My U.S. Wings jacket came today!..and it's juuuusst right.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:32 pm

i hate squeeky clean jackets.......just my opinion.

you need more of those bubbles...all over the place. that wouldn't bug me and i'm very fussy

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:37 pm

just make sure you wear safety glasses if you decide to pop it

Browncoat · Post by **Browncoat** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:04 pm

Definitely nothing to worry about.

Wear that jacket in a heavy rainstorm or two. Then see if you can still spot that spec as easily as when the jacket was new.

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:32 pm

Yeah I was bugged at first (in my mind's eye it was a million times bigger, of course) but now I don't care.

I can't wait until this jacket wears in... How does goatskin wear in? Like does it get softer and have more of that textured wrinkled look because I really like that. Right now it's very fine.. and it feels very very new so I feel like I'm Ricky Bobby

which is great too.

It's win/win with leather I think.

Dostacos · Post by **Dostacos** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:39 pm

jacksdad wrote:Oh my, that looks terrible, how could accept a jacket like that...just kidding looks fine,adds character, good luck with your jacket and enjoy.

Maybe a barbed wire cut in the hide? wear it HARD, and long, and that spot will "age" faster ;-) { be sure to be dragged behind a truck IN DIRT, roll from belly to back both over the left shoulder and the right shoulder

}

IIRC Connolly Leather only used skins from animals that were NOT around barbed wire just so there would be no blems on the hides.

Rolls Royce only uses BULL hides because the cows' hides have stretches in the leather

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:40 pm

Dostacos wrote:
jacksdad wrote:Oh my, that looks terrible, how could accept a jacket like that...just kidding looks fine,adds character, good luck with your jacket and enjoy.
Maybe a barbed wire cut in the hide? wear it HARD, and long, and that spot will "age" faster ;-) { be sure to be dragged behind a truck IN DIRT, roll from belly to back both over the left shoulder and the right shoulder }

IIRC Connolly Leather only used skins from animals that were NOT around barbed wire just so there would be no blems on the hides.

Rolls Royce only uses BULL hides because the cows' hides have stretches in the leather

Weird my dad was just talking about it and said the same thing.. cow walking into barbed wire etc..

What's Connolly leather?

What's a bull leather jacket like.. never seen one

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:42 pm

does it feel thick, like a scar?

Your replacement jacket is goat isn't it?

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:47 pm

RCSignals wrote:does it feel thick, like a scar?

Your replacement jacket is goat isn't it?

Yep (my dad was just talking about other leather in general. Like customers for something complaining their leather wasn't perfect etc).

Um it feels like it's a little more aged.. looser, softer.. not thick.

jacksdad · Post by **jacksdad** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:37 am

goatskin is one tuff leather. your jacket will look new for along time. I have an Indy goat and still looks new. I also had a cooper miltary A-2 and it looked new and it was a few years old. I gave it to my dad though, he loves it. Goatskin is very nice and will last you a life time.

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:03 pm

Here are new pics

http://s551.photobucket.com/albums/ii443/A22000/

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:35 am

What does the puffy spot feel like?

If you rub your finger across the surface of the spot, does the spot move,
as if the top colored layer is not attached to the leather?

Or is the spot hard, and does not move when you rub your finger across
it?

If its hard, then its just a blemish on the animals hide, and is not a problem.
As already stated, all animals get marks and what-not on them from daily
life, and its to be expected when you buy most leather jackets.

Now, if the spot moves, and feels thin, then what you have is the top colored layer
pealing off from the leather surface, and thats a problem, similar to when
you get a sunburn.

Eventually, that spot will peel, and reveal the light colored skin underneath it.

Depending on how big the spot is, if it does peel, you can try to color the
light spot with some shoe polish to make it blend in, and not be so noticable.

But, since the spot is on the front, right in the middle of the jacket, no matter
what you do, if it peels, its going to be noticable.

There is really nothing you can do to push the spot down if it is peeling.

If its just a blemish in the hide, I would just keep the jacket.

If its the color layer peeling off, I would send the jacket back.

You paid way to much for this jacket to have the colored layer start to
peel off right out of the box.

Also, if it the spot does peel, theres no telling whether or not it will start
to peel in other locations if the leather was not tanned properly.

