I'm terrible at cleaning tack...

[mlle_beau]

Apparently I am a half-wit when it comes to cleaning tack. I cleaned my girth yesterday and put the stubben hamanol stuff on it. When it dried it was kind of sticky. Every time I've used the stuben hamanol I've had this happen, what am I doing wrong? Also can somebody make or post a link for a video demonstrating how to clean a saddle and a bridle? I have never been shown how to do it, so I've kind of just been trying to figure it out by myself.

[MileHighOlli]

Hummm…I wonder if you got a bad batch of Hammanol. I’ve used that stuff for years and love it. Seems to really bring old leather back to life. My only tip is to really be sure to massage it well into the leather, otherwise it can leave a film. Those $5 dollar bundles of micro fiber cloths you can pick up at any Walmart, Target, etc work great for cleaning and conditioning. Just throw them in the washer when they get grimy.

[cloedoll]

I can't really help you, but that spray leather cleaner has always done wonders for my bridles leathers. Every month I use this stuff called Leather Lotion and it works real good, too.

[Equine_Woman]

You're supposed to clean your tack? I kid, I kid. I've never used that stuff before so I can't help!!! I'm sure someone else will have some better advice, but I do know if your cleaner is old at all my stuff goes bad. . . so maybe the leather cleaner is older?

[mlle_beau]

MileHigh: I'm not sure if the problem is with it or me. When I bought it the girl at the tack shop told me to put it on with my fingers, so that's what I did. Maybe it left a film, would it be slightly sticky? I was originally using wiping cloths but I felt like it wasn't working very well. Maybe I put too much?
Cloedoll: Which spray leather cleaner? Like lexol?

[MileHighOlli]

The hammanol may of not of gotten mixed up well. I find you really have to shake the tube to get the stuff to mix. Otherwise it comes out rather watery. Did you clean your girth with a shampoo/cleaning product before applying the hammanol? The hammanol is really a conditioner to be used after your inital cleaning. If you didn't get the leather clean before it could of gotten mixed in with dirt and horsey sweat = the excessive sticky feeling. Hammanol will make it feel a bit tacky until you let it soak in a bit.

[mlle_beau]

I cleaned it with saddle soap, then wiped the soap off and put the hamanol on. I did find that it was very runny, should it be thick? I didn't know to shake the tube, that might be a significant part of the problem, lol. How long does it need to soak in? Its been about 24 hours now since I put it on.

[mlle_beau]

You're supposed to clean your tack? I kid, I kid. I've never used that stuff before so I can't help!!! I'm sure someone else will have some better advice, but I do know if your cleaner is old at all my stuff goes bad. . . so maybe the leather cleaner is older?

I've had it since.... idk maybe May? But it did the same thing the first time I used it, which was the day after I bought it. I'm thinking maybe that I needed to shake it, like I said in my last post. I hope so, that would be a simple fix!

[MileHighOlli]

It should come out as a kinda yellow/brown/orange-ish paste. Appealing huh? LOL. If you just got oil the first time it was not mixed. If it has not dried after 24 hours I would not hesitate to wipe it down again with just a clean cloth to remove any excess left over. I wouldn't worry too much, seeing as you are from Colorado since our dry air sucks the moisture out of leather so quick. It won't hurt your saddle any, and any sticky-ness should disapper after you use it once.

This thread has got me wondering. I might have to go investigte the drying time of Hammanol. I do have a pile of leather halters needing to be cleaned :P

[mlle_beau]

Ah, well then I definately should shake mine. It came out as a dark brown liquid. Oops! You are right, the dry air of Colorado is at least good for things like this and for preventing a mold problem. :D You should let me know when you find out the drying time for the hammanol, that way I know for future reference.