Leather Care Question

[F6Dave]

What do you use for leather care?  I have a nice First Gear leather jacket that's a few years old, and I want it to last several more.  I've looked in stores and see nothing but boot care products.  Any thoughts or advice?

[old2soon]

Picked up some mink oil. Did a nice job on my chaps-rained on a few times and the shafts of some older wellington style boots. Right after I treated the chaps I got into some more rain!  Noticed that the water now beaded up on the mink oil treated chaps!  Hope this helps you some1  RIDE SAFE.

[R J]

Leather afterlife, I buy the 16 oz bottle and use it on the car leather seats, my Marine Corps Leather jacket, and my leather jacket I use on the motorcycle also.

http://www.leatherafterlife.com/

This link will get ya started.

[Jess from VA]

Mink oil is tops.    

(Kiwi in the can, really more of a paste) (if the can is cold, let it warm up, but don't heat it)

Brush off all dirt and wet wipe off all bugs.

If before you start, you have any worn spots, a little Kiwi black will restore color.  

With Mink oil, only use your fingertips, no rag.  Use less not more, but rub it in, a little at a time.  At some point it becomes pretty greasy, so I hang mine on a hanger from a water pipe to finish.  A toothbrush on all seams helps waterproof.  When done, let soak in for a couple weeks.

A black coat is no problem, but a tan or brown leather may change color a bit with mink oil (darker).  Do a test area if worried.

I just did six pair of boots and two pair of gloves a week ago.

It works good on vinyl seat seams too, toothbrush on, buff off.  Waterproofing.

[Bighead]

Been wearing the same leather coat for 10+ years and only treat it with weather has no cracks and still soft.

[Challenger]

My leather H.D. motorcycle Jacket is 38 years old. I touch up scuffs every once in a while with black boot polish and use mink oil every couple years. Still wearing it and looks fine.

[Safety Steve]

I have a matted leather jacket, it's not shinny, with mink oil give it a shine to the leather, it so what could I use to protect the leather without shining it up, would saddle soap work?

Steve

[Jess from VA]

Saddle soap is a cleaner not a protectant. 

I mink oiled a rough-out hyde jacket (not suede, but rough), and it did shine it up some, but it went back to it's old rough finish after about 6 months of wear.  Buffing a mink oil leather treatment with a boot brush actually dulls the finish more than shines.

Try Neatsfoot oil (used for ball gloves and saddlery and tack).  It also might add a bit of shine, but not for long.  It won't be as good and waterproof as with mink oil, but will soften and protect.

[Patrick]

Kinda like the Chevy/Ford thing, so goes the saddle soap/mink oil thing. I know those that swear by saddle soap, but, I've always preferred mink oil.
But, I don't have to do any jackets very often. I mainly do saddles, shoes and boots.

[fudgie]

Neetsfoot oil and mink oil every spring.

[Rams]

I agree with mink oil but, the truth is, as long as you like what the product does, that's all that's important.    Leather is leather whether it's boots, jackets, gloves, leggings, etc................   Use too much and your leather will be oily feeling for a while so use good judgment when applying.

All leather care products will normally darken the leather but, as time goes by, it will return to it's original color.     I use the same leather care products on my saddles (horse) and my boots/everything else.

[Gryphon Rider]

I use the same leather care products on my saddles (horse) and my boots/everything else.

I'm guessing you have this in your shower, too. 

[Rams]

I use the same leather care products on my saddles (horse) and my boots/everything else.

I'm guessing you have this in your shower, too. 

Why would you guess, if it's good enough for the family, it's good enough for guests. 

[Jess from VA]

I'm always up for a little tail.... but I draw the line at manes.   

[hotglue #43]

Saddle soap to clean,  neatsfoot oil to preserve the leather...  then minks oil to water proof