My brand new shiny HH jacket via washer and dryer

[Apehanger13]

Thanks all for the feedback, much appreciated.
Peacoat, I've been looking at different saddle soaps, oils or dressings. We used to boil up a 5 gal drum of cattle fat at the start of the mustering/herding(?) season and dip all our leather branding ropes, horse breaking gear and hobbles in it, then give our saddles and anything else a good wipe down, including the odd coat. So I'm not very clued up with what to use on this jacket. On this site I've seen mentioned quite a lot, Obenauf and Pecards, they both seem very well recommended, mink oil not so. I know I've put this jacket through a bit, but the leather is perfect, but its how, and with what I treat it with now that is important to me. I would love to hear what Smithy has to say about RM Williams product. I've used their high necked cowboy style boots for yrs both for work and sport (rodeo) and they make the toughest boot I've ever come across. And my first leather jacket ever was RM Williams, it was second hand when I got it 20 odd yrs ago, so it must be maybe 30 or 40 yrs old, its a ripper. I dont want a product that will give a shiny finish either, I just dont like shiny, ha ha. I feel the jacket needs to dry out a little before it needs to be treated, so it can absorb whatever I coat it with. The other month I found a really nice old leather hand made tool roll/fork bag for my bike but it was as dry as you could get before cracking, its 10" x 5" about, and I put some Joseph Liddy leather conditioner on it that was recommended by the local boot guy, it drank half a litre, couldn't believe it, but it really brought it back to life. Dont think this stuff would be the best I could use for my jacket though.
Any feedback on this topic is very much appreciated.
Cheers all.

 

[Atomic]

Glad it wore it in easy, but are you really using it for a protective motorcycle jacket? Water decreases the abrasion resistance of leather, and soaking leather will lose up to 80% of the resistance. The leather is much much more likely to tear if you fall on it at speed.

Looks comfy though, I like that its not shiny. I really dig worn in jackets.

 

[Apehanger13]

Atomic, the only reason I've got this new jacket is for on my bike, well come to think of it I like it so much I'll be wearing it off the bike to I think.
But with most leather bike jackets they are going to get wet quite a bit yeah? Even if you dont like to ride in the rain you still get caught in it. So are you saying wet leather in a slide or leather thats been wet then dried out looses abrasion resistance?
Either way its leather or nothing for me, as I like old school as opposed to heavily branded kevlar clothing.
Its a very interesting point you make, I didnt know this. I look forward to your answer..
Thanks

 

[captaincaveman1]

Glad it wore it in easy, but are you really using it for a protective motorcycle jacket? Water decreases the abrasion resistance of leather, and soaking leather will lose up to 80% of the resistance. The leather is much much more likely to tear if you fall on it at speed.

Looks comfy though, I like that its not shiny. I really dig worn in jackets.

Where do you get those figures from?

 

[Talbot]

On this site I've seen mentioned quite a lot, Obenauf and Pecards, they both seem very well recommended, mink oil not so. I know I've put this jacket through a bit, but the leather is perfect, but its how, and with what I treat it with now that is important to me. I would love to hear what Smithy has to say about RM Williams product.

I'd be interested in how the RM williams stuff works also. I have used Liddys on saddles and boots etc with OK results . I've also tried Pecards on vintage horsehide and was extremely impressed. Don't know how it would stand up to mustering, but the leather just seemed to glow afterwards. I'll alway have some on hand.

 

[Atomic]

Where do you get those figures from?

You know, I just tried to find figures on google and bing and couldn't come up with any. I work in the motorcycle industry and have been told by numerous rep's and specialists how untreated leather (note: not waterproofed) is severely subject to damage from rain over time, meaning you have to replace your jacket after a few years of riding in moisture if the leather hasn't been properly treated. However, I haven't been able to find any hard evidence or data backing that up. I just never thought to double check on the figures since it was "pro's" that were telling me these things.

The argument I had always heard was that the fibers in leather become ridged hard when wet, but it becomes brittle, and once those fibers are broken (softened up) again that the strength of the overall leather piece is decreased because the individual fibers have been broken down.

