Vintage Cal - It's changing my outlook on things

[Bluechel]

Day-um.....

 

[Will Zach]

I think Urad is too shiny in a bad way. Like it has sparklies in it... Fake looking.

 

[ton312]

I think Urad is too shiny in a bad way. Like it has sparklies in it... Fake looking.

You probably used too much and didn’t buff it out after it dried. Any pics of your result?

 

[Will Zach]

You probably used too much and didn’t buff it out after it dried. Any pics of your result?

I sold the jacket. I did not use too much and I did buff the shit out of it trying to get rid of the fake look.
PS - I did waterborne coatings for 35 years professionally, so I understand that in vast majority of cases thinner is better.

 

[ton312]

I sold the jacket. I did not use too much and I did buff the shit out of it trying to get rid of the fake look.
PS - I did waterborne coatings for 35 years professionally, so I understand that in vast majority of cases thinner is better.

That’s interesting. If you weren’t pleased why didn’t you simply wipe it with a wet cloth? Urad is not permanent by any means. It’s meant to fade and dissolve/ be reapplied. I’ve used it on 30 or more jackets. Never had it appear as sparkly. These all were Urad’ed.

I’m not trying to deny your experience but I also don’t see any of the qualities you mention in any of the jackets I’ve used it on.

 

[dannyk]

Just a thought.....I wonder if it could be related to the tannage or particular leathers or the finishing applied as part of the actual production of the leather or applied by a maker as part of their final touches? Not often but once or twice I have had lets say interesting interactions based on those factors. Either I didnt do my research or they were vintage and no data available on what they had gone through originally or what previous owners may have done to them.

 

[ton312]

Just a thought.....I wonder if it could be related to the tannage or particular leathers or the finishing applied as part of the actual production of the leather or applied by a maker as part of their final touches? Not often but once or twice I have had lets say interesting interactions based on those factors. Either I didnt do my research or they were vintage and no data available on what they had gone through originally or what previous owners may have done to them.

Might well be though in my experience obernaufs oil, which I also use fairly regularly, is far less predictable.

 

[Will Zach]

That’s interesting. If you weren’t pleased why didn’t you simply wipe it with a wet cloth? Urad is not permanent by any means. It’s meant to fade and dissolve/ be reapplied. I’ve used it on 30 or more jackets. Never had it appear as sparkly. These all were Urad’ed.
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I’m not trying to deny your experience but I also don’t see any of the qualities you mention in any of the jackets I’ve used it on.

Could be because you used it on stripped or worn hides. Substrate matters a great deal in the final look of the coating. I used it on a decent-looking black British sheepskin. In fact, after thinking about it, I think this is the main reason for the difference in our experience. So people should be super-careful on what type of hide they are using Urad.

 

[ton312]

Could be because you used it on stripped or worn hides. Substrate matters a great deal in the final look of the coating. I used it on a decent-looking black British sheepskin. In fact, after thinking about it, I think this is the main reason for the difference in our experience. So people should be super-careful on what type of hide they are using Urad.

Indeed. Although I’m always interested to hear why people don’t like to use it. For me it’s always been a great last step in restoration, or finishing of a dyed jacket. The stuff doesn’t get much love but Dena turned me on to it and I’ve used it ever since. I do like Urad’s conditioners too. Tenderly is great stuff but I find oils go a bit further. I am not a Urad shill!

 

[Will Zach]

Indeed. Although I’m always interested to hear why people don’t like to use it. For me it’s always been a great last step in restoration, or finishing of a dyed jacket. The stuff doesn’t get much love but Dena turned me on to it and I’ve used it ever since. I do like Urad’s conditioners too. Tenderly is great stuff but I find oils go a bit further. I am not a Urad shill!

Paging @handymike for his perspective on Urad.

 

[Al 916]

Paging @handymike for his perspective on Urad.

Will you know exactly what his opinion is on URAD...... (I agree with him)

 

[Will Zach]

Will you know exactly what his opinion is on URAD...... (I agree with him)

Not exactly. I do know he does not like it, but I'd like to know exactly why, and on what hides he used it.

 

[Al 916]

Not exactly. I do know he does not like it, but I'd like to know exactly why, and on what hides he used it.

I read his opinion a few years ago, (just in case he is not available) a thread on conditioners as I recall

 

[ton312]

Will you know exactly what his opinion is on URAD...... (I agree with him)

lol. The Vanson I sold you (pictured in this thread) was only made presentable by multiple coats Urad. It was otherwise an absolute sun baked dog turd.

 

[ton312]

Not exactly. I do know he does not like it, but I'd like to know exactly why, and on what hides he used it.

I think he thought it would help moisturize a cracked old Hercules that was/is well past salvation and far beyond the scope of any conditioner of any kind. Once a hides cracks, the only salvation is a garbage can.

 

[Schambach]

Thanks @ton312 for the detailed posts and photos. Very helpful!

I did a bick 1 cleaning, and a bick 4 moisturizing and the hide is looking better, but still a little thirsty maybe. Considering something a little thicker- pecards? Black rock leather n rich? Obenaufs lp?

Does anyone have experience with the black pecards?

 

[dannyk]

Thanks @ton312 for the detailed posts and photos. Very helpful!

I did a bick 1 cleaning, and a bick 4 moisturizing and the hide is looking better, but still a little thirsty maybe. Considering something a little thicker- pecards? Black rock leather n rich? Obenaufs lp?

Does anyone have experience with the black pecards?

I remember hearing years ago that some museums with old leather use Pecards as their choice. Why? I can’t recall and this was like 10 years ago. In the meantime a lot of knowledge and science has come along that shows certain things are good and some are bad….:my 2 cents it’s all mostly the same. If you look at most of these products the ingredients are always almost identical. Maybe the proportions of them are a tiny bit different changing the consistency but that’s it. The only thing known for sure is that products containing animal fat can go rancid. Yet having said that, it was the norm to have products with animal fats since leather was invented. It can take decades for that to happen long after you’re gone, or your product is broken down and beyond repair anyways. Of course how you use them, and the environment you live in can change that equation too. People have preferences. A good idea is to see if you can pick up leather swatches, cheap coasters, or kilties in the same leather as your boots or jackets, or as close as possible and test the various products and choose which you like best. If it’s a super common or popular leather it shouldn’t be hard to find these and then do a bunch of tests on them. You can also artificially age them to if it’s an old jacket or boots you want to use it on. Leave a sample outside in the elements for a week. Let the sun bake it and rain hit it. Then try the products you’re interested in.

 

[Bluechel]

Generally speaking, Bick 4 is great for "coated" hides, and Pecard's Leather Care Lotion would be great for his jacket. Early on, I hadn't realized there are two specific Pecards products regarding viscosity, etc. Now I know. I prefer the lotion. If that helps at all...

I will admit that I've spent literally hundreds of hours experimenting with every product named/mentioned here in these chains. Yes, there are exceptions and specific scenarios that require different approaches, but most of us know now that the cleaning is usually as important as the conditioning.

 

[Schambach]

I’ve used tons of these products too, though more on shoes and boots than jackets. Jackets, especially old ones , make me a bit more nervous.