Congratulations, you are now the proud recipient of Heather’s Leathers antique reproduction Natural Solo Seat. Upon receiving the shipping box, please carefully remove the seat, avoiding using sharp knives that could damage it.

Once you have the Natural Solo Seat in your hands, take a moment to admire the craftsmanship and quality that Heather’s Leathers puts into every seat, from the economical and factory plain solos to the elaborate, customized Deluxe Solos. With tender, loving care, your seat will only become more breathtaking as it ages.

You may wonder, “How do I take care of this beautiful seat?”

Glad you asked! We sell a **Leather Kare Kit** specifically for this purpose. I apologize if you were not offered a kit when you purchased the seat! We make every attempt to allow the customer to have a Leather Kare Kit shipped with their order at the time of purchase.

**What’s in the Kit?**

– 1 x 8-ounce bottle of Neatslene oil, with a sponge applicator for application

– 1 x Angelus brand neutral leather wax, with a sponge applicator for application

– 1 x genuine sheepskin fur (for buffing purposes)

– Directions on the proper procedures for the care and upkeep of your seat

**The Kit includes:**

1. Heather’s Leathers 8oz bottle of Neatslene leather oil
2. Your choice of color of Angelus leather polish (Neutral supplied if no color is chosen)
3. Hand-sized piece of genuine sheepskin (for buffing)
4. Two open-cell foam applicator pads (one for oil, one for polish)
5. Two zip-lock bags (to keep applicator pads safe and clean)

Leather is known for its durability and can last a lifetime if properly cared for. Proper care of leather protects it from excessive dryness and prevents it from moisture that may cause it to swell or mildew. Follow these steps to ensure your leather seat or bags remain lifetime accessories:

– **Avoid storing leather seats or bags in plastic bags or other non-porous covers** as they encourage mildew and bacteria growth, which ruin the leather. We ship in plastic bags to protect your leather during shipping; please remove them upon delivery.

– **Regularly condition the leather** in dry environments to prevent it from drying out and cracking.

– **Avoid caustic household chemicals** and leather preparations containing alcohol.

– **Avoid turpentine and mineral spirits**, which can cause irreversible discoloration.

– **Avoid silicone on soft leather**, as it gums up the pores, making it impossible to oil and condition.

– **Clean fresh blood or greasy food stains with a damp cloth**. Be aware that stains will always leave a mark on the leather. Clean oil or grease stains by grinding ordinary blackboard chalk, sprinkling the area, and leaving the powder on for twenty-four hours.

– **Use Heather’s Leathers Neatslene leather conditioning oil** thrice or four times a year to maintain durability and shine.

Heather’s Leathers’ Leather Kare Kit, with its Neatslene Leather Oil, offers the right combination of pure neatsfoot oil and other specially tempered oils. It will soften, preserve, and renew the life of new and old leathers. It also strengthens, waterproofs, and helps prevent damage from rodents.

**Application Instructions:**

– Rub your fingers and hand across the leather to feel its suppleness. As leather dries, it becomes dryer and stiffer. When your leather needs oiling, take the supplied sponge applicator and work the Neatslene oil into it. (It does not need to be sopping wet!)

– Rub the sponge across the leather and count for two seconds: “One thousand one, one thousand two!” Then look. You may see tiny beads of oil developing on the leather surface. These beads will soak into the leather. If they disappear within two seconds, wipe them again.

– Continue wiping, counting for two seconds each time: “One thousand one, one thousand two!” Observe how long it takes the oil to soak into the leather. Once you notice tiny beads of oil after the two-second interval, stop!

– This is the saturation level you are aiming for. Don’t worry; you have not applied too much oil. It will dissipate into and throughout the leather fibers in the coming days and weeks.

– Once the leather no longer absorbs oil within two seconds, let it dry naturally or wipe with a soft cloth. Allow 12 to 24 hours to dry.

– **Note**: Don’t forget to oil the bottom of the seat as well. Often, seats remain in excellent condition on top but have baked underneath from engine heat.

**Polishing:**

Heather’s Leathers proudly offers Angelus Shoe Wax Polish, which is proven to have the highest concentration of nutrients needed for leather longevity. Angelus continues to use their original 1907 formula, blending pure carnauba wax, beeswax, and the finest grade of other waxes and oils. Angelus Wax does more than just polish—it cleans, preserves, waterproofs, and restores rich colour to faded leather. A blend of carnauba and beeswax nourishes your leathers. Customers who prefer a matte finish can skip the polish.

**Directions for Wax Application:**

1. Once the leather has dried from oiling for at least 24 hours, clean off dust and dirt with a horsehair shine brush or damp rag. If you wet your boots to clean them, allow them to dry before applying the polish.
2. Apply generous amounts of polish to the entire seat or bags using the supplied foam applicator. The polish should match the color of your leather as closely as possible (or at least be neutral). Allow 15 minutes for the polish to dry.
3. Vigorously brush, polish, or burnish the leather using the supplied sheepskin piece. Remove excess polish, leaving only a slight film on the leather surface.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until you achieve the desired level of shine. The initial shine is the hardest; it should get easier with each application.