Wested lambskin question

Discuss technique for prolonging the life of your gear or giving it that aged look

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davefelker
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Wested lambskin question

Post by davefelker »

Just got my new wested today!!!!!!! I know, I know, pics are coming soon . Anyway I was just curious, I have the dark brown lambskin and I know with it being new it is going to be a little shiny but if I do apply some pecards lotion will that give it even more shine or dull it down a little? I love the jacket but would like to get some of the "new" off, I'm too scared to used alchohol but have thought about throwing in the dryer w/o heat for a bit. :wink:
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Post by PLATON »

Speaking from bad experience, I would suggest that you go easy with it.
Take a sponge and wet it and use some dish washing liquing and 'wash' your jacket gently. Do this a couple of times with 1 day interval.

What you really need is to take the shine off. Then you will see that it will look ok (aged) and its natural aging after that will be more satisfactory to you.
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Indiana G
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Post by Indiana G »

i used 70% isopropyl alcohol on my lamb and it took the shine off quite nicely. it took several applications to do so. you should be able to control it quite easily as it does not remove the finishing that quickly.

word to the wise, i've now joined michaelson's camp and do not recommend any artificial distressing techniques unless you're ready to orrder another jacket. after distressing my first lamb, i saw a picture of it when it was brand new and i preffered that over what it has become....then it was like, "hello peter, please send me a goatskin jacket...."
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Michaelson
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Post by Michaelson »

Why don't you trying wearing it for a while before you start trying to remove anything? :-s The lambskin settles in fairly quickly, and you may tone down that shine by just using the jacket on a daily basis. After you've worn it for a bit, use some Pecards motorcycle leather lotion and it will not only treat the jacket, but tone down any further 'shine' you see.

Regards! Michaelson
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Don't Call Me Junior!
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Post by Don't Call Me Junior! »

I definitely have to agree with Michaelson. When I got my Wested lambskin I was anxious to get rid of that shiny and new look but looking at some of the pics that have been posted there is no beating the appearance of a jacket that has been naturally worn in - imo of course.

In that vein I just decided that I would wear the jacket as much as possible. Whether I'm going to work, at work, doing stuff around the yard or just hanging out I have been wearing it as much as is practical.

When I'm not wearing it I don't hang it on a hanger or coat hook. I just throw it on the floor or on the end of the couch (things that make my wife nuts). It's starting to develop it's character on it's own without artificial intervention. The "new" look was gone after a few weeks or so and then it just started to look awesome.

Bottom line - why take a chance on getting possibly undesirable results with artificial aging when you can get guaranteed results with a little bit of patience?
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Post by Kt Templar »

Really get used to it first. make sure you are happy with the fit before doing anything.

It's true it looks amazingly shiny to start with and that can be rectified without resorting to acetone.

Water is a good one, and just rinsing it with very hot water will take off the top shine but it will also cause it to wrinkle and puff up so beware! Do a search here and see the results before you do anything.

And congratualtions on your new arrival! (new jackets are *so* treated like new babies here!) lol
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Post by Indiana Johnson »

I agree, don't try to artificially age it, just wear it. Lambskin wears in naturally so easily. Goat on the other hand...
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Post by davefelker »

I did actually soak it in hot water then immediately dried it off with a towel, everything was great except the zipper flap is now a little "puffy" :cry: , but every other part of the jacket is as good as new. Is there anything I can do to the "puffy" section to make it look normal again?
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Post by Kt Templar »

Don't worry the stormflap gets "puffy" hrough normal wear too.

Rather than soaking the whole jacket, I prefer holding it up to the hot showerhead and spritzing the surface with hot water, that way you can keep the lining as dry as possible. Once the jacket is wet you can also push up the sleeves and then allow it to dry naturally, you'll start to see the sleeves setting into wrinkles.
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Post by Magnum Jones »

Nothing worthwhile comes fast or easy. Maybe I'm to old school but good old fashion wear and tear is the way to go.
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Post by Kt Templar »

Magnum Jones wrote:Nothing worthwhile comes fast or easy. Maybe I'm to old school but good old fashion wear and tear is the way to go.
Slightly overeaching statement :).

