That Darn Cat!

Cavalcade · Post by **Cavalcade** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:14 am

Whilst standing in the kitchen the other day my cat was behaving a tad (more) unusual than usual and for the first time ever decided to partake in a little parkour free running from the floor to the surface to the top of the fridge - via my shoulders. Unfortunately at the time I had just arrived home and was still wearing my Wested (dark brown lambskin - my baby), cue shouts of "Get off me, aaaarrghh" which I'm sure you'll agree is the only calm and measured response when one finds themselves and their Indy jacket under attack!

Needless to say being a delicate lambskin, jacket damage occurred.
Specifically a number of claw marks - dots - that I can live with. However also - and this breaks my heart - I discovered a massive gash on the shoulder:

OK so maybe not a 'gash' per se, but a troubling 'knick' all the same.

Now comes the request for advice, is there something I can get to repair this which won't involve me ending up with a blob of glue on the shoulder or will I have to entrust it to a specialist?

I am considering repairing it with a rather fetching 'catskin' patch.

G

VP · Post by VP » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:47 am

Hey it's natural distressing.

I got two of those on the left Auth Lamb sleeve when I crashed into a lamp post with my bicycle two years ago, viewtopic.php?p=286302&#286302

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:06 am

I have to agree. Unless you are wanting to wear the jacket as a formal sort of thing or are treating it like a costume, that's a good piece of natural distressing right there! These are leather jackets, you know

If it really bothers you, when you dress it with Pecards, or similar, it's going to darken up anyway...

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:39 am

Meh, that's nothing. I fell off a moving vehicle wearing my goatskin once and it had far more "distressing" than that. Chalk it up to life experiences and move on with your life, I say. :junior: -IJ

Cavalcade · Post by **Cavalcade** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:58 am

B...b...buh...but I loved that jacket

Hey this might be the excuse I need to get one of those horsehides. $\:D/$

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:21 am

Well, a hole is a hole. Fortunately, unlike cloth materials, it won't 'run'.

I'd suggest you get some brown Pecards leather dressing and apply liberally on the areas. It will tint the lighter under leather, and keep the fibers from stretching further or fraying.

It will also tone down the damage appearance so it will not be that noticable by you OR anyone who sees your jacket.

Regards! Michaelson

Cavalcade · Post by **Cavalcade** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:31 am

Thanks Michaelson, to be honest your's was the expertise I was waiting for.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:36 am

You could also patch it for the inside like you do with a bicycle tyre, a little rubber cement and back it up with a thin piece of leather or something, just to prevent it catching and opening up.

Cavalcade · Post by **Cavalcade** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:44 am

If I catch that cat I'll open him up!

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:00 am

Add that to the list....but I totally concur with KT on the proactive attention to the back of the hide and holes, then Pecards on the front.

It will add to the character, but shows real world abuse rather than the 'other black arts' of distressing practiced around here.

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:54 am

Aeris_Canon wrote:8-[ I can't really hide here under the Plymouth for this one, can I?

Uh, no.

Regards! Michaelson

Cavalcade · Post by **Cavalcade** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:56 am

Bah! You people with you're sandpaper and alchohol and other weapons of mass distressing. I get a tinge of sadness everytime I look at my jacket see that dreaded 'sealbelt shine' - they grow up so quickly - I too look forward to the day my jacket becomes more and more weathered but my friends the journey is as enjoyable as the destination, I want the history not just the look.

In all honesty it is just a 'knick', and one which nestles nicely within the folds of the 'drape'. I've already glued it down and it is less noticeable, I had visions of the front of the jacket falling away is all.

G

Cavalcade · Post by **Cavalcade** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:27 pm

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:06 pm

The first nick is always the worst. I can relate. It's not a good idea to take your cats to the vet while wearing a new Wested, either.

Fortunately, my nick wasn't quite so bad, though it "hurt" just as much. It's blended in quite nicely over the years, thankfully.

Dostacos · Post by **Dostacos** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:45 pm

OK this is THE way to solve the problem,

1) go to the local Ralphs or Von's or other place that sells mass quantities of food and drink

2) buy a set of bamboo sticks used for cooking small pieces of meat & veggies on a BBQ

3) shove one of said bamboo sticks into the cut from the cat

4) if anyone asks, just say you were lucky and the Hovitos blow dart did not break YOUR skin

repeat as necessary for any other cuts from the cat.

nicktheguy · Post by **nicktheguy** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:09 pm

I found that scratching a new wested is like getting that first scratch on a car. It ***** at first, but then it just becomes character building.

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:31 pm

Aww, that poor moggie. S/he was only trying to help you distress your jacket.

Seriously, I used to have cats, so I know how destructive they can be. :evil:

Indiana Jess · Post by **Indiana Jess** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:35 pm

Don't forget the option of using Duct tape. I find that if I prep myself with a couple of shots of Gentleman Jack it's a bit easier to apply the tape.

Ripper · Post by **Ripper** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:11 pm

Don't forget the option of using Duct tape. I find that if I prep myself with a couple of shots of Gentleman Jack it's a bit easier to apply the tape.

.........to the cat or the jacket ?

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:15 pm

Knowing Jess.....

