I got motorcycle gloves a while back but now they are starting to show cracks in the leather and the water penetrates.
Am I supposed to use some sort of oil on these things? how often? any specific recommendations (deerskin)?
I don’t know what you can do now, but I always put ‘sno-seal’ type leather waterproofing dressing on my new gloves and new shoes. It certainly seems to keep them pliable, waterproof and longer lasting. I usually just do it once when I first get them and really let them soak in. I might redo it sometime, but its been 5+ years and maybe even 10 before I’ll think about redoing it.
I recommend Deerskin 10,000%
And, if anyone can find a replacement for Thurlow LeatherWorld – out-of-business for over a decade now – Please PM me ASAP.
Mr. Thurlow used to have a framed glove in his shop. It was sent back to him by someone like Keith Code or one of his fellow SuperBike racers. He had gone down at the test track, and basically skidded in the push-up position on his palms and the tops of his boots, going from 200+ mph to 0 mph. He sent the glove back to Mr. Thurlow with a letter of gratitude; the glove had severe abrasions, but no holes.
Mr. Thurlow made Indiana Jones’ leather jacket. It is used by the stunt man in Raiders of the Lost Ark when Indy is getting dragged along underneath a German cloth-covered truck. The costuming department chose deerskin because it is known to be tough enough to handle that abuse. They chose Mr. Thurlow, in particular because he was famous among celebrities for custom-fitting deerskin clothing and having it look like an Armani suit. Plus, he was just a 3-hour drive (well, at 4AM Sunday morning) south of Hollywood.
When I picked up my custom-made pants, Mr. Thurlow gave me a tiny jar of Mink Oil and told me to rub it on the surface once a year – after washing it in warm water with Castile soap. He emphasized Castile soap and went on to explain his background as a chemistry PhD candidate [before his parents died and he inherited the business] and thoroughly explain how modern laundry detergents are suspended enzymes and no longer the traditional soap it used to be. Castile soap is, apparently, traditional soap.
So basically on a moderately warm day you take your deerskin and wash it – preferably alone – in lukewarm water with a bit of Castile soap and then you hang the deerskin out to dry. When the outer surface is dry (the inner lining can be damp but not saturated; the inner coarse surface can be damp but not saturated) pull the garment off the line and let it lie flat in the sun for about 20 minutes. Then rub mink oil into every inch of the outer surface. Then rub the excess mink oil off with a clean lint-free cloth. Your garment should stay supple and (oil-) sealed for another year. Now go wash your hands, preferably with a citrus-oil soap, because now they stink like mink.
Your existing gloves are basically shot, like Sigene said. But deerskin gloves are roughly $10 to $25 at motorcycle shops. If/when you get a deerskin jacket or pants suitable for motorcyclist protection, those will run you about $1000 minimum. That kind of price makes mink maintenance a better deal than replacement.
–G!
Yes, I’m exaggerating in this post – but only a little.
I’ll second mink oil for all things leather. It’s also good for rubber stuff, like the weather stripping around car doors and windows; reconditions, prevents drying out, and prevents squeaks.