US Wings SL Cold Water Wash Results

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 5:10 pm

There has been alot of interest and questions about this. I put together some pictures to show you guys the transformation of this jacket with the cold water wash treatment I gave it, and I thought the subject warranted it's own thread.

Below is what the leather looked like new.

This was taken this morning.

Below is an album with some full and close ups of the jacket.
http://img214.imageshack.us/g/dsc0459o.jpg/

Here's a before and after progression.
http://img338.imageshack.us/g/dsc0315dt.jpg/

I've worn the jacket all week as it dried, and gave it a good coat of Pecards the other day and it's loosening up, and gained a bit of length back in the body and sleeves as it relaxes. I want you guys who are ordering one of these jackets to see what a big difference this makes, and think really hard about the cold water wash, because it's a one way ticket baby! It will never, never look like it did new. I love how it turned out, it was a success, and am very glad I did it, but it is not for everyone, and the results cannot be gauranteed.

Weston

RaidersBash · Post by **RaidersBash** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 5:56 pm

That's AWESOME!!!

It turned out soooooooo cool!

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 6:51 pm

Mix of smooth and grainy leather - check
Wavy zipper - check
Wrinkled arms -check
Worn seems with lighter brown showing - check

Just need to run around in 100 degree heat for a while to get it to relax and drape again and you'll have Lucasfilm chasing you to return it to the archive. December can't come soon enough

Holt · Post by **Holt** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 6:54 pm

I know!!

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 7:08 pm

OMG!!! You just made me say omg...I hope your happy. Seriously though, I LOVE that jacket! I'm gonna be hard pressed to not do this to mine. It is the Imam jacket to a TEE!

Travis

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 7:59 pm

Exactly HP!!!

It's gorgeous!!!!!

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 9:26 pm

Ok, that last post, I had seen pics on my phone. Just got home and checked them on the computer...

This (to my eyes) is the PERFECT Raiders hide!!!! Not over the top like some of the other jackets we've seen. No dino hide here, just the absolute perfect amount of texture. I am in LOVE with this jacket. I want mine and I want it NOW!!! I am seriously thinking this could be my end all be all Raiders jacket.

Travis

Solent MKIII · Post by **Solent MKIII** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:12 am

"MOST IMPRESSIVE."

Indyzane · Post by **Indyzane** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:17 am

Oh yeah!!! I love it!!

Holt · Post by **Holt** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 8:34 am

hands down, BEST wings jacket I have EVER seen in my life.

Im really considering the lamsb for mine. man! do I love the look and details!

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 9:03 am

Amazing transformation! Looks great! You couldn't even see that rough grain when it was new!

Sgt. · Post by **Sgt.** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 9:33 am

Ark Hunter wrote:Amazing transformation! Looks great! You couldn't even see that rough grain when it was new!

Now the good news.. Roz Schott said that all of the Raiders Legend Striated Lamb will be the same!
Now the bad news... 5 more weeks and counting!
Sarge

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:08 am

Despite this little bit of not-so-great-news, I can't help but think -and emphasize- how much it's worth remembering that

Good (GREAT) things come to those who wait

and

Good (GREAT) things are usually WORTH waiting for!

Thank you again (Sarge for the JACKET, Weston for the PHOTOS)
They're ALL just beautiful.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:16 pm

Is there a post about the cold water process somewhere? Do you just soak it in cold water?

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:23 pm

As far as I know (its around here somewhere...just too lazy to find it) its just a run in a front loading washing machine on the cold cycle.

Travis

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 4:54 pm

Your absolutely right Travis, but your forgot a few key ingredients; Beer, overpowering curiosity, and total lack of good judgement!

The drying process is critical. When you first take it out, the leather will be extremely maleable, so I layed it out flat on an old bed sheet on a table until it dried enough to wear.

Weston

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 5:22 pm

Weston wrote:Your absolutely right Travis, but your forgot a few key ingredients; Beer, overpowering curiosity, and total lack of good judgement!

Weston

BWaaahahahahaha!!!!

And they say that necessity is the mother of invention...

That tri-fecta has got necessity beat to a pulp!

