Leather Care
Congratulations on your purchase of a genuine Skintan leather garment.
Although leather is durable and tough, you still need to show it some love and respect.
The effort you put into looking after your garment will determine how good it looks and how long it lasts.
Always allow your leather to dry naturally
Leather is naturally water resistant and can provide reasonable protection if you're caught out in the rain. To make sure your garment doesn't suffer any lasting damage after a downpour, simply follow these steps:
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Remove excess moisture by gently wiping the surface down with a dry, lint-free cloth or sponge.
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Hang the garment in a warm and ventilated room so that it may air naturally. Skintan trousers and jeans have hanging loops sewn in for this reason or you may use a strong, wide coat hanger.
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Never apply direct heat by placing on or near a radiator or any other heat source. Drying time will vary depending on how much water was absorbed by the leather. To keep your leathers looking and feeling great, you will have to be patient and never be tempted to speed the natural process of drying by popping it into the tumble dryer etc. Remember, over-drying your leathers by drying too quickly can lead them to become stiff and brittle.
Basic cleaning
To help remove everyday dust and dirt that may build up with general wear, simply wipe the garment down with a damp cloth every so often. There is no specific time schedule for this basic maintenance, so is dependant on when you feel it becomes necessary.
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Dust off your garment with a soft brush and then use a clean damp cloth to wipe it down, rinsing the cloth regularly. Gentle circular motion is sufficient along with clean lukewarm water. The use of a specialised soap or cleaner is best avoided as chemicals within them can cause leather to dry out with prolonged use.
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Be careful not to get the garment too wet and remember to leave it to dry naturally when you’re finished.
Conditioning - is it necessary?
Conditioning a leather jacket was once considered an essential part of its care, helping the leather to stay soft and supple. Now, with advances and developments in the tanning process, this is no longer essential for new jackets and trousers. You will feel that after wearing for a little while, your new jacket or trousers will naturally become more comfortable, softer and supple as it moulds to you.
If you do wish to treat the leather with a conditioner, clean the garment first and wait until it's completely dry. The conditioner you buy should come with advice and instructions. Follow these carefully, and test the conditioner on an inconspicuous area before applying it to the whole garment. Only buy and use products designed and suited for motorcycle leathers.
General care best practices
Although each leather garment may have its own specific care guidelines, there are some general best practices that apply across the board :
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Keep your leather garment away from intense or direct heat.
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Never put stickers on your leather.
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Try to keep your leathers as dry as possible; avoid wearing them in the rain.
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If your leathers do get wet, allow them to dry naturally.
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Always hang your jacket on a wide coat hanger.
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Don't store your leathers in direct sunlight or near a heat source.
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Leather needs to breathe - don't store yours in a plastic bag or plastic garment cover for any length of time.
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Only ever buy and use cleaning and protection products designed specifically for motorcycle leathers. Leather used for furniture, car upholstery and equestrian equipment is processed differently and products for them can damage garment leather.