Anywho, guess I learned something today. I'm going to have to talk to some guys at a leather shop that specialize in the characteristics of leather and see what they think. I suppose the rep's were just telling us stuff to make us sell that idea to customers. I feel dirty now...

 

[Peacoat]

Atomic: I think the theory is spot on. But I don't think the results are as dire as predicted with only a few "wettings" of the leather. If the leather became soaked on many different occasions, then we probably would see the weakening of the leather fibers as you were told. That's why we who ride motorcycles like to treat our jackets with Pecard every year or so, depending on our exposure to rain.

Apehanger13: Smithy swears by RM Williams. He says he and his family have used it on all leather products for years. He convinced me to try it. Unfortunately, I couldn't find it locally. However, almost all of the members here recommend Pecard for leather jackets. That's what I have been using for my jackets when necessary. Always been very pleased.

Here is the link for Pecard: http://www.pecard.com/

And here is the link for RM Williams: http://www.rmwilliams.com.au/home.a...AAD6CBC0E0CEA7&producttypeid=FF50AE8E76E3EBF9

 

[captaincaveman1]

Like Peacoat said... the theory has merit and is probably based on sound facts. Leather is made up of fibers and it is an organic material afterall... this stuff is strong but not indestructible. Still, I have my doubts over whether a single soak/dry cycle could weaken leather 80%. Maybe this could happen under the absolute worse case scenario - like naked leather soaked in a bucket overnight and then dried on high heat in the dryer.

Anyway, take-away for me is that I should dress my jackets every few years or so.

You know, I just tried to find figures on google and bing and couldn't come up with any. I work in the motorcycle industry and have been told by numerous rep's and specialists how untreated leather (note: not waterproofed) is severely subject to damage from rain over time, meaning you have to replace your jacket after a few years of riding in moisture if the leather hasn't been properly treated. However, I haven't been able to find any hard evidence or data backing that up. I just never thought to double check on the figures since it was "pro's" that were telling me these things.

The argument I had always heard was that the fibers in leather become ridged hard when wet, but it becomes brittle, and once those fibers are broken (softened up) again that the strength of the overall leather piece is decreased because the individual fibers have been broken down.

Anywho, guess I learned something today. I'm going to have to talk to some guys at a leather shop that specialize in the characteristics of leather and see what they think. I suppose the rep's were just telling us stuff to make us sell that idea to customers. I feel dirty now...

 

[Apehanger13]

Thanks Atomic. I agree with Cptn Cman and Peacoat's summary on the topic, prolonged wetting and drying. Thanks for bringing the point up, as I wouldn't want to be sliding down the road and have my jacket fall apart due to basic neglect.
Talbot, I looked at the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on the Liddy's leather conditioner I used, it gives you every ingredient used in the product, and it has 10% mineral turpentine and lanolin in it. Lanolin would be great for shedding water but it doesn't feel great under hand I find, bit sticky, and as for the turps, bugger that.
Peacoat, with Pecard's which one do you recommend, the motorcycle leather dressing, leather lotion or weatherproof dressing?
Also I dont want a shiny finish, can I avoid this with Pecard's? I know these products change the look of the leather to an extent, I would just rather keep my jacket as matt and flat coloured as it is. I'm still trying to learn about the RM Williams product, but am not coming up with much. I'm about to ring them with a few questions..
Cheers

 

[Atomic]

Atomic: I think the theory is spot on. But I don't think the results are as dire as predicted with only a few "wettings" of the leather. If the leather became soaked on many different occasions, then we probably would see the weakening of the leather fibers as you were told. That's why we who ride motorcycles like to treat our jackets with Pecard every year or so, depending on our exposure to rain.

It was the long soaking that worried me, not just a few rains. I understand your point though.

I've never treated my jackets with Pecard, but since I have a nice Vanson now perhaps I'll go with that. I just replaced my alpinestars every few years, they were always pretty beat up and ragged anyway, and nothing particularly special in my mind. They are just standard production garb.

 

[Jeff M]

Another thumbs up for Pecard's Antique leather dressing.
This is the stuff museums/collectors put on those hundred + year old leather items to protect/preserve it.

