softening veg tanned

[JustWakinUp]

Ok guys,

My wife has brought another issue to the forefront of my research.

She asked me today how I plan on softening the leather because of

the carvings I did for my daughters seemed to feel stiff,rough and unforgiving.

She seems to think that once I take the 6oz leather and place it on top of all

this foam/ that the seat is going to be stiff/tough to sit on.

So this leads me to my question,

what do you seat makers do to condition your leather to make it a bit more

supple,soft & forgiving?

[ETW Grumpy]

I had a buddy that I did a seat cover for with the same reservations. He rolled the cover before having it attached to the rest of the assembly. Made it look kind of distressed and made it a little softer.

Having said all that, I told him before hand that his butt, through a pair of jeans, was not so sensitive that it would pick up every dip and impression. After riding the seat for a little while, he agrees. Don't think it'll be a big deal.

[Guest]

Hey Just,

I don't think there is much you can do to "soften up" 6 oz leather. The leather on "factory" seats is maybe 2 oz. IF it is real leather....most of them aren't. I also don't think it will be a problem unless she rides wearing something really thin which I doubt she will.....

Dave Theobald

[ClayB]

A friend of mine that owns the local saddle shop swears by Skidmores Leather Cream. http://www.skidmores.com

He uses it on all the old, neglected, dried out saddles that come into his shop before he takes them apart to work on them. He also uses it on saddle strings and things that are going to really get flexed a lot. I have found it softens up stiff leather pretty good and gives it a really nice feel. They market it for saddles as well as biker gear. You can get a 1 oz trial size jar for a couple dollars. You might consider giving that a try.

Clay

Edited August 31, 2007 by ClayB

[CitizenKate]

Lexol leather conditioner also works very well to make leather more soft and supple. It's more of a creamy liquid, so it penetrates well, and everything I've ever used it on becomes much softer and more pliable.

Kate

[leathernut]

im with kate on that one..i use lexol leather condtioner.i usually oil my seats neatsfoot oil then a couple heavy coats of lexol condtioner.and seal with pecards.it seems to make it more soft.thats my two cents...