Brown Leather Jacket Collar Question - How to Keep it from Getting Nasty?

[r0c1nant3]

I have an Aero Half Belt in Battered Tan, and I love the thing to death, except I'm reluctant to wear it because the inside of the collar is getting just nasty - or on the verge of getting nasty. Like, I'm okay with the jacket looking worn and getting darker and scratched with use, but the collar seems to be problematic, turning black from oils in my neck.

Aside from only wearing it with a hoodie, (which is what I've mostly resorted to) what can I do to clean it/keep it clean without damaging the leather. I've been told everything from vinegar to saddle soap, but I don't want to do more harm than good. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Photo tax:

 

[Observe]

I'm no expert on lighter coloured leathers but I think trying to keep this from happening altogether would be a losing battle for you. I feel your pain though, such discolouration appearing "dirty". While I enjoy looking at the aging of leather, I'd rather not have neck stains on my own garments. One of the advantages of preferring black leather jackets I suppose.

 

[Yango]

I use Pecards on my jackets, gloves and boots. It cleans, conditions, and leaves the leather smelling brand new.

https://pecard.com/shop/motorcycle/motorcycle-leather-lotion/

 

[r0c1nant3]

Here's it's current state, just FYI. I'll order up some Pecard unless other great ideas come to light

 

[torfjord]

Honestly I would just accept it as something that’s just part of the experience of wearing leather. It will change as you wear and use it. You’ll never get it to look as new once you’ve worn it for a while. And who is going to see the inside of the collar on the jacket? No one except for you when the jacket is off.

 

[Will Zach]

At least you are wearing your own sweat. Those of us who wear vintage are wearing some random dude's fifty years worth of sweat.

 

[morrison2951]

At least you are wearing your own sweat. Those of us who wear vintage are wearing some random dude's fifty years worth of sweat.

Yep, or longer. 1940's Wolf.

 

[Carlos840]

Here's it's current state, just FYI. I'll order up some Pecard unless other great ideas come to light
View attachment 453303

Thing is pecard is just going to make the entire jacket change colour and go darker.
IMO there is nothing you can do, a leather like that is always going to darken when it gets oily, it's the nature of the beast.

 

[JMax]

Thing is pecard is just going to make the entire jacket change colour and go darker.
IMO there is nothing you can do, a leather like that is always going to darken when it gets oily, it's the nature of the beast.

Yep. I guess one option is to darken the entire inner portion of the collar with a good leather oil- at least hide the streak. If it bothers OP that much.

 

[Peacoat]

Having a dark collar on a light colored leather jacket is just a cost of doing business.

What you might try is an actual leather cleaner rather than a conditioner. I have been using Lexol cleaner on horse tack for 35 years with good results. It is designed to get salt and oils out of the leather. Follow the cleaning with a good conditioner for jackets, such as Pecard. That process may darken the collar where you have cleaned, but you will have a clean collar.

 

[Will Zach]

Yep. I guess one option is to darken the entire inner portion of the collar with a good leather oil- at least hide the streak. If it bothers OP that much.

Yes, Pecards darkens light-colored leather at least one shade, sometimes two. For example, natural hide will be darkened by Pecards about two shades, pretty much permanently. OPs hide may darken one shade, pretty much to match the "ring around the collar".

 

[Jasonindenver]

That collar looks like the character we all wait for our jackets to develop. Embrace the stain.

 

[Yango]

Yes, Pecards darkens light-colored leather at least one shade, sometimes two. For example, natural hide will be darkened by Pecards about two shades, pretty much permanently. OPs hide may darken one shade, pretty much to match the "ring around the collar".

Do you have experience with Pecards darkening your leathers?

I’ve been using Pecards Leather Lotion for about 8 years now, and have never experienced that.

 

[handymike]

I noticed that Pecards (ointment) can darken mid-tone and some lighter colored leathers for about 6 months. Obenaufs is more permanent.

 

[r0c1nant3]

I'm not at all bothered by the jacket getting a little darker with some conditioning. I like patina. I don't like things looking grimey. So it looks like Pecards may be a great way to start!

 

[handymike]

I would clean the collar first with either the Lexol or Saddle soap to avoid more damage by locking in the salt/oils.

 

[Tec]

Yep, wipe down with slightly damp cloth to get as much off as possible, allow to dry for a few minutes, hit with something purpose-built for cleaning leather. Condition if necessary, something lighter like Bick4 is entirely appropriate but not needed imo. Your neck probably has enough oils that you don't need to condition.

I personally have always found better results using purpose built products rather than all-in-ones. Goes for many other aspects in life, I find.

For instance, while saddle soap is good for cleaning and may claim it also conditions, the alkalinity of the cleaning part of the product makes it redundant as a conditioner, for the most part (still a good cleaner though). Now, someone's tough saddle or outdoor leather gear being just fine without using a conditioner after saddle soaping is another topic (is your leather jacket built tough like a saddle with the same temper and similar tannage?).

 

[photo2u]

In the old days, Some utility jackets like Cal Leathers and others used fabrics and sometimes leather to "enhance" the neck area. I believe Max, has a nice sample in his star glove - Cal.

Here is a nice sample curtesy of Cal. Leather's fakebook page:

For me, The neck area gets trash when I do long rides (100+ miles) Smog and dirt and insects do get trap. I often use a bigger bandana or sometimes a scarf to protect my neck area.
Suerte!

 

[Will Zach]

Do you have experience with Pecards darkening your leathers?

I’ve been using Pecards Leather Lotion for about 8 years now, and have never experienced that.

Only Pecards Leather Dressing (I don't know what Pecards Leather Lotion is), and only on natural (uncolored) or light brown naked leathers. Comes out easily two shades darker after treatment. Less if you apply very little. Other leathers not so much, and they do lighten some with time. But natural and light brown never come back to the original color (never in this case is 4 years plus). Look at that guy's collar. Darker like that.

 

[Ingramite]

The best way that comes to mind involves always layering in a silk scarf. That's the classic jacket interface but 100% compliance is a goal that I've never been able to achieve.

I have a rust colored rough out fringe motorcycle jacket that I've had for 30 years. The collar is very dark and smooth.

I believe that the silk scarf also reduces collar wear from razer stubble. I've had a beard from birth so I might have that all wrong.

My experience is that treating leather with anything has resulted in darkening. I owned an Indian motorcycle with tan leather. You talk about a job. The more I worked that leather, the darker it got.