Archive for ◊ February, 2010 ◊

Author: Ethant
• Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

leather oilsPRESERVING LEATHER USING VARIOUS OILS

Oiling Leather All of your smooth leathers contain natural oils that need to be replaced from time to time to avoid damage caused by dry and brittle leather. Oils naturally evaporate from leather but this process is accelerated by exposing leathers to extreme outdoor conditions such as dry air or repeated wetting and drying cycles. Leather Oils also help to protect leather from water and moisture. They are a good idea to give all your leather articles a good coating of Neatsfoot Oil at least once a year.

Fiebing’ Leather Oils

Fiebing’s Prime Neatsfoot Oil Compound is the most efficient leather oil produced by the Fiebing Company. The chemical formula is a mix of natural and synthetic oils meant to bring forth a consistent and quality oiling while keeping costs down. Prime Neatsfoot Oil Compound is preferred by saddle owners that have a lot of oiling to do on a lot of saddles.

Fiebing’s 100% Pure Neatsfoot Oil consists of pure rendered animal oils. Since the primary function of Neatsfoot oil is to replace evaporated natural oils it makes logical sense that one would want to replace those oils with natural animal oil. 100% Pure Neatsfoot Oil is the highest grade leather oil produced by Fiebing.

Fiebing’s Silicone-Lanolin Saddle Oil is preferred by folks who are interested in additional weather protection and conditioning agents along with their oil. Silicone provides additional weather protection and Lanolin conditions the leather.

Silicon-Lanolin Saddle Oil is especially effective on leathers that are exposed to rugged conditions and repeated wetting and drying cycles.

Although keeping the right amount of oils in the leather is important to prolonging the life of your leather articles, immoderate oil can damage leather as well. People tend to use too much oil right away. The best way to oil leather is to use a piece of wool or a soft cloth and apply in light coats. Gradually adding oil to the leather will prevent over-saturation and supply you the desired results.

Author: Ethant
• Monday, February 22nd, 2010

leather-cleaningLeather furniture is no longer only for the well-to-do. Although leather furniture is stylish and fills your home with an air of opulence and luxury, it has become much more accessible and even affordable for families of various income levels. Now practically anyone can enjoy the comfort, style, and class of leather furniture. Just like all other leather goods, leather furniture must be cared for properly to maintain its beauty durability. Many mistakenly believe that leather furniture is high maintenance and expensive to care for. That really isn’t the case at all and this article will look at some of the simple things you can do to take good care of your leather pieces.

Act fast to clean spills. The great thing about leather is that it is stain resistant and very easy to clean. However certain substances can cause discoloration of the leather if left in contact for long periods of time. As soon as a spill happens, grab a damp cloth and wipe your furniture clean. It is okay to use some and soap or liquid detergent if necessary.

Dust your leather furniture regularly. You can help keep your leather in tip top shape by dusting it at least once a week Thoroughly clean your leather furniture about every 90 days, or 4 times a year. Use a high quality respected brand of leather cleaner and follow that by applying leather conditioner. Pay special attention to the areas of your furniture that get the most wear like arm rests and the seats. This will extend the life of your furniture by keeping the leather supple and protecting it from breakdown.

Keep your leather furniture in climate controlled rooms and avoid direct sunlight. Sunlight, extreme heat, and high humidity will shorten the life span of your leather furniture. For these reasons, leather furniture is not a good choice for outdoor furniture. Indeed, being exposed to the elements such as rain, could actually damage the leather.
The care you give your leather furniture is much the same as you would give to your other fine leather goods. The goal is to protect the leather from damage and keep it supple and beautiful so you can enjoy it for years to come. All things considered, leather furniture may even be easier to maintain than upholstered furniture which stains easily and shows wear much sooner. Leather furniture has a beautiful appearance and is extremely comfortable since well maintained leather is silky soft to the touch.

If you have been contemplating buying leather furniture pieces for your home but were afraid it would be time consuming and expensive to maintain, consider the return you will get for your efforts, beautiful, classy, and comfortable furniture that will last for years.

Author: Ethant
• Monday, February 15th, 2010

steerhideWhen pondering the purchase of motorcycle leathers, there are several issues that one must consider. While one would think that style would be first and foremost, in actuality, it is the protection that a good set of motorcycle leathers affords the skin that is of the utmost priority for any serious biker. Leather has over the years been proven to be the best material for motorcycle clothing, due to its resistance to tear, its natural warmth, and its acting as a first layer of defense by coming between the biker and the rough asphalt road. Leather has often literally saved the skin of many bikers.

However, all leather is not the same. In this article, I will attempt to address the choices that a biker faces when purchasing motorcycle leathers. We will explore the different types of hides available, the different tanning processes, and how to tell the differences.

There are basically three hides that you will run across when looking for motorcycle leathers: pigskin, buffalo, and cowhide. You may at times find such hides as lamb skin, sheepskin etc. Just make a note that these hides are inferior and should not be considered riding grade leather.

Pigskin

Sometimes called soft Leather, pigskin is very thick and soft to the touch. It will keep you warm in the winter and looks very nice. There is nothing wrong with soft leather (pigskin or lambs skin) except that it has a tendency to tear, is not very durable, and is not considered riding grade leather. If you are looking for the biker look but do not ride, pigskin is the way to go! Also, for garments that are not necessarily worn for protection, (such as leather vests) pigskin and lambs skin are excellent choices due to their suppleness and pliability. There are many fine styles available in soft leather and it is the least expensive leather out there. If you ride, stay away from pigskin for protection; spend the extra money to protect yourself with some true riding grade motorcycle leathers.

