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The best way to
protect and preserve your harness is through regular cleaning.
In the process of cleaning a harness you will get to know the harness
better. The harness will become more
supple and pleasant to work with each cleaning.
You’ll observe any areas of unusual wear that could lead to a
breakdown. The life of the harness
will be extended as you remove corrosive agents such as sweat and sand.
Cleaning with Lexol
The best time to clean your tack is right after you finish
driving. Put your harness on a harness rack rack. Hang the remaining tack from a
good sturdy hook. To clean the leather, you must first remove the superficial
oils that bind dirt to its surface. Do not use soap. Its high alkalinity is
destructive to leather. Lexol-pH
Leather Cleaner, with its unique non-alkaline formula, is the safe
choice for all your tack and boots. Clean your harness in relatively small,
manageable sections. Unfasten buckles and inspect all parts for safety. Work
with plenty of water. Apply Lexol-pH Cleaner to a wet sponge or cloth and scrub
briskly to work up a good lather. Use just enough cleaner to produce maximum
suds – it won't take much. A soft brush or covered sponge helps in difficult
areas and around hardware. (If the brush scratches your own skin, it's too stiff
for leather.) Rinse or wipe off the suds, removing dirt as you go, then towel
dry. Continue this process until finished. Don't miss any areas – covered or
open. Be sure to get all the folds and crevices.
Conditioning with Lexol
For a harness with heavy dirt, use Lexol-pH Leather Cleaner
before conditioning. For light cleaning and conditioning, use a sponge or cloth
dampened with Lexol Leather
Conditioner.
To begin, pour a little Lexol (size of a half-dollar) on a damp sponge or cloth
and wipe onto the leather surface. Old, dry leather will absorb conditioner much
faster than newer leather. Repeat the process to condition the entire saddle.
Where the back of the leather is accessible, be sure to condition both sides.
Let the conditioner soak in for 20 to 30 minutes, then rub down the leather with
a dry towel.
After the conditioner is dry, a warm, glowing patina can be brought to the
surface with a soft brush or a piece of shearling sheepskin.
Polish
your hardware with Nevr-Dull
Simply
remove a piece of wadding from the can of Nevr-Dull
and rub it thoroughly over the surface to be polished. Wipe with a
clean, dry rag and metals are restored to their original luster.
To polish your harness, follow Andy's
Polishing Guide.
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