Its your call.

It is a nice looking jacket, and fits you well.

Flathead

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:35 am

That spot WON'T peel. It's a small imperfection in the hide that was in the animal.

That USW goat will still look like new despite your best attempts to try and kill it. Trust me on that.

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:04 pm

Raider S wrote:That spot WON'T peel. It's a small imperfection in the hide that was in the animal.

That USW goat will still look like new despite your best attempts to try and kill it. Trust me on that.

I agree, it will not peel if it is indeed just an imperfection in the hide.

However, if its the color layer not sticking to the hide, it will peel.

If you check the Vintage Leather Jacket forums, you will see several
cases of people with high end repros that had areas like this that eventually
started to peel do to a flaw in the tanning process that kept the outer layer
from sticking to the hide.

If the spot on this jacket is hard, then its just a character mark in the
hide.

If its puffy, and loose, and can be moved around like skin on a sunburn,
or a blister, then its going to peel at some point, as there is nothing holding it down
to the hide.

As a matter of fact, I currently have a pair of white leather Reebok sneakers
that has a spot like this on the toe part of the right shoe.

The area is about the size of a dime, and I can move it around with my finger.

I have had the shoes for about 2 months now, and the spot is starting to
peel just now.

I bought the sneakers cheap at SamsClub, so I am not concerned with it.

If they were a pair of $100.00 Rockports, then that would be a different
story.

Flathead

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:40 pm

FLATHEAD wrote:
Raider S wrote:That spot WON'T peel. It's a small imperfection in the hide that was in the animal.

That USW goat will still look like new despite your best attempts to try and kill it. Trust me on that.
I agree, it will not peel if it is indeed just an imperfection in the hide.

However, if its the color layer not sticking to the hide, it will peel.

If you check the Vintage Leather Jacket forums, you will see several
cases of people with high end repros that had areas like this that eventually
started to peel do to a flaw in the tanning process that kept the outer layer
from sticking to the hide.

If the spot on this jacket is hard, then its just a character mark in the
hide.

If its puffy, and loose, and can be moved around like skin on a sunburn,
or a blister, then its going to peel at some point, as there is nothing holding it down
to the hide.

As a matter of fact, I currently have a pair of white leather Reebok sneakers
that has a spot like this on the toe part of the right shoe.

The area is about the size of a dime, and I can move it around with my finger.

I have had the shoes for about 2 months now, and the spot is starting to
peel just now.

I bought the sneakers cheap at SamsClub, so I am not concerned with it.

If they were a pair of $100.00 Rockports, then that would be a different
story.

Flathead

(Yeah it's loose and puffy like a thin layer isn't attached to the hide)

Well you have me sufficiently worried but I can live with it as I cannot possibly send this one back.. otherwise it's a perfect jacket I can barely take it off.

I'm not really worried though.. if it cracks/peels/pops I'll just place a patch (like a decorative patch) there since it's in a good position for a patch so it can be a blessing in disguise.

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:50 pm

A patch or a name tag is a good idea to cover the spot as long as its
high up enough not too look out of place.

Its a nice looking jacket, and like I said before, it fits you very well.

Good luck with it.

Flathead

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:59 pm

You could use a hyperdermic to inject some glue into the bubble to make sure it doesn't pop and then tear. Something as innocuous as PVA or wood glue would do it.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:30 pm

Excellent suggestion, KT.

Regards! Michaelson

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:47 pm

Michaelson wrote:Excellent suggestion, KT.

Regards! Michaelson

Maybe from the back though, not through from the front so as to not pierce the finish.

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:21 pm

RCSignals wrote:
Michaelson wrote:Excellent suggestion, KT.

Regards! Michaelson
Maybe from the back though, not through from the front so as to not pierce the finish.

If you put the glue in from the front, you run the risk of it squeezing out
all over the front of the jacket, and that would ruin the jacket.

You also run the risk of it doing this on the inside as well.

It would be really hard to keep a needle from going thru this thin
color layer if you poke it from the back thru the lining, and the leather,
unless you have a REALLY steady hand. One slip, and pow, the needle is
sticking out the front.

