I have bugs stuck on my jacket from a country ride. How do I get them off?

In the last few weeks, I've gotten a number of requests from my customers regarding cleaning Bug Splats from their leather jackets. Specifically the distressed leather jackets that are light in color. A dead bug on a light colored jacket makes a big impression.

Here is how to clean just about any leather jacket from unintended spots. Damp sponge (water only) and rub the spots on the jacket (do not try on Suede). Damp means very little water! Most of the spots should be removed by this method, however, water and leather usually are not good for each other and a dark spot will appear where the leather got wet. Hang the jacket to dry out naturally. This may take a couple hours or a couple of days depending on how much water was in the sponge and how deep the bug penetrated.

In order to help your leather and make it easier to clean, we strongly recommend that you use an OIL product specifically designed for leathers. We sell Mermac Mink Oil with Beeswax in our store, http://www.discount-leather.net/wimage/Mink.html but any good quality leather oil will do. Note I capitalized OIL: DO NOT use water based silicone products on your leather. Many leather stores sell these silicone based products, including most of the major leather sellers in the local mall in your area. Why? Silicone is a good sealer against water penetration, as a matter of fact, that is the primary ingredient in Thompson's Water Seal that you apply to your decks, driveways and whatever to prevent weathering. Your leather jacket, vest or chaps are not driveways or decks though. Leather needs to be fed in order to last for the longest possible time and replacing oils lost through time or breakdown is the way to make sure your leather apparel last for the longest time. Naked Leather & Distressed Leather tend to dry the fastest and really need an annual oiling.

I've read on other sites that I shouldn't use oils on my leathers because it darkens them. Why are you advocating oil?

The other sites are correct, using oil on your leather will darken them. In this era of instant gratification, everybody wants instant results. Leather Oils, like Mermac Mink Oil with Beeswax, take time to work. If you use Mink Oil on a distressed brown jacket you may get REAL SCARED because your light tan jacket will turn almost black. But just wait, in a day it will lighten considerably and in about two weeks it will almost be back to it's normal color but with a deeper, richer hue and a better, softer feel. As an added benefit, cleaning with a damp sponge will not allow the water to move into the leather, since we all know, oil and water don't mix.

Leather is a natural product and contains oil naturally when new. This natural oil allows it to remain soft, flexible and waterproof. Over time the oil breaks down and the leather will dry out, so you need to replace the oil with an oil that is close in composition to the natural oil that was originally in the leather. Taking care of your leather and oiling it regularly should keep it in good shape for decades. Remember, if you can't find leather oil close by, we have it at Discount Leather Mart at http://www.discount-leather.net/wimage/Mink.html

Been a while, but I've been busy. I've got a lot of stuff to show. We did the Grand Opening Event on April 14 and I'm just now getting the pics up. The pictures are from Joe Salas of http://www.4theriders.com , a professional photographer with a great eye. He's my first picture.

You might not see it in the picture, but it rained buckets on the Grand Opening Day. Although it put a little damper on the party, it wasn't that bad and I'm happy to say we had a good turnout. My competition up the street, Renegade had their annual Customer Appreciation Day on the same day. I almost scored a coup when the Renegade Girls, pulled into my parking lot and asked if I was the Renegade store they were suppose to be appearing at? I didn't think quick enough to say yes...and leave the competition with no models and the bill for them to pay also. I sent the girls on their way, since I already had models. For those of you who have never seen me, the next pic is with me and one of the models:

The day started the night before...with a lot of last minute prep. Getting hot dog buns into serving pouches, making sure the soda was ready to go, cleaning the store, repricing, getting change, making sure I had all the parts to my booths, calling folks and reminding them to be there. On the big day, I was there at 7:00AM putting up plastic flag streamers around the parking lot, getting the booths up. The event was suppose to start at 11:00 AM and at 10:30AM, none of the people who said they were going to show up, showed up! At about 10:35AM, everyone showed up, Randy Glaze with his racing bikes and bulldog in tow, Dave with the barbecue, and Mike from Mikes Trikes. At about 10:50, the models showed up and Robert, the Zox Helmet Rep...oh and the rain started.

The Register was manned by Debbie, ex wife's sister, Mike came to help with security, but would up doing all the inside sales, my Mom was there to help inside the store, while I was being pulled in all kinds of different directions ..."I need this, I need that...Can we do this...What are we suppose to do, it's raining" and the big one "The roofs leaking, where is the bucket and towels? Is it going to get on the leather?" So, the customers walked in from the rain to be rerouted around a leak in the ceiling that was splashing a steady drip of what into the store. (as an aside, it was dry and sunny yesterday, with good wind gusts when all of a sudden, water started pouring from the ceiling into the store???)

Here are some pics of the day, Enjoy. Also check out http://4theriders.smugmug.com/gallery/2712239#143743167 and

http://4theriders.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/315007 for a lot more pictures. Enjoy. Here is Randy's racing bike with the prominent DLM Logo on the Bike, oh and girls too! Note the Discount Leather Mart Girls are wearing Leather from Discount Leather Mart, including some from our favorite lingerie supplier, Confession Leather. See the ruffled thong pics further down the page.

Here is Randy with one of his Bulldogs, hence the name 'Bulldog Racing'.

Here is another spot of the race bikes and Discount Leather Mart Girls, brought to you by Discount Leather Mart and Wesbiz Entertainment, http://wesbizentertainment.net . Oh, and me also...

Here is Mike Machado from Mike's Trikes, www.mikes-trikes.com , in his booth with the trikes next to him. Also, you can just barely see the hot dog booth at the corner next to the trikes:

Hot Dogs were free for all, and that included the Discount Leather Mart Girls too:

Here are some customers enjoying the day: This first one looks amazed at how Low the Prices really are plus the Grand Opening 10% off. (note my competition 3 blocks away had only 5% off their leathers and they are higher priced than Discount Leather Mart to begin with. Some Customer appreciation.

Here's Ronnie. She and her husband Larry are regulars here at the store and their bikes are adorned with saddlebags and stuff from Discount Leather Mart. Always welcome, they showed up in the rain, but not on their bikes and stayed for quite a while.

Here is the store with people in it mingling around and generally trying to stay dry.

Here is a biker visitor on his chopper talking to Mike. There were very few bikes in the lot due to rain...so I was happy to see this custom bike show up. The two gals standing at the table are regular customers also. They drive a nice metallic gray trike that Mike did for them.

Here's My Mom

Zox should give me a better deal than I get. This is the way to promote helmets:

Here are a couple of angel shots...are those halos? I've met the girls and the halos are only a part time thing.

Okay, one last picture then we'll call it good for the day. It was a great day and we gave away a pair of super premium cargo pocket chaps in Naked Leather! The winners picture in another post.



Enjoy your day and remember, comments are welcome and if you have a chance, come to the store!