THE CARE OF LEATHER

Leather has been the preferred choice for experienced Motorcyclists for generations. To the biker, a leather garment may be the only barrier between your skin and the pavement. A quality leather garment will protect your skin from road rash in the event of a fall.
Studies have shown a quality leather garment will have a 20 times survival rate over denim! Purchasing any quality leather riding garment should be considered a necessity when riding.

Here are some tips that can prolong the life of all leather garments:

- Always hang leather garments on wide or padded hangers to maintain their shape.
- Never store leather goods in plastic or other non-breathable covers. This will cause leather to become dry.
- Allow wet or damp leather to air-dry naturally away from any heat source. Avoid extreme heat or humidity that may damage the skin's natural oils. Excessive dryness can cause cracking; excessive moisture can cause mildew. Leather can be treated with a leather conditioner yearly to restore flexibility and proper moisture levels. Suede and nubuck can be brushed with a terry towel to restore its look.
- In winter, promptly remove salt deposits from garments by sponging with clear water, then follow with the above treatment for wet or damp leather.
- Avoid very humid and dry environments as well as direct sunlight. This will shorten the life expectancy of your garment.
- Do not use waxes, silicone products or other leather preparations that impair a garment's ability to breathe.
- Wrinkles should hang out while on hanger. If ironing is desired, set iron on lowest setting, use a brown paper bag as a pressing cloth on right side of the garment and a quick hand to prevent overheating and shine. Do not use steam!
- Avoid spraying perfumes or hair sprays while wearing your garment and do not apply pins, adhesive badges or tape. Wearing a scarf at the neckline will help keep hair and body oil away from the collar.
- Hems may be fixed with a tiny amount of rubber cement. Seek out a professional leather care specialist when the garment becomes badly worn or soiled.
- How many times a year should you condition your leathers? If you ride a lot in hot sunny conditions, or get caught in the rain, you will need to condition it several times during the season. You can usually tell when your jacket or chaps feel dry. Incidentally, rain will really dry out leathers because when the rain evaporates from the jacket, it pulls moisture away from the skin. I would recommend conditioning your jacket once it dries if you are unfortunate enough to get caught without your rain-gear.
-Can I use mink oil on my leather jacket or leather chaps? Many people swear by mink oil to condition and waterproof their jacket. The way I describe it to customers is mink oil vs Lexol is like putting Vaseline on your hands vs Jergens lotion. Mink oil will clog the pores of your leather just as Vaseline creates a barrier between your skin and the environment. That's why it will make your jacket waterproof. It will also eventually dry out your leather because the pores are clogged. You will also notice your jacket may have a whitish haze to it. That's what happens when mink oil solidifies in cold weather. To answer the question, it makes more sense to put mink oil on your boots, if you so desire, and use a conditioner specifically designed for quality leather for your apparel.
-Does my jacket need a water repellent? A spray water repellent will not hurt your jacket, however, if your jacket is a finished leather (most bike jackets are) it doesn't need a water repellent. A water repellent will help any unfinished brushed or naked leather. However, if you get caught in a downpour, don't expect any water repellent to keep your leathers completely dry! Water will eventually soak into the leather. Once again, try any water repellent on a hidden area before spraying it on the outside of your garment. One thing I like to use spray water repellents for is treating my good leather dress shoes and boots.
 ALWAYS, ALWAYS SPRAY WATER REPELLENTS IN A HIGHLY VENTILATED AREA.

With proper care, your leather garment will age gracefully and can last a lifetime. Vintage jackets have been known to last 50 years or more.
 A quality leather garment should be an investment in your wardrobe and/or riding safety.

If you have questions, Please e-mail us we try to help.
All American Biker Staff