Buffalo Hide

Another high quality leather, buffalo hide is not from the North American buffalo, but the water buffalo, a native of India and Pakistan. Many leather products come from this part of the world, and the Pakistanis are world renown for their expertise in the manufacturing of leather garments. Buffalo hide is also very thick (ca 1.2mm) and can be tanned in both top grain and naked leather processes. Durable and not easily torn, buffalo hide, though not as common as cowhide, is considered to be riding grade leather.

Cowhide

The most common material used for motorcycle leathers is cowhide, chosen for its strength and durability. It is anywhere from 1-1.3mm thick, depending on the tanning process, is naturally warm, and will afford the utmost protection against road rash. The ultimate in riding grade leather, cowhide is the choice of bikers everywhere.

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Author: Ethant
• Friday, February 12th, 2010

qualities of leatherThere are many characteristics that make leather an good-looking type of material for hundreds of different products. There are many diverse types of leather products that a person can purchase. The following list outlines some of the most fashionable leather products that a person can purchase.

  1. Leather Shoes
  2. Leather Boots
  3. Leather Gloves
  4. Leather Hats
  5. Leather coats
  6. Leather handbags
  7. Leather halters
  8. Leather Vests
  9. Leather Pants
  10. Leather Wallets

Numerous products that can be purchased that are created by leather. For ever item that you see on an exacting list of leather products, there are many more unique that can be purchased. Leather is a unique product that normally always has a superior standard when it comes to material that it is created out of. Many people seek out leather for a variety of reasons. Many of those reasons have to do with the overall uniqueness of leather.

One of the many traits of leather is its toughness. Leather is known to last for a very long time. This is why so many people pay the price that they do for leather products. The fact that the product will last an extremely long time makes the price that is paid for the product worth every dollar in the end.

Health is a major stimulus for People who are highly sensitive to allergies and have breathing difficulties often obtain leather products. Leather is a material that can be cleaned rather easily and does not collect and hold dust and other harmful allergens. This makes it a perfect material for people who are susceptible to these types of things.

Leather offers a range of styles that can be suitable for any personality. This is one particular type of material that never loses its appeal. In addition to this, leather can be purchased in order to suit the unique style and personality of any individual. This is one of the characteristics of leather that make its appeal so one of its kind and well-liked. Many people do not mind paying the price for distinctive leather products. These types of products allow them to convey who they are, and what they like.

When a person buys leather products, they often find that the characteristic of leather of being easily maintained is extremely appealing. Leather can be conditioned, softened, cleaned, and so on. This makes leather a very attractive material. In addition to being easily maintained, if you get bored with the look of your leather, you can also dye it and paint it. Leather is an exceptionally easy product to use to change with your personality and unique style.

As you can see, leather is pleasing to many people because of the fact that it has unique characteristics that make it a very useful type of material. Buy your leather products in self-confidence that they will provide you with value, comfort, durability, and fashion.

Author: Ethant
• Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

painting leatherWhen people perform leatherworking projects, they often look for new and original ways to make their projects better. One way that people increase the value of their leather projects is to paint the leather. Before you choose to paint the leather for your project, it is very important that you know how to properly paint leather. Here, you will find many tips to help guide you in painting leather.

Leather should be properly cleaned prior to trying to paint it. This is a very important step in ensuring that the paint holds well to the leather. You can clean the leather by mixing equal parts of warm water and bleach that is appropriate for leather. Once you combine the mix and stir it, you should then apply it to the piece of leather that you are working with. You should use a brush that is soft when applying the cleaner to the leather that you are working with.

Once the piece of leather that you are working with is cleaned well, it is essential to allow the item to dry for at least an hour. While the leather is drying, you should flex it in different directions to build the durability of the project. Once the project is dry, you should thoroughly check the leather to ensure that all the dampness is removed prior to painting the leather.

Once you are ready to begin painting the leatherworking project, you should make sure that you have paint available that will work with the type ofleather that you have selected. You can visit a local craft shop to buy paint for working with leather. Many people; though, select acrylic paint when they are working with leather. Prior to purchasing the paint, you must be sure that it will work with your project and the type of leather that you have picked out. If it does not, you stand a risk of ruining the leather piece that you are working with. more…

Author: Ethant
• Wednesday, February 03rd, 2010

leather-jacketHaving a leather jackets are an accomplished task. Leather jackets are an exceedingly popular type of apparel. There are many causes why a person may purchase a leather jacket. Many people choose leather jackets because it is a great material in guarding against natural elements, such as wind and cold weather. Other people choose to purchase a leather jacket in order to have a form of protection when riding motorcycles and scooters.

Some people choose to own a leather jacket simply for the style and appearance. When you own a leather jacket, it is extremely important that you know the steps in properly caring for your leather jacket. Leather has normal oils that protect and preserve the look and life of a garment. The proper care and attention to a leather garment can add to its life. Tips to increase the longevity of your garment are as follows: Store garment on a wide hanger, not wire, to maintain its shape. If you garment becomes wet, let it dry naturally.

When a person purchases a leather jacket, often they plainly come home and immediately start to wear the jacket. You are able to choose to do this if you wish, but there are some steps that you should take in order to properly care for your leather jacket. The first thing that you should do is to condition the leather. You can find a variety of appropriate leather conditioners at your local department store, as well as a specialty leather store. The next thing that you will want to do is to purchase a can of spray that you can apply to the jacket in order to make sure it is waterproof. If your leather jacket is not waterproof, the first good rain that your leather jacket sees can be its last. This is extremely important when properly caring for your leather jacket.

In order to properly care for your leather jacket, more…