Mold Measles

[thirstyunicorn]

I recently dove head first into starting a collection of jackets. As often stated (or warned) here- it’s an addicting endeavor. I’ve been soaking up your impressive knowledge and suggestions from the sidelines but came across an issue that doesn’t appear to have much meat on the bone here. Probs for good reason due to vigilance and avoidance from you experienced connoisseurs.

I pulled the trigger on an east west musical that I should have scrutinized more. Will post pics when I figure out how. Jacket seems to be in great condition for the price and sized perfectly for me. (Marked 46 but just under 18” shoulder/ 21” pit). I accepted seller offer of $500 that was also mentioned here in F&D by another member. Anyway jacket is great fit but showed some freckling that is confined to 3 of the 4 back panels. Thought it was aged finish, watermarks, or something benign. I’m pretty certain it’s mold measles.

Gave a couple wipe downs with zero results. Same nothing burger with 50/50 white vin/ water. Was worried about contaminating other gear so have had it in garage or outside while I’m figuring out whether to trash it or thrash it. I’m willing to write it off as expensive (but valuable) lesson so think I’m gonna nuke this thing and report back to archive experience.

Sprayed with straight up white vin this morning outside in early sun where jacket remains. Barely wiped down because the 3 “pocked” panels soaked in way more of it than beaded up or ran off. Leather immediately relaxed from the moisture (and/or acid) and obviously burnished the hell out of it. Actually doesn’t look as bad as I’d expect.

Thinking of dunking jacket to completely eradicate any existing spores that could be embedded even if it is a death blow. Guessing that could wreck stitching (which seems entirely solid right now). Hate to destroy a sweet relic, but I’m unwilling to deal with any mold issues whatsoever and I’m totally game on guinea pig duty in current situation. Will post pics when I can with insights, repercussions, and results. I’m open to suggestions or requests.

 

[Canuck Panda]

I think it is spew not mold. Mold needs three things to live, dust, water, and air. If you cleaned it there is no more dust for the mold to feed on. Spew can also keep coming back and back. I had a few jackets like that. You just keep wiping it away until it stabilize. Usually when the temperature changes the spews comes out. There is anti spew products but I've never tried. You can look them up.
Also hydrogen peroxide is probably the best mold killer for home use. I use it to kill and prevent mold in the kitchen sink cabinet. The hose always has some drips from use and there is no way I can cut out the water to choke out the mold. Hydrogen peroxide kills it and keeps it off for longer periods of time before I have to spray it down over and over...

 

[thirstyunicorn]

I think it is spew not mold. Mold needs three things to live, dust, water, and air. If you cleaned it there is no more dust for the mold to feed on. Spew can also keep coming back and back. I had a few jackets like that. You just keep wiping it away until it stabilize. Usually when the temperature changes the spews comes out. There is anti spew products but I've never tried. You can look them up.
Also hydrogen peroxide is probably the best mold killer for home use. I use it to kill and prevent mold in the kitchen sink cabinet. The hose always has some drips from use and there is no way I can cut out the water to choke out the mold. Hydrogen peroxide kills it and keeps it off for longer periods of time before I have to spray it down over and over...

thanks. Gotta say I’m stoked to get insights from the king. Pretty sure you’re top of the totem in these parts. Maybe spew explains why it’s strictly limited to 3 distinct panels. Those seem markedly different character-wise than everywhere else on the jacket and spots go right to seams but don’t appear to affect neighboring hide. Wiping does nothing at all, marks are flush to surface. Any suggestions before a final cleanup and conditioning on this thing?
Many thanks, I’m sincerely grateful for Ty our take on it. Doubt anyone’s got more notches in their belt this side of the Atlantic. …or maybe anywhere. Thanks again

 

[handymike]

Are you looking to “clean up” the marks visually? It seems like you’ve done enough to kill any mold. I would dilute some leather dye and apply with a q-tip. Use a rag to blend it in. Once dry, seal it with a thin coat of Vaseline/Pecards/whatever…..

If it is from inside the hide (blooming/spew) you can use Saphir RenoMat.

 

[Canuck Panda]

thanks. Gotta say I’m stoked to get insights from the king. Pretty sure you’re top of the totem in these parts. Maybe spew explains why it’s strictly limited to 3 distinct panels. Those seem markedly different character-wise than everywhere else on the jacket and spots go right to seams but don’t appear to affect neighboring hide. Wiping does nothing at all, marks are flush to surface. Any suggestions before a final cleanup and conditioning on this thing?
Many thanks, I’m sincerely grateful for Ty our take on it. Doubt anyone’s got more notches in their belt this side of the Atlantic. …or maybe anywhere. Thanks again

I remember seeing anti spew products on here, they come in a small tub just like conditioner but for spews. Give it a quick search, it should work better.

 

[thirstyunicorn]

Are you looking to “clean up” the marks visually? It seems like you’ve done enough to kill any mold. I would dilute some leather dye and apply with a q-tip. Use a rag to blend it in. Once dry, seal it with a thin coat of Vaseline/Pecards/whatever…..

If it is from inside the hide (blooming/spew) you can use Saphir RenoMat.

Thanks for the info. The spots aren’t a deal breaker if it’s not a mold issue. I was guessing jacket was laid on its back or folded over itself somewhere damp and dark for awhile. Surface mold coulda got wiped clean when it was rescued.

Was thinking maybe marks remained if mold embedded into hide or was on the surface for an extended period before an eventual wipe down. It seemed “measles” was more common to handbags, belts, or shoes that were stowed away in the bottoms of closets, boxes, bins, or bags when I was trying to figure out what was up with this jacket.

I am gonna try a couple of the saphir products, appreciate the suggestion. Also gonna test out something for spew cause I gotta trust in Canuck Panda’s expertise. Will use this as an opportunity to see what kinda rewards/ repercussions these products might have. (At least on this particular hide). Will report back so anyone else debating some of these treatments has a guinea pig. Many thanks for sharing your takes.