Do try this at home: leather jacket repair tips

[Alfredodelavega]

Hello everyone, I read you very regularly but I have never posted yet, I hope I am in the right place.

I recently purchased this barnstormer aero leather used at a good price. I really like its color and its patina. However, it seems very dirty to me, my hands get dirty every time I handle it. Do you have a tip or protocol for cleaning it without losing its beautiful patina?

Another question, what cowhide do you think it is? I'm considering the horween chromexcel because the jacket is heavy but surprisingly soft (compared to other fqhh jackets) so I have my doubts.

Thank you in advance for your insights
.

 

[MrProper]

Bonjour à tous, je vous lis très régulièrement mais je n'ai encore jamais posté, j'espère être au bon endroit.
J'ai récemment acheté ce aero leather barnstormer d'occasion à un bon prix. J'aime beaucoup sa couleur et sa patine. Pour autant il me semble très crasseux, j'ai les mains sales à chaque fois que je le manipule. Auriez-vous une astuce ou un protocole pour le décrasser sans lui faire perdre sa belle patine ?
Autre question, quel steerhide pensez-vous que ce soit ? Je pense à du horween chromexcel car la veste est lourde mais étonnamment souple (comparativement aux autres vestes en fqhh) donc j'ai des doutes.
Merci par avance pour vos lumières. View attachment 646196 View attachment 646197

My English is also lousy and I'm trying to find a translator. Is it perhaps a bit more appreciative when I want to know something? but maybe it's just me.

 

[Alfredodelavega]

Mon anglais est également médiocre et j'essaie de trouver un traducteur. Est-ce que je serais peut-être un peu plus reconnaissant quand je veux savoir quelque chose ? Mais c'est peut-être juste moi.

My apologies, but all your messages are already automatically translated into my language, I thought it was the same for you and it was done automatically.

 

[MrProper]

My apologies, but all your messages are already automatically translated into my language, I thought it was the same for you and it was done automatically.

Ah ok. No, I think very few people here have activated automatic translation.

 

[TartuWolf]

Hello everyone, I read you very regularly but I have never posted yet, I hope I am in the right place.

I recently purchased this barnstormer aero leather used at a good price. I really like its color and its patina. However, it seems very dirty to me, my hands get dirty every time I handle it. Do you have a tip or protocol for cleaning it without losing its beautiful patina?

Another question, what cowhide do you think it is? I'm considering the horween chromexcel because the jacket is heavy but surprisingly soft (compared to other fqhh jackets) so I have my doubts.

Thank you in advance for your insights

Oh man, that's a beauty. Looks like brown CXL for sure.

 

[Alfredodelavega]

Oh man, that's a beauty. Looks like brown CXL for sure.

thanks man, I also think it's chromexcel steerhide but its flexibility and the fact that it doesn't become rigid in the cold make me doubt it

 

[MrProper]

thanks man, I also think it's chromexcel steerhide but its flexibility and the fact that it doesn't become rigid in the cold make me doubt it

I find that CXSH doesn't get as hard as CXFQHH in the cold. At least that's the case with mine.

 

[Leather Walker]

Is there any way to soften leather? This Cal has a lot of wrinkles around this collar snap, and I'm worried they may tear the hide, so I'd like to know if there's anything I can do to decrease them. The best scenario would be removing them, but I know using heat iron isn't a good idea -maybe hot steam?

 

[Al 916]

Is there any way to soften leather? This Cal has a lot of wrinkles around this collar snap, and I'm worried they may tear the hide, so I'd like to know if there's anything I can do to decrease them. The best scenario would be removing them, but I know using heat iron isn't a good idea -maybe hot steam?
View attachment 646401

Pecard will soften, however looks pretty stable to me on the pic, is it at risk?

 

[Al 916]

Hello everyone, I read you very regularly but I have never posted yet, I hope I am in the right place.

I recently purchased this barnstormer aero leather used at a good price. I really like its color and its patina. However, it seems very dirty to me, my hands get dirty every time I handle it. Do you have a tip or protocol for cleaning it without losing its beautiful patina?

Another question, what cowhide do you think it is? I'm considering the horween chromexcel because the jacket is heavy but surprisingly soft (compared to other fqhh jackets) so I have my doubts.

Thank you in advance for your insights
.
View attachment 646197

Slightly damp microcloth, lightly wipe.

 

[58panheadfan]

After not really liking the original color of my BK Surrogate jacket*, I decided to give it a color change over the last weekend. I went for a darker brown (Fiebing's leather dye chocolate brown) to make the jacket look more like the original film jacket (see last picture) but still create a unique piece. The dyeing process took some time. But I am more than happy with the result. I also deliberately worked on some areas more but dyed them less intensively. This has created a certain lighter undertone in some places. I also didn't dye the collar and the facings. Finally, I applied a thin coat of Fiebing's resolene.

* The design of this leather jacket has always fascinated me from the very beginning, but it took me a long time to get around to ordering it from BK. I didn't really want a clone of the movie surrogate jacket with the overlong, foldable cuffs. I also wanted the jacket in the maltese goat hide offered by BK, although perhaps the other leathers from BK are visually closer to the original.

Note: The indoor photos only partially reflect the current look of the jacket. It “lives” much more now and has a more natural, lively look than before with this boring and plain appearance. Of course, the whole thing took a bit of courage, but because of my experience with leather (jackets), I dared to do it anyway. I am curious to see how the jacket will develop over time...

