Leather care

**cs363** · 29th July 2008, 23:43

Sno Seal is the stuff - you need to warm the leather (and the Sno Seal preferably) to get it to soak in, just like beeswax.....because, beeswax is the main ingredient of the product!
Animal fat based products are indeed a no-no, as they put it so well on the Sno Seal website (http://www.atsko.com/products/waterp...no-seal.html): "Our competitors' greases, oil, and animal products are able to migrate through the leather till they clog all the pores. These waterproofing products fill the natural spaces that are supposed to absorb perspiration and insulate.

In addition, animal fats weaken and rot leather. The tannery worked hard to remove the fats and preserve the leather, so it's hard to imagine why you'd put it back on."

Nuff said... there are other similar products out there, but most people I've spoken to seem to prefer Sno Seal. They make a good silicone waterproofing spray which is good for textile gear and soft luggage etc, also a special detergent for Gore-Tex and other membrane type waterproof gear.

I'll give it high marks, been using it for years with great success.

**RiderInBlack** · 30th July 2008, 00:08

Originally Posted by cs363

Sno Seal is the stuff .

NOOOOO. Not on ya leathers. Gloves and Boots maybe, but not ya leathers. Ask BabyB. She restores leathers for a living. If ya seach her posts on here re leather care you'll know. Better yet PM her.

**robo555** · 30th July 2008, 10:31

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack

NOOOOO. Not on ya leathers. Gloves and Boots maybe, but not ya leathers. Ask BabyB. She restores leathers for a living. If ya seach her posts on here re leather care you'll know. Better yet PM her.

I'm confused, aren't most bike gloves and boots made of...leather?

**RiderInBlack** · 30th July 2008, 12:19

Originally Posted by robo555

I'm confused, aren't most bike gloves and boots made of...leather?

As I posted, best ask BabyB. She's the expert. Something to do with clogging the pores on the leathers, which effects the leathers. Not much of a problem on ya gloves and boots, but is for ya leathers. Have tried Snow Seal and it doesn't work that well in the hard rain anyway. Ya better putting Mothers Leather Cream or Bates Leather Cream on ya leathers and using a water proof All-suit over ya leathers in the hard rain. I know as I have ridden often in hard rain (one ride was over 5hrs in non-stop rain). Leather if is looked after it ok in light rain on short runs without using Snow Seal anyway.

**RiderInBlack** · 30th July 2008, 12:30

Read the following from BabyB:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...0&postcount=24

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...1&postcount=36

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...4&postcount=17

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...7&postcount=44

As I have posted before, BabyB knows her stuff re: leather care. Please read her posts relating to that.

**cs363** · 30th July 2008, 17:56

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack

As I posted, best ask BabyB. She's the expert. Something to do with clogging the pores on the leathers, which effects the leathers. Not much of a problem on ya gloves and boots, but is for ya leathers. Have tried Snow Seal and it doesn't work that well in the hard rain anyway. Ya better putting Mothers Leather Cream or Bates Leather Cream on ya leathers and using a water proof All-suit over ya leathers in the hard rain. I know as I have ridden often in hard rain (one ride was over 5hrs in non-stop rain). Leather if is looked after it ok in light rain on short runs without using Snow Seal anyway.

Did you read the info on the Sno Seal site? Its a direct contradiction to what you are saying....
However, not withstanding that - yes there are other good products out there that are as good as, equal to or possibly better than Sno Seal. The main thing is don't use animal fat based products.
Interesting that my Alpinestars leathers recommend their own beeswax based leather care cream....

**RiderInBlack** · 30th July 2008, 18:21

Originally Posted by cs363

Interesting that my Alpinestars leathers recommend their own beeswax based leather care cream....

Would lesson to them over Snow Seal any day. Did ya read BabyB's Posted I linked in this thread?

**cs363** · 31st July 2008, 00:20

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack

Would lesson to them over Snow Seal any day. Did ya read BabyB's Posted I linked in this thread?

