Unintended 'water treatment'... advice requested...

[Dirtbagdiver]

A little advice please... I put a reasonably new (year of intermittent wear, part of a collection of jackets that I rotate) Eastman A2 outside for an airing after wearing it to an Indian restaurant (to try and get rid of the smell of my chicken shashlick!).. however, I went out and forgot I'd left it outside, and of course it decided to rain. It was pretty much saturated when I got back... I've air dried it naturally, and put it on for as long as was comfortable while it was still wet.. it's lost the waxy, vinyl sheen. The grain has popped slightly and the jacket has moulded to my shape quite nicely. Only problem is, it's become rather rigid again... will this ease up with wear or would it be worth feeding it a little???

 

[handymike]

Probably time for a little vasoline treatment. Use sparingly, and rub it in well.

 

[robrinay]

What handymike said - much cheaper than Pecards.

 

[Dirtbagdiver]

What handymike said - much cheaper than Pecards.

This is the jacket that needs the knits replaced, they didn't fare as well as the leather in the rain!

 

[Corsair42]

The leather conditioner eastman sell works a treat, once it's soaked in, non-greasy and will stop the leather cracking further down the line.

 

[TREEMAN]

What handymike said - much cheaper than Pecards.

Vasoline is cheaper for sure, but Pecards is not expensive imo and is well worth what they are asking for it.

 

[Azog]

My eastman goat A2 in russet didn't respond well to being worn in the rain. It also temporarily darkened a lot whilst wet. I've never conditioned it as using the wrong one might permanently darken it.

 

[robrinay]

If Vaseline is used by John Chapman of Good Wear Leather - then that's good enough for me!

 

[John Lever]

Don't use any grease on your jacket it will ruin it. When it's dry just rumple it up to soften the leather.

 

[Treetopflyer]

Vasoline is cheaper for sure, but Pecards is not expensive imo and is well worth what they are asking for it.

I agree, It's not that expensive. Especially for a jacket you love.

 

[robrinay]

I've used Pecards and Vaseline - sparingly on dried out leather that was ready to crack if I'd rumpled it and it has become pliable again. I would never overload leather with any dressing. But what do you think about this stuff- said to be used by museums but can leave white marks. The article also suggests a product called Klucel g to arrest red rot - interesting stuff for really old leathers.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_Wax
It mentions an alternative sc6000 but that's an acrylic dressing so best avoided unless you want to use it to seal a leather bag surface.

http://www.conservation-resources.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=599

 

[Seb Lucas]

The jacket will soften up by wearing it.

 

[bluesforchallah]

I use this...

 

[Xopher]

I use and really like Obenaufs. I've never had anything that worked better. My leather worker friend uses it when she restores vintage jackets, said it puts the oils back in the leather that water sucks out. Its natural and smells a tad bit like honey which is nice. Leaves a light wax which falls off after a few wears and leaves the leather looking better than ever. http://www.obenaufs.com/Heavy-Duty-LP-8-oz-p/heavy-duty-lp-8.htm

 

[Monitor]

I use this...

See, this is what I'm talking about! I've been hearing all this talk about how bad silicone is for leather, how it clogs up pores and the jacket falls apart... And Langlitz is proudly using it!

 

[navetsea]

if you dig creases, when the leather feel a bit stiff after being wet it is the best time to record new ones by wearing it, imagine a paper and tissue-paper which one would record permanent creases better by crumpling it. later when you're happy with how it looks condition it again.

 

[navetsea]

See, this is what I'm talking about! I've been hearing all this talk about how bad silicone is for leather, how it clogs up pores and the jacket falls apart... And Langlitz is proudly using it!

not all leather created equal and need equal treatment right... seems like their leather is surface coated and purpose oriented, silicone will keep it looking clean and beads water than somekind of oil or animal fat that surely will absorb dust and grime along the road that also will clog the pores especially if you never wash it off. unless we over use it, nothing is really that bad including washing the jacket once in a while... just my 2c... same with life.

 

[willyto]

As said before here. If John Chapman uses vasoline, that's what I'm going to use.

I bought 1Kg for 10€ and have a lot to use during the next years if needed. I treated my vintage jacket (70-80 years old) and then later got caught in the rain and it's soft and pliable. Didn't treat it after that and it's fine. I guess the vasoline somehow made it a bit waterproof.

 

[bn1966]

I have a ELC RW A-2 that felt like a strait jacket new out of the box, wore it during a heavy downpour & then kept it on until completely dry...helped the break-in process. In fact if it isn't raining & I'm wanting to break-in a jacket, I've been known dampen it in the bath (cold water) and then wear until dry...did end up with a fever once following this method though...

 

[Dirtbagdiver]

I have a ELC RW A-2 that felt like a strait jacket new out of the box, wore it during a heavy downpour & then kept it on until completely dry...helped the break-in process. In fact if it isn't raining & I'm wanting to break-in a jacket, I've been known dampen it in the bath (cold water) and then wear until dry...did end up with a fever once following this method though...

I waited until it stopped dripping then put it on.... left it on for an hour or so.. I leave it on a large padded hanger during the day, then wear it round the house when I get back from work. It's got some nice creases and has moulded to my shape, but feels like I'm wearing a jacket made of floor vinyl!... how did your knits hold up?... mine seem a bit lifeless and look a bit sloppy...