I need HELP Cigarette Stench is Killing Me!!!

[Worf]

As some of you might know I recently scored a Langlitz A-2 motorcycle jacket used off the Bay. While I LOVE the finish and most of the fit of the jacket... the stench of 20 years of chain smokin' embedded in it's hide is KILLIN' ME! I noticed it when I first put the jacket on and, truth be told, the seller did mention a "mild" cigarette oder BUT after a week on the back porch the thing still reeks and believe it or not it seems to be getting WORSE!!!!

I need suggestions, dry clean... Febreeze.... wash in Woolite? Pachoolie oil in the pockets? Potporrie? HELP!!!!!!

Worf

 

[HeyMoe]

hang it outside for a few days in the shade, then spray the liner with Febreeze. If that does not work, you can put it into a plastic storage bin with crumpled news papers and, if you can find them, cedar shavings (pet stores have them) for a week. I have done both with leather and wool jackets.

If neither of these work, have it professionally cleaned.

 

[Blackadder]

The smell probably comes from the accumulation of tar hence leaving the jacket out is not going to help. You best bet is a leather friendly solvent to remove the tar build-up first. I am not a DIY guy, so I go to professional dry cleaner.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

Another thing that I've seen around here (the lounge) is to put newspaper in hats to "soak up" the smell. It's supposed to work on hats anyway. I wouldn't sneeze on having the jacket professionally cleaned either.

Have fun Worf.

 

[Edward]

I think professional cleaning is the way forward. Mind you go to a specialist, though - I don't know the details, but I do know leather is a special job and not any one dry cleaning will do it. Most dry cleaners offer the service, though. For a nice jacket that you got a good deal on, I think it would be worth it.

 

[Stand By]

Start smoking, Worf. Then you won't care. Sorted!

 

[Sloan1874]

I think professional cleaning is the way forward. Mind you go to a specialist, though - I don't know the details, but I do know leather is a special job and not any one dry cleaning will do it. Most dry cleaners offer the service, though. For a nice jacket that you got a good deal on, I think it would be worth it.

And it ain't cheap. Cost me £50 to have one done.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Pour beer on it..?? (kidding)

 

[gtdean48]

I got an A-2 with heavy smoke stench a few years back to have nose art done on the back. I turned it inside out & Febrezed the liner & knits, used Lexol cleaner & conditioner on leather. I wear it to bars & no worries of smoking an occasional cigar in it. Doesn't reek but SWMBO letsit in the house....

 

[Stanley Doble]

Clean the leather with saddle soap or suitable leather cleaner. Wash the lining with laundry detergent, vacuum to remove dampness and hang outside to dry.

Careful cleaning should eliminate the smell or reduce it by 90%.

 

[Worf]

Stand-By and Hoosier..... :frusty: Philistines! The rest of you thanks for your kind suggestions. I'll take it to the little ole Italian ladies for cleaning this week.

Worf

 

[Fanch]

Dave, my input would be to have it professionally handled by a trusted leather jacket cleaner. If not you could get lung cancer from second hand smoke residue. ound:

 

[John Lever]

Put the jacket in a plastic bag then sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda. Seal it up and leave for a couple of days,then vacuum .

 

[Bunyip]

Worf, give Scotty at Langlitz a call or email. He is a champion bloke and they bend over backwards for Lanlitz owners.

 

[Plumbline]

Wash it ... it's a laglitz, good quality leather and well made. The proceedure is well documented on here .... cold wash with woolite; dry; condition liberally ... and bob's your mothers brother as they say. Done it twice now to high end jackets and NO ill effects ( would I do it with a 1942 Irvin ... probably not but for a bike jacket .... get it in the machine )

Just MHO guys ...... it has worked great and no more cigarette smoke.

R

 

[Stand By]

Stand-By and Hoosier..... :frusty: Philistines! The rest of you thanks for your kind suggestions. I'll take it to the little ole Italian ladies for cleaning this week.

Worf

Hmmm. I don't know about Hoosier, but I'm from England originally and moved here to Canada.
I've never even been to Palestine.

 

[Rudie]

I would try John Lever's soda approach before a professional cleaning. Soda is awesome stuff that can do most anything.

 

[HeyMoe]

Put the jacket in a plastic bag then sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda. Seal it up and leave for a couple of days,then vacuum .

Think this will work with old wool jackets as well? I do not trust our local dry cleaners and don't typically have the time to drive the hour to the next nearest one with a good reputation.

 

[andyfalzon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da12pIwoh-A

have you seen this?

 

[armscye]

Another vote for washing. I've washed at least 30 leather jackets over the years, and have not lost one. My Vanson horsehide has probably been washed 4-5 times. Plus, not only does washing get rid of smells, it pops the grain and generally brings the jacket back to near new visual condition. And you can shape the collar and sometimes stretch the sleeves too.

My detailed procedure for washing jackets has been exhaustively documented in this thread, with lotsa pix, replies, and follow-ups. Mods, feel free to make this a sticky if you think it useful:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...hine-washing-and-conditioning-vintage-jackets