Take Good Care of Your Leather

March 30 2010 by Jason Fogelson

leather-biker-jacket.jpgMotorcycles and leather go together like -- well, they go together really well. Leather seats, leather saddlebags, leather jackets, leather pants, leather boots... a lot of cows have given their lives to make your riding accessories. We owe it to those noble animals to take proper care of their hides, and to get the longest possible useful life out of them. Properly maintained leather can last for a lifetime.

Leather maintenance consists of four stages: Cleaning, conditioning, polishing and protecting.

Before we start, a few general statements about leather care. Leather is an organic product, and even though it can be tough and rugged, it is also very easy to damage with chemicals and moisture. Before you jump in with any leather treatment method, test it out on a small, inconspicuous area of your leather. You don't want to discolor your leather, or accidentally change its texture or feel. Be very gentle.

Cleaning leather should be done on a regular basis. The longer you let dirt collect on the surface of your leather, the harder it's going to be to get off, and the harsher and riskier your cleaning will have to be. Try gentle methods first, like wiping the surface of your leather with a dry cloth or using a soft brush. Then, depending on the texture and finish of your leather, add a little moisture if necessary. Finally, leather cleaning chemicals or treatments can be applied. Only use preparations that are formulated for your type of leather, and resist the urge to substitute other household cleaners, like dish soap. A proper leather cleaner should leave no residue behind, and should not contain drying elements.

Conditioning leather should be done sparingly. Let your leather tell you when it needs to be conditioned. When your leather starts to feel dry or scaly, it's time to condition. Avoid conditioners that are overly thick or fatty, and avoid preparations that contain petroleum or mineral oil.

Polishing leather helps provide its surface with shine, which is a great look. It also helps a leather surface to shrug off dirt and moisture, both of which can be damaging, as we have learned. Polishing requires a light touch, because too much or too vigorous attention can cause wear. Polishes can also contain dye, which can be great to restore or enhance leather's appearance. But be careful not to over do it, or you'll wind up with a surface that transfers dye to everything it touches.

Protecting leather is the step that might be the most important for motorcycle gear, right after cleaning. Since your leather is going to be exposed to all kinds of weather, from brutal sun to driving rain, choose a protectant that will help keep your leather supple without too much waxiness.

When I'm looking for products to clean, condition, polish and protect my leather, I like to use systems that all come from the same company so that I don't experience any conflicts between treatments. Harley-Davidson sells a wide range of their own branded leather care products, and also carries the S100 line on their website and in many dealerships.

Leather can take great care of you on your motorcycle -- as long as you take the time to care for your leather.

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