Leather Care

Care Instructions for RLO Custom Leather

RLO products are made from vegetable-tanned American leather. A little routine care helps keep the leather clean, supple, and ready for regular use.

RLO Custom Leather rifle stock cover and leather rifle sling
RLO Leather

Understanding the Leather

RLO uses vegetable-tanned American leather. The leather is drum-dyed at the tannery to produce deep, consistent color, then treated with a finish sealer that helps set the dye and provides some resistance to moisture.

Vegetable Tanned

The tanning process uses vegetable-based tanning materials rather than the chrome-tanning process described in RLO's original care instructions.

Drum Dyed

Color is applied at the tannery through the leather rather than simply being painted onto the finished surface.

Water Resistant

The finish sealer offers some protection from moisture, but the leather should not be considered completely waterproof.

Routine Care

Keeping Your Leather in Good Condition

RLO leather does not require complicated maintenance. Keep it clean, allow wet leather to dry naturally, and condition it when needed.

Basic Cleaning

A good saddle soap can be used for routine cleaning. Apply the product to the finished outer surface of the leather.

If the Leather Gets Wet

If the leather becomes thoroughly soaked, place it in a warm, ventilated area and allow it to dry naturally.

Conditioning

After the leather has dried, a quality leather conditioner can be used to restore its natural suppleness. RLO's original care guidance specifically mentions Lexol and Obenauf as examples.

Important

Leather Is Water Resistant, Not Waterproof

The finish applied to RLO leather provides some water resistance, but leather cannot be made completely waterproof. If your sling, stock cover, cheek riser, ammo carrier, scabbard, or other leather gear becomes thoroughly wet, let it dry naturally before applying conditioner.

Applying Care Products

Work From the Finished Side

Saddle soap and leather conditioner should be applied to the finished outer side of the leather. The product will naturally work through the thickness of the leather.

Treat RLO gear as you would other quality leather goods: keep it clean, deal with excess moisture promptly, and condition the leather as needed.

Questions About Your RLO Gear?

Contact RLO Before Using a Product You Are Unsure About

For questions about leather care, fit, product options, or an existing order, contact RLO directly.