And then, even if you did succeed in not doing that, what about the glue
that squeezes out the backside when you press the puffy spot down?

Once you get glue on lining, its going to be almost impossible to get it all off, even
if you do catch it right away.

I say either leave it alone and cover it over with a patch, or send it back
before you make the problem area look worse.

If it was me, I would send it back. You paid too much for it to keep it
with defects right from the factory.

They have to have at least one over there at Wings in your size without
problems. And, its NOT your fault that its like this. Its theirs. Let them
take care of it for you.

This jacket is brand new. Its not like its 5 years old or something. If it
was an old jacket, then I would say go for it. But since its brand new,
why run the risk of ruining it?

At least give Wings a chance to make it right.

Flathead

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:40 pm

True flathead. One would ave to open the lining and keep it out of the way and be very careful with the needle.

It's possible that USWings has a method to fix this without having to remake the jacket. They should be consulted.

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:50 pm

That's waaay too much stuff to do for a little spot I'm just leaving it alone.. like you guys said it's fine

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:47 pm

It's a jacket meant to be worn and abused, not hung on a wall and looked at. That little spot won't be something you even consider after a few months of good wearing. If it were mine and I really thought that spot might flake off or something, I'd try to flak the thing off, see what the color is like underneath and then either leave it or at most put on a bit of black shoe polish to match the rest.

But sending it back is moot if you've taken off the tags. They might allow an exchange for a restocking fee, but they might not.

A good lesson is when you get something, even before you even try it on, look it over closely and if there are any questions or something you think you can't live with call the people you bought if from ASAP (try to do it the same day if not first thing next morning) and let them know the problem and that you want an exchange, etc. If that jacket is new and un-worn they should do the exchange. If not contact your card company and bring it up with them. Remove the tags and all bets are off; too many people wear things for a few days then try to get a refund.

But again, that little spot isn't much to worry about and the jacket won't even begin to look cool till it starts to get beat up a bit!

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:56 pm

Raider S wrote:It's a jacket meant to be worn and abused, not hung on a wall and looked at. That little spot won't be something you even consider after a few months of good wearing. If it were mine and I really thought that spot might flake off or something, I'd try to flak the thing off, see what the color is like underneath and then either leave it or at most put on a bit of black shoe polish to match the rest.

But sending it back is moot if you've taken off the tags. They might allow an exchange for a restocking fee, but they might not.

A good lesson is when you get something, even before you even try it on, look it over closely and if there are any questions or something you think you can't live with call the people you bought if from ASAP (try to do it the same day if not first thing next morning) and let them know the problem and that you want an exchange, etc. If that jacket is new and un-worn they should do the exchange. If not contact your card company and bring it up with them. Remove the tags and all bets are off; too many people wear things for a few days then try to get a refund.

But again, that little spot isn't much to worry about and the jacket won't even begin to look cool till it starts to get beat up a bit!

You know what I'm embracing the idea of it flaking it off someday.. so I can put a patch there.. like a little leather jacket tattoo.

I couldn't stand being away from the jacket for the 3 weeks when I first returned it so I don't want to do it again. It's relatively inexpensive for a nice piece of clothing anyway and shipping is costly

I did leave the tags on this time for a couple days (even though they exchanged the last one with no tags since well, they put an XL pocket on a Large jacket) but I decided this one is mine and I'm not getting rid of another.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:27 pm

blueoakleyz wrote:.................. I decided this one is mine and I'm not getting rid of another.

Good for you! Stand by your decision and enjoy your jacket. Break it it well.

Indiana Bones · Post by **Indiana Bones** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 3:59 pm

I've owned a US Wings and the stitching in the pockets and all over the lining came undone. Finally I sold it and now I own The Coyles standard and his jacket is seriously well made!!!

I need to laugh about being worried with an imperfection in the leather! Come on its an ADVENTURE JACKET!!! If Indy was a real character "I doubt he worried about that while jumping onto a moving Nazi truck!" I took my Todd Coyles and artificially destressed it and people would faint if they new the abuse I put to this new jacket. It now looks Raiders of the Lost Ark cool!

My U.S. Wings jacket came today!..and it's juuuusst right.

Its an Adventure Jacket !!