Pecard's Jell vs. Standard Dressing....

[Minnesota Jones]

I'm sure this has been covered over and over and over again, but since I'm having a brain hiccup.... (hic - oops, excuse me!)
I love the Standard Pecards. And use it on my whip, my holsters, Aldens, and my USWings Distressed Cow. I just ordered a USWings Goatskin. Is the Jell better or the Standard for the Goat? And would the Jell work good on the Cow as well? As much as I love this stuff, applying to a leather jacket takes a long time and cramps up my fingers! I know, I know, toughen up!
Just wondering if the Jell is better for the Goat, or the Cow, or both? And if so, is it easier to apply and remove? Thanks all!

[The_Edge]

The classic (paste) Pecards will work just fine on your new jacket. The jell is really just used to loosen up really stiff leather and then go to using the paste for subsequent conditioning. Since you've got the classic all ready I would just stick with that. I applied the classic dressing to my new FS goat and it relaxed the leather over night! I swear by the stuff!

Something that will help you dress your jacket is to set your container of Pecards out in the hot sun for a few minutes or use a hair dryer to melt it a bit. Once it has started to melt a little bit it will feel kind of oily. Don't take a hand full of it and glob a thick coat onto your jacket. Take a little bit on your fingers at a time and rub in a light glossy coat which makes your jacket glisten like it's wet. You don't want a thick layer. The new leather will still have oils in it from the tannery. Pay particular attention to stress points. Let it hang over night. Then take a clean rag and buff off the entire jacket. It will still feel oily for a couple hours but that will soak in.

-Kyle

[Michaelson]

I use the jell almost exclusively anymore for generalized application. According to Pecards, it's the same ingredients as the standard dressing, without the wax. I personally don't like the tacky feel of the standard Pecards after application, though it does eventually soak in or wears off. The jell seems to just work better for me, but like I said, that's just what I do. I agree with Kyle, though, if you have the standard dressing, you have the whole enchilata, and you can't get better than that. Regards. Michaelson

[Indiana_Jonesing]

This stuff is grand! I know exactly what you mean about the time it takes to swab down a leather jacket with the standard stuff, and the cramped fingers that are inevitability afterwards. I just recently started to use the gel, and let me tell you, it’s been a pleasure to work with.

I “christened” a leather briefcase I’ve had for a year with the stuff just last weekend, and although it’s a tad watery upon contact, it glides on with ease, is a sinch to spread and “work” into the leather and absorbs at twice the rate of the standard Pecards, in my experiences. Plus, there’s little to no buffing needed to remove excess residue after a day or two, and as Michaelson and others have pointed out several times, there’s no “tacky” feeling left after the gel has completely absorbed into the leather. Plus, this stuff won't weigh down your leather goods as much as the standard dressing, so it’s great for light-weight jackets, and to answer your question, will do doubt be a great choice for your new US Wings goatskin. I’ll be using it for my new lambtouch cowhide and expect great results.

You’re sure to be pleased.

Hope this helped.

-Jonesing

[Michaelson]

No, the jell is not water based. The lotion is. The jell is the same product as the standard dressing without the waxes. You can indeed use the jell after dressing has been used. I've done it with no problems. Regards. Michaelson

[Minnesota Jones]

Thanks all! I'll order up some Jell and it'll be here before the Jacket I'm sure. I'll let you know how it comes out. I love the stardard pecards, and if this is easier to apply, the same ingredients, hmmm..... best of both worlds maybe? Thanks again!

[The_Edge]

I've never need to use the jell on anything but my Aldens when they were first new. Other than that I use the classic dressing almost exclusively on my boots, whips, belts, you name it. I used to have the problem with a tacky surface as well but I've found that if I wipe and buff off the excess, let it sit a day and then buff it again that the surface is nice and smooth. I also have the Pecards leather lotion that I condition my Wested Lamb with every three months or so.

On a side note, the new brown Pecards has the same consistency as the jell. What Michaelson said about the jell not having the waxes must apply to the brown dressing as well. Just a thought.

Geez, my garage is starting to look like Pecards show room!

-Kyle

[The_Edge]

Thanks all! I'll order up some Jell and it'll be here before the Jacket I'm sure. I'll let you know how it comes out. I love the stardard pecards, and if this is easier to apply, the same ingredients, hmmm..... best of both worlds maybe? Thanks again!

Like I said, melting the classic dressing a bit allows it to soak in just as smooth as the jell. To each his own. Don't forget to post some pictures of that new jacket when you get it!

-Kyle

[junior]

Where's the best place to pick up a container of the gel?

junior

[Minnesota Jones]

For any Pecards, just go to the source:

http://www.pecard.com/

[Minnesota Jones]

Well, tonight is the night (or maybe tomorrow) to buff the ol' jacket. I got the Jell last week and applied it Friday nite. It took only 15 minutes vs the hour with the regular pecards that I did on my cow USWings last Spring. It was wonderful...
Can't wait to see the results. It's almost completely soaked in now.
And I'm gonna have to try to soften up the regular pecards still as well... that's a great tip and something I never thought of....

[Michaelson]

In conversation with a Pecard's customer service rep about 3 years ago (no, it wasn't Eric), they said another trick you can use on shoe is to apply regular dressing to a pair of boot, place the boots in a large ziplock bag, then place in direct sunlight and leave until the dressing soaks in. This is just another natural way to melt the dressing (as advised by Kyle) while it's already on the item you're treating. I've never tried this myself, but it sounds like it would work fine. Regards. Michaelson

[Indydawg]

with the standard Pecards dressing (which is what I use almost exclusively because most of my jackets are distressed) is after application, I put my jacket on a hangar and hang it up inside my truck, in the shade, but on a hot day. The heat builds up in the truck and allows the Pecards to soak in very quickly. I've done this on my boots, too, and had wonderful success with both. Very little buffing is required after what I've done with this....

Just another alternative....
Later!
Indydawg

[junior]

Michaelson, since you have a history with repeat Pecard Jell use, does the stuff seap all the way through the leather? Meaning, is there any chance that after some applications the interior fusible interfacings that have been "glued" to the leathers (ie in the collar, along the back panel, etc)may detatch lowering the strength of the bond?

junior

[Michaelson]

But then, just READING your description sounds creepy, doesn't it? I'll leave this one up to Leather Loco to follow up on, as he's the main man and can answer that one. As far as I know, though, they're all the same product in varying modification solution, so with the scenario you paint, then the same thing would occur with repeated use of standard dressing as well. Considering that this product, especially the jell, was formulated for use by museum curators and antique restorers for restoration of old leather, I don't think they'd use a product that would do what you describe, and they use it over and over again themselves. Regards. Michaelson