Repairing Aero 1986 Leather Tear ?

[BenBrown]

I love this story.
At first i thought oh another stinky should i fix , is it worth it or just trash it jacket thread.
But, you love this jacket. Old smokey loved this jacket. Probably broke his heart about giving away his pride and joy.
Most folks around here have so many jackets, have graduated up the learning ladder that it’s so easy to say trash it. Why waste time and money on it. Get something better.
But this jacket has a history. It lived and was loved and it looks it.

Many here have never done that. Many never really break in a jacket before they sell it or stick it in a closet. This is not an indictment of the members, just the truth. Many aren’t old enough to have done that.
But…lots want nothing more than to buy one that has lived and loved and is where one like your fine old Aero is.
I’m an old f**k. I have leather jackets 50+ years old that fought, f**ked and survived life somehow better that i have and i still wear them some.
If i had to sell one for a song i’d probably cry too.

If it was me, i’d spiff up that old Aero, get the smell out best i could, hydrate it and “shine” it up like a fine old gold watch in all it’s glory then give it back to that old man.
He’d cry then. You too i bet and both of you’d be the better.
And when the time comes…you’d probably get it back for another go at life.
Welcome to the lounge @BenBrown.
B

The chap that sold it to me was emotional as he’d had lots of great times whilst wearing the jacket.

He was happy to see it go though as he knew he wouldn’t wear it again and knew that there were new memories to be made for the wearer.

I just wish I took some pictures before I cleaned it up. It was amazing. Looked incredible , but was so so worn , leather stuck together . Zips blue and gunked up. Very cool.

He advised me not to clean it and keep it as it was - but it was too much.

He also advised - “Just wear a shirt” which I think I’m going to stick to.
Partly because im too big to wear another layer, but alsi Because the jacket looks so cool it needs something simple to bring it down a peg.

 

[Will Zach]

The chap that sold it to me was emotional as he’d had lots of great times whilst wearing the jacket.

He was happy to see it go though as he knew he wouldn’t wear it again and knew that there were new memories to be made for the wearer.

I just wish I took some pictures before I cleaned it up. It was amazing. Looked incredible , but was so so worn , leather stuck together . Zips blue and gunked up. Very cool.

He advised me not to clean it and keep it as it was - but it was too much.

He also advised - “Just wear a shirt” which I think I’m going to stick to.
Partly because im too big to wear another layer, but alsi Because the jacket looks so cool it needs something simple to bring it down a peg.

Make him proud! I also feel a bit foolish for advising you to bin it without seeing the jacket or hearing its story.

 

[BenBrown]

No worries @Will Zach.
In fairness I shared a zoomed in picture of a ripped piece of dry leather in my initial post. Didn’t look too promising!

Make him proud! I also feel a bit foolish for advising you to bin it without seeing the jacket or hearing its story.

 

[BenBrown]

I noticed this zip puller that had been fashioned out of fairly sturdy wire.

When I picked the jacket up the bloke said none of the zippers worked - but with a bit of wd40 type stuff I’ve managed to get them going.

I added a key ring pull to the chest pocket so that it’s useable.

On the lapel there was a couple of pin holes - so I’ve added a badge of my own.

 

[BenBrown]

Here is the jacket as of this evening.

Cleaned, repaired and treated with some leather conditioner.

Looks alright to me !

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^ Looking very good!

 

[Bennarion]

Here is the jacket as of this evening.

Cleaned, repaired and treated with some leather conditioner.

Looks alright to me !

Have you brought the jacket to life

 

[pillepalle123]

Cool jacket, after conditioning looks really good again!

Just a heads up as I repair a lot of leather goods.
If that tear ever opens again, you need to glue a piece of thick fabric behind it as a backer, then stitch. But maybe the repair lady already did that.

As mentioned propably only ozone will completely get rid of the stink, but you really want to condition that leather hard beforehand, ozone dries out leather quickly. I would not treat it longer than 20 mins.

 

[BenBrown]

Cool jacket, after conditioning looks really good again!

Just a heads up as I repair a lot of leather goods.
If that tear ever opens again, you need to glue a piece of thick fabric behind it as a backer, then stitch. But maybe the repair lady already did that.

As mentioned propably only ozone will completely get rid of the stink, but you really want to condition that leather hard beforehand, ozone dries out leather quickly. I would not treat it longer than 20 mins.

Thank you very much for this tip.
My girlfriend says it’s not too bad now.. which is the main concern.
I’m hoping by wearing it will continue to adjust.

I was very surprised at how the colour returned to black. Leather feels soft again.

Should I keep conditioning? Give it another layer? Or leave it for a while ?

 

[BenBrown]

Have you brought the jacket to life

Yes it lives !!

 

[BenBrown]

^^ Looking very good!

Thank you !

 

[Will Zach]

Thank you very much for this tip.
My girlfriend says it’s not too bad now.. which is the main concern.
I’m hoping by wearing it will continue to adjust.

I was very surprised at how the colour returned to black. Leather feels soft again.

Should I keep conditioning? Give it another layer? Or leave it for a while ?

Leave it if it soft. You don't want to soak it with conditioner.