 

[Canuck Panda]

After not really liking the original color of my BK Surrogate jacket*, I decided to give it a color change over the last weekend. I went for a darker brown (Fiebing's leather dye chocolate brown) to make the jacket look more like the original film jacket (see last picture) but still create a unique piece. The dyeing process took some time. But I am more than happy with the result. I also deliberately worked on some areas more but dyed them less intensively. This has created a certain lighter undertone in some places. I also didn't dye the collar and the facings. Finally, I applied a thin coat of Fiebing's resolene.

* The design of this leather jacket has always fascinated me from the very beginning, but it took me a long time to get around to ordering it from BK. I didn't really want a clone of the movie surrogate jacket with the overlong, foldable cuffs. I also wanted the jacket in the maltese goat hide offered by BK, although perhaps the other leathers from BK are visually closer to the original.

Note: The indoor photos only partially reflect the current look of the jacket. It “lives” much more now and has a more natural, lively look than before with this boring and plain appearance. Of course, the whole thing took a bit of courage, but because of my experience with leather (jackets), I dared to do it anyway. I am curious to see how the jacket will develop over time...

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That's a really nice overdye job. The hand glazing makes the goatskin look a lot nicer.

 

[Monte.C]

After not really liking the original color of my BK Surrogate jacket*, I decided to give it a color change over the last weekend. I went for a darker brown (Fiebing's leather dye chocolate brown) to make the jacket look more like the original film jacket (see last picture) but still create a unique piece. The dyeing process took some time. But I am more than happy with the result. I also deliberately worked on some areas more but dyed them less intensively. This has created a certain lighter undertone in some places. I also didn't dye the collar and the facings. Finally, I applied a thin coat of Fiebing's resolene.

* The design of this leather jacket has always fascinated me from the very beginning, but it took me a long time to get around to ordering it from BK. I didn't really want a clone of the movie surrogate jacket with the overlong, foldable cuffs. I also wanted the jacket in the maltese goat hide offered by BK, although perhaps the other leathers from BK are visually closer to the original.

Note: The indoor photos only partially reflect the current look of the jacket. It “lives” much more now and has a more natural, lively look than before with this boring and plain appearance. Of course, the whole thing took a bit of courage, but because of my experience with leather (jackets), I dared to do it anyway. I am curious to see how the jacket will develop over time...

View attachment 646858
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You really did a number on that dye job. The minor variations, undyed parts, etc. Really nice jacket.

 

[58panheadfan]

That's a really nice overdye job. The hand glazing makes the goatskin look a lot nicer.

You really did a number on that dye job. The minor variations, undyed parts, etc. Really nice jacket.

Thank you Sirs!
I am indeed more than satisfied with the result. It was not easy to find the right balance between the less and more colored areas without the jacket looking too artificially aged. I am also very happy with the dyeing product. As you know, original A-2 leather jackets that have been taken out of service have also been refurbished this way. The V. Hilts from the movie The Great Escape is such an example.

 

[Marc mndt]

Some time ago I got this mid 50s Buco J27, unfortunately the seller failed to disclose that the main zip was missing one of its teeth.

I really wasn't sure whether or not it would work but it was worth trying. I pulled a tooth from a NOS talon and clamped it in place using a pair of pliers. It was quite a fiddly job to get the tooth perfectly aligned onto the zipper tape but to my surprise I got it right on the first try. Next I applied a drop of fray stop onto the tape to stiffen it up, making sure the teeth stay aligned. The zipper now works as if it were never repaired and the repair has held up over time.

In hindsight I should have used a brass donor zipper lol but I only had a nickel one at hand.

 

[attack_decay]

Great explanation and photos, as always. Thanks for sharing, I've been plan to do the same with one of my jackets that showed up missing a couple teeth. Your jacket has a Joe Pesci thing going on now, gives it extra flavor .

 

[Jiantle]

Some time ago I got this mid 50s Buco J27, unfortunately the seller failed to disclose that the main zip was missing one of its teeth.

I really wasn't sure whether or not it would work but it was worth trying. I pulled a tooth from a NOS talon and clamped it in place using a pair of pliers. It was quite a fiddly job to get the tooth perfectly aligned onto the zipper tape but to my surprise I got it right on the first try. Next I applied a drop of fray stop onto the tape to stiffen it up, making sure the teeth stay aligned. The zipper now works as if it were never repaired and the repair has held up over time.

Looks fantastic, almost indistinguishable unless looking closely!

Is the fray stop some sort of glue? Wonder if I could use it on the fraying end of the zipper tape of my Field Leather jacket to prevent it from fraying further.

 

[Marc mndt]

Is the fray stop some sort of glue? Wonder if I could use it on the fraying end of the zipper tape of my Field Leather jacket to prevent it from fraying further.

That's what it's made for. I had to use it on my FL jacket as well, those repro zips' tapes aren't great. He should switch to using Universal (YKK).

 

[PeterRocco]

That's what it's made for. I had to use it on my FL jacket as well, those repro zips' tapes aren't great. He should switch to using Universal (YKK).

Hi. Could you please give a link to that Fray Tape you used?
Thank You
Pete

 

[Marc mndt]

Hi. Could you please give a link to that Fray Tape you used?
Thank You
Pete

My contribution— mail it to Dena.

Though I do use the following to reinforce the zipper tape when it starts to fray. Best product I have found so far, no question.