![do old circle y saddles need their silver polished do old circle y saddles need their silver polished](https://i.pinimg.com/474x/fe/7e/da/fe7eda95b44c9f3b89276624996670a3--s-sterling-silver.jpg)
This is especially important if you live in an arid environment, which can eventually dry out leather and cause it to crack. (Use caution with light-colored tack, as neatsfoot oil tends to darken leather.) When the tack has dried after the neatsfoot oil application, you can follow up with a good leather conditioner. When the leather is completely dry, you can apply a light coat of neatsfoot oil, which is popular for keeping leather pliable.
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For safety reasons, Wenske says that leather that has been burned through this process should no longer be used. Using direct sunlight or artificial heat to dry leather will backfire, causing the leather to become brittle and lose its strength. Once your tack has been cleaned and wiped off a final time, let it air-dry, but not in the sun. Always follow label directions on the saddle-cleaning product you’re using, as some require no rubbing-just spraying and wiping with a clean cloth. Water is not leather’s friend, so even when cleaning tack, your sponge should just be damp, never sopping wet. The paste-based soaps tend to settle into the crevices, which means using a toothbrush to clean out the residue,” says Circle Y saddlemaker Kenneth Wenske. “We like a liquid glycerin-based saddle soap to remove mud and grime. You want to use only products specifically meant for cleaning leather tack.Īfter every ride, you should wipe down all leather equipment and then periodically give it a thorough cleaning. Don’t use baby wipes they may sound harmless, but they can damage the finish. Avoid preparations that contain alcohol, turpentine or mineral spirits. This alone should help you rule out some cleaning products, such as caustic household chemicals. Keep in mind that leather is a natural material with pores, so it needs to breathe. Simplify the process by using a shop vacuum, air compressor or even a hair dryer with a cold air setting. Before you start cleaning, you’ll want to remove as much dust and dirt as possible from deep in crevices so you aren’t grinding them into the saddle as you clean it.