Re; the washer and drier.
You are a braver man than I.

I have been very happy with the results I get from wearing new leather jackets in the rain...letting it get soaked...doing odd jobs in it (like using a Webster to wipe spider webs off the house) and wearing it till it dries off.

Gets rid of the stiffness...molds the leather to my body. Takes a bit of the edge off the shine.

 

[Edward]

You know, I just tried to find figures on google and bing and couldn't come up with any. I work in the motorcycle industry and have been told by numerous rep's and specialists how untreated leather (note: not waterproofed) is severely subject to damage from rain over time, meaning you have to replace your jacket after a few years of riding in moisture if the leather hasn't been properly treated. However, I haven't been able to find any hard evidence or data backing that up. I just never thought to double check on the figures since it was "pro's" that were telling me these things.

The argument I had always heard was that the fibers in leather become ridged hard when wet, but it becomes brittle, and once those fibers are broken (softened up) again that the strength of the overall leather piece is decreased because the individual fibers have been broken down.

Anywho, guess I learned something today. I'm going to have to talk to some guys at a leather shop that specialize in the characteristics of leather and see what they think. I suppose the rep's were just telling us stuff to make us sell that idea to customers. I feel dirty now...

I think there is something in that. Unfortunately, I don't know any more myself, but... I do remember at university a friend having a leather coat she wore out in the rain, then left to dry sitting beside a radiator. It went stiff and a bit brittle and was never quite the same again...

 

[Peacoat]

Peacoat, with Pecard's which one do you recommend, the motorcycle leather dressing, leather lotion or weatherproof dressing?

Most of us on this Forum use the original (and standard) Pecard Leather Dressing. They probably all have the same ingredients in the product. Just using a little "market segmentation" to make the sale for various applications.

 

[1087]

I also use Pecard for my Legendary Trojan HH jacket ( I have to say that I only used once, few months ago after5 years of wearing the jacket, the results been great.
Having said that I'm not using anything for my Lost Worlds HH jackets, because they say their HH does not needs leather dressing at all.

 

[Lear]

I nearly knocked my coffee onto the laptop . I think the OP's opening message should be censored in some way. Maybe an over 21 rating, or just have the scary bits blanked out.

 

[Apehanger13]

Ha ha, very funny Lear, yes it was quite a bold move. I gave my jacket a little soak in the shower a couple of days ago and wore it out with a pretty heavy jumper and boy oh boy it stretched across the back quite a bit!
Thanks Peacoat, I hear what you say about the products being pretty much the same.
1087, interesting what Lost Worlds say about their HH, I'm going to wait until my jacket is quite thirsty before I treat mine, it may never get treated either, but considering I took the whole top layer off the jacket, I'm guessing it will need some treating at some stage.
Have a great day all

 

[Papa M]

I'd be very wary about the washing machine treatment.

I just tried it with an Aero steerhide Cordovan Highwayman. I wanted to lose some of the burgundy colour and give the jacket a more worn look. Washed at 40 degree with just a little detergent. Spun at 1200 rpm, then hung out in autumnul sunshine for the day.

All I really succeeded in doing was to make the jacket look tired and blotchy. It has developed some nasty white fish-scale colour on the hide - which I guess is some of the natural oils being washed out. Not a great look. I am still watching it dry out and am gradually rescuing it with Pecards Antique.

And the storm cuffs are now shagged!

Hopefully when fully dry it will have recoverd a little.

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

Please post pics.

 

[Papa M]

Please post pics.

When fully dry and recovery process complete I'll do pics.

 

[Apehanger13]

Papa M, I'm no expert, just going on what I did. I wouldn't be putting Pecards on a wet jacket, seems like a waste of time. But also try the dryer on low or no heat. If using low heat take it out every 10 min and check on it. A test I did was fold a piece of leather and squeeze hard to see the moisture content, once there is no moisture breaking the surface but it still feels a little damp, take it out for good and put it on to stretch or leave it to dry naturally. Hope this helps and you end up happy with the result