Bringing back the dead

[Motorman55]

Ok, so I went to a flea market today and among the many items I picked up were these old motorcycle saddle bags.

No their not the best made, but they are leather. So I figured what the hell I'll see what I can do with them. Besides an obvious good cleaning I'd like to soften the leather some and try to bring their shape back.

Any recommendations for leather cleaners and saddle soap type products?

 

[Motorman55]

Ok, so I went to a flea market today and among the many items I picked up were these old motorcycle saddle bags.

No their not the best made, but they are leather. So I figured what the hell I'll see what I can do with them. Besides an obvious good cleaning I'd like to soften the leather some and try to bring their shape back.

Any recommendations for leather cleaners and saddle soap type products?

Here's the pic

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I'd use Lexol cleaner and Doc Baileys conditioner.
Nevrdull followed by Semichrome polish on the conchos and studs.

 

[StreetGLi]

Leather master has a foam cleaner. It works pretty well. You gotta keep it damp and pull the dirt out and then use a sealer.

 

[Motorman55]

I'd use Lexol cleaner and Doc Baileys conditioner.
Nevrdull followed by Semichrome polish on the conchos and studs.

Got the Never-Dull and Semi-chrome in the shop. May be able to save the conchos, but I'm going to paint the studs black after cleaning them up.

Lexol cleaner I can probably get at Walmart or the local Stop N Shop. The Doc Baileys I would have to locate. Might be available there too.

 

[Nexussian]

I would use Lexol cleaner to clean it.

As you mention you want to soften it as well as "restore" it, a quality neatsfoot oil should do that.

I have only done a little leather work like that, it's what I've used.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I would use Lexol cleaner to clean it.

As you mention you want to soften it as well as "restore" it, a quality neatsfoot oil should do that.

I have only done a little leather work like that, it's what I've used.

+1

Don't fall for any modifiers to the term Neasfoot Oil. If it says anything besides just Neatsfoot Oil or preferably 100% or Pure Neatsfoot Oil it probably has mineral or vegetable oil in it and you don't want that.

 

[gungatim]

^^ this for sure. Neatsfoot oil is boiled bones of a neat (cow). best stuff there is...

 

[BPJOOP93]

Fast orange hand cleaner with a Little bit of water. Cleans the weather up really good. And then I use be boot oil. Sounds dumb but works really well

 

[laser3kw]

I hate to say " I saw it on tv" but on one of the car shows they had an expert come in to restore the leather interior of an old car. He used a product that they called "Elephant Fat" and it seemed to work well (TV magic?).
Here is a link:
Swissvax - elephant fat link
never used it myself. I bet there are similar products out there.
Keep us posted on your resto

 

[Matt M PA]

Leatherique is another great product to rejuvenate leather...FWIW...

 

[James E]

Leatherique. Go to their website. You'll see some of the old, cracked up leather that their product has brought back. Try to ignore the typos and bad grammar. They're good with leather, not so good with English.

It's truly amazing stuff.

 

[gungatim]

I hate to say " I saw it on tv" but on one of the car shows they had an expert come in to restore the leather interior of an old car. He used a product that they called "Elephant Fat" and it seemed to work well (TV magic?).
Here is a link:
Swissvax - elephant fat link
never used it myself. I bet there are similar products out there.
Keep us posted on your resto

was that one of Wayne Carini's cars on "chasing classic cars"? I saw that episode if it was, the guy really did a nice job on a leather interior that looked half past dead...

 

[kspwski]

I've never used the products before, but some research led me to www.preservation-solutions.com. I have some old horse tack I'd like to restore and plan to use their stuff.

 

[Motorman55]

Started working on these bags. Here's a pic of them now after one application of ArmorAll Leather Care cleaner/conditioner. The (ArmorAll being the only thing I found locally for leather except the more expensive Meguiar's stuff.)

First I dusted off the outside and wiped it down with a clean towel. Next I vac'd out the inside and brush the inner suede which came out really nice. Next I pulled the leather straps out of their slots so I could treat all the surfaces.

I then soaked the leather panels and straps one at a time letting the ArmorAll soak in for several seconds. Then wiped clean with clean microfiber towels.

Final thing I did was to cut some stiff cardboard to the shape of the bottom panel and installed it. Then I rolled up some heavy bubble wrap and stuffed into the bag closing over the top flaps and securing with the leather straps/buckles. This brought the bag back to its full shape and hopefully it will keep its shape when not in use.

Now it sits up in my loft office waiting for its next applications of leather conditioners and eventual metal parts polishing.

 

[jimreed2160]

Great job!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Final thing I did was to cut some stiff cardboard to the shape of the bottom panel and installed it. Then I rolled up some heavy bubble wrap and stuffed into the bag closing over the top flaps and securing with the leather straps/buckles. This brought the bag back to its full shape and hopefully it will keep its shape when not in use.

Very smart !

My horse riding friend uses old fashion "saddle soap" on all of her tack. I don't know what brand.

 

[pcmeiners]

Every time I see the post, "Pet Cemetry" comes to mind, in gist with the book, I wonder what would happened to saddle bags buried within.