Well there's no real difference between the Alpinestars product, Sno Seal or a number of other similar products they are all beeswax based leather conditioner/waterproofers with a few extra additives to keep the beeswax soft/help in application etc.

I couldn't see anything in those posts besides Baby B saying not to use Sno Seal but with no real reason why etc. Personally I'd listen to what the manufacturer of my leathers recommends over some secret potion from someone I have no idea about.
Don't get me wrong I'm not slagging Baby B off, I just don't know her or anyone who has used her services.
On the other hand I myself and a bunch of others I know, have used Sno Seal or similar products for years with great results.

**babyB** · 31st July 2008, 03:10

looks like another thread that has been over turned.
my appoligies for adding to it
BUT
if i chose to have something to say, i will say it for myself!.

i have no secret potions. nor do i use only one brand/ company.
there are many different types of leather & many different tanning processes used, as there are many different finishes on these leathers.
therefore there are different products to care for them.
all of the above plus factors like; the actual state of the leathers (neglect, dry, salty, scuffs, scratches, mould, new/old, etc) will depend on what products are best suited at the time.

in my opinion i wouldnt recommend sno-seal because
if i read right this is a pretty new set of Quasi leathers
therefore they should still have their original quality finished protective seal on them. this finish will last for a number of years if looked after...
so why remove a perfectly good factory seal only to add sno-seal

**robo555** · 31st July 2008, 10:45

babyB, so for new leathers like these, what sort of of conditoner should be used, and if possible, what should be used to keep it water resistant?

Would the same treatment be applicable to say a pair of new Quasi gloves?

**cs363** · 31st July 2008, 11:54

Originally Posted by babyB

looks like another thread that has been over turned.
my appoligies for adding to it
BUT
if i chose to have something to say, i will say it for myself!.

i have no secret potions. nor do i use only one brand/ company.
there are many different types of leather & many different tanning processes used, as there are many different finishes on these leathers.
therefore there are different products to care for them.
all of the above plus factors like; the actual state of the leathers (neglect, dry, salty, scuffs, scratches, mould, new/old, etc) will depend on what products are best suited at the time.

in my opinion i wouldnt recommend sno-seal because
if i read right this is a pretty new set of Quasi leathers
therefore they should still have their original quality finished protective seal on them. this finish will last for a number of years if looked after...
so why remove a perfectly good factory seal only to add sno-seal

Now that I can understand and agree with!

**vifferman** · 31st July 2008, 12:06

Originally Posted by yod

sno seal anyone? any good?

Yeah, it's good for boots and gloves, if a little hard to apply (due to its viscosity).

Why do we keep having the same threads popping up, again and again? [insert :spudwhat: emoticodweebicon here]
Can't we have a 'sticky' for FAQs or summat? Or shoot people who can't use the search functions? [insert :spudwhat: emoticodweebicon here]

I've used lots of leather products (including, but not limited to Saddeline(?), Renapur, Sno-Seal, leather balsam, and some others I can't recall offhand) and I'd have to say after 35 years of looking and trying, that the easiest to use so far is Nikwax Leather Restorer. You can either just spray a bit on, and spread it around / rub it in with a cloth, or just spray it on a cloth and apply it. Then buff it up with a soft cloth. It's supposed to treat only two garments per bottle, but I've treated my jacket and gloves (even though they're suposed to use a separate product) three times now, and used less than half a bottle. It leaves the leather supple and water-resistant for weeks of daily use.
I used the Nikwax on my Macna jacket when it was still only a few weeks old, and was astounded that it actually seemed to improve it, and make it newer. (WTF?!? How can a new jacket become more new?)

I think from the feel of it (not that I care - it works!), that it's either a water-emulsifiable wax, or something similar to lanolin.

Despite having lots o toher products in the cupboard, I'm not going to use any of them on my bike gear again, apart from the SnoSeal, as it's better on the boots.