If You Cant Find A Colour You Need Let Us Know & We Can Make It!
Join Our Distribution Network Europe Or Worldwide > Contact us
As all sensible bikers know, a decent set of biking leathers is essential. Not only does motorcycle leather look good, but it can also - literally - save your skin.
It's a bit like a knight's suit of armour: it looks impressive and provides protection, but you have to look after it to keep it in good condition! If you care for your leathers, they'll last longer, look fantastic, and keep you safe.
So, how exactly do you look after leather jackets, trousers, gloves, etc? You've probably had advice from biking pals or found leather care tips online. While some of this will be fine, certain methods risk ruining your leather jacket for good! We'll cover some of these later to make sure you avoid them.
At the Leather Colour Doctor, we're familiar with all this advice - good and bad - and we know how confusing it can be.
To help you out, we've compiled this blog on how to dye leather, and we've included some tips on maintenance to keep your leather clothing in excellent condition.
If your prized leathers are looking a little weathered, you might not mind so much as it adds a bit of character. However, if you want them to look their best, a premium leather dye will have them looking as good as new in no time.
Now, dyeing leather might sound like an easy task, but it takes a bit of effort, patience, and perseverance to get the best results!
The following steps give you an idea of how the process should go...
Before we begin, make sure you have all of the appropriate equipment:
Gathering these items beforehand will save you a lot of time!
Check out: How To Dye Leather Car Seats
There's little point applying leather dye over the top of grime and heavily soiled gear. This will only result in a patchy, uneven finish and a lot of frustration. The new dye will start to flake pretty quickly, and you'll be back to square one!
So, your first job is to clean the leather surface as thoroughly as possible. If the item has a care label, follow the washing instructions carefully. Otherwise, use a soft brush to get rid of any loose dirt, dust, and dead bugs stuck to the surface (a common problem for bikers!).
Next, choose a good quality leather cleaner, like the Leather Colour Doctor Preparation Fluid. Using a damp cloth, apply a small amount of the cleaner for a thorough deep clean. Gently wipe it on using a smooth, circular motion.
The fluid penetrates deep into the grain, stripping away oil, grease, dust, and dirt. It's also fantastic for removing residual sealant, whether gloss, matt, silicon, or wax! This deglazing process provides superior adhesion, allowing the leather dye to be absorbed deeply and evenly.
Focus on collars, cuffs, zipper areas, or anywhere that attracts the most dirt. Use a cotton bud if necessary around armour pockets or padded areas.
Once you have covered the item, gently scrub it with an abrasive pad before wiping it with a clean cloth. Keep wiping until the cloth comes away clean, then allow the leather item to dry completely. It's best to leave it to dry naturally, although you could use a hairdryer or heat gun - but make sure it's on a low setting or you could burn the surface.
If you have a leather jacket with a removable lining, take this out and wash it separately according to the care instructions. This removes sweat and grime, making your jacket feel and smell much nicer.
Discover: How To Deep Clean Car Interior
Now it's time to fix any of those rips, frayed edges, or burst seams! There's not much point in having leathers that look fresh and new if they're scuffed and ripped in places, is there?
Depending on how serious the damage is, you may need to take the item to a leather-repair specialist.
However, for smaller areas, the Leather Colour Doctor's leather repair filler paste is perfect for the job (although it's not suitable for nubuck or suede). And what's even better news is that it works a treat if you've just used our prep fluid!
Simply apply this thinly using a spatula, leaving time between coats for the paste to dry. Once you're happy that the damaged area is covered completely, rub it down very lightly with an 800-grit sandpaper (or abrasive sponge) until the surface is smooth. Take care not to use too much force, or you will damage the top layer.
Our first piece of advice here is to wear gloves. Seriously, invest in some heavy-duty rubber gloves and make sure you put them on before going anywhere near the leather dye. You'll thank us for this later, honestly. Without gloves, your hands will be stained for days! There's also a risk of chemical burns or adverse skin reactions, so it's best to err on the side of caution.
Also, wear some old clothes and/or some kind of overalls that you don't mind getting stained. It's just a precaution, but it's well worth making the effort to avoid ruining your clothing during the dyeing process.
Make sure to work in a well-ventilated area, as some dyes can produce strong fumes. Our own dye is water-based, but it's still advisable to keep the area ventilated throughout the process.
