Vintage leather question

[matei]

Hi all,

While cleaning out a closet that hadn't been touched in about a decade, I unearthed my father-in-law's pilots coat. I believe it is from the early '50s, and it appears to be made out of goatskin. To my surprise it actually fits me.

My father-in-law was a skydiver for the Romanian national team, and also went on to become the national team coach. He was also a reserve colonel in the air force. In addition to that, he was also a pilot.

It is a 3/4 length coat, complete with a belt. It isn't lined - it probably was at some time, but the lining has been replaced with what appears to be cotton. It has seen many an adventure, and certainly needs some attention!

My question is... what is the best way to recondition the leather? The leather is rather dry, however it doesn't appear to be in a fragile state. It isn't cracking or tearing.

I'm not interested in re-dying it (I believe he did at least once during the coat's lifetime), rather I want to preserve the leather.

I'll post some pics in a bit.

 

[HungaryTom]

Beeswax leather balsam

Matei,

If the jacket is dyed, the beeswax containing leather balsam is always a good choice - try rubbing in thin layers many times.
The brand I use currenty is called Boston and it comes in a 250 ml tube - I found it at a biker exhibition where the guy recommended it for maintaining leather jackets, trousers and shoe uppers. I purchased one more tube later at shoe accessory store.
I used similar product before to care for shoe uppers: Renapur.
http://www.renapur.com/balsam.htm
Both work fine.

Fellow loungers, what are you using?

Tom

 

[feltfan]

We have a product here called Pecard.
http://www.pecard.com/
The "classic" and "antique" products are rumored to be the same thing.
Seems to be a top pick among leather jacket enthusiasts.

Some people like Lexol, but I am not so enthusiastic. I have had
mixed results on hat sweatbands and haven't seen a lot of benefit
on jackets.

Above all, avoid anything that might decompose- natural products
like animal or vegetable fats.

You might want to consult the Vintage Leather Jacket forum.
http://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/

 

[matei]

Thanks guys for the advice. I'll see if someone can source those products for me and bring them over during a visit... as here in Romania they're most likely unavailable!

Anyhow - here are some pics of the coat. It is a fairly straight-forward design, nothing fancy. The lining was removable (and has since disappeared) and fastened by buttons, like on an M-65 field jacket. This was the coat that my wife's father actually wore while flying. During skydiving he had some sort of jumpsuit.

On one of the sleeves, the leather is "flaking". On the other sleeve the leather has thinned (!) somewhat.

My father-in-law had another coat from when he first started flying, it was unlike anything I've ever seen. It was a long coat made from thick leather, however the left side of the collar was really long. I imagine that it was made to be tucked in to the other side... I'll see if I can take a picture of a picture, as said coat is long gone. [huh]

 

[matei]

Here is the other coat, a picture of a picture (excuse the flash)... Has anyone ever seen that type of collar before?

My father-in-law was about 18 here, so this was in the early '50s. He had just embarked upon his aviation/aerobatic career:

Ah, an update... I just found some similar jackets in this thread (thanks to the power of Google):
http://www.worldwar2.ro/forum/index.php?showtopic=4303

 

[SKIDS]

Pecard has been recommended to me for my Irvin.

This place may ship to you. antiqueleatherdressing.co.uk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Hi Matei, Check the link below. They will ship "to any country outside of North America.

http://www.antiqueleatherdressing.co.uk/

I fear that if the leather is "flaking" then no product will fix it. I'd only use Pecard's if the leather is particularly dry. it doesn't look it from the images you posted.

bk

 

[Elmonteman]

Leatherique

In the "old days," Ken, the original owner of Aero Leather Clothing of Scotland, would always recomend The Rejuvenator Oil by Leatherique. Aero still sells it: http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/...?page=displayproduct&subcatid=162&prodid=1525 Ken would say that it was what he used on old jackets to "un-jerky" them. If you look on Leatherique's website: http://www.leatherique.com/ You will see that their product was originally aimed at cars that had leather seats, and very classic cars at that. I have used things like Pecards, but only to darken areas of the jacket that have been rubbed raw by zippers. I have about a dozen jackets from Aero but since they are so new (only 10 or 15 years old) they haven't required much care. Occasionally, I will use Leatherique to wipe off the dirt and grime acquired from high adventure.

 

[icecold]

In the "old days," Ken, the original owner of Aero Leather Clothing of Scotland, would always recomend The Rejuvenator Oil by Leatherique. Aero still sells it: http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/...?page=displayproduct&subcatid=162&prodid=1525 Ken would say that it was what he used on old jackets to "un-jerky" them. If you look on Leatherique's website: http://www.leatherique.com/ You will see that their product was originally aimed at cars that had leather seats, and very classic cars at that. I have used things like Pecards, but only to darken areas of the jacket that have been rubbed raw by zippers. I have about a dozen jackets from Aero but since they are so new (only 10 or 15 years old) they haven't required much care. Occasionally, I will use Leatherique to wipe off the dirt and grime acquired from high adventure.

Wow, a 10-15 year Aero is still considered new? Obviously I really am a leather virgin