What should I do after being out in the rain with my jacket?

indiana bob · Post by **indiana bob** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:27 am

I have a washed goat LC Wested, and was wondering what I should do if caught out in the rain. I know I should wear it until it dries, but do I have to put Pecards on it? I'm not talking about being obsessive over it and applying Pecards every week or something, I'm talking about whether or not I should put Pecards on it after a rain storm as a neccessity to protect the jacket from harm. Thanks!

EchoSix · Post by **EchoSix** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:43 am

That's a good question, that I'm waiting to see a proper answer from myself. I wanted to start a thread of my own, so I hope you don't mind if I tag along with yours, to find the answer.

We had a ton of rain on Saturday night, for our Halloween party and of course I was Indy. I wore my brand new Fed IV hat that arrived earlier in the day, along with my new Wested goat (unwashed), while going back and forth, in and out of the downpour.

I wore the jacket all night, but by around 2:30 in the morning, I was ready to go to bed. So I draped it over the back of a wooden chair. It didn't feel terribly wet, but it must have still been damp, because in the morning, there was an impression left across where my upper back is, from the top edge of the chair. I think that'll go away with use, but that's no my concern.

The overall appearance of the jacket is fine... It actually looks more authentic, even after it having gone through a hot shower wash and an alcohol bath earlier in the week. But it does feel a little tight in the biceps, when I raise my arms up. I don't recall if it was like that before though... I'm assuming the large expanse of the leather back, must have shrunk some, making the arms have less give. I haven't had it long enough to know the difference, if there was more room there or not.

The hat's fine. I kept that on all night too and it dried out MUCH faster than the jacket. It actually looks and fits better now. The bash I gave it is more permamnet than it was before.

These Fed IV's are simply excellent hats. Just excellent!

jacksdad · Post by **jacksdad** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:44 am

goat is water repellant,just let it air dry and it'll be fine. Plus it might even look better after a good soaking. Put pecards on it after the winter when you hang it up for the summer. Leather is a very tuff substance. Good luck

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:46 am

There is nothing wrong with getting your jacket wet. The problem comes when you put it away wet and aren't careful. The best thing to do of course is to "wear it dry", but that can be quite uncomfortable. Just make sure you hang it up in a place with good air circulation, and it will be fine, if not better, than before!

You DO NOT have to put Pecards on it. I don't know why so many people on here insist that every time you sneeze, your jacket needs Pecards. Just leave it. You don't see goat farmers running out and rubbing Pecards all over their goats after every rain shower!

If anything, I would say the Pecard would just inhibit the jacket from drying out properly if you apply while wet after being in the rain.

Leave the Pecards on the shelf for a few years and let your jacket live a little.

indiana bob · Post by **indiana bob** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:06 pm

Thanks guys, this makes me feel much better about wearing my jacket in the great winter weather here in Ohio

. Sounds like I will be permanently attached to my jacket from now on!

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:08 pm

You can't pry mine off of me. I'm not the type to go out in public dressed like movie characters unless it is for a costume party, but to me, the jacket is just a great look, and something that I've always wanted. I love the thing so much, I could sleep in it!

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:24 pm

Heck yes, of all the leathers, goatskin is the one that comes out of MY closet on a rainy day, no matter WHERE I am.

Invest in a good wooden suit jacket type hanger that will to to the end of your shoulders so when you hang your jacket, it will support the full weight along the entire shoulder line, then just allow it to dry at room temps.

I only use Pecards on my goatskin at the beginning and end of jacket wearing season. The only time you might want to apply a VERY light coat is if you get caught in an absolute frog strangling rain storm that soaks you to the bone. (even that will take some doing with a goatskin jacket!).

Once the jacket has dried, light coating of Pecards (key word here, light!), and once that has soaked in and buffed, you're ready to rock and roll again!

Regards! Michaelson

EchoSix · Post by **EchoSix** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:56 pm

Does goat possibly shrink then, after it's been soaked? Or is the tightness at my biceps when I raise my arms normal?

Like I said... I wore it as much as I could, until it was time to go to bed. Would the larger section on the back possibly shrink a little bit? I haven't noticed any change in size anywhere else though.

indiana bob · Post by **indiana bob** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:12 pm

EchoSix wrote:Does goat possibly shrink then, after it's been soaked? Or is the tightness at my biceps when I raise my arms normal?

Like I said... I wore it as much as I could, until it was time to go to bed. Would the larger section on the back possibly shrink a little bit? I haven't noticed any change in size anywhere else though.

I think that may just be the way it is. My LC is only a week and a half old, but there is a little tighness in the bicep region when I lift my arms. I'm pretty sure that is the way it is supposed to be. Or I could be wrong, I'm sure one of the gearheads in here will help you more than I can!

Jens_Hoppe · Post by **Jens_Hoppe** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 5:30 pm

EchoSix wrote:Does goat possibly shrink then, after it's been soaked? Or is the tightness at my biceps when I raise my arms normal?

Yeah, it can shrink. After soaking it in a tub of cold water, my beloved goat jacket never fit me properly again:

viewtopic.php?p=383224

It became tighter in both body and arms, and it lost a bit of length in the body and about 1/2 - 1" in the sleeves.

indiana bob · Post by **indiana bob** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:42 pm

Update:

I went out in a light, steady rain today and walked around for about 30 minutes to get my jacket wet. I came back in and wore the jacket, zipped up, for about 2 hours while it dried. I stood up the whole time (yes, my feet were hurting by the end), but wow did it pay off. There are some great-looking wrinkles now on the sleeves and they don't ride up on my arms as much as before when I bend my elbow. The jacket also drapes on me much better than before, and looks better than before. If you are willing to keep the jacket on until dry and stand up (so the whole thing doesn't get wrinkled up), you will not be dissapointed.

Cammer · Post by **Cammer** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 12:53 pm

indiana bob wrote:Update:

I went out in a light, steady rain today and walked around for about 30 minutes to get my jacket wet. I came back in and wore the jacket, zipped up, for about 2 hours while it dried. I stood up the whole time (yes, my feet were hurting by the end), but wow did it pay off. There are some great-looking wrinkles now on the sleeves and they don't ride up on my arms as much as before when I bend my elbow. The jacket also drapes on me much better than before, and looks better than before. If you are willing to keep the jacket on until dry and stand up (so the whole thing doesn't get wrinkled up), you will not be dissapointed.

;0

indiana bob · Post by **indiana bob** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:04 pm

Cammer wrote:
indiana bob wrote:Update:

I went out in a light, steady rain today and walked around for about 30 minutes to get my jacket wet. I came back in and wore the jacket, zipped up, for about 2 hours while it dried. I stood up the whole time (yes, my feet were hurting by the end), but wow did it pay off. There are some great-looking wrinkles now on the sleeves and they don't ride up on my arms as much as before when I bend my elbow. The jacket also drapes on me much better than before, and looks better than before. If you are willing to keep the jacket on until dry and stand up (so the whole thing doesn't get wrinkled up), you will not be dissapointed.
;0

I know, but I don't have a digital camera. Sorry.