leather jacket care and cleaning

[jd8181]

i just bought my first leather jacket and got a killer deal on it. the guy i bought it off of owns a leather shop and is selling out so he was taking pretty much whatever he could for jackets. i got the one i really liked but there is a white mark (black leather) where it looks like it had been sitting up ageist a tag on another jacket. so i was just wondering what to use to get it off and what i should use down the road to take care of the jacket.

i use amror all leather care gel on my seat and didn't know if i should use that or not.

[Kansas]

Using any brand of leather conditioner ought to keep it supple, and maybe a little black shoe polish would help with the white spot.  Mine is about 5 years old and I clean off bugs with a damp cloth and hit it a time or two a year with conditioner, especially if I get rained on.

[Old_mech]

I've had good results using LEXOL Leather Cleaner and LEXOL Leather Conditioner. One or two treatments a year keeps my leathers clean and soft.

~jerry

[HroadhogD1]

    I would get some leather dye.  You can probably get it at Walmart, or a leather supply store, or a shoe store.   I always get two bottles.  I put one back, and somebody always needs one.  You  can use it on your jacket, gloves, saddlebags, seat, etc.   I wouldn't recommend shoe polish.  Then put on the leather conditioner to keep it soft.  The leather dye is what was orginally used to color the jacket.  Works great.

[xxxflhrci]

About once a year,  I wash the bugs off mine with Murphy's Oil Soap, then smear on a thick layer of mink oil.  I just leave the oil on and put the jackets/chaps/boots/RKC bags or whatever else in the sun for a bit.  The mink oil soaks in.  My oldest jacket is 17 years old and is still soft.

[ccw03345]

I've had good luck with Doc Bailey.

http://www.docbailey.com/

[Snuff™]

jd8181,
Wear it when its cold. Wear it when the bugs are out. Wear it when it rains.  Just hang it up to dry and stuff it in the saddlebags when not in use.  I 've treated mine that way for 16 years and it will last for another 16.

Oh, by the way. DocBailey's works GREAT on leather saddlebags.

-Snuff

[slo-poke 03]

I have had some luck getting paint splatter and such off of leather with baby oil. I don't know why it works , but some one told me about it years ago so I tried it and it seems to work.

[CraigArizona85248]

   I never have cleaned a leather jacket.  My first one I wore for 23 years... the current one I've had 7 years.  LOL

[MMOCGuy]

I'm with xxxflhrci .

I've used Murphy's Oil Soap for years on my leather & vinyl. It is made from vegetable oil and keeps the leather/vinyl soft and pliable as well as cleaning it. The best part is that you can use it on your saddle without getting the slick surface that Armour-all and other similar products leave. When dry, Murphy's Oil Soap leaves no perceptible residue. It just leaves a nice "As new" finish. It is cheap and available at Wal-Mart and super markets in the home care section (The same area where you will find Lemon Pledge, etc.).

As far as the white spot goes, you need to know whether it is a transfer from a tag or if the dye has faded. It is easy enough to tell. If the grain in the white spot looks the same as the grain in the dyed ares, then the dye has faded. If it is a transfer from a tag (Or similar) you should be able to detect some foreign matter. If it is faded dye, as was suggested, go to the shoe section of your Wal-Mart store and get a bottle of black shoe dye. Apply it to the spot and let it dry. Then apply the Murphy's Oil Soap to the whole jacket.

Hope this helps.

Norm.

[jd8181]

yeah i'm pretty sure it's from a tag since it's a perfect square. so i'll get some shoe stuff  and then murphy's oil soap on it. thanks

[HDRDR]

Mink oil works good on leather 

[Panzer]

I had mine for 32 years and never ever cleaned it.
No leather conditioner, no nothing.
It's stiff as a board, when I put it on, I can't put my arms down.
When I take it off, I swear it wants to walk off by itself.
It doesn't smell good either.



Well, someone had to be different.....me.
I see you smiling !!

[shovelmonster76]

Right on Panzer

[L-]

Saddle soap of most any brand to clean it and I now use Obenaufs for leather oil.  I  stay away from any leather conditioner or oil that has petroleum distilates in it and/or silicones.

[Riverside Joe]

Kiwi outdoor mink oil in the can, water proofs real good---------RJ

[Snuff™]

As stated above, I haven't treated my leather for 16 years and its fine. I guess I've treated it the natural way, hopps and barley.

As for the white spot, ask Monica L.

-Snuff

[Milehog]

Saddle soap of most any brand to clean it and I now use Obenaufs for leather oil.  I  stay away from any leather conditioner or oil that has petroleum distilates in it and/or silicones.

Pay attention, this guy knows leather.

edit;   I use Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP which is solid, rather than their oil. Lexol is good but can't penetrate leather treated for water resistance.

[takwolf]

Another vote for saddlesoap & Obenaufs. Only conditioner I use on my whips.

[Panzer]

                         WHIPS ??    

[takwolf]

What? Doesn't everyone have whips? LOL 

[Milehog]

Chains required, whips optional...

[biker4christ]

got my old leather jacket about 13 yrs ago never put anything on it ,just good use .it looks well worn,no holes(cept in the pockets)and it fits like a glove.

[Hoist!]

My Walter Dyer riding jacket's over 20 YO, and have a special method of taking care of it! I wear it when I ride!!! That's it!!!

Hoist!

[smittyon66]

jd8181,
Wear it when its cold. Wear it when the bugs are out. Wear it when it rains.  Just hang it up to dry and stuff it in the saddlebags when not in use.  I 've treated mine that way for 16 years and it will last for another 16.

Oh, by the way. DocBailey's works GREAT on leather saddlebags.

-Snuff

Be careful. I have one thats about 25 years old that I've always treated that way and it shrank bad. Another about 10 years old thats getting tighter. Wearing them in the rain does make them shrink I tell ya....