Motorcycle Racing Forum

Racing Discussion => Racing Discussion => Topic started by: ecumike on January 30, 2003, 02:39:19 PM

Title: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: ecumike on January 30, 2003, 02:39:19 PM
Last year I went to my local dry cleaner/alterer and they wanted $7 to sew on a patch to my leathers. I opted to take an hour of my time and do it myself by hand.

I'm getting new leathers, and thought I ask here, before I do that again.

Do you sew it yourself? pay someone?  is there another way besides sewing, to put them on?

This plastic cover stuff I see on some of the leather's patches.. what/why/how?


Sorry for the barrage of ?s.. thought I ask 'em all while I'm asking.
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: rick on January 30, 2003, 02:46:36 PM
I pay someone (usually Helimot) but, mostly because I'm lazy. The clear plastic is to keep you patches clean and shiny.
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: spyderchick on January 30, 2003, 02:47:57 PM
I charge $3 per patch with vinyl, however, the savings you would get by having me do it would be eaten up by shipping fees. The vinyl I use is available at any fabric store in the Home Dec department. There are different weghts, I use a mid weight vinyl. Doing it by hand can be rough on your fingers; you need specific leather needles. It can be done but won't look pro. I suggest looking around and comparing prices. Good luck in your search, feel free to e-amil me if you have any other questions.

Alexa Krueger
Spyder Leatherworks
414.327.0967
spyder@wi.rr.com
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: Eric Kelcher on January 30, 2003, 03:04:14 PM
I know one guy that uses a safety pin to hold them on. in case he changes sponsors   ;)
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: prov431 on January 30, 2003, 05:27:46 PM
Mike,
I just sent my leather suit to Barnacle Bill to get ventilated and have patches sewn on. He will charge me 10$ per patch w/the clear cover according to his email. (I even forgot to send him the darn patches, but as it happens, he has a stockpile at hand) From what others have posted on various BBS's, he does great work.
Remind me to never again buy a leather suit that isn't perforated everywhere!!
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: Jeff on January 31, 2003, 05:42:40 AM
I have Spyder chick do it and recommend it :-)

In a pinch this last year, I slapped a spongebob patch and then my bunny patch on the shoulders of my old leathers using silicone.  They're still there after a few crashes :-)

Here's the sticker of my bunny patch

(http://www.cbr600f4.com/temp/sticker.jpg)
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: pmoravek on January 31, 2003, 08:59:04 AM
Michael,
I sent mine to Barnacle Bill also.
He's putting on a hump, my name, and 3 patches
for $150.
Shannon had recommended him highly.
But you'd better hurry....my suit will be back here on March 1st according to Bill's forcast.
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: Pit_Girl on January 31, 2003, 09:28:39 AM
JeF4y-
i llove that bunny sticker!!!! where did you get it?

-jen
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: ecumike on January 31, 2003, 09:58:18 AM
Yea I know but the price and shipping to BB will kinda lose the point of looking for a low cost option.. ya know what I mean.

Besides, my new leathers won't be here for another 1.5 months, according to AGV :(

I'm hoping to have them by the March 15 weekend
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: tcbikes on January 31, 2003, 03:15:45 PM
I used safety wire at the four corners...especially easy if the patch is over perforations.  Cheapest short term solution I could come up with.

TC
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: coyn586 on January 31, 2003, 03:36:36 PM
I pay Z to get that done..  the cost depends on where the patch goes.  Its more expensive if you want it on the sleeve/ or upper shoulder area, as they've got to remove the armor and stuff...  its less money if the patch is just on the chest..
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: Gixxer124 on January 31, 2003, 05:13:34 PM
Rubber cement. ;)
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: ecumike on January 31, 2003, 06:02:00 PM
Yea, I kinda like the rubber cement idea.. I'll have to try it out on my current/soon to be old leathers.
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: Super_KC124 on January 31, 2003, 07:00:39 PM
QuoteYea, I kinda like the rubber cement idea.. I'll have to try it out on my current/soon to be old leathers.

Make sure you put the cement on your leathers and the patch, then let them dry a little before you stick them together.
And I think dry cleaning will make them fall off.
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: Super Dave on January 31, 2003, 07:29:37 PM
If you're gonna be that dramatic...

Why not just get the stapler off the desk and do it that way? ;)
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: Gixxer124 on February 01, 2003, 11:25:38 AM
QuoteIf you're gonna be that dramatic...

Why not just get the stapler off the desk and do it that way? ;)

You're missing the effect here. No stitching (or staples) showing. ;D I did my letter jacket patches with this method back in 1977. They still make rubber cement, don't they? ???
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: Super Dave on February 02, 2003, 04:59:42 AM
Staple it in the boarder area and use a little Testors paint to make it match.  

Isn't rubber cement going to have petroleum distilates in it?  That would probably ruin the cheap fashion weight of most of the leathers out there.  Why not just go to a shoe cobbler and ask them to sew a piece of plastic over the patches.  Probably cost about $5 without ruining anything.
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: StuartV666 on February 03, 2003, 09:08:39 AM
When Syed made me my new suit last year, I had them sew velcro on to the suit and matching velcro to the back of my patch with clear vinyl on top. The velcro on the suit is the same color as the leather it's sewn to, so you don't really notice if it the patch is off. They charged me the same to do that as they normally charge to just sew it right on w/clear vinyl.

For now, I've got a L-P Team Privateer patch there. If drop the program, I peel off the patch and my leathers still look okay.

- Stu
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: Jeff on February 03, 2003, 09:20:20 AM
QuoteJeF4y-
i llove that bunny sticker!!!! where did you get it?

-jen

I got it at Gadzooks, a store in the mall for today's angst ridden youth.  (just don't tell anyone I was in there)
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: ecumike on February 03, 2003, 09:34:53 AM
Stu... hmm. that's a good idea.

So it looks like I'll still stitch it by hand.
I know it's only $~7 per patch, but 3 patches worth is gas for my roundtrip to VIR :)
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: TZDeSioux on February 03, 2003, 10:43:20 AM
QuoteI got it at Gadzooks, a store in the mall for today's angst ridden youth.  (just don't tell anyone I was in there)

I have a jungle boogie sticker on my seat that I bought at Gadzooks. I also have a bad monkey sticker too.. they have lots of funny stickers.
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: spyderchick on February 03, 2003, 11:49:51 AM
I thought guys liked to compare scars. Hmmm.

If you want to put stickers on your leathers, you can laminate them and them have them stitched on.

Just thought you might want to know.
Title: Re: How do you put patches on your leathers?
Post by: Super Dave on February 03, 2003, 05:18:07 PM
I've been using stickers with plastic over them for about four years now.  Works really, really well.