maintaining exposed leather work

[wotayottie]

my wheel is leather bound but that has a wheel cover. However the bar behind the sprayhood is also leather bound and without any sort of cover it has become hard and rough.

What can I protect it with? Dubbin - but then its suede rather than shiny leather. Saddle oil?

 

[A1Sailor]

I take it that you are a Muslim.

 

[pvb]

303 Aerospace Protectant is the stuff to use.

 

[Poignard]

Dubbin or Nikwax

 

[prv]

Dubbin or Nikwax

On suede?

The leatherwork on the square riggers I used to sail was protected with tallow (for parts that moved, such as yard parrels sliding up and down a wooden topgallant-mast) or linseed oil (for things that didn't, like the part of the shrouds looped around the mast). But that was all shiny leather - like shoes rather than sailing gloves. Surely any kind of oil, grease, or wax on this leather will ruin the suede-y finish?

Pete

 

[penberth3]

...Surely any kind of oil, grease, or wax on this leather will ruin the suede-y finish?

Pete

Can't avoid that with suede, any treatment will change the colour or texture.

 

[pvb]

Can't avoid that with suede, any treatment will change the colour or texture.

303 Aerospace Protectant doesn't...

 

[dom]

303 Aerospace Protectant doesn't...

Golly you seem to really rate this stuff, but £12.99 on Amazon seems a bit pricey.

Ordered a bottle anyway as it's worth it if it truly keeps the wheel leather in good shape. Let's see!

 

[pvb]

Golly you seem to really rate this stuff, but £12.99 on Amazon seems a bit pricey.

Ordered a bottle anyway as it's worth it if it truly keeps the wheel leather in good shape. Let's see!

It's recommended by lots of leather wheel cover people.

 

[Greenheart]

I wonder if the people who manufacture the treatment, subsequently started making wheel covers in suede?

 

[prv]

Can't avoid that with suede, any treatment will change the colour or texture.

Sure, but some will change it a lot less than slopping thick grease onto it will!

Pete

 

[Dawnrazor]

Gave my leather-clad Lewmar wheel a thorough cleaning with a terry towel soaked in very hot water to open the pores, and then conditioning with generous amounts of Lexol leather conditioner in January - Been supple and soft to the touch ever since.

Dr Leather wipes for the odd wipe-down work well.

Brilliant stuff.

 

[colind3782]

Slight thread drift but I stripped off the tatty suede cover last week with the replacement cover ready to be sewn. Having second thoughts I polished up the uncovered wheel and we think it looks great. Any reason not to leave it uncovered? Bear in mind that we're in Spain and the wheel is unlikely to get cold.

 

[pvb]

Slight thread drift but I stripped off the tatty suede cover last week with the replacement cover ready to be sewn. Having second thoughts I polished up the uncovered wheel and we think it looks great. Any reason not to leave it uncovered? Bear in mind that we're in Spain and the wheel is unlikely to get cold.

Covered wheels feel much better, especially if the cover is padded.

 

[colind3782]

Covered wheels feel much better, especially if the cover is padded.

Subjective though?

 

[pvb]

Subjective though?

Of course it's subjective - most posts are, aren't they? If you like holding a hard shiny metal rim, that's fine. I prefer a soft padded suede-covered rim.

 

[Poignard]

Of course it's subjective - most posts are, aren't they? If you like holding a hard shiny metal rim, that's fine. I prefer a soft padded suede-covered rim.

I prefer varnished teak :encouragement:

 

[colind3782]

Of course it's subjective - most posts are, aren't they? If you like holding a hard shiny metal rim, that's fine. I prefer a soft padded suede-covered rim.

Of course. I was wondering if there are any practical reasons not to leave it uncovered.

 

[tross]

I have used this to great effect on a suede lether wheel and it is cheap as well - Barmah Waterproof and Conditioning Spray - 75ml
Tross