Started acetone work, need some pointers

Flattery · Post by **Flattery** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 8:00 pm

I've started using the acetone method on my authentic lamb, and I'm looking for an effect similar to, if not exactly, the pictures shown in this thread:

http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6818

The marble effect is what I"m after. Thus far, on my test areas, I have not noticed a color difference save for some small areas where color was removed but not shifted.

How hard should I be pressing with a paper towel? Should the towel be dripping wet, or damp? If anyone can guide me so that my jacket resembles that one in /some/ way, I'd be very much obliged.

Post by **Ken** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 11:08 pm

I think the basic system is:

Remove color = acetone
Transfer/spread color = [rubbing] alcohol

So my advice would be:

1) Alcohol the whole jacket
2) Acetone specific areas for highlights/color removal
3) Sandpaper if desired

Ken

English Adventurer · Post by **English Adventurer** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 6:56 am

4) Spend a few days crawling about in an old Copper mine!

Ian

Flattery · Post by **Flattery** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 8:09 am

So my advice would be:

1) Alcohol the whole jacket
2) Acetone specific areas for highlights/color removal
3) Sandpaper if desired

Will try that, thanks.

Spend a few days crawling about in an old Copper mine!

Hm... I'll see what I can do about that, too.

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 9:56 am

Indiana Ken wrote:3) Sandpaper if desired

I would try a Scotch Brite pad.

http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/scotc ... ring.jhtml

I found them a little easier on lamb than sandpaper. And, you can use them to distress other items like belt buckles, holsters and guns.

Pyro

Flattery · Post by **Flattery** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 10:04 am

Oh, excellent! Thank you.

Post by **Ken** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 1:30 pm

Actually I have since seeing Jan's jacket added a broken brick to my distressing inventory.

Ken

Flattery · Post by **Flattery** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 5:05 pm

Has anyone here distressed the new authentic lamb? I'm curious as to whether others have encountered a grayish undertone while using acetone.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 5:07 pm

Have you checked out MK's website? I think he has defined the distressing of the authentic lamb.

Flattery · Post by **Flattery** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 5:42 pm

I have actually, but he and I have exchanged words and he tells me he hasn't distressed one of the new authentic lambs, like the one I've got. Plus, the dye job on mine may have been slightly different than the average, as to be expected with some jackets.

Flattery · Post by **Flattery** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 6:31 pm

Okay -- with the acetone, am I just supposed to make a couple of rubbing motions so that whole area is wet, making a few strokes here and there to shift color, and let it dry while it's still wet?

Post by **Ken** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 7:01 pm

The distressed authentic lamb:

Dont worry, this wasnt how I distressed it!

You are right it does have grayish undertones

Ken

Post by **Ken** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 7:04 pm

Re: using the acetone - I find if you make the cloth wet with it, then rub that hard on a specific area in a stroke you will quickly get a stroke appear on the leather. You may need to rub it back a forth a few times. Doing this also makes that area dry.

For a more general mottled effect over the whole jacket I think alcohol works better but havent tried this myself yet.

Ken

Flattery · Post by **Flattery** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 7:34 pm

Great pics, thank you much. And yeah, I figured you used acetone

Flattery · Post by **Flattery** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 9:19 pm

A quick update: after more experiementation, this time on the shoulders, I've noticed no color shift whatsoever, even with alcohol. The jacket feels completely dry, although I imagine it'll take several hours for the full effects to be seen. Still, at this point, I've only witnessed color removal. The dye is coming up some, but not much. Anything stronger than acetone that will lift the dye more effectively?

Post by **Ken** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 12:34 pm

Perhaps you are not rubbing hard enough - you have to rub it really hard when its wet with lots of pressure.

Ken

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 1:01 pm

What Ken said. When I distressed my ToD Lamb, I started out very cautiously, making sure I wouldn't ruin anything. Pretty soon, I noticed that more elbow grease was needed...

Flattery · Post by **Flattery** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 1:17 pm

I thought as much, but I was hestiant to do it without hearing from at least two people... so here I go! I'll post progress pics as soon as I'm able. Thanks very much for your input, gentlemen -- it's greatly appreciated.

JAN · Post by **JAN** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 5:53 pm

I am started on my new Wested (purchased at the summit), and I find myself to lazy to work with acetone or alcohol (dont You drink that stuff - the alcohol, not the acetone

).

Sandpaper and brick/brickwalls really gives You a 3-dimentional effect!

And from my experince the jacket will take it without any "backfires".

But as always when distressing gear - go light and then add some more - it is hard to reverse a distressing..

I plan to post some pictures of my rough, heartbreaking, technique...

Best regards

JAN

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 8:30 pm

Here's a WIP pic of my jacket:

In my limited experience, seam and pocket highlights tend to look a bit more realistic and 'worn-in' if you prepare them with acetone before sanding them. IMO, sanding only leaves a raw surface which contrasts quite sharply against the unmanipulated leather.

I used fine grade Scotch-Brite abrasive hand pads with good results. They conform to the material and don't seem to 'tear' the jacket as much as they gently wear down the outer layer.

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 8:37 pm

Scandy hit the nail on the head with that advice. When I distressed my Wested goat, I acetoned all the seams and edges that I wanted to look worn, THEN used sandpaper on the very edges of those highlighted areas.
It gave the jacket more depth, and the appearance of a well worn jacket, as opposed to complete even removal of color with acetone or sandpaper alone. When the acetone is on every seam, it gives the appearance of piping, more than wear.
'Blues