How to remove beeswax from leather

[The Crisco Kid]

Lots of info on how to harden leather but I need to do the opposite. Many years ago my Dad made a holster and hardened it with lots of beeswax. I'd like to soften it up some and would like to find a way to get some of the wax out.

 

[TDM]

Lots of info on how to harden leather but I need to do the opposite. Many years ago my Dad made a holster and hardened it with lots of beeswax. I'd like to soften it up some and would like to find a way to get some of the wax out.

Heat gun and scraper.

 

[necchi]

"How to remove beeswax from leather"
Ya can't.
Gentle heating and moping will remove an excess,, but once that wax is in the leather, it's in there.
What's your goal? Do you want to re-shape it? Or re-use it for another purpose?

 

[Whitworth]

Lacquer thinner.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

What's your goal? Do you want to re-shape it? Or re-use it for another purpose?

I just like a holster that feels more like leather than hard plastic.

 

[Artificer]

Lacquer thinner.

With respect, that's a pretty darn aggressive solvent. Have you used it for such a purpose? Did it break down the fibers of the leather or cause other problems?

Personally I would use Acetone, at least for starters. Acetone has the rather remarkable benefit of when it evaporates, it leaves NOTHING behind at all. (This from MSDS and hazmat research I did on active duty when a major part of my duties was compliance with CA EPA standards.)

Of course one would have to work oil back into the leather after using it.

Gus

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

I too was going to suggest acetone.

 

[Whitworth]

With respect, that's a pretty darn aggressive solvent. Have you used it for such a purpose? Did it break down the fibers of the leather or cause other problems?

Personally I would use Acetone, at least for starters. Acetone has the rather remarkable benefit of when it evaporates, it leaves NOTHING behind at all. (This from MSDS and hazmat research I did on active duty when a major part of my duties was compliance with CA EPA standards.)

Of course one would have to work oil back into the leather after using it.

Gus

I've used it to wipe down oily leather slings. Heaviest scrubbing was to remove Honor Guard white paint from an otherwise mint 1917 dated Boyt M1907 sling.

 

[Eutycus]

Wouldn't the opposite of a heat gun work as well? How about heating it up then applying ice maybe?

 

[Artificer]

I've used it to wipe down oily leather slings. Heaviest scrubbing was to remove Honor Guard white paint from an otherwise mint 1917 dated Boyt M1907 sling.

Thank you for providing examples. Even so, I would still use Acetone first before using lacquer thinner.

Gus

 

[Whitworth]

Thank you for providing examples. Even so, I would still use Acetone first before using lacquer thinner.

Gus

I agree. Lacquer thinner was all I ever had in the shop

 

[Two Feathers]

I don't know about Lacquer thinner? It's been my experience that any kind of solvent based reducers (ie Lacquer thinner, Acetone, Alcohol, etc.) tend to really dry out leather and make it brittle. Just my experience/opinion?
God bless:
Two Feathers

 

[Flint Striker]

It’s possible to heat up leather soaked with beeswax and reform it to fit something a little better… if that’s part of the OP’s concern. I’d also suggest just using the holster some and see if you like it. Maybe the stiffness and extra protection for you and the gun (and added durability to the holster) will grow on you. Some of my projects seem like garbage at first, but when I put them aside come back with fresh eyes most come out alright.

 

[loflyr55]

Test a piece with repeated heating and applying neatsfoot or olive oil. It wont remove the beeswax but will bind with it to make a softer holster

 

[Johnny Tremain]

My holster is due in next week and I was gonna bees wax it up.
So is this now a bad thing?

 

[necchi]

My holster is due in next week and I was gonna bees wax it up.
So is this now a bad thing?

No, a little bees wax worked in properly will be fine.
Fully saturating a piece with bees wax to harden the leather form is what leads to the question of the original post.
I think the term for the lesson is "technique"(?)

 

[Johnny Tremain]

TotW shipping sure is slow. I may not get to goop it up till next week :-(
Got lots of Bee's wax, so Ill be gentle