Taking care of and maintaining a handgun holster is as important as taking care of and maintaining the handgun itself. It is essential as the holster protects the pistol, and a damaged holster may result in a damaged handgun.
A good holster will protect your handgun from the elements and from being damaged. A terribly-maintained holster can damage your handgun and make it more challenging. But how should people care for and maintain handgun holsters? Here are some ideas.
1. Break In
If you have not broken in your holster yet, now is the time to do it. A good practice is to wear your holster around the house for an hour or two every day for a week. Breaking in will help the holster to conform to your body and become more comfortable.
2. Remove Minor Scratches
Scratches can make a holster look old and worn out. Although some see it as part of the overall design, it may still look terrible as the holster becomes more used over time. Therefore, repairing minor scratches should prevent the holster from looking too damaged.
a. Use Oil
A small amount of oil can help to remove minor scratches from the surface of the leather. You can use any oil for this method, including olive oil, vegetable oil, and coconut oil. First, wipe the surface of the leather with a clean cloth. Next, apply a small amount of oil to the fabric and rub it into the leather. Use a circular motion to apply the oil evenly. Finally, wipe away any excess oil with a clean cloth.
b. Apply Lanolin
Lanolin is a type of oil that is extracted from wool. It is often used to moisturize and protect the skin. Lanolin can also help to remove minor scratches from leather. Lanolin has been used for centuries to preserve and soften the skin. It is still used in many skin care products, including creams, lotions, and lip balms. Lanolin is also used in some makeup products, such as mascara and eye shadow.
c. Use Shoe Polish
People can use shoe polish to remove minor scratches from leather. First, select a shoe polish that matches the color of the leather. Next, apply a small amount of shoe polish to the surface of the leather. Use a clean cloth to rub the shoe polish into the leather. Finally, wipe away any excess shoe polish with a clean cloth.
3. Remove Deeper Scratches
If the scratches on your leather are more profound, you may need to use a leather repair kit. These kits contain materials that people can use to fill in deeper scratches. Follow the instructions that come with your kit to repair your leather. However, there are also home remedies people can try.
a. Apply Rubbing Alcohol
If you’re looking for a way to remove deep scratches from leather, rubbing alcohol may be your best bet. While it won’t work on some types of leather, it can be effective on most leather types. Start by cleaning the area around the scratch with a damp cloth. Then, pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a clean cloth and rub it into the scratch in a circular motion. Continue rubbing until the scratch begins to fade.
Conclusion
There is no guarantee that you can remove a scratch from the leather altogether. However, you can certainly minimize the appearance of a scrape. But what matters is how you take care of the handgun holster overall, making it last and protecting the handgun.
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