Taking care of leathers

[Turkina]

I've got some scuff marks on my jacket from when I took a fall last year.  Any suggestions on how to properly care for a leather jacket, especially to make scuffs look better?  I've used a leather conditioner that is good for car seats, among other things.  What product would you use?

The GP armor I got for my jacket looks to be some pretty serious stuff  I just have to make sure I don't use it!  

[Cal Price]

A lot of trial and error is required since there may be waterproof coatings etc. I have used ordinary black boot polish on a cloth rubbed well in or if it is not a high gloss finish "Dubbin" works well, it may have a different name in the states, it's what you use for cleaning-softening-waterproofing sports boots and shoes with, it's a linseed oil based product. The linseed oil can leave a bit of a pong! Try things out on "hidden" bits. On the other hand you could wear the scuffs like badges !

[cernunos]

I dunno, good luck...my leather jacket is around thirty years old and looks it. It looks like a reject from a fifties Marlon Brando movie  :lol: . Maybe let your fingers do the walking and call up a good leather goods store and see what they say. Love the little GS and this forum too.

C.......

[Mk1inCali]

After trying out some baseball glove "stuff" on my then-new Teknic gloves, and it really softened them up, so I tried it on the scuff marks I had on my shoulder from my get-off.  Now it looks just about brand-new, and you have to show folks exactly where they are for them to see that it's got any marks at all.

Found it in Target for 3.50 or 4.00/container.  I did my whole jacket, 2 pairs of gloves twice each, and I think my dad treated one of his pairs with it also, and it's about half gone, so it lasts quite a while.

I lost the lid to it, so I don't remember the name exactly, but it's made by Wilson, and it's a short, fat cylindrical white plastic container with a screw-on lid.  Definitely buy it again.

[dgyver]

I used some blue and black shoe polish to blend in the scuffs on my leathers. Looks better but not perfect. Hey, the scuffs add character. When I first get a new set of leathers, I will use a leather conditioner. I split a gallon of Apple Leather Conditioner with a g/f a couple of years ago and still have enough to last me a long time. Maybe once a year I will clean them, maybe more depending on how much I ride in the rain.

Also, mink oil works good as a water proofer.

Just do not use any conditioner on your gloves or at least on the palms. If they get wet they will get slimey.

[MstrsLilBrat]

"Lexol" Leather Cleaner and Conditioner

[Mk1inCali]

I stupidly didn't think about the gloves getting slimey before I treated mine with the baseball mitt stuff, but I've been stuck in the rain many times and they have been just fine.

I think it depends on what type of treatment you use.

[dgyver]

I treated my gloves before not knowing what could happen. When I went to racing school it pouring rain and I was on my TL. We had to remove our side stand. So while trying to hold the bike to put it on the swingarm stand, it almost slipped out from under my hand. After that I had some one else set the stand. My gloves are kangaroo, so I am not sure if that makes any difference.

I only put stuff on the back of the gloves now.

[roguegeek]

I treat scuffs with a small amount of clear leather polish. Other than that, there really isn't anything you need to do. A motorcycle jacket is generally made of cow or hog which is a much more thicker, stiffer, and durable leather than say a normal leather jacket made of lamb. This means a lot less care is needed. With my lamb leather jackets, they need to be treated constantly because of how fine the pores of the skin are.

[codajastal]

Just for fun this thread is now ALIVE
Best stuff I have found for leathers is a product we have here in OZ called Dubbin. It will rejuvinate the leathers beautifully and keep them supple. If cleaning is required first I suggest another product called Saddle Soap. Best 2 products on the market IMO.

[slipperymongoose]

arrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhh its the return of the dead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[k.rollin]

I use Pecard Leather Dressing for my jacket, and it really helped to hide the scuffs, as well as rehydrate/soften the leather and increase it's water resistance.

[mister]

Michael

[VerdonD952]

didnt see this mentioned, but i use Mink Oil on my soccer (fuss ball) cleats to soften them up.  also takes the scuff marks out and makes them nice and glossy.  only last for like the first 20 minutes of the game.  but makes the leather last longer and adds a slight waterproofing.  i get it at a tack (horsey) store.

[yamahonkawazuki]

I treated my gloves before not knowing what could happen. When I went to racing school it pouring rain and I was on my TL. We had to remove our side stand. So while trying to hold the bike to put it on the swingarm stand, it almost slipped out from under my hand. After that I had some one else set the stand. My gloves are kangaroo, so I am not sure if that makes any difference.

I only put stuff on the back of the gloves now.

kinda reminds me of ppl armor all-ing their pedals

[Toogoofy317]

I use Mink Oil too on my AGV leather jacket seems to be working well.

Mary

[Kijona]

Never done a thing to my leather jacket except throw it in the corner and it's held up for almost 2 years without any signs of drying out.

Come to think of it, my father has a 15+ year old leather jacket that he's never done anything to either. He bought it from JCPenny a loooong time ago, back when they still sold worthwhile stuff there. It's a motorcycle jacket - can't remember the name. Still in very good shape but it's been worn a lot.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Never done a thing to my leather jacket except throw it in the corner and it's held up for almost 2 years without any signs of drying out.

Come to think of it, my father has a 15+ year old leather jacket that he's never done anything to either. He bought it from JCPenny a loooong time ago, back when they still sold worthwhile stuff there. It's a motorcycle jacket - can't remember the name. Still in very good shape but it's been worn a lot.

same here. except for gloves i treat none of anything leather i own. ( if used on a regular basis that is)