New second hand leathers

**bones135** · 26th October 2009, 07:54

Went for my first decent ride in some newish leather pants i got & made a big differance to jeans. Rode to whakatane on Saturday & back yesterday, perfect weather & traffic was good too. Heaps of waving to fellow bikers.
Thinking of getting one of those hands on a stick you used to see on the sides of old truck....or am i showing my age

One question...whats the best way to look after the leathers, is there something you can wipe on or just a bit of soapy water?

**vifferman** · 26th October 2009, 13:00

You can sponge bug guts and the like off with warm soapy water. Easiest thing to keep them supple and reasonably water-resistant is Nikwax Leather Conditioner: just spray on, leave a while, buff up.

**bones135** · 26th October 2009, 13:04

Thanks mate i knew there must be something you could use just didnt want to get something thatll wreck them,
Cheers

**zjet** · 29th October 2009, 12:56

i personaly use dubbin. I,m not so fussed about the bugs its a motorcycle jacket to me

i exspect nothing less.
Dubbin helps keep the leather soft and also gives alil in the waterproofing of the leather, doesn't stop the water but i do notice it takes alil longer for that cold seeping feeling of water to get through.

**KiwiGs** · 29th October 2009, 13:22

I clean my leathers with warm soapy water and then put Snoseal on them to make them a little more water resistant...

**vifferman** · 29th October 2009, 13:22

I've tried nearly every leather product I've encountered, but Nikwax is the schnizz (whatever that is). Not only is it SO easy to use, but it works.
I'd almost got to the point where I was ready to invent something myself; something that you could spray on, wipe around a bit to ensure coverage, then buff up. Something like Nikwax! (Yes, I'm now a converted Nikwaxer evangelist!)

I still use SnoSeal on my boots, but for everything else I use Nikwax.
Only thing about it is the label is worngA: it says it will treat two (2!) garments, but I've already treated the leather jacket three times, and a few pairs of gloves. It doesn't claim to waterproof leather, but it does.
Weird...

**HenryDorsetCase** · 29th October 2009, 14:38

when my partner was into horses she used to use "Joseph Lyddy" products on her horse stuff (theres a "proper" word for it all Ive forgotten) leather bridles girths saddles etc. the leather conditioner is very good: beeswax based.

but since that ran out we have used nikwax and its easier to apply and just as good I reckon.

its tack. now I remember: horse stuff is "tack"

carry on.

**YellowDog** · 29th October 2009, 14:54

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

when my partner was into horses she used to use "Joseph Lyddy" products on her horse stuff (theres a "proper" word for it all Ive forgotten) leather bridles girths saddles etc. the leather conditioner is very good: beeswax based.

but since that ran out we have used nikwax and its easier to apply and just as good I reckon.

its tack. now I remember: horse stuff is "tack"

carry on.

I use to use the horsey stuff too.

Absolutely excellent at reconditioning old leather and keeping it in great shape.

But as for the SMELL.........................

**slofox** · 29th October 2009, 15:13

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

(theres a "proper" word for it all Ive forgotten)

That would be "TACK" perhaps?

I'm with Viffferman on this one - mainly because i am a lazy fucking bastard and can't be arsed with anything that you have to do more with than "spray and wipe". So yes, Nikwax is the ...wot 'e said. Although it stinks a little as well...