This is a static archive scraped from the now-closed superduke.net forum. If this archive has helped you at all and you fancy buying me a pint to say thanks, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com.

Cleaning Leathers?

Razy

Razy

2011-02-15 14:48:00 UTC

so what does anyone use to clean there leathers?

not sure what to use as there a Matt finish?

Razy

motoronin

motoronin

2011-02-15 14:55:00 UTC

Tarmac usually..

Razy

Razy

2011-02-15 14:57:00 UTC

Post missing.

samba

samba

2011-02-15 15:13:00 UTC

you can clean leathers????

Mr_Trecolareco

Mr_Trecolareco

2011-02-15 15:39:00 UTC

Get the bug splatt off with warm soapy detergent and when dry use "Liquid Nikwax" on a cloth. Rub it in, let it dry off and buff it all up. Bob's your uncle/ Fanny's your aunt . You can get "Nikwax" from a good outdoor clothing shop and it will make your leather more supple and stronger.

MADDOG53

MADDOG53

2011-02-15 15:47:00 UTC

Post missing.

Grendel

Grendel

2011-02-15 16:35:00 UTC

I always start with saddle soap, and after cleaned and dried, mink oil to soften it up and waterproof it,, has worked for me the last 38 years,, my 73 Vanson jacket still looks "new",,,,

BASH69

BASH69

2011-02-15 17:12:00 UTC

Rain, at speed.

ShadeTheChangingMan

ShadeTheChangingMan

2011-02-15 17:34:00 UTC

baby wipes straight after a ride are very good and for more stubborn stains scotch brite stain pads -

Image

I never bother with leather moisteriser or regenerators watchamacallit as ive either grown out of them or lobbed them down the track within 2 years

bic_bicknell

bic_bicknell

2011-02-15 18:44:00 UTC

Lightly soapy water and a scrub/nail brush.

Mine are matt finish too. Too much product on em and they go shiney

BEST thing is water and a microfibre cloth to keep matt finish though. Never conditioned em though....not needed to yet. They are Kangaroo, if that makes a difference...?

Stupid Luke

Stupid Luke

2011-02-15 20:26:00 UTC

I'm not so sure I get this obsession with cleaning leathers and other bike gear.???

For me I hate the new feeling of kit. I like to buy good stuff but I hate it looking new and shiny, I can't wait for my kit to "wear in" and look like it's been actually used in anger, the more scrapes, bashes, scuffs and dings the better! Not against protecting leather and feeding it with the right kind of products - but only to enhance it's lifespan or performance abilities, not to keep it looking like new.

Flies, road shit, salt, oil, - these are things that bike gear NEEDS to be splattered with - to make it real. Otherwise you look like a Fulham poser riding about on a gleaming Harley with NO MILES ON THE CLOCK!

It's like the old Levi jeans thing - they only look good when they are about to fall apart!

Bert

Bert

2011-02-15 20:48:00 UTC

I was with you Bic, I hardly ever cleaned my bike gear maybe once or twice per year, (which doesnt look too bad as long as you stay away from white leathers). I wore my fly splattered leathers, scuffed sliders and scuffed boots as a badge of pride and laughed at all the immaculate posers whose latest kit was always as mint as the 2 inch wide chicken strips on their immaculate bikes.

Last year I took the unilateral decision to clean my leathers more often, not because I care how I look, not because I want to prolong their life but because I am paranoid about Kent Police's unmarked fooking bikes.

MrZ32

MrZ32

2011-02-16 07:10:00 UTC

I recently bought a new suit. The dealer told me (like bigash said) to use babywipes to clean the bugsplatter of just after the ride.
He also gave me a "" but told me only to use it once or twice a year.

wille

wille

2011-02-16 07:26:00 UTC

meguires leather conditioner/cleaner. This does the treat but only ever gets done when i have gone through a torrential down pour... maybe once or twice a year. I tend to use textiles most of the time as it is just a 'chuck it the the washing machine' type affair... that and leathers are too hot.