Leathers Cleaning whats the deal????

Burky · Post by **Burky** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:12 pm

I have new leathers and was wondering about cleaning them (not the dirt issue) more the hot days and sweat issue. If i left them sweat normaly will distroy leather, so how do you clean them?

Any info would be handy

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:56 pm

dont bother..its over rated...

mine are like 8yo..and never cleaned..i just hang em out to air occasionally..

Burky · Post by **Burky** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:02 pm

and they don't smell or want to walk away themselves

Barrabob · Post by **Barrabob** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:43 pm

I use lanolin on the outside it just soaks in but it would have to be pretty stinkybefore i went any further with it.

you can get autosol leather cleaner but riding around in the rain for half a day has the same effect and lets face it a 1.4mm cowhide jacket isnt as delicate as a lambskin leather jacket.

Glen · Post by **Glen** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:51 pm

OK lets wait for the "Dubbin rots your stitching debate to arc up".

I used Dubbin for years and it was OK.

I now use some stuff called Zorbel which I got from a Leather/Shoe place. Does a pretty fair job of cleaning and conditioning and is a lot less messy than most other stuff.

I think Neka's right though, cleaning them is overrated. I do mine once or twice a year when I get really bored.

MrStompy · Post by **MrStompy** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 3:54 pm

The dirt just adds character...

i do try to wipe off the insect guts occasionally though...

mine are absolutely filthy from the 70ks of dirt we went through getting to the island the other week.

stupid me didnt think fast enough to take the lead position and was too impatient to wait till the dust settled.

i have been known to occasionally use a leather treatment on them. some bees wax stuff i got from last years motorcycle show.

Post by **Wattie** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 5:30 pm

Glen wrote:OK lets wait for the "Dubbin rots your stitching debate to arc up".

I used Dubbin for years and it was OK.
.

so thats what happened to the stitching on my leathers???
you been cleaning them with dubbin!!

just kiddin, if Glen cleaned his leather with dubbin, they are still good,
i used bee's wax, makes em loojk nice and shiny!! but also kinda sticky in the sun haha

Burky · Post by **Burky** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:24 am

I did get wax with them when i bought them of which has been done but i was wondering about the inside sweating and smell but no cleaning is sweet

i used bee's wax, makes em look nice and shiny!! but also kinda sticky in the sun haha

Noticed that i thought it was the leather but it appears not

OK lets wait for the "Dubbin rots your stitching debate to arc up".

Dublin

mohawk miss · Post by **mohawk miss** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:55 pm

"Dubbin rots your stitching debate to arc up".

I've never heard that one....then again if I had, I would have thought it was BS.

Use good quality saddle soap with no glycerine if you can get it.

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:55 pm

oh..the outside?? i treat mine with dubbin once or twice a yr..the inside i never worry abt..turn it inside out & air it on the clothesline...

Z1000 · Post by **Z1000** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 2:32 pm

Felt the need to reply even though this thread is a little old as its getting mighty hot out there...

For the inside of my leathers I actually use "Febreeze". Wet it throughly and then let it dry for about 24hours.

If I am not riding my bike on the weekend I usually do it friday night and by Monday morning it smells great. Its also good for the inside of those helmets which don't have a removable liner.

It costs about $5.00-$6.00 a bottle.

Enjoy!!!!!

Gosling1 · Post by **Gosling1** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:36 pm

Z1000 wrote:Felt the need to reply even though this thread is a little old as its getting mighty hot out there...

For the inside of my leathers I actually use "Febreeze". Wet it throughly and then let it dry for about 24hours.

If I am not riding my bike on the weekend I usually do it friday night and by Monday morning it smells great. Its also good for the inside of those helmets which don't have a removable liner.

It costs about $5.00-$6.00 a bottle.

Enjoy!!!!!

Great tip !! cheers

Robsalvv · Post by **Robsalvv** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:39 pm

Sportbikes at PI ridedays use glen20 on the inside of their leathers.... but I like the febreeze idea.

I've had my leathers airing out, inside out since my last track day... six track days in short succession made them a bit pongy!

Insect guts and dirt... clean up fine with a damp sponge and dilute soap and water.

Regarding the topic of dubbin rotting stitching... according to George from Dellini motorcyle leathers, dubbin can attack natural fibre stitching, but not synthetic fibre like kevlar - which interestingly enough, most motorcycle leather jackets use.

I'm happy to take george at his word... he's a mad prick on his 9R.

Cheers

Rob

Burky · Post by **Burky** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:13 am

The leathers are going great, as they don't get used that much. although the "Bug Bashing" i did with Phil through Nasho on the week end did make them a little second hand. Phil's looked worse though

"Trip to the island" i was told, lucky, i thought he was clearing the way through Nasho