I haven't done anything with my saddle bags yet and I've been caught in the rain more than a few times. I need to get something on the leather to protect it. I bought a bottle of this but haven't used it yet. What are you guys using?

Ryan

 

I don't know what you're looking for in particular. Haven't seen that McGuiars product. I've been using an easy spray product for rain and stain protection. I get mine from Wilson's at the Mall, but also have found a similar product made by Kiwi at Wally world or someplace like that. Clean with damp cloth, dry, spray on this stuff, let dry for a couple hours and buff. If it is the first treatment, they suggest you repeat the process.
One word of warning. I have used this product on jackets, hats and shoes. It does NOT make it shine. Gives it a softer and more supple feel. Looks richer and IMHO more expensive, but not shiny. Does a good job of keeping leather soft and rain beads up and runs off well.

 

Have you ever heard of "Grand Piano Polish?" I had a friend who was watching the stage being set up and a grand piano being brought out for a concert pianist. After getting it all set up, one of the crew went around the piano with a black magic marker and touched up all of the scratches. Looked great from 10' away.
I bring this up because I have some Allen Edmunds (great shoes...american made...and they'll completely rebuild the shoe for you when it wears out...pricey, but very comfy...definitely not for riding) Anyway, they have some great products, one of which is Heel and Sole Edge Dressing. Kind of a cross between liquid polish and paint. For $4.50 a bottle, it will really help with any scratches, scuffs or whatever on your leather. Just mu $.02 worth

 

Thanks Art. I definitely don't want my leather to shine. I just want them to be clean and protected from the sun and rain...

Ryan

 

Thanks Art

 

Quick question, figured I'd just throw it here. The leather stuff that came in the saddlebags with the heritage sure looks to me like basic saddle soap. Is this correct? Curious because while I've got my bags treated, but I just put on a corbin seat and was wondering if I should let Corbin bend me over for their "Corbin saddle cream" or if regular old saddle soap is good enough.

On a side note, I had to explain to one of the city boys that saddle soap isn't soap. :P We used to use it on the saddles back home all the time.

Need to snag some cleaning stuff tho, thanks for the products.

 

I've wondered the same thing myself. Corbin makes a quality product, so I'd be fairly well convinced that their saddle soap would be good quality. BUT, IMHO, I doubt that it's worth the price. It sounds like your familiar with saddle soaps an prob. have a brand you like and perhaps recommend to the rest of us.
Anyone who has the Corbin product, is there an ingredient label on it? If so, would you post it so we inquiring minds could compare? Thanks, Art

 

Nah, not to any great extent. Just had to keep the saddles supple back home. Stuff we always had was from the farm & ranch supply stuff. Nothin too fancy.

Pretty sure it was the Fiebing saddle soap though. Big yellow can.



Reading some of the stuff at the sponsor site makes me wanna try that. Saddle soap puts a nice shine on the stuff, but it generally a pain to work with. I might try some of the other products they recommend, and use the saddle soap as a fallback.

 

Ryan,

I use the upgraded version of the Meguires stuff,

It has a very slight sheen to it, but it works GREAT. I'm willing to bet the stuff you have is the same stuff, just a dollar or to cheaper. I'm a Meguires fan, always have been.

I'm still shopping around for that Bike Brite, never did find it.

Mac

 

I just bought a bottle of the Mequire's leather conditioner, but its in a black plastic bottle and says "Gold" something on the front. About $7 at Advance Auto. Seems to work great, just like their other products that I've tried.