Leather conditioner for crossbreed

[newguy07]

Recieved my crossbreed holster and the directions say to use a cream type leather conditioner on it. Does anyone have and specific recommendations for something that will work well and won't make it stick/tacky, won't hurt the finish on my gun and won't gunk it up? Also do you have to be careful to keep it off the kydex portion?

 

[HoosierQ]

Obenhauf's HD Leather Protectant. I think Crossbreed themselves recommend it. It is kind of expensive but it is great. DO NOT use Sno-Seal...it will glue your gun in place...I learned this from direct experience on a pancake I made.

Obenhauf's is good for just about everything, doesn't smell bad at all, doesn't rub off, doesn't gunk up. The only thing is if you leave any excess in nooks and crannies is turns white over time...which shouldn't matter on a Crossbreed...and it rubs right off.

Plus, it doesn't mess up your hands...all you have to do is wipe of your hands on a paper towel.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I've been using Kiwi Leather Lotion on leather holsters for years. I bought about 10 bottles for a buck each off the clearance rack a decade ago....Pretty good stuff, IMO.

http://www.shoetreemarketplace.com/KIWI_Leather_Lotion_p/143000.htm

 

[Zundfolge]

I've been CCWing daily for the last decade (and then some). Much of that time I've carried in the same holster and I've NEVER done anything with the leather.

Holster still works fine, the leather still looks good and I imagine I'll be buried before this holster is worn out.


This photo was taken at least 8 years ago and the holster looks the same today.

 

[bigfatdave]

http://thebeltman.net/preserve.htm

Obenauf's LP
Won't hurt a gun, won't hurt Kydex, smells good, makes your belt and other leather stuff look good (I even smear the stuff on my wallet)

Beltman linked because he'll ship it free, feel free to comparison shop for a better deal (I couldn't find a better deal when I was looking)
Beltman also linked because he makes superb gunbelts, if you're new to carry and don't have a good belt (as in someone searching through, not anyone specific) then Beltman is a great option.

 

[Doug b]

I like Lexol products,been using them for years.TSC stores carry them in there harness section.The main thing with conditioners is to use a very light application.

 

[Probie9]

Black Rock is also a very good product. I used it on my saddles. Should be just as good on a holster.

 

[Earlsbud]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but .....butter. UNsalted butter. Natural animal fat. It does not smell or mold if the excess is removed. I apply it to a WARM holster/leather, let it cool and buff. When I was told this I winced, snarled, and "ppfffft!" But the old man knew his stuff. He was a custom leather maker in S.Ca. Made everything from boots to whole rodeo outfits and sub'd work for the studios on films like The Alamo, Planet of the Apes, etc... He had a pretty extensive collection of historic old west items that got the same treatment. Butter. Mother nature got it right. And it's cheap!

 

[hq]

The way to do it right is to wash the holster first. Really scrub it. The product to use is marseille soap on a damp cloth. Repeat as many times as you need to get it really clean, ie. the (preferably white) cloth stays white. Let it dry for at least 2-3 days before you do anything else, you don't want any moisture trapped in leather. You can get a bar of this soap from almost anywhere and it's cheap, it's often used for hand washing wool garments.

When that's done we can get to conditioners. Any good quality commercial conditioner will do, even though marseille soap itself is already a (mild) conditioner. What Earlsbud said about butter is new to me and I'd be adventurous enough to try it.

Background: I've had a few collectible cars with leather seats and after trying all kinds of commercial leather care/cleaning products, washing the leather thoroughly with marseille soap has yielded better results than any of them by themselves. Even old, slightly dried leather looks and feels like new after you're done. So far I've only tried it on one leather holster, which turned out fantastic.

 

[Coyote3855]

Also, a good quality hand lotion works. Aveeno is my favorite. I've even used the cheap stuff in motel rooms to touch up a scuff on my boots when nothing else was available. Lexol, Obenouf's. Both good.

 

[memphisjim]

ive been using sweat