Leather Motorcycle Gear

As we have heard and learned, “You must crawl before you can walk.” Similarly, we must master basic methods for maintaining our motorcycles and motorcycle accessories, before we can graduate to more challenging methods. For instance, weatherproofing your motorcycle boots can range significantly in its difficulty. Here are some tips:

1. Realize that exterior waterproofing and interior waterproofing are independent processes

Even if the inside of motorcycle boots contains some type of waterproof liners, waterproof the boots as if the liners were absent. Think about it this way: waterproofing materials on the exterior and interior of motorcycle boots, are independent of each other. The liners inside the boots allow moisture from the inside to escape to the surface of the boots. Meanwhile, exterior waterproofing prevents moisture from entering the gap between the leather and the liner. Wet leather can make a boot up to 1.5 pounds heavier!

2. Is waterproofing any of your beeswax?

As children, many of us would tell our nosy siblings and friends, “It is none of your beeswax!” In the case of motorcycle boot waterproofing, make beeswax your business. Here are some of its benefits:

• It is extremely dry
• It does not soften leather
• It is free of oil
• It has a melting point of over 1400° F.

Beeswax is a sturdy, effective way to waterproof your boots.

3. Avoid waterproofing substances such as oil, grease, (various) waxes, and animal fat

These substances are liquid or have a soft consistency. Thus, they will sink from the boot’s surface, and then permeate the entire leather. In addition, you must repeatedly apply these materials to the boots. Over time, the leather becomes soft and supple, with the toe and heel becoming particularly vulnerable to moisture. These materials are not acceptable for waterproofing boots.

4. Silicones have their pros and cons

Silicones are quite easy to apply to motorcycle boots. They reduce the surface tension on a boot, and fill up the pores and grains of the leather. However, they also have several drawbacks. Compared to beeswax, silicones are less sturdy and provide less protection from water.

5. Use fluoropolymers with caution

The original purpose of fluroropolymers is to safeguard textiles from stains. While you can also use it to waterproof boots, have a professional perform the process, as it requires specific conditions. While fluoropolymers repel stains better than silicone does, they are  an inferior water repellant. Furthermore, the results can vary, depending on which type of surface and application process.

The above was excerpted  and provided courtesy of ezinearticles.com

Note:  www.motorcycle-leather-gear.com and www.openroadcyclegear.com are wholey owned by RobyCo, Inc. of Reading Pennsylvania.  Excerpt articles do not represent the opinions of RobyCo, Inc or its holdings.  Selected information is provided for discussion purposes.