leather protection

A

Aekon

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so i just bought a new alpinestars leather jacket. im curious if it needs a surface treatment or some form of protection for the weather, or if its just ready to go?

at shoe stores when you buy new leather or suede shoes, they always try and sell you a can of that protection spray thats supposed to repel water. also, a friend of mine used to use some sorta animal oil (mink oil?) on his leather jacket, though it was just a reg. jacket... not meant for riding. so, i figured maybe this jacket also needs a coating of some sort.

im just afraid of ruining it with the weather on the way down. im sure before i stop riding for the season ill get caught out in some sort precipitation.

thoughts?
 
That's what a rain jacket or suit is for. I picked up a 2XL Goretex one at MEC, but there are motorcycle specific ones.
 
I've rode with my leathers in the rain and it's been fine; however, it's always a good idea to treat your leather apparell once in awhile. You don't have to pay too much attention since it's not soft leather.
 
No treatment will ever make your leather jacket waterproof. If you really want to try, however, the best stuff to use is called Dubbin. Smear it on, rub it in.

Leathers are skin - if you want to keep your jacket for a long time, you should take care of it, but that doesn't mean you have to baby it. I treat my leathers once a year - I use leather cleaner and then some sort of leather treatment, usually the same stuff you can get at Danier, just to add some moisture in that would have been lost over the year.

But again - don't waste your time trying to waterproof your leather gear. The closest you'll get is "sort of water-resistant for a little bit".
 
apparently that mink oil is readily available so i think ill try that. it rubs in so it seems like quality stuff.
 
Depending on what I have at my disposal, I use pledge, baby oil, leather conditioner from Canadian Tire (mothers i think?)
 
matthew said:
Depending on what I have at my disposal, I use pledge, baby oil, leather conditioner from Canadian Tire (mothers i think?)
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Yea mothers is the brand I was referring to. After you apply that stuff your leathers become super slippery so be careful on any leather pants cause when u apply the brakes ur balls are gonna leave a mark on ur tank.
 
I use Lexol Leather Conditioner. You can buy it at Herberts Western Boots and Wear at the Cookstown outlet mall at 89 & 400. The stuff is great. It's all I use usually do my gear a couple of times a year. $10.00 for a 200ml jug. Good for old and new leather. Prevents cracking.
 
Mink oil, Lexol or Neatsfoot oil are all good. If you get mink oil, saddle soap or dubbin, they all come in a round tin in solid form. You can slightly heat it up with a heat gun or hair drier to liquify it so it's easier to apply. When it dries and you've applied too much you can reheat it with the heat gun and wipe the excess off.

All products are also available from Tandy Leather in Scarborough (Kennedy/Eglington).
 
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i went to Shoppers this morning as i was pretty sure id seen mink oik there before, but there was none. they had the Dubbin, but since id never heard of it i didnt get it.

turns out i found someone who had some for work boots that isnt using it anymore and is giving me their jar. i assume it doesnt expire?
 
I'm just curious, I have a perforated leather jacket and my best guess is to use leather conditioner from a spray can. Am I corrent?
 
Don't use anything with silicone in it. The sprays are pretty ineffective.
If you wouldn't use it on your hands don't use it on your suit.
Mink oil,any oils will soak in at a greater rate then you need.
When I repair suits or treat crash damage we use Fiebings Leather Conditioner.
It is the best product I have found. Goes on like a vasiline and leave it for a while and just wipe the excess off.
It also has a bee's wax in it which will offer some water resistance.
When and if you ride in the rain, hanging your suit/jacket can cause it to stretch. Do not dry it in the sun,it will cause it to shrink.
Condition it after every rain ride and well more then twice a year.
Salt/persperation with the UV rays will serious shorten the life span.

John Bickle
 
john bickle said:
we use Fiebings Leather Conditioner.
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Hey John, you have a local spot to get that stuff? is this it?

Aussie_15oz.JPG
 
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John, are you referring to the product that chinto has posted or this one?

Fiebings%204-Way%20Leather%20Conditioner.JPG
 
THe stuff is really hard to find. Some Tach shops have it but most of them use the stuff with a red tint.
I do have a few jars left and need to order some more. Had to order bulk just to get it for my own use. So I do have some if you can't find it.
Let me know if I can help,,

They also have a really good product I have been using this year. It's a four way care that I spray on from a pump bottle. It works great for quick cleaning and conditioning. Need to get some prices on it in the smaller bottles.
What is really hard is to find a good conditioner that doesn't have red tint in it. Horse[Tach Shops] use the tint to colour the saddles and harness's. Makes a nice white suit turn pink,,,,!

John
 
Those are both what I use. The Aussie Conditioner is great for real good conditioning. The four way is great for quick cleaning and conditioning.
The Four Way I use at the track for crash damage.
 
john bickle said:
THe stuff is really hard to find. Some Tach shops have it but most of them use the stuff with a red tint.
I do have a few jars left and need to order some more. Had to order bulk just to get it for my own use. So I do have some if you can't find it.
Let me know if I can help,,

They also have a really good product I have been using this year. It's a four way care that I spray on from a pump bottle. It works great for quick cleaning and conditioning. Need to get some prices on it in the smaller bottles.
What is really hard is to find a good conditioner that doesn't have red tint in it. Horse[Tach Shops] use the tint to colour the saddles and harness's. Makes a nice white suit turn pink,,,,!

John
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thanks for the tip. I wouldn't have thought to ask about tint. I have a tach shop just down the road from my work, I'll pop in and see what they offer.

Thanks also for the offer for help. I have a few suits to do plus a few jackets, so I might as well buy some of my own. would you bother treating gloves? I know we have spoken before about how gloves are most likely the most abused of a riders protective gear. Does it make sense to treat them or are they more of a "disposable item"
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