Calling all Aero Chromexcel BROWN Steerhide and FQHH Owners !

[Windstorm81]

We usually post pics of our newly acquired beauties from Aero but for a bit of a change, can we share some pics of your aged and broken in Aero Chromexcel BROWN Steerhide and FQHH. We know its a beautiful leather that only gets better with time. It would be lovely to see the different characters this hide has acquired for different owners here. I would start by sharing mine but mine unfortunately is still pretty new !

 

[repo]

Here's a couple of snaps of my FQHH HWM. One of the heaviest I have owned - over 10 years old and still waiting to break it in!

 

[Sloan1874]

Have you considered sticking it in the tumble dryer with a couple of damp towels? People have used that on stubborn FQHH to great effect.

 

[galopede]

Haven't heard of that trick Sloane. Would have thought the heat wouldn't be good for the leather.

Gareth

 

[Seb Lucas]

Haven't heard of that trick Sloane. Would have thought the heat wouldn't be good for the leather.

Gareth

You don't set it on heat.

 

[repo]

I just need to wear it more often. I bought this when I was the trimmest I've been for a while - visited Galashiels to check my size but then put on the pounds Now heading in the right direction!

 

[Insomnia]

Put it in a thick plumeau case set the tumbler to cold and gentle if your tumbler has this settings. After 1-2 hours the leather will be smoother. Check the jacket at the first time after 10 minutes. Avoid heat or you risk some shrinking or damage. This is only my personal experience, try it only with caution and at own risk.

 

[Sloan1874]

You don't set it on heat.

Yes, and the damp towels stop the leather being dried out. Basically, you're tumbling your own leather.

 

[galopede]

Cheers for the info!

Gareth

 

[Interbak]

Mine is a custom half belt of about the same age as repos. The dryer helps a bit, not really worth the effort. The best result I got was from laying it on the floor and rolling it up. Roll the sleaves up from the cuff all the way to the shoulder, then roll the body both length and width wise. It helped soften the leather far more than the dryer trick ever did. Of course, wearing it is still the best medicine.

Brian

 

[Carlos840]

In my experience the best thing to do is to wear it when it is warm.
Leather absorbs water from the inside a lot more than it does from the outside. If you get a little bit warm in your jacket it will literally suck the moisture from your skin and break in the leather super fast.
I discovered that while riding my bike a hot summer day, i was sweating profusely every time i stopped at a red light and by the time i got home the jacket had literally molded to my body.

If that doesn't sound appealing you can try wetting the outside with a spray bottle and then wearing it until it dries. Not as effective but not as rough as sitting in the sun with a leather jacket on.

 

[Sloan1874]

Here are a few patina shots from my LHB:

 

[Peacoat]

Mine is a custom half belt of about the same age as repos. The dryer helps a bit, not really worth the effort. The best result I got was from laying it on the floor and rolling it up. Roll the sleaves up from the cuff all the way to the shoulder, then roll the body both length and width wise. It helped soften the leather far more than the dryer trick ever did. Of course, wearing it is still the best medicine.

Brian

Yes, this works. Every other time, roll it in the opposite direction.

Be careful with the dryer tumble as oftentimes the collar will get a worn spot on either the right or left side, sometimes both. I put Pecard on the spot, and it is not noticeable now.

About all I do to mine now is to roll them up and scrunch them from top to bottom and side to side until it is easier to wear them. Then I wear them to break them in. Doesn't take long to get the FQHH comfortable to wear, and that is all I am looking for in the artificial break--in techniques.

 

[tropicalbob]

Something I've always wondered: wouldn't you run the risk of mold setting in by wetting the jacket from the inside? I don't know how confident I'd feel about drying it with cool air. I ask this because I fell out of a canoe many years ago wearing a leather jacket, and, though I hung it up when I got home, it soon developed a terrible odor and the leather started to decay.

 

[ProteinNerd]

I've found the brown steer hide breaks in faster and imo better than the HH. It just seems to have more character.

 

[Windstorm81]

Awesome pics guys! Gotta love the ruddy undertones that show with time. I am not sure about the dryer option, I think I am too chicken to put mine being paranoid that the leather will dry out

 

[Cooperson]

Posted a few times before, but it shows how heavy front quarter horse loses the suitcase shiny look when it's broken in.

FQHH fresh out the box


Broken in

 

[Guppy]

Something I've always wondered: wouldn't you run the risk of mold setting in by wetting the jacket from the inside? I don't know how confident I'd feel about drying it with cool air. I ask this because I fell out of a canoe many years ago wearing a leather jacket, and, though I hung it up when I got home, it soon developed a terrible odor and the leather started to decay.

Did you rinse the lake water out with clean water before you hung it up to dry? Lots of microscopic things live in the water... Probably should have gotten it cleaned before the decay set in.

 

[zebedee]

The best way of breaking in FQHH that I've found is wearing it out in the rain followed by just wearing it everywhere. Don't deliberately scrape the jacket along a wall, but, by the same token, don't worry about bumps/falling down whilst pi55ed (you know- once or twice), rolling it up and shoving it down into a chair and sitting on it- don't treat it like you hate it, but don't concern yourself about treating it carefully.

 

[Peter Bowden]

This is my FQHH Dustbowl after approximately 9 months of almost daily wear...Not much by Aero standards.The odd shower of rain, though no drenchings
Regards
Peter