Travis

KrYpToNiAn1 · Post by **KrYpToNiAn1** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 9:03 pm

Amazing. I want mine. Should I have been contacted yet?

s.

hoose55 · Post by **hoose55** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 9:56 pm

Weston,
wow, amazing, shazam? i really wanted the SL from Wings, now I don't know how to stop myself. that looks screen accurate, durable and just incredible. I had hoped after having TN make a jacket for me, I would need no other. But now that I see these latest Wings offerings, it's okay to have two perfect jackets, right?
-seeking validation,
J-

Photoss · Post by **Photoss** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:49 pm

I can only echo the sentiments of others: Amazing.

pilgrim_in_an_unholy_land · Mon Nov 08, 2010 3:19 am

do you zip it up and turn it inside out? How long do you run it for. I have to say, I was not a fan of the jacket before, but that is unbelievable

whipcracker · Post by **whipcracker** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:13 am

Again that jackets looks amazing! I think we are closer now than we have ever been to jacket euphoria...

scot2525 · Post by **scot2525** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 10:50 am

That jacket just keeps getting better and better Weston! My hat goes off to you and _ for putting it through the wash cycle.

I cannot wait for antique cow Legend to arrive but believe I will heed Sarge's advice and keep it out of the washing machine.

Sgt. · Post by **Sgt.** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 1:45 pm

scot2525 wrote:That jacket just keeps getting better and better Weston! My hat goes off to you and _ for putting it through the wash cycle.

I cannot wait for antique cow Legend to arrive but believe I will heed Sarge's advice and keep it out of the washing machine.

Good idea!! I have a very strong feeling one must know what they are doing.... Just in case I know where you can get a replacement!
Now for some other news.. I am making a Legend that can not be washed!!I have been reading that some COW members want a Indy Jacket for Winter... I can do that and not change the look!! But please keep it away from _ and Weston.
I will show you the pictures next week and I already sent specs to some members today..
Sarge

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 1:57 pm

Now for some other news.. I am making a Legend that can not be washed!!I have been reading that some COW members want a Indy Jacket for Winter... I can do that and not change the look!! But please keep it away from _ and Weston.
I will show you the pictures next week and I already sent specs to some members today..
Sarge

Excellent news! I think the lamb/sheep would be a natural for some insulation - after all, the boys during WWII wore some nice toasty shearling.

I have to say, while I love how Weston's jacket turned out, I like the "before" just as much. I believe I'll follow the edicts of Michaelson and let it age naturally.

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 4:51 pm

Sgt. wrote:
scot2525 wrote:That jacket just keeps getting better and better Weston! My hat goes off to you and _ for putting it through the wash cycle.

I cannot wait for antique cow Legend to arrive but believe I will heed Sarge's advice and keep it out of the washing machine.
Good idea!! I have a very strong feeling one must know what they are doing.... Just in case I know where you can get a replacement!
Now for some other news.. I am making a Legend that can not be washed!!I have been reading that some COW members want a Indy Jacket for Winter... I can do that and not change the look!! But please keep it away from _ and Weston.
I will show you the pictures next week and I already sent specs to some members today..
Sarge

That's good advise Sarge! No, I won't be washing any more jackets. I think we've stressed you out enough with this foolishness as it is. I hope alot of people will just wear them and let them age naturally.

Weston

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 5:47 pm

Tibor wrote:
Now for some other news.. I am making a Legend that can not be washed!!I have been reading that some COW members want a Indy Jacket for Winter... I can do that and not change the look!! But please keep it away from _ and Weston.
I will show you the pictures next week and I already sent specs to some members today..
Sarge
Excellent news! I think the lamb/sheep would be a natural for some insulation - after all, the boys during WWII wore some nice toasty shearling.

I have to say, while I love how Weston's jacket turned out, I like the "before" just as much. I believe I'll follow the edicts of Michaelson and let it age naturally.

Tibor, I agree with you that I like the before as well as the after. And I will also follow M's advice and let it age naturally.

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:07 pm

I think mine will get the cold water treatment, but not in the washer. Unless...

Weston wrote:Beer, overpowering curiosity, and total lack of good judgement!

Weston

rears its ugly head!

