Best way to REMOVE the sheen off of a new Indy jacket?

[bobcatmvp1]

I want to use rubbing alcohol, but doesn't that remove the color? Is there a best method?

[Hollowpond]

100% isopropyl alcohol SHOULD only remove shine if conservatively applied. Take it slow and easy and you should be OK. But, as is true with all distressing, your milage may vary.

[bobcatmvp1]

I want to use rubbing alcohol, but doesn't that remove the color? Is there a best method?

Whether alcohol removes pigment varies from leather to leather. Test an inconspicuous spot - like inside a pocket.

For a long time, movie costumiers and and reenactors have used hot water to give new leather that lived-in look. From boiling water and applying it selectively with a cloth, to running the jacket through the wash cycle. I've successfully used various cycle settings, with and without detergent, with almost exclusively successful results. The only jackets that have "failed" were Westeds. They've fallen apart. A cold wash cycle with liquid detergent and air drying to 90-95% dry, then wearing it the rest of the way, works well for a jacket that already fits well. A mix of hot water and/or some dryer heat will shrink a jacket - and I've had a great deal of success where a jacket is too large getting a very good custom fit.

But alcohol will work with the right skins - as will acetone. Try a good rub-down with a cloth dipped in boiling water. Run a new jacket on no-heat in a dryer with some clean sneakers. Lots of good ways to skin this particular cat. Good luck and let us know how it works!

So, I've taken 2 hot showers with my new Magnoli, and just tried the boiling water trick. Also poured the boiling water directly onto a sleeve of the jacket. Still shiny as a mirror. Time to bust out the chemicals...

[Hollowpond]

WHITE!!!! YIKES!!!

And bobcat, my offer stands...$200 and I'll gladly take that shiny old piece of junk off your hands!

[Hollowpond]

And Pat, you are right 91% or whatever is the most...if you want 100% then Everclear is about the closest. Of course that is ethyl alcohol. Don't know how that would do on a jacket, but used in a HS science lab it isolates DNA molecules beautifully. Outside of HS it demolishes brain cells equally beautifully ...

[Hollowpond]

Holy @#$%! In that respect we have lived parallel lives! In HS we used to drink it mixed with purple kool aid (if I ever get into a Tardis, first thing I'm going to do is go back in time and SLAP the young hollowpond!) By the end of football season, our tolerances were so high, beer was a joke! Ahhhh, stupid youth...

[bobcatmvp1]

Seriously? Because, below is a Magnoli CH XO. Washed then a conservative application of heavily diluted acetone to remove pigment from the high spots. Also note, the hides Magnoli uses WILL react to rubbing alcohol, i.e. it'll remove pigment. Did you use liquid detergent when you washed it?

Regardless, I just used water on mine. Sure you're not leaving something out? Possibly grinding an axe? I'm hearing an unusual amount of complaints about Tony's products. An unusual amount here meaning - well - ANY complaints. Tony offers us quality products. Frankly, the water should have done the trick. Always has for me with Tony's jackets. I have three and the quality and results of treatments is consistent.

Anyway, here are my results....



How about posting pics? Some posts recently have been long on gripes and short on evidence. Sincerely, I hope this helps. I hate hearing somebody having a bad experience. It's why I got into this hobby and why people with like minds formed IG.

Be careful with that alcohol.

Ps: Never seen 100% alcohol. The highest I've seen is 91%. Generally most drug stores carry 70%. Believe it it not? Cheap generic vodka works well and is often used by costumiers. It's diluted to 40% so it's safe and consistent. Also, it has less smell.

Lol! Splashed 151 while serving as bartender and wearing a Wested Temple in goatskin. The places it splashed turned white.

Honestly, that is why I went with a Magnoli. It is my very first Indy jacket. I saw nothing but good reviews about his products. I purchased a pair of Indy gloves and LOVE them. But the leather on this jacket is much different than what is shown in your picture. I've been giving it showers, boiling water, rolling it up and putting it under my mattress, tossing it on tumble dry with no heat, and nothing seems to help the creaks and plasticky feel. I received my Wested not long after and it is everything I expected it would be. I was actually scared it was going to be the same, and that goat just has that feeling, but that is not the case. The Wested is much better. I'm not sure when you bought your Magnoli goat, but if I would have seen this one in a department store I wouldn't shell out more than $75. But I'm working on it. Hollowpond, I might take you up on that if you're still interested.

[Hollowpond]

pm sent!

[bobcatmvp1]

What about my Wested? Will alcohol be to harsh on it?

[Texan Scott]

You were very fortunate to recieve such a nice Wested. Would you want to mark that one up, etc? With the pitfalls behind you, now comes the easy part. Just wear it. Water would be a second option, nondestructive. Goat is not like the lamb or cow.

[indy81]

Find a smooth dirt road, and have someone drag you behind a truck. ....well, it's natural distressing right....

'81

[indy81]

Find a smooth dirt road, and have someone drag you behind a truck. ....well, it's natural distressing right....

'81

Gee... Never heard THAT joke before...

I couldn't resist.

I remember when my Wested was new....wow it's been almost ten years! I used acetone and 70% rubbing alcohol to take the shine down. I didn't get too carried away with it.

Best Regards,
'81