Leather treatment

[nirakaro]

I had to cut the old sofa to pieces to get it out of the house, and I took the opportunity to scavenge several pieces of nice coloured leather. The colour matches my bar tape very nicely, so I thought I'd use a piece of it to re-cover my favourite, comfortable, cheap, old, now-rather-scruffy-looking plastic saddle. My concern though, is that when it gets wet the colour may leach out and leave nasty blue marks on my ass; any idea what would be the best treatment to prevent this?

[Norman H]

I imagine some sort of waterproofing treatment would be quite effective, Neatsfoot oil or Proofride, or even Nikwax leather treatment.

You might find this old thread useful for ideas, it incudes a link to a similar one on LFGSS.

[thirdcrank]

Any leather saddle is best kept protected from the wet and once upon a time, waterproof saddle covers were readily available. I've found a simple showercap - plastic with elastic round the edges - does the job just as well although some on sale are girlie pink (which isn't a problem) with frilly bits, which are a problem. I also have a couple of Goretex helmet covers, from the time when helmets were smaller and they work very well.

[colin54]

I use these seat covers from Clas Ohlsen , they are a good fit over Brooks saddles, I leave them on all the time in the winter.

Waterproof , they are nylon lined with a white rubbery coating on the back and elasticated all round.£3.99p in shops.

I've had no problems with mine though I see they get a poor review on the website, perhaps the reviewer wasn't using mudguards.

https://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Asaklitt- ... er/31-5061

[thirdcrank]

I use these seat covers from Clas Ohlsen , they are a good fit over Brooks saddles, I leave them on all the time in the winter.

Waterproof , they are nylon lined with a white rubbery coating on the back and elasticated all round.£3.99p in shops.

I've had no problems with mine though I see they get a poor review on the website, perhaps the reviewer wasn't using mudguards.

https://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Asaklitt- ... er/31-5061

That looks like just the job to me and it's good to see somebody still sells them.

Here's the review:

Seems good in theory, but the cloth around the bottom of the seat cover soaks up water and transfers it to one's butt. Not recommended unless you don't mind a wet butt.

IME, unless you wear waterproof trousers you'll get a wet backside riding in the rain anyway.

[simonhill]

When you say leave colour on your ass, I presume you really mean your trousers.

I think if you apply Proofide, neatsfoot or anything similar to waterproof and protect your saddle, this will rub off on your butt. It certainly happens like that to me with my Brooks.

[nirakaro]

Yes, quite. I'm looking for something that doesn't rub off. I wonder about maybe a polyurethane varnish? Or similar?

[bogmyrtle]

How do you intend shaping the leather to the saddle so there are no creases or seams?

[nirakaro]

Bit of stretching, bit of squeezing, bit of snipping here n there. I've done it before n it's quite doable.

[Norman H]

You can buy specialist leather paints and lacquers. The leather you have will likely have been finished in this way and the colour will not normally transfer on to clothing.

You can test if the colour is water soluble with a dampened tissue or cotton bud. You can similarly test if the colour is stable to Neatsfoot oil or the like.

If the colour leaches out then you could spray with a clear lacquer.