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 Accessory Care for Long Life
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 285
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 285 |
I was cleaning my leather accessories for my bike last night and just wondered how many do the same. My mother always had (and has) horses, so I grew up cleaning horse tack (saddles etc). Those same principles apply to all gear on a bike. If you never used it before try some saddle soap. I've had leather be so dry and stiff it was ready to brake. After cleaning with saddle soap and applying a good conditioner (such as neatsfoot oil, Lexol)the leather returned to like new consistancy. Soaping and cleaning your leather garments is very imporant too. If this post has anyone's interest, who hasn't done anything with leather before, I can recomend some treatments. Just food for thought.
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 Re: Accessory Care for Long Life
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
this is what i use.  The wife's highlander leather looked a deep brown mess. Really looked like the leather had lost it's dye both on the seat and the steering wheel. Cleaned right up though good as showroom. Always used the saddle soap to clean tack too (using a dead sponge). after every ride. never used anything else neither. after all, it is good to hang round while the gelding cools down after a hard ride. might as well maintain the tack at the same time.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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 Re: Accessory Care for Long Life
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
All good info but not commonly known - Neatsfoot oil will oxidize with time, and can embrittle leather It also may leave an oily residue that can attract dust. On newer leather, it will inevitably darken the leather, even after a single application, and thus is not a desirable product to use when maintaining a lighter shade is desired. However, for routine use on working equipment, particularly in dry climates, it is a powerful softening and conditioning agent that few modern synthetic alternatives can replace
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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 Re: Accessory Care for Long Life
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 285
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 285 |
Fiebings totally rocks!!! And yes, I know, don't put neetsfoot on anything you sit on, unless you want it in your jeans forever.
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 Re: Accessory Care for Long Life
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
I use this. I think it does a great job. Get it from a tack shop locally. Don't ask me to pronounce it though! 
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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