Deteriorating Jacket

Discuss technique for prolonging the life of your gear or giving it that aged look

Moderator: Dalexs

Post Reply
User avatar
fenris
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1003
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:45 am
Location: Philippines

Deteriorating Jacket

Post by fenris »

My Todd's jacket is slowly deteriorating.

The collar on my jacket has started to peel off. I'm not sure what's causing it; is it my sweat or something else? I do condition the leather every couple of months using Lexol.

Here's a couple of pics of the jacket's collar:
Image

Image

I doubt I could repair the damage, but I'm sure I could prevent it from getting worse. I tried applying some leather conditioner, but it's still happening. Help!!! ](*,)

* EDIT *

I forgot to mention that the edge of the right sleeve cuff is also showing signs of peeling as well. So basically, the collar and right sleeve cuff are the only parts that are peeling off. No signs of peeling on other parts of the jacket.
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44486
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Deteriorating Jacket

Post by Michaelson »

Just looking at it, it looks like water damage that has gone under the surface of the hide and 'sluffed' it off. :-k

Keep in mind, Lexol is a product that helps clean leather and replace lost moisture. You live in the Philippines, so somehow I doubt losing mositure is a problem. That said, I think all the applications of Lexol may have been been 'overkill' in terms of application to your leather for your location. Looks like you've over saturated the hide, and therefore lost the surface.

Not sure if there's anything you can do now to stop the damage. It's done.

Time to shop for a new jacket. Once you do, though, I would suggest you only treat your jacket once a year or so, or when it appears to be getting dry.

Regards! Michaelson
User avatar
fenris
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1003
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:45 am
Location: Philippines

Re: Deteriorating Jacket

Post by fenris »

I only treat it when the leather is getting "hard"... I think it's my sweat. Acidic sweat? But this never happened to my hat bands. Weird.
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44486
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Deteriorating Jacket

Post by Michaelson »

Could be. The sweatbands are tanned differently and are supposed to fight deterioration from perspiration. I don't know the source of Todd's leather or how it was tanned. Hopefully someone can chime in who does.

Regards! M
User avatar
Tibor
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1222
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:47 pm
Location: Chicago

Re: Deteriorating Jacket

Post by Tibor »

fenris wrote:I only treat it when the leather is getting "hard"... I think it's my sweat. Acidic sweat? But this never happened to my hat bands. Weird.

Fernris, wear a shirt with a collar, like Indy. :TOH: :D
User avatar
Texan Scott
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 5838
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:55 am
Location: A felt body at rest tends to stay at rest. Sieze the day!
Contact:

Re: Deteriorating Jacket

Post by Texan Scott »

I've leather jackets with mold on them in Brasil. I think its the humidity plus the conditioner was overkill, as M said. Organic material does not fair too well in vey humid environments, and that is the reason for khaki/cloth weave belts, etc.
Post Reply