Question about plastic on leather...

indy_den · Post by **indy_den** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 2:49 am

Never put plastic over the jacket for storage (per Peter Botwright), as it will make the leather sweat.

I want to keep my Wested dust-free but... according to Peter, those plastic covers are bad for leather jackets, so does anyone use anything else to keep your jacket dust-free?

What are the consequences of leather sweating?

I got this plastic suit protector from Target for about 3 bucks with the words "Breathable polypropylene" - is that okay to use?

MaryonRavenwood · Post by **MaryonRavenwood** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 2:52 am

HJS has a leather garment bag...maybe you could try one of those.
Regards--Maryon

Major Mike · Post by **Major Mike** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 3:36 pm

Try using a laundry bag. Make sure the bag is large enough to fit over the hanger with the jacket on it. Cut a small hole or open the seam at the center of the bottom of the bag, just enough to fit the hook of the hanger through. Turn the bag upside down and slide it over the jacket and hangar. And, if you make the hole small enough, you can still use it as a laundry bag.

Kentucky Blues · Post by **Kentucky Blues** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 4:01 pm

Are you sure you really need something over it? Unless it's gonna be sitting (or hanging) for a long time, I doubt it'd get dusty.

Regards, Daryl.

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 4:17 pm

I would take care with hanging it all together;

the leather can and probobly will stretch around the coat hanger, particularily at the ends. Unless its very well supported, you would be better off lightly folding it and leaving it on a shelf with nothing on top.

One of the more educated Leather folks here might be able to give better advice/point out how wrong I am

. I'm really just guessing.

Rixter · Post by **Rixter** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 5:31 pm

I just store my best jackets and other clothing carefully placed in a very large cedar chest, the kind that has a bank of drawers on the bottom and lid for the deep chest part on top, one that you can sit on about the length of a bay window. There are just some items I wouldn't hang even on large wood hangers, and it's a nusiance to have to cover and uncover all your jackets, suits, etc., even if it did protect them assuming you're not storing them away for more than a season or two. Just my humble opinion.

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 6:41 pm

A rolling stone gathers no moss... a worn jacket gathers little dust. Unless you're in a crypt an abandoned temple.

indy_den · Post by **indy_den** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 2:00 am

Thanks for all your suggestions guys, I might just fold it up. Ha! My question was kindda going against all natural instincts to distress the jacket by getting it dirty... ergo dusty.

I was just wondering if I can use one of those plastic covers over my leather so that it looks like it's packaged up (and it's psychologically pleasing) and then I saw the caution against using plastic on leather... causing it to sweat. I'm guessing it will stress the leather and might cause it to crack prematurely in the long run... but I'm just guessing. I might also ask Peter for his suggestion.

Thanks again.

MaryonRavenwood · Post by **MaryonRavenwood** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 3:20 am

One more thing about hangers: if you are going to hang your jacket, get "girly" hangers--by that, I mean the nice fluffy padded ones. That's what I have my Marion dress and nightgown hanging on, and seems like a good option for hanging a leather jacket as well. They're thick and cushy, so they should be alright.
Regards--Maryon

(See, doesn't it pay to have a female Indy contigent?!

)

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 12:57 pm

My wested is never off my back long enough to gather any dust (unless I want it to gather dust for that authentic Indy look....

)
Personally I am of the opinion that there is no need to 'mother' the jackets too much - they are pretty tough little cookies and actually look BETTER with wear and age - and a little dust!
I just leave mine on the back of the nearest chair, on the sofa or wherever and it doesn't come to any harm, despite the kids and a manic cat

I don't see my jacket as something to be overly protected or pampered. The occassional bit of leather conditioner after a rain storm maybe, but that's it for me.

Bring on the dust! Bring on the rain!! Bring on the manic cat!!! Me an' my jacket will take 'em all on and win!!! For this, my friend, is the jacket of the famous INDIANA JONES

Of course, that's just my opinion (disclaimer....)

Regards

Alan

MaryonRavenwood · Post by **MaryonRavenwood** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 5:09 pm

ob1al wrote:Bring on the manic cat!!! Me an' my jacket will take 'em all on and win!!!

You've never met Indy the cat--she'd tear my jacket to shreds, given the opportunity! She's a hardcore cat (and she has the battle scars to prove it!) A hunter too--brings me "gifts."

Regards--Maryon

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 5:28 pm

Regarding hangers.....go over to Lowes or like store that sells heavy duty wood suit hangers. The ends curve forward to distribute the weight of the jacket forward on the shoulder seams, keeping it from sagging, as well as distributing the entire weight of the jacket in the areas it was designed to hang from. You'll not experience any stretch that way. Regards. Michaelson