Using the dryer to help break an Aero FQHH jacket

[ButteMT61]

Ever since I did a few how water/clothes dryer sessions, I have discovered that in the mornings (now that it's colder out) if I place the FQHH in the dryer for 10 mins, it gets ultra compliant and warm to boot. It's much easier to get the jacket to cooperate, and I think it's a big help getting this thing tamed and shaped to me.
I'm sure many already figured this out, but for me, it's made the process a lot more enjoyable and once I get it where I feel it's on the way, I'll post some pics of it.
I finally got over babying these things - I've been way too worried based on the cost, but I can attest to the fact that they're built to take use and abuse for years and years...

 

[too much coffee]

Ever since I did a few how water/clothes dryer sessions, I have discovered that in the mornings (now that it's colder out) if I place the FQHH in the dryer for 10 mins, it gets ultra compliant and warm to boot. It's much easier to get the jacket to cooperate, and I think it's a big help getting this thing tamed and shaped to me.
I'm sure many already figured this out, but for me, it's made the process a lot more enjoyable and once I get it where I feel it's on the way, I'll post some pics of it.
I finally got over babying these things - I've been way too worried based on the cost, but I can attest to the fact that they're built to take use and abuse for years and years...

You know if you put your Aero on and then climb into the dryer...........you can be warm before you venture out into that frigid, repeat frigid, Pasadena morning and the jacket will conform to your body even quicker!

Have a good one Butte;

coffee

 

[HorseHide]

It's a long way from the Anaconda Pit to Pasadena...

 

[ButteMT61]

This place has the funniest ****ards on the 'net lol

It was 45°f this AM, cold enough to make horses stiff

 

[dr.velociraptor]

You guys have some serious stones taking a $1000 jacket soaking it down and tossing it into a hot dryer.

 

[ButteMT61]

You guys have some serious stones taking a $1000 jacket soaking it down and tossing it into a hot dryer.

I used to think so too. But my buddy offered to buy me a new one if it got hosed. It didn't and I love it now. I was unsure for a while that I would keep it before doing it. No lie.

 

[Tony B]

These jackets are made in Scotland...they are used to the cold and wet but the heat might be a bit of a shock to them

 

[ButteMT61]

These jackets are made in Scotland...they are used to the cold and wet but the heat might be a bit of a shock to them

The horses are probably from Brazil
Well, they need a good shocking - I've seen live horses that are easier to break than this FQHH hide! :eeek:

 

[Jeff M]

My break in method is to wear them out in the rain while while actively moving my arms/etc around till the jacket is soaked and "exercised"...then hang them to dry.
Works well. Molds them to my movements. Softens them up. Nice patina.

 

[ButteMT61]

My break in method is to wear them out in the rain while while actively moving my arms/etc around till the jacket is soaked and "exercised"...then hang them to dry.
Works well. Molds them to my movements. Softens them up. Nice patina.

Took mine out in the rain this AM - pouring! Then, wore it a bit, then back in the dryer then back on. Getting better...

 

[Fifty150]

Call me old fashioned. Whatever happened to just wearing it? It will break in over time.

 

[oldcrow82]

Quit fooling around Butte, and give us what we want (pictures) already!

 

[ButteMT61]

Call me old fashioned. Whatever happened to just wearing it? It will break in over time.

'Cause I have ~12 jackets right now and I go between most of them regularly. Also, it's somewhat uncomfortable at the moment. It's stiff as hell in this cooler weather and I'm merely expediting the process a bit.
Thanks for the tip though. Never thought of that one :eeek:

I'll have pics once I get a little more time with it.

 

[Windward]

quit fooling around butte, and give us what we want (pictures) already! :d

yes - please Butte we can hear you loud and clear :drum:

But worthlesswithoutpics

 

[apba1166]

I have a warm alpaca poncho I got in Peru 30 years ago. Sometimes I wear that over a jacket when it's cold out. What I found is that it gets soft/compliant/whatever-you-are-calling-it in minutes. Instead of the dryer, just wear something large and warm over it for a bit before you go out, then it's doing the same thing but not shrinking the lining and working with your body. There's a niche for someone enterprising, Jacket-Warmers!

 

[ButteMT61]

You guys, LM*O lol
Later today. Promise. I'm in French class now so...

PS- I used tire Warmers, so why not jackets.

 

[ButteMT61]

Here's my granddaughter wearing it - sorry, wife not home so I can't take any yet with me... I don't do camera phone pics in the mirror

 

[dr.velociraptor]

So what is the full process? Just get the jacket wet and toss it in the dryer with high heat for 10 minutes or so? I may give this a shot with a Legendary HH bike jacket I have.

 

[too much coffee]

So what is the full process? Just get the jacket wet and toss it in the dryer with high heat for 10 minutes or so? I may give this a shot with a Legendary HH bike jacket I have.

Hi doc;

Depends what you want......I would reserve the full hot water treatment for a jacket that is too large. After the full process, hte jacket MAY shrink one half to a full size. You obviously can control it somewhat by selecting the hot or a not so hot dryer temp, and as ButteMT61 does, monitor the progress in the dryer every 5-10 minutes. Do not "set it and forget it."

Some guys want to hurry the breaking in process and/or to achieve some sort of "instant aging" to their jacket. They will usually use warm water, either sprayed on entirely or certain jackets sections and may or may not use the dryer. Some guys just use the "air only" feature to hopefully avoid shrinkage. They'll throw in a pair of clean tennis shoes in with the jacket to bang it around somewhat and scuff up some of the seamed areas to achieve a "been there done that" look.

So many ways to accomplish what one wants but all of them require one's full attention while doing the process.

Over on the "Vintage Leather Jackets" forum, there is a lot of info from members who have done the HWT.

Good luck with it!

Regards,
coffee

 

[ButteMT61]

First day I soaked the hide in as hot as the shower would go.
Dried it 10 mins at a time ~80% dry.
Repeated 4x.
Now, I put it in the dryer before I wear it. ~2x per day.
I don't think I need to do any more hot water, but it barely phased it. Maybe shrunk 1/3 of a size. I can measure tomorrow as I knew the numbers before I began.
I was more interested in softening it up than shrinking, but since I lost more weight, it wasn't a concern.
Made the jacket better IMO.
I read of guys sanding, using acetone, washing (in the washer) etc and that's nuts. I merely wanted to ease the hard hide break in as it was uncomfortable to wear.