hello,
i just got back from a 200mi ride. i got killed with the bugs. the kness and shins of my leather pants and my entire textile jacket are covered with bug juice. there were some really big ones out today too.
what's the best way to clean this stuff off? in the past i've used just soapy water on the textile and just water on leather. but maybe someone knows a better product or technique?
thanks
I use sneaker cleaner that you can get at any sports/athletic store. It's foamy and you just spray it on and wipe it off with a cloth. I think it even says it has oils in it to recondition the leather.
Leather cleaner for leather but not on textile. You're likely to stain textile with that stuff. Warm water with a dab of liquid dishwashing detergent will do nicely on both. Gently use a (finger-) nail brush on stubborn crud. Rinse with fresh water, wipe and dry. Leather moisturizer for leather afterwards. Nikwax makes some good products too.
IME, nothing cleans bugs better than a soft cloth and warm water. Get them wet and they'll come right off. THEN use the leather conditioner.
For textiles, I just put it on and jump in the shower with a scrub brush. Once again, once they get wet, they'll brush right off. Anything other than bugs, I use Bronner's "SalSuds". Scrub, soak, scrub, rinse.
Then I hang it outside to drip dry.
A ride in the rain usually does the trick, but I've never worried about bug guts on my leathers.
Quote from: eVilTWIN on June 16, 2008, 10:58:28 PM
A ride in the rain usually does the trick, but I've never worried about bug guts on my leathers.
completely agree, my leathers are self-cleaning - as long as I don't get soft and stop riding in the drizzly rain. Today they are looking great!
then every once in a while I let them dry and hit them up with conditioner.
Textile - dishwashing detergent or Penguin wash (sports clothing wash designed for high tech fabrics) and a sponge / nailbrush
lexol leather cleaner for the leather. wash or dry clean textile/fabrics. or look badass
These people are top of the line
http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=4 (http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=4)
http://www.josephlyddy.com.au/saddle_soap.htm
Saddle Soap cleans and conditions in one go.
Get tar remover from auto supply store. Professionals use tar & bug remover...hard to get in a normal store.
Small diluted amount in a pump bottle works great for faceshields bikes and leathers etc.