Topic: Leather conditioner.. Use it on motorcycle leathers?

[putnaja1]

I've never owned a leather product before until I got my motorcycle leather jacket.  What's the score on leather conditioner?  Is it smart to use it?  What does it do to the leather?  Is the leather gonna be ruined if I don't use conditioner?

Jason

[GraveRobber]

If your leather is new then there is not much you need to do to it. Maybe a VERY light wipe with pure neatsfoot oil or silicone spray to protect it from moisture. If it gets soiled, or old leather, then start with a carfull cleaning with saddle soap first. Then a more vigorous application of pure neatsfoot oil.

[Uncle Ernie]

Hoo boy... well, when I was selling boots, I was told that neetfoot oil rots the stitching.  Silicone just works back out because it like rubber and never really gets into the leather (ever notice that tires often rise to the surface of old landfills?).  A little saddle soap is Ok if used sparingly and rinsed/wiped with a damp cloth. There's really no reason for dry cleaning and it dries the leather.  Conditioning keeps leather supple and prevent dry rot, cracking, helps keep it moisture resistant naturally. If it gets wet, just hang it on a good hanger and let it air dry.  Nixwax is a good conditioner that helps resist water because it's hydroscopic; you apply it to damp leather and it follows the moisture into the leather.  Nuts, huh?  Any camping/outdoor supply can tell you more. There are several other good conditioners out there, also of course. Any tach shop should have some.  I only use some sparingly, but I use it on my gloves, too.

[rob]

Tires rise to the top of old landfills?  I would think that this is more of a function of the tire never decomposing or breaking down, so all the garbage surrounding the tire breaks down inot smaller pieces a little bit thus the tire goes to the top.  Much like larger rocks will make their way to the top of a rock landslide.

On a more thread related note, I have bought leather conditioner for my jacket/chaps, going to try it out.. let you guys know how it turns out.

Rob

[Glenn Stauffer]

Go to a tack shop (those places where the horse crowd hangs) and you'll find the best stuff for cleaning and conditioning expensive leather goods (saddles cost big bucks).  For years, I've used Horseman's OneStep to clean the leather and Lexol to condition it.  Keeps it like new.  When you get the jacket wet, treat it well with Lexol and let it dry.  Otherwise I'd just clean the leather and condition it a few times a year unless it is something you wear every day, then monthly or every two months.

[grumburg]

Have had good luck with McGuiars leather care. Bought an Olds Cutlass 2 yrs ago for a winter car and the tan leather interior was black from dirt. Cleaned up beautifully and made leather soft and even smelled new again. Was the best part of the car.

[Vatch]

I used some when I first got my jacket to soften up the bending areas.  It didn't work that well.  It seemed faster to ride in the rain for a while.  I do put in on once a year.  Why?  Because the lady at the leather store sold me bottle of conditioner so I figure I might as well use it from time to time. 

PS It's not very effective for removing dried bug guts.