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Minis with Heart |
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Basic Cleaning: It is preferable to use a good quality liquid saddle soap, like Leather New or Bentleys. Weaver Leather also has a good glycerin saddle soap. When you take your harness apart note where you have it buckled so don’t have to refit it later. Remove and wash your saddle and breast collar pads. |
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Tanglewood Farms Lois Anderson or Lora Bozarth 10930 1/2 Rosedale Hwy Bakersfield, California 93312 Phone: 661 319-3519 |
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Step two: Never spray the saddle soap on the harness as spraying will spot and streak the leather especially russet harness. It is better to use a large enough container and dip the harness so the soap penetrates evenly. Hold the harness piece in the solution for only 2 or 3 seconds then remove it and rub with a terrycloth to remove the sweat and dirt that has accumulated. If the harness is very dirty you may have to repeat the process. NOTE: Russet harness will darken somewhat from the oils and will develop a deep rich patina. |
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Tips: Patent Leather can be cleaned with a little bit of Vaseline and a soft cloth. Also if you are storing harness a very thin coat of Vaseline on the patent leather will keep it from cracking and keep it in good shape. Note: Be careful not to get the Vaseline on anything other then the patent leather.
Moldy Harness. I have had people come to me with harness that was put away damp and it caused the harness to mold. Mold will destroy leather. Moldy leather needs immediate attention . A good enzyme cleaner like Zymeaway can be used to kill the mold. Follow the directions on the bottle as each brand it different. Any large hardware store should carry it or you can find it online. If you can’t find a good enzyme cleaner a solution of water and white vinegar can be used. Make a solution of 50% water and 50% vinegar; moisten a cloth and rub the affected areas. After cleaning allow the harness to dry and hen clean it with glycerin saddle soap as described above. |
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If the harness is especially dry you may use a very light coat of Neatsfoot oil. Never however over oil leather as it will soften it to much and weaken the leather to the point that it is unsafe. Also never use a Neatsfoot Compound as it contains mineral oil that can damage the leather and rot the stitching. It is better if you can avoid using Neatsfoot oil altogether. NOTE: If you have allowed the leather to dry out to the point of cracking it is time to replace that piece as it is no longer safe to use.
After the harness is cleaned and dry, polish the metal buckles and decoration. You can use a low speed buffer and white jewelers polishing compound; or you can polish the metal parts by hand using a good metal polish and a small piece of terry cloth and rub until the metal is shinny.
It takes a lot of work to clean and polish your harness but it will extend the life of the harness and your turnout will always look extra sharp. After reassembling the harness go for a nice enjoyable drive. |
