Thread: Advice Needed re Cleaning Kind of Greasy Finish on Vintage Strop

Today I came across this vintage strop. The case is shot, but the handle and leather are quite sound. (Photo shows both sides of strop.)



The only trouble is that the surface of the leather (free of nicks, etc.) has kind of a greasy feel. Not oily. As if some conditioner had been put on it many years ago. It's not something I like.

I would like to get back to the leather and then use it for pastes, Chromium Oxide for right now. I will paste the other side later if I feel like it. I really like this strop and would hate to ruin a very nice bargain.

What do you recommend? Some cleaning agent or a particular grit sandpaper (e.g. 600+)?

Thanks in advance for your help

Waterless cleaner, like GOJO. Usually found in auto shops and Hardware sections.

+1 With Alan, GOOP, Gojo etc: clean strop very very well and condition, I just did one...

Could I use Goo Gone or the Purell-type alcohol-based hand cleaner?

Okay, so I picked up a bottle of Gojo hand cleaner for $2.50. Cleaned the greasy residue off in about 2 minutes. Anything else I need to do before putting on the paste? The leather's not cracked or warped.

abrade the surface of the leather to provide a key for the paste to adher to. 240 grit should be ok. The leather may need a conditioning if its very old also so do this after the sanding prior to putting the paste on.
p.s. condition the underside of the leather the most.

PuFF

Originally Posted by PuFFaH

abrade the surface of the leather to provide a key for the paste to adher to. 240 grit should be ok. The leather may need a conditioning if its very old also so do this after the sanding prior to putting the paste on.
p.s. condition the underside of the leather the most.

PuFF

Thanks. I am surprised the grit level is as low as 240; I was thinking 400-800.

It's a loom strop, so not sure how I would access the underside, which seems to be holding up well, in any event.

Originally Posted by Basset

Thanks. I am surprised the grit level is as low as 240; I was thinking 400-800.

It's a loom strop, so not sure how I would access the underside, which seems to be holding up well, in any event.

You can saturate the top, but it will take longer for it to absorb anything like neatsfoot oil and get it where its needed, but if you are in no hurry theres no problem.