How to Repair a Leather Bike Seat
A fine leather bike saddle is a comfortable and classic touch to a vintage, racing or touring bike. Leather saddles are less common today, and more expensive than their vinyl counterparts. Unfortunately, leather is susceptible to damage and wear if not maintained properly. Leather can fade, get scratched and crack. If your bike seat is a vintage saddle, you will need to take care to restore the seat to its former glory.
Things You'll Need
- Cloth
- Saddle soap
- Leather filler
- Sandpaper
- Leather recoloring agent
- Leather protector finish
Instructions
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Wipe the seat with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt. Rub saddle soap with a warm wet cloth until there is a soapy lather. Begin at one side and slowly rub the saddle soap into the leather in a slow circular motion until the whole seat is covered in saddle soap lather. Leave the seat for 30 minutes to allow the seat to absorb the oils of the saddle soap.
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Buff the seat dry with a dry cloth to remove any remaining saddle soap and to give the seat a nice shine.
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Apply leather filler to any scratches in the seat's leather. Leave the filler to dry. Sand down any excess filler with a fine grain sandpaper.
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Apply leather recoloring agent to the seat using a dry cloth. Rub the recoloring agent into the seat in a slow circular motion. Leave the recoloring agent to dry. Spray leather protector finish over the seat to protect it from the elements.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit bicycle tire image by Derek Abbott from Fotolia.com
