My new to me vintage Brooks won't absorb Proofide
11-25-20, 11:28 PM
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My new to me vintage Brooks won't absorb Proofide
I scored a super nice B17 Champion Special from the late 80's with the chrome rails, in a nice dark brown patina to complement the bike I'm restoring. The Proofide I've applied seems to be sitting on top, and won't fully wipe clean after many attempts. It's like wiping it off a glass table, just will not absorb. The leather looks to be in great condition with no deformities or any sit bone impressions. The previous owner did mention (after I bought it) cleaning in with a leather furniture cleaner, so now I'm concerned it's been damaged or stripped somehow? I know there's a lot of Brooks treatment opinions and oil baths and other remedies, so I'm wondering if anyone else has had a Brooks that wasn't thirsty.
11-25-20, 11:55 PM
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Have you tried some Proofide on the underside to see if it absorbs there?
11-26-20, 12:22 AM
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When I tried to bring a leather saddle (Brooks) back to life, I smeared and rubbed in (a lot) the product (Proofhide) onto the surfaces, both top and bottom, and on as many areas as I could reach. Then, I put the saddle in a plastic bag and set it in the sun to warm and liquify the Proofhide. Couple of days later, some wipe and polish with a dry rag was all it took to clean the treated saddle.
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11-26-20, 01:39 AM
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Warm the saddle up, I use a hair dryer
11-26-20, 01:43 AM
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I scored a super nice B17 Champion Special from the late 80's with the chrome rails, in a nice dark brown patina to complement the bike I'm restoring. The Proofide I've applied seems to be sitting on top, and won't fully wipe clean after many attempts. It's like wiping it off a glass table, just will not absorb. The leather looks to be in great condition with no deformities or any sit bone impressions. The previous owner did mention (after I bought it) cleaning in with a leather furniture cleaner, so now I'm concerned it's been damaged or stripped somehow? I know there's a lot of Brooks treatment opinions and oil baths and other remedies, so I'm wondering if anyone else has had a Brooks that wasn't thirsty.
It has silicone in it so many here would not use it but Langlitz makes some of if not the best motorcycle leathers in the world and has been in business for going on 74 years so I think they know what they're doing.
It works great for me and sometimes seems to not absorb, I usually take the horsehair brush to it and it comes around, sometimes needs a few drops of water during the buff.
As mentioned, you can always warm it up a bit too, just don't get carried away, patience and moderation across the board is key.
Last edited by merziac; 11-26-20 at 01:48 AM.
11-26-20, 08:08 AM
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It sounds like it's waterproof. Just ride it and whatever's on there will dissipate.
FWIW I'm in the 'never treat the bottom camp'. Maybe a very light coat once. I get decades out of my saddles this way and they lose shape very slowly.
FWIW I'm in the 'never treat the bottom camp'. Maybe a very light coat once. I get decades out of my saddles this way and they lose shape very slowly.
11-26-20, 08:43 AM
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Plus 1^ randyjawa.
I have used this method and works great !!!
I have used this method and works great !!!
11-26-20, 09:01 AM
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^
In the same camp. Have never treated any of the Brooks saddles I have used and they have never failed after 30 plus years. However, I do boil them to advance break-in when new. DO NOT RIDE WET.
In the same camp. Have never treated any of the Brooks saddles I have used and they have never failed after 30 plus years. However, I do boil them to advance break-in when new. DO NOT RIDE WET.
11-26-20, 09:27 AM
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Unless it feels really dry on the underside, no need to apply anything. Just ride it.
11-26-20, 08:23 PM
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Do not use a hair dryer. Heat is bad for leather.
Actually, i feel that way about Proofide, too. But heat is worse.
Actually, i feel that way about Proofide, too. But heat is worse.
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11-26-20, 10:04 PM
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Yeah, don't heat up old leather. Even fresh leather that's being heated to create shapes (as many saddles are during initial forming) has to be between damp and soaking wet for heat to create the desired outcome, which is totally irrelevant to what is being asked about here.
Both heat and moisture are enemies of old leather.
-Gregory
Both heat and moisture are enemies of old leather.
-Gregory