Also, give some thought to the colour. Are you sticking to the same shade? Maybe you want to go darker? Dyeing leather a darker shade is always easier than making it lighter. In fact, it's pretty much impossible to lighten dark leather, so it's best to keep it the same shade.
Our own high-quality all-in-one leather dye and sealer comes in twenty vibrant colours, so be sure to check them out to find one that you like. As it's a complete solution, there's no need for a top coat!
Before applying the dye, test a small amount in an inconspicuous area. Bear in mind that most motorcycle gear is made from chrome-tanned leather, and these instructions are aimed at this main type. If you're not sure what type of leather you have, feel free to get in touch with the friendly team at the Leather Colour Doctor for some helpful advice.
Right, now we're finally ready to get started on the dyeing process...
Explore: What Is The Difference Between Leather Paint And Dye
Protect your floor or table with a dust sheet or old newspapers and lay the leather gear down flat.
Use a sponge or brush (or a spray bottle, if preferred), and apply the dye in thin coats. Ideally, the first coat should be a very thin layer, with thicker layers over the top. Always allow each layer to dry before applying the next. You'll need to apply it more thickly around seams, pockets, etc, to make sure all the nooks and crannies are filled, but any excess should mopped up with a paper towel.
Take your time and apply multiple coats, as required. The more dye you use, the stronger the colour will be once you get to the final coat.
While our dye seals in the colour, you can improve its look and increase its lifespan with our fantastic leather conditioner.
Apply this in a small, circular motion using a clean, soft cloth and leave it to soak in for several minutes. Buff the surface with a clean, cotton cloth to achieve a beautiful, vibrant finish!
As we hinted earlier, the internet is awash with the "best leather cleaning methods", many of which will potentially ruin your leather gear. Much of this advice is provided by those with no experience in leather care, although - surprisingly - you'll sometimes find these methods on (supposedly) specialist leather company websites!
We highly recommend avoiding the following ways of cleaning and maintaining your leather jacket, boots, gloves, and biking trousers:
This is a big NO. There's a pretty big chance you'll ruin both your leathers and your washing machine! As the leather dries, it's likely that it will begin to crack - that's if it survives being tossed about in the machine.
Always check the care label on any leather goods; few, if any, will ever recommend putting them in the washer.
It is generally not recommended that you dry clean your biking gear. The process often involves harsh chemicals that can strip away the natural oils in leather, making it dry, brittle, and prone to cracking. There's also a chance that the leather will shrink during the process.
Never use any harsh chemicals on your motorcycle leather, no matter who tells you it's safe to do otherwise! Household detergents are designed to clean dirt and grease from specific surfaces, not leather. Doing so will, sooner or later, destroy the leather.
This is good for certain leathers, but not motorcycle leather. It risks drying out the natural oils, causing the surface to crack and split.
This is widely touted as a good way of cleaning leather, but it is a drying agent that can make the leather brittle. It also causes dyed leather to fade and become discoloured.
This advice is generally aimed at leather jackets or trousers, as shoe polish is formulated specifically for leather footwear. Because of this, and its potentially waxy formula, it can add a high sheen that isn't always desirable on your biker gear.
Also, leather is breathable, and the waxy polish clogs up the pores, potentially causing the surface to crack.
Vinegar (and white vinegar in particular) is often hailed as a natural cure-all and remedy for just about any cleaning task! However, it is rarely as useful as the hype would suggest, and its acidic nature makes leather dry and brittle.
This one may surprise you, as it's great for cooking but not so good as a leather conditioner. The trouble is that it just doesn't penetrate the leather surface enough to nourish it, as a good quality leather conditioner will do. Also, it darkens the leather and attracts dust and grime. Finally, there's a good chance that it will become rancid, making your leather goods smell unpleasant!
Again, this one will surprise many seasoned bikers and fans of leather goods. However, while it works as a conditioner and offers a degree of water resistance, it has its drawbacks:
So, now that these remedies and methods have been taken off the table, how can you look after your beloved biker's gear?
Well, if you love and respect your leather items, as most serious bikers do, then you'll invest in proper care, and not resort to dubious 'home remedies' offered by sources who don't appreciate this wonderful material.
To finish, here are a few top tips for looking after your leather goods...
Armed with this knowledge, and with the professional help and superb products from the Leather Colour Doctor, there's no reason why your leather biking gear shouldn't look fantastic for many years, and provide protection while you're out on the roads.
In the meantime, safe riding!
