Motorcycle Leather Jacket Cleaning tips

Motorcycles and leather go together like red beans and rice (or bread and butter for those not in Southern Louisiana.)  The tough, rugged, durability of leather compliments the motorcycle image, but serves to protect the rider from the elements and in the worse case-- the road.  In a spill, it is important to have the added padding and layer of protection of the motorcycle jacket in addition to gloves, leather chaps, and boots.  Gloves serve to protect against weather conditions, but also insulate the rider from road and mechanical vibrations.

Topical oils and water resistant dressings can help extend the life of your leather apparel.  Most leather biker jackets are black.  Some cremes and dressings will stain light colors of leather.  Black items will not have this problem.  Care should be taken not to over oil and cause a wax buildup.  Motorcycle chaps, boots and saddlebags should be protected in a similar manner and will last for years with proper treatment.  It is essential to read and follow all instructions when using an 'over the counter' creme or dressing.

in  a timely fashion.  Spaghetti drippings are much easier to wash off using a mild soapy solution when they are fresh.  Finished motorcycle leather is naturally stain and weather resistant.  Do not use harsh detergents.  Avoiding stains and spills is not always possible.

as soon as possible.  Smog and bugs occur in some environments and become extremely hard to remove when allowed to remain on the garment for an extended period of time.

should be wiped down periodically.  Climates that have snow use salt to control road conditions.  Salt also exists in coastal climates.  Salt is present in perspiration.  We see a lot of leather vests, as well as jackets that have perspiration stains.  Topical applications assist with neutralizing salt on leather, but they are not a substitute for professional leather cleaning. 

is a good time frame for 'professional leather cleaning'.  Our process addresses proper oil levels, correct pH levels,dirty sewn-on patches, rough areas around zippers and cuffs.  Our goal is to return the jacket as close to new.  Most people get their jackets cleaned after they encounter mildew, extreme wear, intense road grime or salt buildup.  Neglect can do more harm to a motorcycle leather jacket than anything.

should be applied and allowed to dry before a garment is put on.  These solutions have a high concentration of alcohol they can cause drying. 

can scare people unfamiliar with leather care.  Simply allow the leather jacket to dry out naturally.  Do not try to speed the process up using a heat source, though a fan may be added to assist air movement.  The hair drier is definitely out.   After garment is dried completely, topical treatment may be necessary.  On suede, a kitchen brush or the green side of the yellow kitchen sponge may be necessary.  Be careful not to chafe material.  A properly oiled garment will repel most moisture.

will extend the life of the metal zipper parts.  A zipper will rarely wear out.  It may need lubrication from time to time.  At the first sign of sticking, a candle or crayon may be rubbed on the zipper.  If the zipper pull becomes bent or worn, it may be replaced at a much lower cost than full zipper replacement.  Prevention is an important element of zipper life expectancy.  Tears and rips should be addressed in a timely fashion before they get bigger.

The 'Hello my name is...' is a prime example of an adhesive stain.  Most damage occurs when the sticker is removed.  By pulling the sticker off, there is often some of the finish that comes off, too.  It is best to use a mild degrease like a mineral spirits to loosen the glue first.  Plan on re-oiling since the oil levels will be disrupted.

often. It is much better for the leather than just leaving it for special occasions.  A leather that moves around will stay softer and last longer than one that sits in the closet.  Always store your leather apparel outside of a plastic bag in a cool dry place.  We recommend a cloth cover such as a cotton sheet or pillow case.  The cotton will allow the leather to breathe while keeping the dust off.  Cedar blocks are helpful in a closet for added insect control.