Cleaning Leather??

[WalterDavis]

While I was cutting out and fit checking a sheat tonight, I managed to get a bunch of frickin' grey, oily fingerprints on the leather. Anyone have any ideas on how I can clean the leather up before proceeding?

Thanks,

Walter

 

[DC KNIVES]

Walter, go to your local hardware store and pickup some "Wood Bleach" crystals, which is Oxalic Acid, mix up with water in a spray bottle and it will take it right off.This stuff should be a fixture on all leatherworkers workbenchs.Dave

 

[sheathmaker]

Oxalic Acid solution. I hope that is spelled right. Any way the Oxalic Acid is available from Tandy/Leather Factory. It is, I think, actually a wood bleach but it does work fairly well to clean up leather.

Paul

 

[SDS]

This is going to sound odd but I remember being told that you can use a piece of white bread to clean up some smaller spots. You just rub the piece of bread into the stain and crumble it up. The bread acts as a sponge of sorts to attract the grime.

Your situation may need more and if Mr. Long recommends something that is what I'd use.

SDS

edited to add: After thinking about this some more the bread thing may have been for cleaning suede.

 

[WalterDavis]

Thanks guys! I picked up the wood bleach and it worked great- 4 or 5 heaping spoonfuls in a large squirt bottle took it right off, then immediately rinsed the leather in water to make sure no acid remained.

Walter