Andrew Springer

Not sure if aesthetics is your only goal. If you don't mind the look, but want saddle leather that feels new, I really like Pedro's Bike Lust. http://www.pedros.com/bikelust.htm

Hugh Givens

Correct. Definitely don't use dyes. Bike saddles, car seats, and furniture are coated not dyed.

Use the automotive coatings as per http://www.leathermagic.com. It's some kind of acrylic. It works incredibly well on auto interiors. If you were to take your car to, say, Beaverton Auto Upholstery, this is what they would do.

I have seen this stuff restore the leather interior of an '88 M5 and a '93 Miata to like-new condition. Obviously a cycle saddle is going to get harder wear than a car seat but there is not any other alternative that I know of.

The catch is that it may be cheaper to just buy a new saddle if you want it to look sharp.

HG

On Mar 23, 2012, at 5:21 PM, Rick Johnson wrote:

> Definitely negative on the using the Tandy leather dye. I've tried that on a similar use (XC ski boots) and it does not penetrate. In fact it bleeds out when exposed to moisture - it could be quite embarrassing when used on a bike saddle.
>
> Rick
> Rick Johnson
> Bend, Oregon
>
> Every revolutionary idea seems to evoke three stages of reaction...
> One, it's completely impossible.
> Two, it's possible, but it's not worth doing.
> Three, I said it was a good idea all along.
>
> Arthur C. Clarke
>
> On 3/23/2012 5:07 PM, Kevin wrote:
>>
>> It might be dye originally , but the Tandy site says while dye can be used on new leather, it is not recommended for used articles.
>> http://tinyurl.com/7d7berr
>>
>> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>> What is happening in Kevin's corner of the bike world?
>> http://the-whir-of-spokes-in-air.blogspot.com
>> http://crosscountryraamblings.blogspot.com
>> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>>
>>
>> From: Hugh Givens
>> To: obra@list.obra.org
>> Sent: Friday, March 23, 2012 4:44 PM
>> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Shoe polish on a saddle?
>>
>> The finish on a leather saddle/chair/car interior is not a polish or die. It's usually a paint-like coating. I have had some experience restoring the leather interior of a couple of cars (well, not me, but someone else did it for me). The new finish is airbrushed on and it looks fantastic when completed. I don't see why you couldn't do it to a saddle.
>>
>> Here's a site that sells restorative leather products. Might not be such a good ROI for a saddle, though:
>>
>> http://www.leathermagic.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
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Rick Johnson

Definitely negative on the using the Tandy leather dye. I've tried
that on a similar use (XC ski boots) and it does not penetrate. In
fact it bleeds out when exposed to moisture - it could be quite
embarrassing when used on a bike saddle.



Rick

Rick Johnson

Bend, Oregon

Every revolutionary idea seems to evoke three stages of reaction...

One, it's completely impossible. 

Two, it's possible, but it's not worth doing. 

Three, I said it was a good idea all along.

Arthur C. Clarke

It might be dye originally , but the Tandy site says
while dye can be used on new leather, it is not recommended
for used articles.

http://tinyurl.com/7d7berr

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What is happening in Kevin's corner of the bike world?

http://the-whir-of-spokes-in-air.blogspot.com

http://crosscountryraamblings.blogspot.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

---

From:
Hugh Givens <g2strategic@comcast.net>

To:
obra@list.obra.org

Sent:
Friday, March 23, 2012 4:44 PM

Subject:
[OBRA Chat] Shoe polish on a saddle?

The finish on a leather saddle/chair/car interior is not
a polish or die. It's usually a paint-like coating. I
have had some experience restoring the leather interior
of a couple of cars (well, not me, but someone else did
it for me). The new finish is airbrushed on and it looks
fantastic when completed. I don't see why you couldn't
do it to a saddle.



Here's a site that sells restorative leather products.
Might not be such a good ROI for a saddle, though:



http://www.leathermagic.com

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Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

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Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Kevin

It might be dye originally , but the Tandy site says while dye can be used on new leather, it is not recommended for used articles.
http://tinyurl.com/7d7berr

Hugh Givens

The finish on a leather saddle/chair/car interior is not a polish or die. It's usually a paint-like coating. I have had some experience restoring the leather interior of a couple of cars (well, not me, but someone else did it for me). The new finish is airbrushed on and it looks fantastic when completed. I don't see why you couldn't do it to a saddle.

Here's a site that sells restorative leather products. Might not be such a good ROI for a saddle, though:

http://www.leathermagic.com