[Milsurplus] RE: Leather and canvas rejuvenation

[Jason White]

I was once shown a few different techniques for cleaning old Russian
ammo pouches and belts (for the Mosin Nagants) that I suppose might be
helpful for other similar vintage leather and canvas gear..

If it's very close grain, smooth leather, clean the grime off with
saddle soap and a medium-stiff bristle brush. Stiff enough to do that
job, not so stiff it will damage the leather.

There is a type of oil, like neatsfoot, that is used for softening
baseball gloves. I think it's actually a blend of linseed, neatsfoot
and other oils.This stuff will soften any leather I've ever tried it
on, but it darkens it too.  DON'T use silicon or petroleum based
products if you can help it..You'll never get it off again. Lots of
polishes/cleaners have silicon to add waterproofing. I have heard good
things about Pecards dressing, though.

A bit of carnuba wax is a good way to bring back a shine without using
a colored polish that will wreck stiching, etc.

Most of the canvas I've seen was coated in linseed oil or shellac to
waterproof it. If it really was one of those, you should be able to
remove the residue carefully with denatured alcohol. Be sure you won't
ruin it first, however! try in a hidden area first and all that..but
I've used it to get terrible deteriorated residues and grease off of
tents, slings, bags, etc.  I re-linseeded some of those items and the
results were very good, and quite functional.

Of course.. don't do anything radical to something irreplacable!

I second the idea of talking to a tack shop or horse enthusiast.

I hope thats not too far off topic, as older mil-surp anything seems
to involve rapidly decaying organic based materials.

73,
Jason White
N1XBP