How do you clean the ouside of a leather jacket?

HondaGalToo · 02-24-2005, 8:36 AM

Lexsol here, too. Just don't oversoak the stitching with it, if you have cotton stitching. I remember being told that with horse saddles, as too much Lexsol can rot the stitching. You know, I don't know what my suit is stitched with. If it's nylon stuff then no worries!

Scratch · 02-24-2005, 10:30 AM

Ok I'll come clean

My grandfather owned a leather shop in which I worked for some time. We mainly worked with higher end leather from tanneries which supplied companies like Coach, just to name one.

That being said, here's what I do when it comes to cleaning leather and my thoughts on it in general.

Leather is tough, as you all know, it can take quite a beating. Unless you purchase an insanely cheap leather jacket or suit, and providing you don't like to asphalt surf all that often it really doesn't need a whole lot of 'care'.

My recommendation, for whatever it's worth (not much I'm sure

), is to just use a terry cloth towel dampened with hot water. And occasionally (once/twice per year) hit it with some good leather conditioner *sparingly*. That's it. Your gear should look great for years to come, just stay on the bike! I have (should say had) a 3 year old Astars leather and that's all I did. Even after extensive riding in the country where you come home literally covered in bugs from head to toe, all I would do is take the "hot rag" to it. Sometimes a little elbow grease had to be used but my jacket looked brand new till the day it met it's demise.

Honda Polish is an excellent cleaner and I'm sure it's safe to use, but I never used it on my leather. I'd use it just about everywhere else though including the seats. There are more aggressive cleaning agents on the market for leather but those are best used for more severe staining, such as removing permanent marker etc.

.02

MrX954 · 02-24-2005, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scratch

100% cotton, terry cloth rag damp with warm water to get the bug/guts off.

Hmm.. might have to check into some of these leather specific cleaners/conditioners

Got lots and lots of those to get off

HondaGalToo · 02-24-2005, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scratch

Ok I'll come clean

My grandfather owned a leather shop in which I worked for some time. We mainly worked with higher end leather from tanneries which supplied companies like Coach, just to name one.

That being said, here's what I do when it comes to cleaning leather and my thoughts on it in general.

Leather is tough, as you all know, it can take quite a beating. Unless you purchase an insanely cheap leather jacket or suit, and providing you don't like to asphalt surf all that often it really doesn't need a whole lot of 'care'.

My recommendation, for whatever it's worth (not much I'm sure

), is to just use a terry cloth towel dampened with hot water. And occasionally (once/twice per year) hit it with some good leather conditioner *sparingly*. That's it. Your gear should look great for years to come, just stay on the bike! I have (should say had) a 3 year old Astars leather and that's all I did. Even after extensive riding in the country where you come home literally covered in bugs from head to toe, all I would do is take the "hot rag" to it. Sometimes a little elbow grease had to be used but my jacket looked brand new till the day it met it's demise.

Honda Polish is an excellent cleaner and I'm sure it's safe to use, but I never used it on my leather. I'd use it just about everywhere else though including the seats. There are more aggressive cleaning agents on the market for leather but those are best used for more severe staining, such as removing permanent marker etc.

.02

This is basically what I do once a year, at the end of the season. Clean with a damp rag, with a small amount of saddlesoap, followed by a light application of Lexsol.

Holeshot · 02-24-2005, 4:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dB

Helmut, of Helimot leathers, recommended Lexol products to me...works great. Use the cleaner and then the conditioner.

That's the only stuff the MBZ dealer sells in the parts department and they all swear the stuff is the cat'z ass. I bought a bunch of it and it works freaking Awesome!!

Lexol baby.. that's all ya need to know.

Smitty929RR · 03-03-2005, 10:10 PM

I used the leather cleaner, and now the dirt seems to stick to it.

Bigtoe · 03-04-2005, 1:42 PM

I use the Honda polish on everything also. Works great!!

Zippy · 03-04-2005, 3:58 PM

The terry towel with slightly soapy water works well to soften the bug innerds. Let the water do the work. It takes a while to soften that stuff up. I sprayed Scotch Gard on after a good cleaning. It helps repel water and makes cleaning easier.

RRWANTR · 03-04-2005, 5:56 PM

This is for leather seats etc...but should hold.

http://www.seattlejagclub.org/tech/leather.html
http://www.leatherique.com/products.htm

MACI4LIFE · 09-14-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soon2b954

The guy who made my leather suit swears by lemon Pledge.

IM leathers right?

jazzy · 09-14-2009, 3:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MACI4LIFE

IM leathers right?

He may not answer as it was 4 years ago when he said about the polish....but you never know.

I tend to clean mine with a bit of water on a cloth to get the crap n grime off, but not LOTS of water, just a moist cloth, then polish her up with some Pledge or something similar.

Twincam · 09-14-2009, 6:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy

He may not answer as it was 4 years ago when he said about the polish....but you never know.

I tend to clean mine with a bit of water on a cloth to get the crap n grime off, but not LOTS of water, just a moist cloth, then polish her up with some Pledge or something similar.

Might as well put them on and go for a shower

I wonder if you were to leave your leathers to dry naturally (on a clothes horse or on the back of a chair), would the leather shrink or get affected?

On normal fabrics, I have a big "bath" outside which I would drop them in with soap.

jazzy · 09-15-2009, 2:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twincam

Might as well put them on and go for a shower

I wonder if you were to leave your leathers to dry naturally (on a clothes horse or on the back of a chair), would the leather shrink or get affected?

On normal fabrics, I have a big "bath" outside which I would drop them in with soap.

Never found my leathers to shrink after being caught in the worse showers ever, so maybe you're on to something there Twin

Not sure about the soap bit

Although it shouldn't hurt

Have you got an old leather jkt or pant thats about ready for the rubbish bin, you could try it out on them first

Twincam · 09-15-2009, 7:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy

Never found my leathers to shrink after being caught in the worse showers ever, so maybe you're on to something there Twin

Not sure about the soap bit

Although it shouldn't hurt

Have you got an old leather jkt or pant thats about ready for the rubbish bin, you could try it out on them first

Well my claim is going to be completed soon so will probably be getting new kit so may give it a go (once I get some kit!)

ast03 · 09-16-2009, 2:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

I've used it on my jacket, my suit, my boots, shoes, interior of my car, helmet, visor...never a problem.

but if you stop thats when the problems start.. everything will spontaneously combust..