Biker jacket cleaning

[Marc mndt]

but the Pecard’s Dressing absorbs completely into the leather.

Just because it absorbs the stuff doesn't necessarily mean it was dry.

 

[ton312]

All of the original wear/patina on this jacket will return within a few monhs. Pigment really can't be restored with waxes and oils (unless it has pigment in it) something like black urad would bring the jacket back to "as new" in appearance, for a little longer anyway.

 

[Yango]

Just because it absorbs the stuff doesn't necessarily mean it was dry.

I’m not an expert at this, but the jacket sucked the dressing up very quickly. And it certainly felt dry and kind of stiff. The leather feels much more natural now. Pliable and supple.

 

[Yango]

All of the original wear/patina on this jacket will return within a few monhs. Pigment really can't be restored with waxes and oils (unless it has pigment in it) something like black urad would bring the jacket back to "as new" in appearance, for a little longer anyway.

I like the wear and tear on the leather, as Marc mndt said: it’s got character. I considered using the Pecard’s Dressing that has black dye in it, but decided that I don’t want that.

 

[Will Zach]

I like the wear and tear on the leather, as Marc mndt said: it’s got character. I considered using the Pecard’s Dressing that has black dye in it, but decided that I don’t want that.

I think you did the exactly right thing in cleaning that jacket. Gently wash with a mild detergent, and whatever oils were stripped, you replenished with multiple treatments of Pecards. This jacket is good for another 50 years.

 

[Monitor]

I’ll leave the black shoe paste to you, thanks.

Why? Because you know better than anyone else on this forum on how to clean and condition a leather jacket so my advice is wrong?

Let me break down yet another step of your "cleaning" process that you messed up.

Any decent shoe paste consists mostly of several types of waxes, paraffin and oil(s), all of which acts as a coat of a protective, glossy sealant while keeping the leather lightly conditioned. Sounds familiar? Yeah, basically a top-coat finish, which is exactly what is missing at the parts of the jacket you have mistakenly identified as being dry and exactly what you had been hoping to restore. Acting like any regular leather finish, the shoe paste/polish would've kept the edges protected from fraying, drying and soaking up elements.

The fuzzy edges as a matter of fact do appear dry though not because of the wear and age of the jacket, no. They are dry because you soaked the jacket into a bathtub filled with warm water and detergent. It's what water (and especially detergent) does to suede. It dries up the exposed fibers in the leather which makes them appear coarse and stiff henceforth all leather garment makers recommend strongly against washing delicate suede.

But instead what you did was grease up the exposed fibers, making them a magnet for dust and elements while adding no protection or coating of any kind - Which is exactly why the petroleum gunk that is Pecard got so easily absorbed.

There. Now you've learned a lot.

Having only heavens and Fox Creek (for using leather that's been processed to hell and back) to thank your jacket is still okay, you might try not to immediately dismiss pretty much every advice anyone ITT has given you... Or maybe not. You do you, boo.

Believe me, the Leather was dry. I don’t know what type of axle grease you put on your jackets, but the Pecard’s Dressing absorbs completely into the leather. It was completely dry to the touch after the first application.

Coincidentally, the type of axle grease I used to put on leather was Pecard's Dressing, which is how I learned that it is not a good product.

 

[AHP91]

This thread is like watching a leather jacket dry

 

[Yango]

Why? Because you know better than anyone else on this forum on how to clean and condition a leather jacket so my advice is wrong?

Let me break down yet another step of your "cleaning" process that you messed up.

Any decent shoe paste consists mostly of several types of waxes, paraffin and oil(s), all of which acts as a coat of a protective, glossy sealant while keeping the leather lightly conditioned. Sounds familiar? Yeah, basically a top-coat finish, which is exactly what is missing at the parts of the jacket you have mistakenly identified as being dry and exactly what you had been hoping to restore. Acting like any regular leather finish, the shoe paste/polish would've kept the edges protected from fraying, drying and soaking up elements.

The fuzzy edges as a matter of fact do appear dry though not because of the wear and age of the jacket, no. They are dry because you soaked the jacket into a bathtub filled with warm water and detergent. It's what water (and especially detergent) does to suede. It dries up the exposed fibers in the leather which makes them appear coarse and stiff henceforth all leather garment makers recommend strongly against washing delicate suede.

But instead what you did was grease up the exposed fibers, making them a magnet for dust and elements while adding no protection or coating of any kind - Which is exactly why the petroleum gunk that is Pecard got so easily absorbed.

