Cleaning Tech 8's

[stormer94]

I got awful muddy in my new tech8's on the last ride. I like my boots, like the rest of my gear, to look good and work good. When I cleaned them up with soap and water, I couldn't help but wonder the best way to clean them and get the shine back as well.

You've got that leather/suede piece on the side, how do you address that? Wouldn't water ruin that in some way? I was thinking of Armour-All on the plastic part of the boot to get the shine back, and maybe some kind of leather restorer on the rest.

I even spent a few minutes at the Alpinestar website, looking for answers. No luck there, however.

So in a nutshell, what's the best way to clean the sweat and seeped in muck out of the interior of the boot? The best way to get the shine back on the exterior plastic? and how best to treat the 2 different kinds of leather on the rest of the boot.

Any and all ideas are greatly appreciated.
Bob

 

[cr250john]

I just use "Simple Green" on the outside of the boot, leather side and all.
I use a diluted mixture with warm/hot water.
The simple green doesn't seem to bother the leather on the inside calf side of the boot. I also wipe the boot dry with a cloth towel after the washing and leave it in the sun to dry further.
I'm not interested in shine. Boots are functional gear for me, not a fashion statement. I would be careful with the Armour-All on the boots. You don't want to be sliding around the pegs and frame from a slippery boot.

For the inside I use a damp to slightly wet cloth towel to clean them up. Then into the sun they go again to make sure they are dry.

 

[stormer94]

Here's the automated reply I got back from Alpinestars.

Hello Bob,


Thank you for your e-mail.


Congratulations on your purchase of the Tech 8 boots! As you already know,
you have just acquired the finest pair of boots available in the world
today. Everybody at Alpinestars takes what they do very seriously and not
coincidentally, they do it very well. From the concept of a new boot to the
final inspection, well over 300 hands touch, manipulate, mold and create the
best and most advanced motorcycle boots ever made. Pioneering the use of
full-grain leather, Alpinestars has perfected the combination of man-made
and natural materials. And like anything you care about, some attention is
needed concerning preparation, use and storage:


As a far as break-in is concerned, a snug, to the point of being tight boot
will break in around a more anatomically personal fashion than a loose,
"comfortable slipper" fit will provide. Adjust the buckles for a good fit
before the first ride. Check the buckles after 20 minutes of riding,
tighten them if necessary, and then continue riding. The buckles are very
easy to adjust and are also fully replaceable. Each strap may be adjusted
in for a tighter fit, or out for a looser fit. Accessory levers are also
available. During use, remember that the buckles work more freely when they
are closed and opened from the bottom, or first buckle, to the top or the
uppermost buckle. Pushing the adjustment strap to the pivot point of the
lever allows more leverage to be applied to the buckle and results in an
easier operating closure.


As far as taking care of your Tech 8 boots is concerned, I suggest you
follow these simple points:
1. Remove as much of the loose or dry dirt as possible with a semi-stiff
brush.
2. Do not use solvents to clean your boots.
3. Use a soft brush, mild soap and warm water to remove any dirt stains or
smudges.
4. Use very low pressure to hose off the soap. It is extremely important
to never ever use a power washer to clean your boots. Doing this will dry
out and stiffen the leather on the outside and will destroy the soft leather
and padding inside the boot.
5. Wipe dry with a cloth and store laying on their sides. This helps to
keep the top of the boot from compressing the ankle area of the boots and
helps to keep the velcro clear of any dirt which lessens the adhesion.
Should you wear the soles of your boots out, Alpinestars has available for
specific models replacement foot peg inserts. Available from your
Alpinestars dealer, a replacement foot peg bed kit is a convenient way to
extend the life of your boots. Simply follow the directions as listed on
the kit to ensure a worry free application.


Take care of your boots and your boots will take care of you!


If there is anything else we can do for you please do not hesitate to
contact us.


Kind regards


Marianna - Alpinestars

 

[CR307]

I also use Simple Green to clean all my gear. I mix a bottle up with 50/50 S.G/Water. Works great

 

[michigan]

This might be a little off the wall, and it might be the wrong way to maintain a pair of boots, but I always pressure wash my alpinestars inside and out when I wash my bike, then I spray them down with wd40 after they dry out. This gets them as clean as they're gonna get, then the wd40 lubricates the leather and keeps it soft. It also prevents the toe caps from rusting. The boots look like new after I do this.

 

[CR307]

How long does it take for them to dry out and spraying the inside out with a pressure washer?

 

[yzeater]

I soaked my new Alpinestar boots in a bath tub when I got them (nikki's idea...didn't work). We left for a trip that night. They were almost dry three days later.

One last idea. I believe that Alpinestar makes boot polish

 

[michigan]

307,

I don't know how long they stay wet since I never ride during the week. I just spray them with wd40 and throw them in the garage.

 

[nikki]

LOL yzeater :) I don't think you did it right, then (they aren't supposed to get wet inside :confused: ). Red and I and a few buddies used the hot bath water trick to break in our Tech 8's and 6's.

As far as cleaning them - we also use diluted Simple Green and a pressure washer on the outsides. Never pressure washed the insides, though. I guess from the Alpinestar email, pressure washing isn't the best alternative. Oh well - Red's white Tech 8's are a few years old and still in great shape.

 

[Lorin]

I alternate using Mink oil and black shoe polish on my boots. Another couple of options would be saddle soap and Neatsfoot makes an oil specifically designed for boots that can be found at Wal Mart for $4-$5.

 

[stormer94]

yzeater,

I don't believe that they do make a boot polish. I got the mail from them above, and they made no mention of it. That sure would have been a good time to bring it up if they did.

I like the wd40 idea as well. I'm still thinking of putting some armor-all to them. But how to deal with the leather parts, that's a melon scratcher.

I just want them to look nice as long as possible. A little preventative maintainence now could add years of life, and enjoyment, to the boot.

Bob

 

[stormer94]

Lorin,

Good ideas.

Bob

 

[70 marlin]

dry brush the dried mud off. simple green the plastic & polished leather, wipe dry. then polish with water proof polish, dry brushed the suede leather.

 

[RMXkid]

i have tech 6 and i spray them with silicone and spry them off with water and wipe them dry