General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Leather treatment

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 17, 2011 | 10:07 AM
  #1  
takiniteasy09Ultra's Avatar
takiniteasy09Ultra
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: NC
Default Leather treatment

My HD premium priced leather coat is showing signs of wear and tear. In some places the black "finish" appears to be coming off. It has white specks in various places around the jacket in the creases and where the wear spots spots are. I suspect this is normal wear and tear. The jacket is about 4 yrs old and the only thing I have done to it is treat it with a leather conditioner each year.
Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with Doc Bailey's and/or the HD rejuvenator treatment for black leather?
Thanks in advance.
Ride Safe
 
Old Jan 17, 2011 | 10:32 AM
  #2  
Gypsylady's Avatar
Gypsylady
-Moderator-"Wench with a Wrench and Queen of Quips"
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 10,252
Likes: 1,980
From: Breaux Bridge, LA
Default

I just use mink oil on mine. Keeps it soft & waterproof.
 
Old Jan 17, 2011 | 10:50 AM
  #3  
WVHogRider's Avatar
WVHogRider
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Default

I just clean it by getting caught in the rain every couple rides. I've never ever once put any lotions/oils on mine and it still looks almost brand new.
 
Old Jan 17, 2011 | 10:52 AM
  #4  
Rick-e's Avatar
Rick-e
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 935
Likes: 2
From: Upstate NY
Default

Originally Posted by takiniteasy09Ultra
My HD premium priced leather coat is showing signs of wear and tear. In some places the black "finish" appears to be coming off. It has white specks in various places around the jacket in the creases
I like my jackets best when they are worn, creased and scuffed. I hate when I have to buy a new jacket.
 
Old Jan 17, 2011 | 11:02 AM
  #5  
Wide-Open's Avatar
Wide-Open
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Default

its called black shoe polish they sell it at walmart works awesome!!!!! new black leather in 30 seconds
 
Old Jan 17, 2011 | 11:15 AM
  #6  
jdallenemtp's Avatar
jdallenemtp
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, Tennessee
Default

A good cleaning with a scrub brush and Saddle Soap then treatment with Doc Baileys will make them look and feel better than new!
 
Old Jan 17, 2011 | 11:31 AM
  #7  
NDBadlands4-2's Avatar
NDBadlands4-2
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Default

Mink oil and saddle soap have worked for me. Around here there are several saddle and leather shops that sell all manner of leather care products. I would look for something like that in your area.
 
Old Jan 17, 2011 | 12:07 PM
  #8  
nevil's Avatar
nevil
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,282
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
Default

A real good product for leather is Lexol, after using saddle soap to clean it. However, I like my leathers to look worn so I stay away from those things most of the time.
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 17, 2011 | 12:16 PM
  #9  
frenchbiker's Avatar
frenchbiker
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
Default

Originally Posted by takiniteasy09Ultra
My HD premium priced leather coat is showing signs of wear and tear. In some places the black "finish" appears to be coming off. It has white specks in various places around the jacket in the creases and where the wear spots spots are. I suspect this is normal wear and tear. The jacket is about 4 yrs old and the only thing I have done to it is treat it with a leather conditioner each year.
Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with Doc Bailey's and/or the HD rejuvenator treatment for black leather?
Thanks in advance.
Ride Safe
Signs of wear on leather are fine. They indicate that you wear your jacket and it doesn't sit in a closet. If you want it to look like new, apply Doc Bailey's to get a new and uniform black finish and apply mink oil when Doc Bailey's is completely dry. I'd say in 48 hrs.
Mine is gently distressed and that's the way I like it.

By the way, for the ones who like distressed leather, you can accelerate the aging process by using fine sandpaper. Don't rub too hard but the finish will come off. Mine aged naturally but I have a friend who did it on his new jacket and it looks like it's been worn 10 years.
 

Last edited by frenchbiker; Jan 17, 2011 at 12:22 PM.
Old Jan 18, 2011 | 07:08 AM
  #10  
handyhoward's Avatar
handyhoward
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 5
From: Emerald Coast, FL
Default

Originally Posted by takiniteasy09Ultra
My HD premium priced leather coat is showing signs of wear and tear. In some places the black "finish" appears to be coming off. It has white specks in various places around the jacket in the creases and where the wear spots spots are. I suspect this is normal wear and tear. The jacket is about 4 yrs old and the only thing I have done to it is treat it with a leather conditioner each year.
Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with Doc Bailey's and/or the HD rejuvenator treatment for black leather?
Thanks in advance.
Ride Safe
Made in China... "premium" leather not... the white spots are the binder showing thru where the thin leather covering was glued on. They make leather repair kits if you're handy or if not take it to a leather shop and let them recoat the worn spots. If you just color over the spots with black, they will eventually rip.
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:08 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE