L1A1Rocker
11-07-2010, 02:26 PM
I was over at Remeys the other day and we began talking about slings and how to oil them. I said Neatsfoot oil - there really is no other. I should have kept my mouth shut cause he asks me if I have any, "Sure" I replied which he followed by tossing me a brand new old GI style sling. Yep, should have kept my mouth shut.
Anyhow, Neatsfoot oil is what has been used for oiling leather for a VERY long time. Unfortunatly in our new fangled society it has been replaced by what seems to be an infinite number of leather products - all promising to do exactly what the old Neatsfoot oil does. These days it is exceptionally hard to find plain ol Neatsfoot oil.
You would think that Ace, tractor supply, or a saddle shop would have it. No such luck - they have Neatsfoot spirits but not oil. And yes there is a huge difference. Neatsfoot Spirits is cut with turpentine. If you decide to go old school and try Neatsfoot oil do NOT get anything that says Neatsfoot ________. You want 100% oil and nothing else.
The only place to find it that I know of is at Academy. You will not find it in sporting goods (even though it used to be used on baseball gloves), or the guns department. Oh, and don't bother asking the people that work there for it either - you get strange looks followed by "What's that?" You CAN find it in the shoe department though. Look on the isle endcap that contains all the shoe care products and you'll see this.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/L1A1Rocker/HPIM1222.jpg
So, here is the sling that Remey wanted treated.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/L1A1Rocker/HPIM1221.jpg
Before you go hog wild slathering on the oil do a test patch. You want to make sure that the leather has not been treated with anything that will inhibit the oil from obsorbing and creating funny splotches.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/L1A1Rocker/HPIM1223.jpg
When doing this I find it is easiest to do a section at a time of about 12 to 18 inches long. Be very liberal (sic) with the oil and let the leather absorb all it can. Do a single coat front, back, and sides and move on to the next section. Be sure to get the oil into all the loops, nooks and crannies. After completing the first coat go back to the beginning and do a second coat. Your ling should come out like this.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/L1A1Rocker/HPIM1224.jpg
Let it sit overnight and the next day check it - You will most likely need to apply another light coat.
And there it is. Old school oiling of a sling.
Anyhow, Neatsfoot oil is what has been used for oiling leather for a VERY long time. Unfortunatly in our new fangled society it has been replaced by what seems to be an infinite number of leather products - all promising to do exactly what the old Neatsfoot oil does. These days it is exceptionally hard to find plain ol Neatsfoot oil.
You would think that Ace, tractor supply, or a saddle shop would have it. No such luck - they have Neatsfoot spirits but not oil. And yes there is a huge difference. Neatsfoot Spirits is cut with turpentine. If you decide to go old school and try Neatsfoot oil do NOT get anything that says Neatsfoot ________. You want 100% oil and nothing else.
The only place to find it that I know of is at Academy. You will not find it in sporting goods (even though it used to be used on baseball gloves), or the guns department. Oh, and don't bother asking the people that work there for it either - you get strange looks followed by "What's that?" You CAN find it in the shoe department though. Look on the isle endcap that contains all the shoe care products and you'll see this.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/L1A1Rocker/HPIM1222.jpg
So, here is the sling that Remey wanted treated.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/L1A1Rocker/HPIM1221.jpg
Before you go hog wild slathering on the oil do a test patch. You want to make sure that the leather has not been treated with anything that will inhibit the oil from obsorbing and creating funny splotches.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/L1A1Rocker/HPIM1223.jpg
When doing this I find it is easiest to do a section at a time of about 12 to 18 inches long. Be very liberal (sic) with the oil and let the leather absorb all it can. Do a single coat front, back, and sides and move on to the next section. Be sure to get the oil into all the loops, nooks and crannies. After completing the first coat go back to the beginning and do a second coat. Your ling should come out like this.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/L1A1Rocker/HPIM1224.jpg
Let it sit overnight and the next day check it - You will most likely need to apply another light coat.
And there it is. Old school oiling of a sling.