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Message started by wolfmrp on 01/05/10 at 12:59:22

Title: Waterproofing Leather
Post by wolfmrp on 01/05/10 at 12:59:22

I recently redid my seat in leather and I am happy with the look and feel, but we just had a downpour while the bike was uncovered. The mink oil I used on the leather did not hold. The leather cover became a sponge. There is plastic between the leather and foam so I am not too concerned, but I need a better product to waterproof the leather. Any help is much appreciated.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by serenity3743 on 01/05/10 at 13:15:22

Ya mean cows ain't waterproof? ;D

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by prechermike on 01/05/10 at 13:25:48

Let me begin by saying: I have never done a motorcycle seat.

I have always used the cans of camp dry, silicone waterproofing spray stuff on my boots and such. Some of the boots were all leather, some had leather trim and were the nylon camo stuff. I have had very good results with that stuff. I have also sprayed coats that were the canvas duck material. brown hunting coats.

That has worked for me.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by LANCER on 01/05/10 at 14:51:52

The old movies about the mountain men who lived in the Rockies all winter trapping beaver and such, always used bear grease to rub in to leather in order to make it water proof. Indians used it too ... they were probably the ones who taught the mountain men how to do it.

Now all you have to do is take your Davy Crockett knife in to the woods and find a bear. ;D

Let us know when you're done with that project. :D

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/05/10 at 15:03:03

Deer brain will waterproof it. My kid wiped some on the sidewalk & that spot didnt get wet for almost a year. & it was right under where the water came down off the roof. Deer brain is used in tanning, too, So, if ya get some leather tanned that way, maybe its waterproof already?
BTW, it needs to be raw, not cooked.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by BurnPgh on 01/05/10 at 15:14:11

737E717C7A6D2D281F0 wrote:

bacon grease maybe?

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by Oldnewguy on 01/05/10 at 15:28:13

Whatever you use, don't forget that you have to sit on it. ;D

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by bill67 on 01/05/10 at 16:03:45

Shoe department in stores have stuff for leather I think the is a saddle soap too that good for that.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/05/10 at 16:18:26

I know thers not enough mink oil to keep a rain from driving right thru my chaps.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by buttgoat1 on 01/05/10 at 17:46:37

Silicone would probably be the easiest but I have to wonder if the silicone won't make it too slippery for seat usage.
I wonder what the magic ingredient in deer brains is?

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by Serowbot on 01/05/10 at 18:20:02

77607160607224100 wrote:

Whatever you use, don't forget that you have to sit on it. ;D

Oldnewguy has a point... Whatever you coat your seat with will also be on your pants.... (definitely want to avoid deer brains on your pants)....
Have you considered a plastic seat cover?... maybe a shower cap?...

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by JohnBoy on 01/05/10 at 18:33:41

Quote:

bacon grease maybe?

The neighbor's dog will love that! Yummm-o!!!

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by prechermike on 01/05/10 at 18:36:43

584F5C494F484F5C432E0 wrote:

Silicone would probably be the easiest but I have to wonder if the silicone won't make it too slippery for seat usage.
I wonder what the magic ingredient in deer brains is?

Definitely need to be careful about the slippery issue. My dad once armour all-ed his four wheeler seat. Not a good thing.

The stuff I use on my boots does not apear to be slippery, but then I don't usually walk on the tops of them. ;)

Of course read the directions and "test on ain inconspicuous spot first"

Do let us know what you do and how it works.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by wolfmrp on 01/05/10 at 21:22:14

Thanks for the fast response everyone. I need to pull the seat inside and let it dry for a while. I will update when it is dry enough to apply something.

I think I will try for the dear before the bear or maybe I am just being overly cautious. ;D

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by Serowbot on 01/05/10 at 21:28:03

Quote:

I think I will try for the dear before the bear or maybe I am just being overly cautious. Grin

....???dear before the bear???....

Have a beer before you kill your dear..... maybe offer her a last one too... ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/05/10 at 22:31:57

You could put some vinyl over that crappy, leaky leather & just not worry about it.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by Oldnewguy on 01/06/10 at 04:03:52

Try this link. www.tandyleatherfactory.com They might have your stuff. I am going to do some leather work this winter and would be interested in what you find. I do know that the web site has a bunch of info on treating, dyeing, etc. leather. They also said the way to shape leather is to soak it in water and form it, let it dry and it will stay in that shape. Your seat is already molded! ;D

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by wolfmrp on 01/06/10 at 06:23:52

Molded yes. :) I just hope it is not moldy [smiley=thumbdown.gif]

After doing a 2 hour yoga class last night with a wet crotch and butt I am about ready to take JOG's suggestion and and switch it back to vinyl.

That feels like giving up though. :-/ I need a second seat to play with. Really I need money...and time. Time and money would be nice. ;)

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/06/10 at 06:25:04

Ive had $$$ & Ive had free time, but never did I have both at the same time.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by Oldnewguy on 01/06/10 at 10:33:03

Amen to that! :)

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by LANCER on 01/06/10 at 11:01:57

100% pure Neatsfoot oil is THE best leather threatment available.
It has been used for well over century.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by Rocco on 01/06/10 at 13:55:50

electrical tape might work, or duct tape!!

my seat has a tear, and hold water, so my butt gets wet...lame!!

i haven't done anything, i guess i match everyone else in south florida when it's hot out 8-)

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by John_D on 01/07/10 at 02:06:10

36292F2835320333033B29256E5C0 wrote:

I've worn brain-tanned leather (and helped make it), it's about the consistency of a chamois, and soaks up water just as good. :P The oil in it is probably what made the water bead off the sidewalk, but the tanic acid(?) in it is why they use it for tanning, to break down the fibers a little, and make it softer. Probably wouldn't do much for the seat, but make it stink, and they DO stink!