There. Now you've learned a lot.

Having only heavens and Fox Creek (for using leather that's been processed to hell and back) to thank your jacket is still okay, you might try not to immediately dismiss pretty much every advice anyone ITT has given you... Or maybe not. You do you, boo.



Coincidentally, the type of axle grease I used to put on leather was Pecard's Dressing, which is how I learned that it is not a good product.

You’ve got a pretty condescending way of getting your point across. I never asked for any advice from you, and certainly don’t need your triggered angry ranting.

I did what I did, I’m no expert, and never claimed to be one.

It came out great in my opinion despite my complete lack of knowledge.

Thanks for the lecture.

 

[Yango]

Well, the final step. The inside pocket had absorbed so much sweat over the years, that it completely disintegrated after the washing. No big deal, I took it to a local leather garment maker, and it’s going to cost about twenty five bucks to get a new pocket installed.
I should have it back well before my ride to Americade this month.

 

[Yango]

Excellent job done on the pocket replacement—he opened the lining, did the work and closed everything up—his skills are superb.

I’m super happy with the results. It looks, feels and smells like a new jacket!

Hopefully this thread might be helpful to someone considering washing and restoring a jacket. It just takes patience.

 

[Bawheid]

YOU DID A GOOD JOB SIR AND THANKS FOR THE POINTERS FOR THE FUTURE

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Thanks to everyone for all the discussion. This entire thread was very useful for me. I am new to leather and learned a lot.

 

[VansonRider]

This looks exactly like the Natal/Natel, USMade Co, family of jackets. I wonder if Fox Creek was started by one of those Western Mass companies.

 

[Yango]

YOU DID A GOOD JOB SIR AND THANKS FOR THE POINTERS FOR THE FUTURE

Thank you. You’re welcome.

 

[Yango]

This looks exactly like the Natal/Natel, USMade Co, family of jackets. I wonder if Fox Creek was started by one of those Western Mass companies.

No idea. The jackets do look identical.

 

[Yango]

Thanks to everyone for all the discussion. This entire thread was very useful for me. I am new to leather and learned a lot.

I’m glad that you liked the thread. I was hesitant at first, but really enjoyed and looked forward to the process as it went along.

 

[photo2u]

The jacket looks great. FC leather is solid. I have one of their nice biker vest. The leather is a favorite of my biker friends in Mexico because of the thickness pliability. I personally like to use a shoe brush prior to introduce water to the leather. Water is not the worst and some cases it might benefit the leather depending on the substances need to be clean or remove from the leather. It is a learning experience for me to read all of the posting. Personally, I have never washed or complete soak a leather jacket. However, I am seriously contemplating soaking my 60's Californian light tan suede leather shirts. I therefore welcome any pros and cons of washing suede leather.

 

[Yango]

The jacket looks great. FC leather is solid. I have one of their nice biker vest. The leather is a favorite of my biker friends in Mexico because of the thickness pliability. I personally like to use a shoe brush prior to introduce water to the leather. Water is not the worst and some cases it might benefit the leather depending on the substances need to be clean or remove from the leather. It is a learning experience for me to read all of the posting. Personally, I have never washed or complete soak a leather jacket. However, I am seriously contemplating my 60's Californian light tan suede leather shirts. I therefore welcome any pros and cons of washing suede leather.

I have zero experience with washing suede. Perhaps some of the other members do, and will chime in.

 

[Canuck Panda]

I've washed mall brand suedes many times. just hang dry, and it become stiff, but softens within a few wears, not completely back to before but 95% there. I've also spilled a lot of crap on suede jackets, and with a brush the stains can come out. They are quite sturdy and lower maintenance than naked leather imo. But I still prefer grain leather better as suede starts to not feel like leather to me, just personal opinion. And surprisingly, the rain will make bead on the suede surface, the longer the nap the harder for the water to break surface tension.

 

[photo2u]

I've washed mall brand suedes many times. just hang dry, and it become stiff, but softens within a few wears, not completely back to before but 95% there. I've also spilled a lot of crap on suede jackets, and with a brush the stains can come out. They are quite sturdy and lower maintenance than naked leather imo. But I still prefer grain leather better as suede starts to not feel like leather to me, just personal opinion. And surprisingly, the rain will make bead on the suede surface, the longer the nap the harder for the water to break surface tension.

Thank you so very much. I might have more questions.