Travis

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:16 pm

Yep, and that combo has done a lot more damage than just alter the look of a jacket

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:22 pm

You said it TS! Most of the time in the south you can tell when the aforementioned other holy trinity is in effect when we say, "Hey yall, watch dis!"

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:24 pm

Or when the story starts with "you ain't gonna believe this #%^*"

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:26 pm

Wow...its funny because its the truth.

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:29 pm

Yep, I hear it frequently around these parts. Honestly, half of the times I can't believe it!!!

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:32 pm

Kind of like last week...

I heard a few guys talking about putting a brand new leather jacket in the washing machine...

Long John Tinfoil · Post by **Long John Tinfoil** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 7:01 pm

Was one of them a really big, weightlifter kind of guy?

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 7:08 pm

Hmmmm

(yep, and I did it too, with _'s directions. I said I heard it, I didn't say I didn't say it also)

coronado3 · Post by **coronado3** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:11 pm

Weston -

Does the jacket fit "tighter" now in the upper sleeves/ chest?

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:23 pm

It is just a bit tighter, but is loosening up as it breaks in.

Weston

pilgrim_in_an_unholy_land · Thu Nov 11, 2010 11:39 am

could you post details on your process, at least washer settings and such?

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:56 pm

pilgrim_in_an_unholy_land wrote:could you post details on your process, at least washer settings and such?

Sure. I zipped it up, and ran it through a front loading machine, set on normal, cold water only. I tried taking it out without running the spin cycle but the jacket was just way too water logged, so I popped it back in, set the spin on it's lowest setting and ran it. After that, I took it out, layed it out flat on an old sheet on the table just in case it was going to bleed color, and let it dry. I'd check on it once in a while, unzip it and let some air inside, or flip it over once in awhile just so that one side wasn't constantly in contact with the sheet. It took a couple days! When it had lost enough water, I put it on and wore it as it dried. Once completely dry, I gave it a couple good coats of Pecards.

Weston

CM · Post by CM » Thu Nov 11, 2010 3:29 pm

In the past 4 years I've washed 7 leather jackets in warm water with laundry soap. They always improve. It's no problem and hardly a mysterious process. Jacket collectors have been doing this for yeas. Weston's jacket looks much better now.

coronado3 · Post by **coronado3** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:39 am

Hey Weston-
When you can, post some pix of the back....

This jacket looks great

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 12:41 pm

Sure.

Weston

pilgrim_in_an_unholy_land · Fri Nov 12, 2010 1:12 pm

you used to use soap with this? that's not what I would expect.

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:37 pm

pilgrim_in_an_unholy_land wrote:you used to use soap with this? that's not what I would expect.

No, I did not use soap, just cold water only.

Weston

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:23 pm

Dear HEAVENS don't use soap if you try this cold wash treatment!!!

I don't know if you'd EVER get the suds out of leather....

Weston...the jacket just looks too good to be true, man!

Nice!
Regards!
Indydawg

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:31 pm

Indydawg wrote:Dear HEAVENS don't use soap if you try this cold wash treatment!!!

I don't know if you'd EVER get the suds out of leather....

Weston...the jacket just looks too good to be true, man!

Nice!
Regards!
Indydawg

Thanks!

Weston

hoose55 · Post by **hoose55** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 1:37 am

Wow, that jacket looks great! I hope the imported jackets have the same fit and sleeve length. That looks great, Weston!

CM · Post by CM » Sat Nov 13, 2010 2:12 am

Indydawg wrote:Dear HEAVENS don't use soap if you try this cold wash treatment!!!

I don't know if you'd EVER get the suds out of leather....

Weston...the jacket just looks too good to be true, man!

Nice!
Regards!
Indydawg

Soap actually helps the look. It's often used in washing leather and helps to get the water to do it's thing. My understanding is that the soap helps to lubricate the leather and get it ready to accept the moisture. It also protects the leather from water's abrasive qualities.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 1:36 pm

Mitch (already seduced by every photo of Weston's U.S. Wings SL Jacket that he's seen) looks at this photo of back of said jacket:

Weston wrote:

Mitch begins to write e-mail
"Dear Santa(Sarge)Claus..."