How to clean leathers

[KIDRR]

So I have my leathers all broken in and they fit well now. They were getting dirty so I tried to clean them with this leather cleaner that I use on my car seats. Now they are too slippery, I slip on the seat....my anchor point slips when I am in turns.

I tried to clean them off with a little water but it did'nt work to well. Do I have to buy special leather cleaner? What do you guy's/gal's do? :confused

[V4]

I leave mine smelly and dirty.....its sexy and more macho...:laughing

I don't use anything really.....I let winter months wash the leather and summer to dry it.....:teeth

[Noid]

Ask anyone and they will tell you " do not ask Noid"

[Blank00]

Originally posted by V4
I leave mine smelly and dirty.....its sexy and more macho...:laughing

I don't use anything really.....I let winter months wash the leather and summer to dry it.....:teeth

Is that why you have so many suits? :laughing I remember u saying u had 4 or 5 suits.

[JnglstTICAL]

simple: water/rag...

[V4]

Originally posted by Blank00
Is that why you have so many suits? :laughing I remember u saying u had 4 or 5 suits.

very true but my suits are categorized as:

dirty
dirty and thrashed
filthy & smelly
filthy and thrashed and smelly
what-da-hells-growing-all-over-that-suit???!!

:teeth

[duckphreak]

Wilson's Leather sells a leather cleaner for your jacket :thumbup

[KIDRR]

So water won't hurt them....I thought I remembered reading something about how water messes them up.

[V4]

Originally posted by KIDRR
So water won't hurt them....I thought I remembered reading something about how water messes them up.

Ive worn mine in the rain countless of time and it was fine....even helped making it more comfortable afterwards but it was stiff as hell after it completely dried and it didn't look too good afterawhile.....

if you care of how it looks, then get the leather cleaner at a leather store which it does coat it that keeps it shiny and stain resistant (to a degree) and clean it.....

Beware though...some leathers do bleed such as some gloves so don't be surprised if the tshirt underneath get stained but that's only with the very cheap suits when it get wet ....

most of the major brand suits don't have the problem....

[MelloGixxer]

Some leather stores carry leather cleaners or use warm soapy water on a wet rag but don't drench the leather. Some leathers
will bleed from color dye so be careful. Most of your higher end
brands will not bleed. I know for a fact that if you try to wash
Alpinestars GP gloves they do bleed "alot".

[blueOne]

Intersport Leather Cleaner & Conditioner (http://www.firstgear-usa.com/products_accessories.htm)

[Trackho]

I tried Meguiar's didnt work---BUT Lexol cleaner, then the condition worked quite well---It by NO means got all the bug guts and such out--but it did get alot of the dirt off---might want to give it a shot---plus the conditioner makes them feel all supple and shit

[Joachim2311]

I have a vanson suit, in their FAQ located on their site, it suggests using to apply a very small amount of F409 ( or similar ) to a damp sponge to clean off bugs / grime / etc. I've done this after a long ride..works well. I usually try to wipe down the leather with an damp wash cloth after every ride, bugs are much easier to remove when they're fresh:teeth

Vason FAQ (http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/editpost.php?s=&action=editpost&postid=560469)

[BigBlockChevy]

Originally posted by Trackho
I tried Meguiar's didnt work---BUT Lexol cleaner, then the condition worked quite well---It by NO means got all the bug guts and such out--but it did get alot of the dirt off---might want to give it a shot---plus the conditioner makes them feel all supple and shit
I do a little detailing for a hobby, and i've found the Klasse Leather and Vinyl cleaner works better than the Lexol, and you just wipe it on. Great stuff, for cars at least, havn't tried it on the suit.

[Squidposer]

Mink Oil.
My jacket is ten years old and looks new. My chaps (used to be a Harley guy) are 24 years old and look used. Mink oil keps em soft and they don't get dirty.
Use pure mink oil. not that pasty crap with silicone in it. Get it at Tandy leather or Redwing shoes. I have no idea what it'll do to colors.

[ChopStx]

Here's what someone told me...

"Fill a bathtub with COLD water and two caps of Woolite. If you use anything but cold water the colors will bleed.

Put the leathers in the tub and soak them for a few hours. Refill the tub with cold water. Soak the leathers again. You may need to repeat this a few times to remove all of the Woolite.

Then gently roll them up to remove as much water as you can.

Now lay them out flat on the floor in a cool place out of any sunlight and let them air dry.

This make take a couple of days. If you hang them up to dry the leather will stretch.

You can apply a good leather conditioner while they are still damp but it is not required.

The best leather conditioner is extra virgin olive oil. It will not darken light color leather."

[KIDRR]

Thanks for all the help guy's..........:)

[MackeyStingray]

lemon scented lysol.

[Xenophonii]

Damn, you all crazy...

Lexol, Klasse or other leather cleaner + fingernail brush. Keeps 'em clean and supple. Mink oil ok - only thing is it supposidly clogs the pores.

And um, ignore ChopStx... sorry bud, but damn, that's a *bad* idea..

[KIDRR]

Yeah chop sticks who ever told you that is ahhh I think mistaken...I would'nt try that....but thanks for trying to help.

[GetaGripGreg]

Ride in the rain, you wuss. :twofinger