Regards! Michaelson

Indiana Jess · Post by **Indiana Jess** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:11 pm

Michaelson wrote:Knowing Jess.....

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson! I am great offended by that comment. I would never do that ... do that ...

... ok so maybe I ... well ... nevermind.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:30 pm

You forgot to whom you were speaking, didn't you?

Regard! Michaelson

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:57 pm

I had the same thing happen with my HH, but not from a cat......I was at the zoo and went into one of those bird exhibits where they fly around you and they land on you and you can feed them etc, etc. Well one landed on my sleeve, thought it felt a little funny and decided to test it with his beak...bit a sliver into the right arm. Boy I was PO'd. But I glued it down same as you did and its darn near invisible now.

One thing on the cat....get rid of it, they are evil, vile, non grateful animals...to quote one of my friends - "The only thing worse than a cat.......is 2 cats".

Cavalcade · Post by **Cavalcade** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:32 am

One thing on the cat....get rid of it, they are evil, vile, non grateful animals...to quote one of my friends - "The only thing worse than a cat.......is 2 cats"

Ha! You’re probably right.

My wife badgered me for ages about getting a cat; 'Oh but I can't my dear' I'd reply 'As I'm allergic to cat hair.' 'Pleeeassse...'
As you can imagine I eventually succumbed, after a lot of persuasion. 'OK' said I 'But don't get a black cat or a long haired cat as those are the worst for triggering my allergy.'

Well, you can guess what happened - she bought two cats, one black and one long haired - exasperated as I was, I agreed to keep them - they were cute kittens after all, I'd just take anti-histamine and hope the exposure would cure me - which it did, eventually.

Now, at the time I was working from home so the responsibility of 'rearing' the cats fell upon me. I ended up with two hyperactive kittens that I didn't really want crawling all over me whilst I was trying to work, nothing is more tiring that a cat on each shoulder whilst sitting at the computer.

To cut a long story short the marriage didn't last and part of the settlement was that I got the cats, named 'Mulder' and 'Scully' - which can be embarrassing when they have to be called in.

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:34 pm

Cavalcade wrote:
Ha! You’re probably right.

My wife badgered me for ages about getting a cat; 'Oh but I can't my dear' I'd reply 'As I'm allergic to cat hair.' 'Pleeeassse...'
As you can imagine I eventually succumbed, after a lot of persuasion. 'OK' said I 'But don't get a black cat or a long haired cat as those are the worst for triggering my allergy.'

Well, you can guess what happened - she bought two cats, one black and one long haired - exasperated as I was, I agreed to keep them - they were cute kittens after all, I'd just take anti-histamine and hope the exposure would cure me - which it did, eventually.

Now, at the time I was working from home so the responsibility of 'rearing' the cats fell upon me. I ended up with two hyperactive kittens that I didn't really want crawling all over me whilst I was trying to work, nothing is more tiring that a cat on each shoulder whilst sitting at the computer.

To cut a long story short the marriage didn't last and part of the settlement was that I got the cats, named 'Mulder' and 'Scully' - which can be embarrassing when they have to be called in.

Dude....I'm so sorry. I can't believe you gave into her with the cats...I'm extremely allergic to cats, and an ex girlfriend tried that with me, an I was firm on NO. Just one of the reasons THAT one didn't last long. Get rid of 'em...they don't give a @#$% about you (or your wested)...sounds like a good x-file show...sculley and mulder disappear!!

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:20 pm

webhead73 wrote:I have a way for you to "take care" of those cats; buy a dog...a really big dog...that's hungry.

That'd probably backfire the moment the big dog jumps on you... bye bye Wested

Dostacos · Post by **Dostacos** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 12:06 am

Castor Dioscuri wrote:
webhead73 wrote:I have a way for you to "take care" of those cats; buy a dog...a really big dog...that's hungry.
That'd probably backfire the moment the big dog jumps on you... bye bye Wested

you mean like making the jacket look like the shirt at the end of Temple of Doom

Indiana Jess · Post by **Indiana Jess** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:49 pm

Bjones wrote:- "The only thing worse than a cat.......is 2 cats".

Actually 2 cats can be entertaining. Especially if you tie their tails together and throw them over a tree branch ... but you didn't hear that from me.

PETA's gonna put a contract out on me for that one.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:34 pm

Bjones wrote:
- "The only thing worse than a cat.......is 2 cats".
Actually 2 cats can be entertaining. Especially if you tie their tails together and throw them over a tree branch ... but you didn't hear that from me. PETA's gonna put a contract out on me for that one.

oh....man....thats a good one cuz i can picture it........

sorry.....can't stand cats :evil:

Dostacos · Post by **Dostacos** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:43 pm

Indiana G wrote:
Bjones wrote:
- "The only thing worse than a cat.......is 2 cats".
Actually 2 cats can be entertaining. Especially if you tie their tails together and throw them over a tree branch ... but you didn't hear that from me. PETA's gonna put a contract out on me for that one.

oh....man....thats a good one cuz i can picture it........

sorry.....can't stand cats :evil:

We have two cats, my wife always was a dog person, hated cats until my son started bringing rescued cats home. Now she goes crazy if the cats even THINK about getting out the front door. If I did what you suggest, the next thing my kids would be splitting up my gear