Question about re-dyeing

[nicke70]

Hi,

can someone give me a hint how to re-dye scraped parts and scuffs of a leather jacket. It's an aero a2. i bought this jacket used a while ago and not happy with the open and scraped parts.
Other problem is, that the hook to close the coller is boken. Does anybody know how to fix this?

Cheers

 

[devilish]

A few photos might help. However, the worn places are generally considered a good thing around here. If you try and re-dye your jacket, those spots are going to be a different color and finish to rest anyway. They will soak up anything you put on the jacket more than the rest of it.
Maybe just a clean with some saddle soap (or the like) and then a good coat of conditioner might be all it needs?
As for the hook, that might be tricky without the right tools to reapply the rivets? Although on early contracts the hook was just sewn on.

 

[RJR]

A few photos might help. However, the worn places are generally considered a good thing around here. If you try and re-dye your jacket, those spots are going to be a different color and finish to rest anyway. They will soak up anything you put on the jacket more than the rest of it.
Maybe just a clean with some saddle soap (or the like) and then a good coat of conditioner might be all it needs?
As for the hook, that might be tricky without the right tools to reapply the rivets? Although on early contracts the hook was just sewn on.

Agree,tough to say much without pictures.

 

[Capesofwrath]

Hi,

can someone give me a hint how to re-dye scraped parts and scuffs of a leather jacket. It's an aero a2. i bought this jacket used a while ago and not happy with the open and scraped parts.
Other problem is, that the hook to close the coller is boken. Does anybody know how to fix this?

Cheers

Maybe look up the Great Escape Eastman thread of a week or so ago. There was some info on wartime re dying of A2s there. Apparently they were sprayed with some sort of dye rather like paint as I remember it.

 

[Sloan1874]

You might want to try shoe polish that matches the jacket closest. I did this with my russet A-2 using some mid-tan shoe polish. I had managed to get something greasy on to a pocket, leaving an odd and unsightly mark that wasn't really 'patina'. I used a powerful stain remover that got shot of the mark, but also lifted out some of the colour. I tested the polish on the inside of the windflap, it was close enough a match, and then dabbed some on the mark, rubbed it in with a cloth and buffed with a brush, job done!
That said, generally, a bit of scuffing and scratching is good for an A-2. It adds character. If you feel the marking is too uneven, I'd be tempted to give a coating of Pecard's, just to level it out.

 

[Carlos840]

You might want to try shoe polish that matches the jacket closest. I did this with my russet A-2 using some mid-tan shoe polish. I had managed to get something greasy on to a pocket, leaving an odd and unsightly mark that wasn't really 'patina'. I used a powerful stain remover that got shot of the mark, but also lifted out some of the colour. I tested the polish on the inside of the windflap, it was close enough a match, and then dabbed some on the mark, rubbed it in with a cloth and buffed with a brush, job done!
That said, generally, a bit of scuffing and scratching is good for an A-2. It adds character. If you feel the marking is too uneven, I'd be tempted to give a coating of Pecard's, just to level it out.

I would be very careful doing that, i once tried it on a black leather jacket and the shoe polish actually dissolved the top coat and made a massive mess.
Instead of a very small scratch showing the brown hide, i ended up with a much larger brown spot.
Make sure you try in a well hidden place and give the polish some time to react to see if it is ok.

I agree with the other guys, maybe just put some conditioner on the leather and leave it as it is.

 

[Sloan1874]

Good point. The A-2 I did this with was aniline, so there wasn't a top coat per se to screw up. The polish was absorbed directly into the leather.

 

[nicke70]

Hi, thanks for all the replies and advices. I will upload pics tomorrow. Cheers and good night

 

[Monitor]

I had success in masking scuffs & road rash with (Kiwi) shoe polish as well. Well, at least with the jackets I've tried it on, which were all very good quality ones; Hein Gericke, Schott, Harro and most recently Alpinestars. Worked like a charm each time. Never tried this on Aero, though, so...

 

[Bunyip]

If the rough bits bother you that much, I would be inclined to bite the bullet and dye the entire jacket. I've seen some that have turned out brilliantly. Another option, maybe take it to a pro to get it dyed or the problem areas blended properly, get the hardware fixed and maybe some new knits. A total makeover?

 

[Carlos840]

I had success in masking scuffs & road rash with (Kiwi) shoe polish as well. Well, at least with the jackets I've tried it on, which were all very good quality ones; Hein Gericke, Schott, Harro and most recently Alpinestars. Worked like a charm each time. Never tried this on Aero, though, so...

The event i described in the previous post was Kiwi shoe polish on AL warhawk, so i would be very careful with any waxy leather and shoe polish.

 

[handymike]

Dr Jackson's is better at blending scratches than Pecards IMHO. DJ's will darken the lighter areas and leave them that way (for the most part). Pecards will lighten up again in a few weeks.
Whenever I'm looking to "restore" original color to a jacket, I use Dr Jackson's. If I want to keep the patina look- Pecards.
Pictures will help with better answers to your specific issue.
Cheers.

 

[dan_t]

You appear to be in Munich. Why don't you reach out to Aero and ask for their advice?
At the very least they will be able to do a proper repair on the broken part for you & postage couldn't be that much?

 

[Sloan1874]

Dr Jackson's is better at blending scratches than Pecards IMHO. DJ's will darken the lighter areas and leave them that way (for the most part). Pecards will lighten up again in a few weeks.
Whenever I'm looking to "restore" original color to a jacket, I use Dr Jackson's. If I want to keep the patina look- Pecards.
Pictures will help with better answers to your specific issue.
Cheers.

This is useful to know!

 

[Capesofwrath]

I’ve refinished scuffs on old jackets I’ve bought over the decades with boot polish many times. The best stuff is renovating polish sold to cover scuffs on shoes and sold at any good shoe shop or repairers. It’s available in many colours. I mix it with a little pure neatsfoot oil to take it into the leather and the new finish blends in with the jacket completely unnoticeably. I’ve never had a problem with any leather I’ve used it on including CXL HH and lighter vintage HH and different steerhides.

If the scuffing is extensive than a re dye as practised by the US military when the jackets were issue would be at least authentic. Though the Eastman Great Escape A2 I mentioned above had the new spray finish wearing off quite quickly in parts which was liked by most here but the OP might not.

 

[StyleNeverDies]

Does anyone know how to go about fixing an abrasion/scuff on a chrome-tanned horsehide jacket?