Adding A little Patina To An Aero Flight Jacket

[Todd M.]

I just acquired this M422A Aero from a fellow lounger. I'm not a big fan of new crisp patches so, I added a few missions to them. With a little rubbing alcohol, oooo steal wool, some russet and seal brown dye from Tandy leather hear are the before and after results. Piccard's added after keeping the leather from drying out.

 

[TREEMAN]

I like to let things wear naturally...........Patches get old and crappy looking soon enough on there own.....just my 2 cents.

 

[Todd M.]

If you own as many as I do that would take decades. A little help is what it needed

 

[Todd M.]

Here's one I did 24 years ago. Made the patches, and hand painted the back. The patch on the left 42nd night fighter with a twist, and the one on the right the Ford Flathead V8. This is my Hot Rod driving jacket.

 

[Todd M.]

I'm thinking the M422A Aero may need some missions as well to match the patches?!

 

[mihai]

It looks a bit overdone, just my 2 cents. Maybe just wearing it and getting a couple of times under the elements would have helped.
These treatments/customization (while cool for some) affect the resale value usually. I see from time to time when these high end repros being folded, treated having a harder time selling on eBay for example.

 

[bn1966]

I had a custom M-422A, new from ELC with 50 Cal treatment...was customised with a bit of 'Nose Art' by a well known Bike painter. Never fitted quite right & the art made it difficult to move on. I ended up having to splash out on a 'Flying Tigers' patch to cover the art before it would sell.

 

[Todd M.]

I'm not re selling it so, not too worried about it. Being an Aero that fits me perfect, I can always change the patches out if my taste changes. Your correct though adding patches and art work makes it a very small group of buyers.

 

[tropicalbob]

Isn't it kind of counterproductive to artificially age the patches and then use Pecard's on the jacket if you're going for a salty look? It's my understanding that pretty much all of Aero's leathers don't need any treatment for years and years. I've had a LHB for about six years now and, though it's nicely broken in, it doesn't show any drying out of the leather at all.

 

[bn1966]

Cool if it's keeper! I had my beloved RW A-2 treated to a 'doughnut' on the arm (same artist as the M-422A)

 

[Todd M.]

Isn't it kind of counterproductive to artificially age the patches and then use Pecard's on the jacket if you're going for a salty look? It's my understanding that pretty much all of Aero's leathers don't need any treatment for years and years. I've had a LHB for about six years now and, though it's nicely broken in, it doesn't show any drying out of the leather at all.

Rubbing alcohol can dry out leather, so I applied a little Pecard's to be on the safe side. In my opinion it still has the salty look.

 

[Peacoat]

I'm not a fan of bright shiny patches either. I like the results you achieved, but all that matters is that you are satisfied with the results. You are the one wearing it. I think it will wear a bit better with the missions added to the patches.

 

[El Marro]

I think you did a nice job aging the patches, especially because you didn't overdo it.

 

[rocketeer]

How about like this. Painted it, left it a week, put a bit of sellotape on parts, pressed it then pulled it off. Nhen rubbed some white spirit carefully over parts of the patches to expose the leather surface.
They were originally painted with enamels and aged around 20 years ago. I only just decided to put one(the blue patch) on an old Eastman from the 80s

 

[rocketeer]

Whatever you do, don't do the 'dirty varnish' wash a lot of patch producers do as an ageing request. It just looks so fake.

 

[seres]

Whatever you do, don't do the 'dirty varnish' wash a lot of patch producers do as an ageing request. It just looks so fake.

I agree! I've passed on buy several nice patches because of that fake look.

 

[Todd M.]

How about like this. Painted it, left it a week, put a bit of sellotape on parts, pressed it then pulled it off. Nhen rubbed some white spirit carefully over parts of the patches to expose the leather surface.
They were originally painted with enamels and aged around 20 years ago. I only just decided to put one(the blue patch) on an old Eastman form the 80s

Nice Job! I went with a little subtle to match the jacket.

 

[rocketeer]

Nice Job! I went with a little subtle to match the jacket.

When looking at painted patches, multi piece or plain disc, nothing looks worse than a new jacket with old patches or an old jacket with new patches.
This was one of my few attempts to artificially age something as I had a couple of old jackets to put these on. As has been said a new jacket with new patches is fine as it will wear itself in so to speak. But yes they can be a bit bright when new.

 

[rocketeer]

I'm not re selling it so, not too worried about it. Being an Aero that fits me perfect, I can always change the patches out if my taste changes. Your correct though adding patches and art work makes it a very small group of buyers.

Personally I would never think about the resale value of a jacket or any similar items you wish to enjoy . Would you enjoy it more or less with no patches or how you would like it.
Would you:- Be afraid to get it wet if caught out in the rain? Worry about getting it scratched if the family dog decided to jump for joy at you suggesting a walk. Stuck your forearm in some split beer reminiscing about your school days with a friend.
If the answer is yes to any of those scenarios wearing your new $£€¥1,000 jacket should you really be wearing it for everyday things?
Do with it as you wish and to hell with the resale(without abusing it), If I thought like that how would I ever know how fast my Hayabusa would go flat out. Off to the German Autobahn soon to find out(weather permitting)
Enjoy, J

 

[Todd M.]

I got quite a bit of complements from strangers the past few days. A manager at a restaurant literally walked across the waiting room to complement what a cool jacket and wanted to know how to get one.