Care & Feeding Of Your Leather
Leather is tough, but it's still susceptible to the elements. If you're happy having a nice new jacket turn into a dried-out, rotting mess within a few years, read no further. For those who want to look good, maintain the protective qualities of your leather and maximize the return on your investment in high-quality gear, read on.
First, leather needs to breathe, so don't store your jacket in plastic; that will only contribute toward the leather hardening as well as leather rot. Second, don't stash your jacket near a heat source; it'll dry out. Third, avoid damp areas like garages, because that will lead to mildew.
The easiest way to care for your leather is to clean off dust and bugs after each ride. Use a lightly dampened, clean cloth to wipe off the mess. If the leather is light-colored, get rid of any bug guts as soon as possible so they don't stain the leather. It's also a good idea to treat your jacket with a UV protectant to prevent color from fading and the leather from drying out.
If you're caught in a rainstorm and your jacket gets soaked, shake it out, loosely stuff it with towels (to prevent creasing) and lay it in a dry area away from heat sources. Several times a day take out the wet or damp towels and replace them with dry ones. Once the jacket is fully dry, use a leather conditioner (sometimes called a restorer) to replace the oils lost by the leather, restoring its flexibility, its breathability and its water repellency. Some conditioners also include UV repellents.
Last is the situation of the neglected, abused or just plain old leather jacket. Feels dried out and stiff? A simple two-step process can bring your jacket back to life. First, apply a leather cleaner. This will clear away the accumulated road grime, open the leather's pores, restore breathability and generally help prolong its life. Then follow up with a leather conditioner. The results will be well worth the effort. -EK
Leather Cleaners & Protectants