Rescuing a leather jacket?
Discussion
Thanks chaps 
My jar of Pecsrds arrived yesterday, it appears to be a giant block of petroleum jelly in appearance and use. After an hour and a half of carefully working it in with my fingers (recommended in the acconpanying leaflet for first application on a vrgin jacket), I had the front half and collar finished. For the back and sleeves to do tonight!
Here's a "during":
Everything below my finger has been treated, everything above is untreated.
The difference is astounding - upon application it made stuff greasy and shiny, but having left it to soak in overnight the leather is now simply very soft and supple and back to its matt finish.
Yes, it had lost some of its battered patina as the light-colored worn edges have been re-darkened by the coating, but that is a small price to pay do the knowledge te jacket is now properly fed and cared for
As for it's provenance - despite having a talon zip, I am reliably informed by the Vintage Leather Jacket Forum that it is on fact a 25-30 year old replica. I expressed frustration that I'd basically therefore swapped a mint Cooper A2 for a scruffy replica of the same age, to be told that Sefton Clo. Co. Jackets are widely regarded as the very best replicas and that I was definitely still up on the deal. Therefore, it's definitely still worth the money IMO for a reline and new knits - but in the short term I'll wear it as-is and perhaps get each job done individually in the long term.
My jar of Pecsrds arrived yesterday, it appears to be a giant block of petroleum jelly in appearance and use. After an hour and a half of carefully working it in with my fingers (recommended in the acconpanying leaflet for first application on a vrgin jacket), I had the front half and collar finished. For the back and sleeves to do tonight!
Here's a "during":
Everything below my finger has been treated, everything above is untreated.
The difference is astounding - upon application it made stuff greasy and shiny, but having left it to soak in overnight the leather is now simply very soft and supple and back to its matt finish.
Yes, it had lost some of its battered patina as the light-colored worn edges have been re-darkened by the coating, but that is a small price to pay do the knowledge te jacket is now properly fed and cared for
As for it's provenance - despite having a talon zip, I am reliably informed by the Vintage Leather Jacket Forum that it is on fact a 25-30 year old replica. I expressed frustration that I'd basically therefore swapped a mint Cooper A2 for a scruffy replica of the same age, to be told that Sefton Clo. Co. Jackets are widely regarded as the very best replicas and that I was definitely still up on the deal. Therefore, it's definitely still worth the money IMO for a reline and new knits - but in the short term I'll wear it as-is and perhaps get each job done individually in the long term.
Try Rachel Dobbs
She did a really good job of relining one of my old 1970s leather jackets.
She has also done a couple of alterations and repairs for me.
But you really need to check whether it is an original or not. If it is original, I would be inclined not to have any repair work done, but to leave it alone.
If it is a replica, then it is still a nice enough thing which you shouldn't be afraid of repairing, altering and using.
I absolutely hate new leather jackets. They always look naff until they have been lived in for a few years.
She did a really good job of relining one of my old 1970s leather jackets.
She has also done a couple of alterations and repairs for me.
But you really need to check whether it is an original or not. If it is original, I would be inclined not to have any repair work done, but to leave it alone.
If it is a replica, then it is still a nice enough thing which you shouldn't be afraid of repairing, altering and using.
I absolutely hate new leather jackets. They always look naff until they have been lived in for a few years.
OzzyR1 said:
ChemicalChaos said:
I am reliably informed by the Vintage Leather Jacket Forum
The internet is truly a wonderous place.I can only assume they've had some problems in the past with vintage leather jacket trolling from casual members.
ManFromDelmonte said:
I have no interest in Leather Jackets but I thought I'd have a nosey at that forum to see what was cracking off. It is totally locked down and you can't even register unless you use your ISP email address - gmail etc. are not allowed.
I can only assume they've had some problems in the past with vintage leather jacket trolling from casual members.
The Chino Forum is also full of casual members.I can only assume they've had some problems in the past with vintage leather jacket trolling from casual members.
downstairs said:
I don't know anything about the Vintage Leather Jacket Forum, but a good place for info about vintage/old clothes and jackets is the Fedora Lounge. I would hazard a guess that you're already a member there though, Chemical Chaos.
At one time I was quite friendly with the guy who owns Aero Leather Clothing (I bought a Jag Mk11 off him having bought a few of his clothes). The VLJ forum was hilarious and full of claim and counterclaim and posters slagging off companies only to be discovered as a competitor. It was ridiculous.It was a long time ago that I used to read it, but a thread like this would get to 500 pages and death threats would be all over the place because pecards is s
te and the company making the jacket used the wrong thread material.One company was selling cow hide jackets labelled horsehide and charging the premium. You would have thought they were trafficking babies.
desolate said:
At one time I was quite friendly with the guy who owns Aero Leather Clothing (I bought a Jag Mk11 off him having bought a few of his clothes). The VLJ forum was hilarious and full of claim and counterclaim and posters slagging off companies only to be discovered as a competitor. It was ridiculous.
I can believe it. I've never seen such e-arguing as I have when I've seen debates between fans of Aero and fans of Alexander Leathers. Quite fervent!
downstairs said:
desolate said:
At one time I was quite friendly with the guy who owns Aero Leather Clothing (I bought a Jag Mk11 off him having bought a few of his clothes). The VLJ forum was hilarious and full of claim and counterclaim and posters slagging off companies only to be discovered as a competitor. It was ridiculous.
I can believe it. I've never seen such e-arguing as I have when I've seen debates between fans of Aero and fans of Alexander Leathers. Quite fervent!Wow
berlintaxi said:
Nice looking jacket.
Mocking aholes will always be mocking aholes such is the Pistonheads way, it compensates for their own stty lives.
Thanks, and yes indeed.Mocking a
holes will always be mocking aholes such is the Pistonheads way, it compensates for their own stty lives.Anyway, I thought you all might like to see how it turned out after 2 coats of Pecards:
I think it could do with another, as it is still a bit stiff when moving my arms of bending down. However, having been wearing it for the last month now, it is breaking back in again slowly.
I think it may well be horsehide, as my goatskin one was always far more supple and seemed to be made from a thinner skin as well.
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