Collar of Vintage Leather Jacket Cracking - Causes and Remedies

[ButteMT61]

Thats one nice thing about Cali - almost never get humidity here (SoCal).
Keeping my jackets and boots and belts in my closet, I recon the hottest they get is 77ºf and are clean, dark, and I've never had a moth, mold, or anything remotely bad. If I move up north one day, I'll likely line a closet with Cedar and store it all in there.

 

[nick123]

Thats one nice thing about Cali - almost never get humidity here (SoCal).
Keeping my jackets and boots and belts in my closet, I recon the hottest they get is 77ºf and are clean, dark, and I've never had a moth, mold, or anything remotely bad. If I move up north one day, I'll likely line a closet with Cedar and store it all in there.

We have no AC here, but the closet is nice and dark. It's like 84 F in the house at night. Hmm.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Really, no AC..?? Is that preferred..??

 

[Fanch]

HD we didn't have A/C during the year we lived in Malibu - not really needed. However, A/C in N Texas is another story ...

 

[handymike]

yeah, those guys near the coast are really lucky

 

[Peacoat]

HD we didn't have A/C during the year we lived in Malibu - not really needed. However, A/C in N Texas is another story ...

But Nick said it is 84 in the house at night. For me, that is sweat temperature and would require A/C.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I only know of a few people with aircon down here, even at 45 degrees - I've almost never used it. I use a fan at night, it's pretty much all I need. Comes from growing up without it in a time when air con was for shopping malls, I guess.

 

[navetsea]

I also don't need AC, I have a small fan placed under the elbow panel of my L working desk out of sight blowing at the lowest rpm setting just to stir air.

 

[nick123]

But Nick said it is 84 in the house at night. For me, that is sweat temperature and would require A/C.

I partially lied. There is a portable AC in the bedroom (one of those ones that has the vent that goes out the window), and gets quite cool at night (hence the cold I have?) but the rest of the house is hot. There is another portable AC in the living room that doesn't really work so it doesn't count. In the grand scheme of things, the heat isn't THAT bad. But it's pretty bad. I sweat like a pig regardless of the AC because of the anxiety meds I have to take (I feel bad for my future girlfriend...)

We're right by the water but aren't blessed with a beach climate. Santa Ana winds once in a while, but it's surprisingly warm and breezeless here most of the time.

 

[Peacoat]

We periodically, and on a regular basis, have the argument over which conditioner is the best. I note that no one has yet mentioned Pecard. For my money, if it is good enough for the Smithsonian, it is good enough for my jackets, none of which is old enough to need a treatment. In another 5 or 10 years, though, my first leather motorcycle jacket may need a bit of Pecard.

 

[Sloan1874]

+1 I resuscitated my other half's original Mary Quant leather jacket with it - I doubt it's ever looked better.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

We periodically, and on a regular basis, have the argument over which conditioner is the best. I note that no one has yet mentioned Pecard. For my money, if it is good enough for the Smithsonian, it is good enough for my jackets, none of which is old enough to need a treatment. In another 5 or 10 years, though, my first leather motorcycle jacket may need a bit of Pecard.

Yeah..I'm even thinking about using a weekly treatment of a mix of Pecards & aloe on me in about 5-10 years or earlier....

 

[Peacoat]

Yeah..I'm even thinking about using a weekly treatment of a mix of Pecards & aloe on me in about 5-10 years or earlier....

I think it might be earlier.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Which Pecards product is preferred? Does it vary depending on leather type?

Vaseline sounds interesting, but it also sounds like one's jacket might be out of action for a while to let the stuff soak in.

 

[Monitor]

Aye, best to leave the jacket hanging for a two or three days, to let it soak in. I've discovered that a lot more has to be applied for thick skins for any changes to take effect.

 

[Peacoat]

Which Pecards product is preferred? Does it vary depending on leather type?

Vaseline sounds interesting, but it also sounds like one's jacket might be out of action for a while to let the stuff soak in.

I think all the Pecard products have about the same formulation. I got the standard, and have been pleased with it.

 

[Seb Lucas]

We periodically and on a regular basis, have the argument over which conditioner is the best. I note that no one has yet mentioned Pecard. For my money, if it is good enough for the Smithsonian, it is good enough for my jackets, none of which is old enough to need a treatment. In another 5 or 10 years, though, my first leather motorcycle jacket may need a bit of Pecard.

While I use Pecards, I have read in various places that the Smithsonian actually doesn't use it and use different substances and generally do not treat old leather at all. Does anyone have any evidence for this? I have contacted the Smithsonian to see what they say.