Leather Question

[kustomsol]

My car has a leather hood belt; 3" wide and not backed. It is exposed to engine heat, sun, and rarely rain. I'm primarily a Zaino user, and have Zaino's Leather Cleaner, Leather In A Bottle, and Tire Shine. Recomendations for care and protection, please.

 

[tom p.]

Do you remove the belt when you condition it?

 

[kustomsol]

Yes, I remove it, take it inside, and lay it out flat on newspapers on a clean table.

 

[SCutchins]

Since its exposed to sun, I don't think anything out there will protect it better than 303 Aerospace Protectant.

 

[BigJimZ28]

sorry a little off topic but..

how long has it been on your car?

don't you see any "rub marks" from it?

 

[kustomsol]

Here's more than you wanted to know!! Have had a belt on the hood for about 27 years. Yes, there are some rub marks, but only on the side louvres and only under the belt. (1977 Excalibur Roadster). Bought it new. "Gussied" it up in 1980 by painting it completely black, removing the VW tail lights and front turn signals and replacing them with '32 Ford blue dot tail lights and some extra lights in back and sides, including courtesy lights under the running board. Added 32 Ford "tear drop" turn signals, 1927 GM truck headlights with both the headlight (single filament) and the parking light bulb within the reflector , and replaced the Lucas fog lights with Grote 5" motorcycle headlights lights (6405, no longer available) with Sylvania H-4's which are now the real headlights. Added the hood belt, changed the "suitcase" hood clips to chrome T's, and changed the license plate mounting. Currently nearly finished with a complete detail. Got lazy and left the last coat of Z-2 until tomorrow while I'm surfing and nursing a Bombay and tonic. BTW, used the Excalibur as a DD from 1977 until 1991 (now with 107 K). If it was over 30 degrees and there was less than a 30% chance of rain, I drove it. At Christmas covered the belt with red ribon, added a big red bow, and put a big gold package with red ribon and a big bow on the luggage rack. Since I am chubby and have a white beard, wearing a red Santa hat in December got a lot of attention and smiles. My wife MADE me buy a new car in 1991, really!! She wanted me to get a Buick sedan or some such beastie. I got a '91 Buick...a red Reatta Convertible. But still love my roadster; 4500 lbs and a 454 carburetted GMC powerplant mopunted behind the front wheels. Hugs the curves, andI love to hear those back barrels suck! Really fuel inefficent, but what a rush. Freud would say, "There must be something phallic about the acceleration, the long hood, and the side-mount tires." And he'd be absolutely correct! Even if I will be 67 next month!!