Best way to remove shine from a shrunken Lanbskin Hero?

[HANSOLOJONES]

Hey Guys.

I recently acquired a Wested Hero in Shrunken Lamb.
I love the jacket..however it has a plastic kind of shine to it. What's the best way to remove the shine?


Cheers!

[Hollowpond]

Alcohol!!! Its the answer to EVERYTHING!!!!

Seriously though, start with the 70% and pick a good hidden spot to test (like under a pocket flap) use a cotton swab and test out about an inch square. Dont freak out if some color comes with it. Let it dry and check it out. If that doesn't give you the desired effect, go to the 91% stuff (only available in drug stores). If your REALLY feeling ballsy, throw it in the washer with some tide and downey, but whatever you do realize this is NONREVERSIBLE!!!!
Procede with caution and care. Remember; baby steps. I have used all of the above methods with great success, but your results may vary...

[rick5150]

I agree with the alcohol. It is the answer to everything. It is also probably the least damaging way to remove the shine. Other methods have their merit, but acetone can be too aggressive and sandpaper/Scotch Brite pads/steel wool if not done carefully can damage the seams and also the leather itself. Of course, you can always use the next agressive method if the alcohol does not work.

Alcohol also dries the leather so you may want to apply a light conditioner to the jacket afterward.

Edited to add a note about the washer and dryer... If you are only trying to remove the shine, I would not use the washer and dryer. You risk damage to the jacket from the agitator, shrinkage, seams coming apart - and my favorite - when the leather shrinks, but the lining does not. Of course, you can also achieve the screen accurate wavy zipper using this method too. When using the dryer, please use air dry only! NO HEAT. Unless you are trying to shrink the jacket, of course.

You can also achieve fantastic results with this method though, but just weigh it against what you are trying to achieve.

[HANSOLOJONES]

Thanks Guys!

I did the alcohol method then Soaked it in the shower...Letting it air dry now.

[Hollowpond]

And believe me...I'm OK at distressing leather, but Rick's leather kung-fu is good!!! Listen to the man.

[rick5150]

Thanks Guys!

I did the alcohol method then Soaked it in the shower...Letting it air dry now.

Wow, you only asked an hour ago. LOL.

Once you remove some of the surface finish that gives the jacket the shine, water will penetrate easier. I soak all of my jackets that I distress as it swells the fibers a bit and give a puffiness to the leather that provide the look I am after. I like to do this by soaking the entire jacket (in the washing machine or a bucket) as the water will penetrate the back of the leather easily where there is no finish. The benefit of the washing machine is the spin cycle. This will make the drying a LOT faster. I run 2 or 3 spin cycles repositioning the jacket each time for maximum water removal.

Since you've come this far, as an added bonus - if you wear your jacket before it is completely dry, it will mold to your frame making it uniquely yours. Good luck. And show pictures, of course.

Kemosabe - thanks for the compliment.

[HANSOLOJONES]

Again, Thanks gentlemen..yes indeed I'll post pics when all is said and done!

I am not usually a fan of weathering Jackets, other than by wearing them..but the shine!Geeeez! It's an awesome Jacket but the shine! LOL!

[HANSOLOJONES]

Well here is me with my new Wested Shrunken Lamb "Hero".
I started the weathering process early this morning before I asked for additional Suggestions/Help.

I have to say, I am very pleased with the Jacket.

[rick5150]

That looks terrific. I am going to need a few close ups of that bad boy! Nicely done.

[Hollowpond]

Agreed!!! Nicely done. And double agreed on the closeups. I seriously looked at that jacket, but the close-up was what turned me off. That looks significantly 1000% better. Well done!

[HANSOLOJONES]

Thanks Guys.

I am not totally finished ...yet! LOL!

I have been a Wested Fan from Day one. I have to say, this jacket is to me, The Raiders Jacket! Again, my personal opinion.


Cheers,
HSJ

[BendingOak]

wear it.

[HANSOLOJONES]

wear it.

Really??? As I mentioned, I always do..natural weathering.
However in this case, a new way had to be explored.

[BendingOak]

Come on. I was joking.

[HANSOLOJONES]

Come on. I was joking.

LOL! So was I my friend!

I usually do it the way you suggested, but that damm Plastic look got on my Nerves!!LOL!

All is Good my friend!

Cheers!

HSJ

[youngjedi71]

i cant see any pics???

[trdaggers]

I had an obelisk stuck up my sleeve once, on "shine" not "shrine". Sorry, my mistake.

Gailen

[HANSOLOJONES]

I had an obelisk stuck up my sleeve once, on "shine" not "shrine". Sorry, my mistake.

Gailen

Geez...this thread is still active??

Hey Gailen, I got a couple "shrines" in my house!

[Hobbstc]

I like to use saddle soap to knock shine off leather.

[Michaelson]

I had an obelisk stuck up my sleeve once, on "shine" not "shrine". Sorry, my mistake.

Gailen

Geez...this thread is still active??

Actually, no, it wasn't until you brought it back to the top. Gailen's post was dated June 20th of last year.

Regards! Michaelson

[HANSOLOJONES]

I had an obelisk stuck up my sleeve once, on "shine" not "shrine". Sorry, my mistake.

Gailen

Geez...this thread is still active??

Actually, no, it wasn't until you brought it back to the top. Gailen's post was dated June 20th of last year.

Regards! Michaelson

Thanks for pointing that out sir!
Oh as an update, the jacket looks great now! I just wore the bloddy thing!!It wasjust the initail "shine shock" that got me!

My mistake

Cheers,
High Regards,
HSJ

[Michaelson]

Personally, I've found shine pretty much disappears after the first rain storm you're caught in while wearing your jacket. Just my experience, though.

As you said, 'just wear the bloody thing' and it takes care of itself.

Regards! M