You will need to follow a few steps to maintain your leather motorcycle gear. It is like drinking fine wine. This guide isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list. You should refer to the care instructions for your particular apparel before you start. However, it does contain some tips and tricks we found useful when cleaning leather motorcycle gear.
There are three phases to cleaning leather motorcycle gear
You will need to pay attention to the following three steps of leather motorcycle gear maintenance in order for it to have a vintage, worn-in appearance without compromising the quality and function of the leather apparel:
- Clean the interior
- Exterior cleaning
- Conditioning
Quality leather care products help your gear stay fresher, for longer, and looking its best all the while. RevZilla photo.
Phase 1: Clean the leather gear on your motorcycle.
As you ride, you sweat. Your sweat makes your motorcycle gear’s interior lining oily. The levels of each component will depend on the conditions in which you travel, how much ventilation you have, and what you are doing. This will also affect the intensity with which you tackle inner-jacket dampness.
Step 1: Is your interior removable
It’s easy to have removable interiors. These are very common in leather race suits, as these are the ones that are most gnarly. If your gear has a removable interior that can be machine washed, you can pull it out and do a load. Then, skip the next step on cleaning the exterior. If your leather gear has a removable and machine washable liner, cleaning the interior just got a whole lot easier. RevZilla photo.
Step 2: Let it air out
It doesn’t matter if your leather gear doesn’t have a removable liner. Modern leather motorcycle apparel includes a sweat-wicking and anti-microbial liner. You can generally see an improvement in the condition of your gear by simply letting it air out. If that doesn’t work, you can add a little Febreze to make it even more pleasant. When airing out your jacket doesn’t cut it, a quick shot of Febreze can work wonders in the “olfactory improvements” category. RevZilla photo.
Step 3: Apply de-salter
Salt can build up in motorcycle gear over time and cause funky odors, even mold. If airing it out is not possible and the Febreze doesn’t cut the mustard, you’ll need to use a de-salter to get rid of the dank. Remove all the inner armor and turn the jacket inside-out to clean the interior. Then, apply the de-salter liberally. Make sure the jacket is not exposed to the elements until the de-salter is completely dry. For jackets without removable interiors, the de-salter spray works well to get the funk out. RevZilla photo.
Phase 2: Cleaning your motorcycle gear made of leather
Modern leather jackets are very durable. They are more durable than jackets of yesteryear and can withstand the elements. It is extremely important that you pay attention to what cleaning product you use and the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning leather motorcycle jackets, vintage or contemporary. This will ensure that the leather is not damaged.
Step 1: Locate a high-quality leather cleaner
It is important to learn how and to clean motorcycle gear. Although specifics will vary between leather types and brands and leather finishes, it is a good idea to avoid silicones and waxes as they can dry out leather. You should also avoid animal-based products like mink oil paste as they can cause leather discoloration.
Once you have found a leather cleaner that is designed for your gear, it’s time to get to work. Although applicator preferences can vary depending on the leather jackets worn and riders who use them, soft cotton, terrycloth rag works well for leather cleaner application.
Step 2: Add a small amount of cleaner to the rag
It’s important to remember that less is more in this age of Big Gulps and super-sized products. This is especially true for leather motorcycle gear. This is not the place to smother BBQ sauce on a rack. You should be generous, but not too strict with how you apply the leather cleaning solution. This will help you to ensure that the leather cleaner is applied directly to your applicator. This will eliminate any excess product from the jacket and lower the chance of it being absorbed into the leather. Applying cleaner to an applicator, rather than directly to the leather, helps to eliminate excess product being absorbed. RevZilla photo.
Step 3: Apply cleaner to leather jacket
Apply the leather cleaner to your exterior using the rag. You don’t have to force this process. Start at the jacket’s front and work your way up to the arms, back, and torso. Be sure to check for dirt and grit. You can rinse it off and wring it out to get rid of any gunk.
Notice: It doesn’t take as much time to wash your leather gear as you think. Baby wipes are a great way of spot cleaning your jacket all year long and can be used to reduce the time it takes to clean. The leather cleaner should generally be applied gently and in a circular motion evenly over the entire jacket, race suit, etc. RevZilla photo.
Step 4: Dry the jacket
Don’t let the jacket dry for less than a minute. Let the jacket air dry. The leather that the conditioner is applied to must be dry. For best results, allow 24 hours between washing and conditioning leather motorcycle gear.
Phase three: Conditioning motorcycle gear made of leather
You would get dry if you put 70 mph winds in your face, or if you let the summer sun heat your shoulders for hours, and you could dry out your leather motorcycle gear. Conditioning leather jackets, pants, and gloves, as well as race suits, involves restoring their natural oils. These oils have been depleted by time, use, and exposure. The conditioning process restores moisture to leather’s pores and improves the quality and life of the leather gear.
Step 1: Apply leather conditioner to clean leather surface
There are many leather conditioners available for leather motorcycle gear. Everybody has a different opinion about which one is the best. It doesn’t matter which one you choose, just follow the instructions. Although most leather conditioners follow the same application process, each manufacturer will have different best practices and instructions. The leather conditioner works to rejuvenate your gear by replacing essential oils. RevZilla photo.
You will need to coat the jacket with a conditioner using a damp, soft applicator (like an old sponge). Similar to cleaning leather motorcycle gear, apply conditioner evenly all over the garment.
Notice: You don’t have to condition the leather every time it is cleaned, but you should make sure that it remains clean.
Step 2: Allow it to dry
Conditioning leather jackets, pants, boots, and race suits are a great way to get the best out of them. It is important to let it dry completely, just like you would when cleaning it. You will get the most out of the essential oils. They absorb the leather and bring out its best.
Step 3: Don’t over-condition
Last, don’t do leather conditioning too often. This is because too much oil can cause discoloration. Oil can also clog the pores and prematurely wear down the leather. It is best to condition motorcycle leather gear once and not more than twice per calendar year, depending on the use.