hang out" between the CLP and the silicone. I am just not sure how the CLP will react with the silicone over a longer period of time. Some oils/chemicals actually breakdown silicone.

Others may be able to tell you how CLP reacts with their "open" leather ... suede, as oposed to sealed&treated "TT style" leather.

I personally would use some form of "gun-guard" that adheres to the metal and repels moisture. Most use vegetable oil as it's base carrying agent, so the olive oil guys may be onto something here.

I used to rep a product that was sprayed onto bare iron that was shipped overseas. If saltwater came in contact with it, there was no corrosion. It adhered to metal and could be washed off with a detergent spray. We also coated the frames of new Freightliner trucks as they were shipped across country since they went from the humidity of the SE to the arid SW. Warranty issues related to rust/corrosion disappeared.