You be telling me every letter sent by snail mail is far superior because it has gained value in the process. Oh, and it had to be written with quill pen. ;) Pah, movable type, new fangled rubbish.
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Post by Michaelson »

Kt Templar wrote: Oh, and it had to be written with quill pen. ;)
Well, in that example, you know SOME thought had to be put behind the action before it was done. I'll take caligraphy over quick set type any day, and I was a technical illustrator and form draftsman in a previous life.... :D

Regards! Michaelson
Last edited by Michaelson on Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Kt Templar »

:) I've hand set type too one or twice and thrown my share of Rotring pens at the wall. . ;)

high regards,

Kt.
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Post by davefelker »

Well I really didn't "soak" it, I just kinda let the hot water from the shower hit it on all sides for about 3-5 seconds a section. It never even soaked through to the lining. Like I said the jacket looks great, almost like it never happened except for the mid to bottom part of the storm flap. This sounds kinda silly but last night I put a large hardcover book and a 40 lb dumbbell on the storm flap to flatten it and not make it look so "puffy", it actually worked a little bit :lol: . My letaps should be in shortly so maybe applying that will do something to the look of it.
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Post by Magnum Jones »

Slightly overeaching statement :).

You be telling me every letter sent by snail mail is far superior because it has gained value in the process. Oh, and it had to be written with quill pen. ;) Pah, movable type, new fangled rubbish.[/quote]

Didn't know I would have to elucidate. I thought we were talking about distressing leather. Not the united states postal service.
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Post by RC Halliburton »

Just wear the thing for 3 or 4 years through the various seasons, and you'll get a quite a natural distressed look.

I let mine dry after rain soakings and such, and give it a light rubbing of Pecards, to keep it looking just fine.
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davefelker
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Post by davefelker »

RC Halliburton wrote:Just wear the thing for 3 or 4 years through the various seasons, and you'll get a quite a natural distressed look.

I let mine dry after rain soakings and such, and give it a light rubbing of Pecards, to keep it looking just fine.
Is yours lambskin?
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Post by Michaelson »

As I recall, I believe his is lambskin.
:-k
Regards! Michaelson
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Post by Chewbacca Jones »

I have a lambskin, new this September. It's still a little shiny, but I tend to baby my leathers. Even so, it will tone down over time, plus you get used to it. The best thing is to simply wear it. Just like a hat, let life happen to it. Both you and Michaelson will be happier that way. :lol:
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Post by Michaelson »

You got that one right, Chewy! :lol: :wink:

HIGH regards! Michaelson
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Post by davyjones007 »

howdy, new here only in the sense that iI can now post. thanks to many of the people here, I was able to get the jacket I have been wanting for a loonngg time. It's a dark brown lamb with right-hand zipper and an extra inside pocket. I ordered it last feb and was able to use for a few weeks. this year it has been used alot and even got a little rain at times. And yes i have pics but, I think they are to big to post.
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Post by davyjones007 »

here are some pics of my jacket.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180 ... G_0120.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180 ... G_0245.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180 ... G_0246.jpg

I only wish the sleeves were a little longer, but hey when you 189cm...oh well.
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Post by Indiana G »

thats a nice jacket dj007. it looks good on you and i love that colour....i'm expecting my db lambskin and your pictures have reaffirmed that i made the right choice! :D

don't worry bout the sleeves....indy likes them short too:

Image
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Post by Indiana Max »

The best thing is to simply wear it, there´s nothing to ad :wink:
I have my Lampskin since last year, and it looks very nice, just because I wear it every day. :wink:
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Post by davyjones007 »

Thank you IG. Well, if Indy can handle it, so can I. Indiana Max is right. I thought my jacket was soft out of the package, but after wearing for almost 4 mos, it just keeps getting better and better.
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