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/07/10 at 04:11:44

Oddly enough, I never smelled the sidewalk, not once.
Well, sorry for the bum steer. It sure did make H2O run off that spot of cement.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by Gort on 01/07/10 at 11:53:34

2D202F2224337376410 wrote:

100% pure Neatsfoot oil is THE best leather threatment available.
It has been used for well over century.

I agree absolutely. I've used it for years. My brother and I bought new, very heavy leather bomber pilot jackets when we were in our late teens, 40 years ago. He did not treat his leather with anything, however took good care of it otherwise. After the first 5 years, I treated mine with a MINIMAL amount of Neatsfoot oil once a year, every year. His jacket dried out and cracked so badly, he threw it away. Mine still looks like the day it was new, except for normal crease marks. After about 35 years, the stitching started to come loose in the high wear areas like the pocket seams, cuffs and where the heavy zipper assembly attaches to the leather, so I took it to a specialist who re-sews this sort of thing, and he was amazed that the jacket was 40 years old.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by Ed L. on 01/07/10 at 17:17:58

I have had good luck waterproofing my hunting boots using a silcone mink oil. The stuff is a paste that you can rub into the leather. I also used a liquid called Shoe Saver which came in a 12 oz bottle and was painted onto the leather with an applicator. Both worked great once they dried.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by tcreeley on 01/07/10 at 18:25:07

I've used a lot of leather conditioners. I like mink oil for shoes and a touch up after I've cleaned the leather. Saddlesoap is lanolin with soap - to clean leather and treat it - really just a cleaning setup with minimal treatment - like a saddlesoap glycerin bar - same thing. Neatsfoot oil is a good oil for new leather and old leather. Carrige harness is soaked in neatsfoot oil for the first treatment - then only used after leather was rained on and needed a restorative. I've also used it heavily on leather boots- good for a day in the snow, but water still gets through - just more slowly (same as mink oil). My favorite is Leather New Balsam - a 1 step treatment - for new and old leather.
Leather gets wet and the oil being lighter than water lifts and the water sneaks in. Oils slow it up, but that is all. Leather can't be waterproofed. You can only make it resistant to water.
Another way to go about it is by coating it with a flexible covering (polyurethane based perhaps). Silicon might work- never tried it except on suede.
I've just let leather dry and re-oiled it. Mink oil has to be thick to stop water and then is not so good to sit on. Finished colored leathers are not as receptive to oils and take more time for the conditioner to soakl in.

Goodluck- carry a rain cover - plastic bag for an emergency cover!

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by tcreeley on 01/07/10 at 18:27:14

Neatsfoot oil over time rots stitching (years) and that's why horse people don't use it so much anymore.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by Serowbot on 01/07/10 at 18:42:38

392E3F28282128344D0 wrote:

...that's why horse people don't use it so much anymore.

There's a thought,.. what do horse people use?... They been dealin' with wet leather for centuries...

Here's Tcreeley's saddlebag store link...
http://www.horseloverz.com/search.php?si=off&ss=leather+care

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by bill67 on 01/07/10 at 19:02:12

Theres all kinds of car leather that works good I use Zainos Leather in a Bottle,I use all their products but there not cheap.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by wolfmrp on 01/09/10 at 17:35:49

I just applied a bees wax bases product called "sno-seal" You use a hair dryer and melt the paste into the leather. I did a test and the result were promising. I made a small bowl shape with the test piece and let water sit in it over night. There where no drips after 12 hours of holding water, but the fibers did seem a bit damp after the test. I will report back after the next big rain.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by Digger on 01/10/10 at 20:38:28

Sno Seal (http://www.atsko.com/products/waterproofing/sno-seal.html) is the best stuff I've found to treat my boots with.

I've never been able to COMPLETELY waterproof leather, but Sno Seal comes closer than anything I've ever used.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by Oldnewguy on 01/11/10 at 04:20:21

I just had a thought! Instead of sealing the seat how about wearing plastic pants. ;D Also there are some other possibilities that I will let other members come up with. :D

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by rokrover on 01/12/10 at 13:38:10

Leather is porous and must breathe - that's one of its advantages - so nothing should completely seal and waterproof it. Brooks Leathers in England make a fancy conditioner called Proofide for their iconic leather bicycle seats that will offer shower resistance. For really wet days they offer a plastic slip-over cover, so that should tell you something. Google "brooks + proofide" to learn more. Kinda expensive stuff though.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by wolfmrp on 01/13/10 at 21:02:31

After using the "sno-seal" and the first big rain the water was still beading up on the seat. After the second big rain the waterproofing was effectively gone. :( I think the sno-seal does a good job for some items(boots), but I am beginning to think that I was just not meant to have a leather seat. (At least not while living in Portland) I just got some nice looking vinyl and will be redoing the seat again this weekend. I may take this opportunity to shape the foam a bit or even inlay some memory foam were my tailbone hits.

Title: Re: Waterproofing Leather
Post by babyhog on 01/14/10 at 05:05:40

435B5852594644340 wrote:

Wolf, sorry to hear of your problems. I've complained about my seat from day-1 and hope I have it worked out now, but haven't been able to ride lately so I haven't been able to try it out.
But... I realize it might be too late for this tidbit, if you are gonna work on your seat this weekend, but I ordered a piece of Saddlemen "raw gel" and inserted in my original seat. Its another option, unless you already have the memory foam. The gel is really dense and helps reduce vibration and softens bumps greatly. I love it, so I thought I'd mention it to you.