lets talk about leather
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 300
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From:
lets talk about leather
Sorry, not talking about whips and chains... Atleast not yet. lol
Bought a new set of leather, jacket, chaps, gloves. However they are a little "Dry". The jacket isn't so bad and I can see it breaking in fairly nicely in time, but the chaps are another story... I bought and used some saddle soap in hopes it would condition and soften the leather some. What I found was the leather just obsorbing it in no time, but not seeing any immediate results. I will admit I'm not that knowledgable about leather clothing, so I'm asking here....
Mink oil
Saddle soap
Leather cream
wd 40
What do you use and how much is too much ?
Do I just need to take my chaps and tie them to the back of the blike and fly them like a flag down while driving the road to help soften them up ?
Bought a new set of leather, jacket, chaps, gloves. However they are a little "Dry". The jacket isn't so bad and I can see it breaking in fairly nicely in time, but the chaps are another story... I bought and used some saddle soap in hopes it would condition and soften the leather some. What I found was the leather just obsorbing it in no time, but not seeing any immediate results. I will admit I'm not that knowledgable about leather clothing, so I'm asking here....
Mink oil
Saddle soap
Leather cream
wd 40
What do you use and how much is too much ?
Do I just need to take my chaps and tie them to the back of the blike and fly them like a flag down while driving the road to help soften them up ?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,741
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
RE: lets talk about leather
The best way I've found to soften up stiff leather is to use it. I rarely clean my leathers. In fact, I "don't" clean leather. [&:] But then again, I rarely ever clean the bike either. Maybe that's why I look like a tramp. [8D]
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
From: The dream that woke you up in tears.
RE: lets talk about leather
Under no circumstances should you ever use WD-40.....not only does it stink it will deteroriate the leather
Dry leathers will absorb the saddle soap...thats what they're supposed to do. Let it get soaked up, let it dry, buff it with a soft cloth and clean it again.........if this still doesn't do the trick for ya go to Wal-mart or AutoZone and get a good grade auto interior leather cleaner/conditioner and use that.
They will eventually soften up.
Dry leathers will absorb the saddle soap...thats what they're supposed to do. Let it get soaked up, let it dry, buff it with a soft cloth and clean it again.........if this still doesn't do the trick for ya go to Wal-mart or AutoZone and get a good grade auto interior leather cleaner/conditioner and use that.
They will eventually soften up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: lets talk about leather
You can get LEXOL at any western wear store, feed store, or saddle shop. It is very good stuff for leather. It is the same stuff as the HD leather conditioner by less expensive. It might take a few applications until the leather is well conditioned, but it will soften, clean, condition and make water repellent.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Bill
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Bill
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
From:
RE: lets talk about leather
I'm not a leather expert either but I was always under the impression that saddle soap was not a conditioner, (real good chance I'm wrong) but there are plenty of good conditioners out there. I use Bickmore, "the worlds finest leather conditioner" with great results! One of my black leather jackets was turning white from dryness and Bickmore brought it back to its original softness and beauty with one application. Got it at Chucks boots. Good stuff.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 0
From: Somerset County
RE: lets talk about leather
I use mink oil - Test an area first to make sure the color doesn't run too much but it sure works okay for me
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 8
RE: lets talk about leather
Saddle soap, is great for cleaning your leather. It's not as drying as regular soap which incidentally disolves oil. There are a lot of great leather conditioners out there that would suffice. Some come in the form of a cream, some in oil, some in a vaseline type substance. In any event, it's a good idea to condition your leathers, as natural oils in the leather will dissipate. Leather without oil is hard and brittle. Once you have conditioned your leather, it will feel soft and supple and is much more rain repellant....and will last forever!
This brings me to a story...about my hubby...bless his little pointy head! Yrs ago now, he decided he was going to condition his Heritage leather bags. Well, he dug out the jar of stuff that came with his bike when it was new. Can't remember what it was called, (but it's kind of like vaseline). Anyways, he was polishing and polishing for some time and finally turned to me holding up the jar and said, "You know, this will take forever to get this done, this really sucks! I didn't realize this was so much work" .... I remember looking at him kinda dumfounded ... You should have seen the look on his face when I actually had to say the words ..."Sweetie, That jar is for more than one application!"
This brings me to a story...about my hubby...bless his little pointy head! Yrs ago now, he decided he was going to condition his Heritage leather bags. Well, he dug out the jar of stuff that came with his bike when it was new. Can't remember what it was called, (but it's kind of like vaseline). Anyways, he was polishing and polishing for some time and finally turned to me holding up the jar and said, "You know, this will take forever to get this done, this really sucks! I didn't realize this was so much work" .... I remember looking at him kinda dumfounded ... You should have seen the look on his face when I actually had to say the words ..."Sweetie, That jar is for more than one application!"
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