I received my new Devoucoux saddle in mid-May. The seat and flaps are buffalo and I followed the directions for cleaning and conditioning it to a T, using only the cleaner and conditioner (they call it “grease”) that came with the saddle.
After all this time, the saddle is still staining the seat of my breeches. And I can’t get the stains to completely come out in the wash. I’ve already sacrificed two pairs of show breeches, but I cannot afford to lose any more.
Any suggestions?
Commenting for updates. I’ve had the same problem with my LC.
My older used Tad still does this to my show breeches.
If you still have the show breeches that went on the sacrifice block, have you tried Dawn dish soap on the stains? Just plain old blue Dawn, nothing fancy…I have used it to good effect on not only removing petroleum from wild geese when I worked as a wildlife rehabber to getting poison ivy oils off the skin. If they’re already ruined, might as well try it, never know, might work.
I will add the disclaimer that if you use it to remove oil from feathers, it will remove ALL the oils and any bird needing that oil, such as waterfowl, will most likely need to fully molt before their feathers will oil properly again. So there can be drawbacks, such as drying out any knee patches, full seats, etc.
I constantly had this problem with my Devoucoux. Stain remover would get it out of my breeches in the wash.
My buffalo Devoucoux that I had for 4 months (before trading it in for a different brand), never stopped staining my breeches. I seriously think something was wrong with it because leather (no matter what kind) is not supposed to do that. I did internet searches and the only thing I could find is purses that would rub off color if not treated or stained properly. I would contact them and express your concern.
I have the same problem, and my buffalo seat Devoucoux is a year old.
I have a buffalo hide saddle that’s 12 years old.
It still stains my breeches, especially right after a good oiling, but nothing like the first year I had it.
My understanding is the buffalo has difficulty holding the dye.
You can try using a high-wax content conditioner, or even using something like Fiebing’s Tan Kote or Bag Kote, or Bee Natural’s Leather Finish. Some leathers just seem to bleed dye forever, but I’ve found that these products can help in many cases.
Kitt - in your experience will this help with a Black Country as well? (sorry to hijack!). I have a new (May 2013) Ricochet in the vintage leather…and several sets of permanently stained breeches. I usually use Tad Coffin balm, passier, and the Black Country balm (that’s more waxy). None of this seems to help?
I’ve used the Bee Natural Leather Finish on the BC Vintage with good results. And though you didn’t mention what you’re using to clean it, I always warn folks not to use the Leather Therapy cleaner on the Vintage (or similar leather), since I’ve seen it lift the dye.
I am surprised such expensive saddles have this issue, while lesser brands do not. What does Devoucoux have to say about the fact that their leather bleeds, even when cleaning instructions are carefully followed?
[QUOTE=Appsolute;7098359]
I am surprised such expensive saddles have this issue, while lesser brands do not. What does Devoucoux have to say about the fact that their leather bleeds, even when cleaning instructions are carefully followed?[/QUOTE]
I’m gong to try washing one pair of breeches with Dawn detergent as recommended by RubyTuesday and the other with a stain remover as recommended by paw. If neither works, I’ll be sending photos to Devoucoux…
Wow. I wonder if it’s the buffalo alone, not the saddle brand? I have a Dev, calf not buffalo, and the only time I’ve had stained breeches was when I darkened the saddle with Clean-n-Treat, an oil with dye in it, and it took several rides with the same pair of breeches for that to happen (yes, I rewear breeches to help with my laundry load). And even then, only DH noticed it…
I also used the “grease” as directed for the first X number of rides, but beyond that was very lackadasical with my saddle cleaning… I’ve oiled it a couple times, once deeply with the dyed oil, and cleaned it with Higher Standards soap, but when I say “a couple times,” I actually mean that. And the saddle is an '08 or '09 model.
Lexol also helps ,stinks so I put breeches with it over night in a bucket . I then wash with regular tide. I put the lexol in a spray bottle pretty concentrated, and fill with hot hot water.
I also have learned my front loader that I can add a slight amount of bleach into the soap section tray and my tans come out gorgeous. If you have a pair to try it on you should but only a front loader. Regular machines soak the clothes when using bleach.
I have very good results with Zout stain remover. Mr. Stolen comes home from fires with black fire clothes and Zout is the only removed that works. Good luck disappointing to hear about the staining…
[QUOTE=0Chimera0;7097992]
My understanding is the buffalo has difficulty holding the dye.[/QUOTE]
The Voltaire and CWD buffalo saddles don’t seem to stain (at least my experience).
[QUOTE=Kitt;7098354]
I’ve used the Bee Natural Leather Finish on the BC Vintage with good results. And though you didn’t mention what you’re using to clean it, I always warn folks not to use the Leather Therapy cleaner on the Vintage (or similar leather), since I’ve seen it lift the dye.[/QUOTE]
I’ve not really used soap on it (bad I know…) and mainly just been conditioning. Although I was looking at it the other day and its well overdue for a good cleaning. The one time I did I did use Leather Therapy and the water went bright pink!
What about the glycerin soap?
Not using soap is fine - all you should really do as far as cleaning is to wipe your tack down thoroughly after every use with a damp towel or sponge. That keeps the dirt and sweat from building up and makes the huge cleaning jobs unnecessary.
Glycerin is fine, though not really more effective than plain water. It should be rinsed off completely, since residue will attract dirt and dust.
My Antares calf-skin does this too. Really annoying!!!
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