Okay, I've given up on Search Engine results. Seems everyone with a tutorial on it is American, and I want products I can buy here. Recommendations appreciated for leather jacket waterproofing products.
I use Mink Oil or Renapur. Leave leathers in a warm room or outside in the sun (when weather is better) to ‘open the pores’ - apply with a sponge, then leave for an hour, then wipe excess off with a cloth. Obviously any zips, neoprene sections etc will not be treated and thus not waterproof. Hope that’s helpful.
I've ordered Renapur. Also - as recommended by the people I bought my bike jacket from - Auto Glym. I'll use the Renapur on my flying jacket.
Truth be known you’ll never fully waterproof leather, you’ll only really give it a small amount of water repellency so if caught in a light shower the water beads and runs off.
I water proofed mine (partially) with this ....... RST RACE DEPT MOTORCYCLE WATERPROOF WET SUIT CLEAR MOTORBIKE JONNY SUIT
I still clean my leather with saddle soap and a sponge. Then I drench them in leather softener/ restorer treatment. Lastly depending on the time of year I put some dubbing on to and warm it with slightly heat gun to make it rub in. In summer the dubbing is left in the cupboard. I also have a bottle of waterproofing leather cream, which is always smoothed on my gloves.
Well if you put some on your jacket, the shortbread and boiled sweets won't be wet in your pockets anymore. You might get to like them. Eat separately!
Altberg Leder Gris https://www.altberg.co.uk/bootcare/leather-boots-for-water-repellency-leder-gris-treatment-video https://www.altberg.co.uk/bootcare/history-of-leder-gris
MARS OIL, (Mars Care Proofer), would be my recommendation. My dad served his time making and repairing leather goods, mostly shoes, in the 1930's and Mars was the treatment of choice. My brother and I brushed it on the TT and Lewis leathers and when on "unplanned excursions" on the track they slid well with a wonderful smell. Also used on the leather car seats and walking boots. Still have half a gallon left over from the '70's, it goes a long way, still available today although no longer fish oil based. There is a similar product called Carrs Leather Oil but have no experience of this. Mind you if its peeing doon get a cheap one piece nylon oversuit as sodden leather weighs a ton and must be dried very, very slowly to preserve the texture.
Another question then, that perhaps applies whichever product, but specifically for spraying my flying jacket with Renapur: what to spray it on, or in front of? (I wonder if this converges on the issue of my ordering a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle [Baylis 999] without a flat surface big enough; ie I'm going to have to buy a big sheet of hardboard or something?) I mean, I'm wondering what it'd be safe to get by spray on?
I've used Carrs and it certainly smells like it should be good It is primarily for softening & feeding leather but does have some waterproofing properties. I've only ever used it on boots and have no complaints. It's marketed for equestrian use on saddles, bridles etc. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carr-Day-Martin-Cars-Leather/dp/B004NHKM8Q
You can't waterproof leather. Just sayin... You can make it water-repellent or water-resistent for a short period of time but the only way to ensure animal hide is completely impervious to rain is to leave it on the animal.
