Distressed Wested ... Now with before and after Pecards pics

Mola Ram · Post by **Mola Ram** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:44 pm

rick5150 wrote:
I agree, the right sleeve looks like it was clawed. As JAN stated, that is the product of not having someone to hold the leather taut for you as you scrape it down, and it wrinkles as you do it, giving you those marks.
If you take the sleeves and push them up to your elbows so they are all bunched up and very lightly wipe the top of each wrinkle with a paper towel dunked in acetone, it creates distressing on the natural wrinkles of the jacket. I quite like the effect you see here.

At one time I was seriously toying with the idea of putting a good replica of the RA headpiece in the pocket. Really press it tight in there and then lightly distress the surface to hint at what was once there. I guess I am glad I did not do that. Michaelson would have shown up at my door with a shotgun.

The same look can be achieved by rubbing your sleeves on cinderblocks.

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 1:18 am

Ok. I had th funniest thing happen. I went into a place here called Western World with my friend and his dad today, as he was looking for a new pair of boots. Lo and behold, I saw bottles of felt stiffener and brown Pecards. Even though I ordered some, I bought that can right there anyway, and took it home.

So, I set to work on the jacket. I think it looks much better now than it did. So much even that I am beginning to like it! Here are some pics, the links contain high res images that I felt it was better to leave as is than to re size them like I did some others.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... Before.jpg
This is the cargo pocket that would be on my right side BEFORE application of Pecards.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... _After.jpg
And after.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... Before.jpg
Here is the cargo pocket that would be on my left side BEFORE..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... _After.jpg
And after. I may need a little extra work on this one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... _After.jpg
Believe it or not, this is the right sleeve that appeared "clawed"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... Before.jpg
Here is the front of the jacket (the upper torso area) before.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... _After.jpg
And after. I feel a LOT better about it now.

Indycraze71 · Post by **Indycraze71** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 1:33 am

Lucky find on the Pecards and it looks like your putting it to good use. That jackets gonna look real good when your done with it I think. Good job!

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 1:45 am

Well I'm pretty much done with it as it is. Again, the flash on the camera accents the scrapes and things. I mean, look at that right sleeve. It used to look very sordid, and now I think it looks almost new in person. From far away, you can't see the scratches anymore. The pocket and torso distressing is even more subtle in person, if you can imagine. I looked at it in the mirror, and I was like .. phew. I feel a lot better about it now.

I am going to rough the sleeves up a tad more later, after the Pecards grace period, and this time, I am going to do things differently. As it sits now, I really like the way it turned out. I mean, wow. I feel so much better.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 2:12 am

Looks great, Strider. The Pecards does make a difference. Glad you were able to repair your jacket.
Best Regards,
Joe

SkyChief · Post by **SkyChief** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 2:15 am

Glad to hear the Pecards worked. And Strider, be perfectly honest with us, now when you look at the coat you see an "Indiana Jones" jacket like you hadn't seen prior to the distressing, right? I remember being amazed at how an Indy jacket was unearthed when I distressed mine. It had been there the whole time, but it was covered by the sheen and bland character of a new coat. Wear it with pride.

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 2:33 am

Skychief,

I agree with you. The jacket looks more like an "Indy jacket" now that I've roughed it up. I might've gone a little ape to start with, but the Pecards has cleaned it up, and I feel much better about not only how it looks now, but how Indy-ish it is.

The same distressing is still there, the Pecards just toned it down a notch or two. I am pleased with the result, because the distressing is still there, but no quite as loud as it used to be. It doesn't scream out at you anymore.

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 2:58 am

woohoo it looks soooo much better after the pecards. i can't beleive that is the same sleeve!

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:52 am

Look at that, Strider!
It's now perhaps the BEST looking distressed Indy jacket these eyes have ever seen.
Aren't you glad that you stuck with the process?
Coming to this forum for help is what it is all about, and look at what we've all learned here.
Amazing job!

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 9:00 am

That looks great, I had my doubts before, but the brown pecards has done a great job in smoothing out the contrastyness (?) of the earlier sanding. It's given it extra 'layers' where as before it was sort of on/off.

Post by **Ken** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 9:53 am

Wow that Pecards makes all the difference. I wasnt sure it would work so well but now you have a proper looking Indy jacket!!!

Ken

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 10:28 am

Great imporovement! Cudos.

Jorenz · Post by **Jorenz** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 10:45 am

Strider, I really like the look of the jacket. you've given me the guts to start the distressing on my jacket.

I know now that if I go to far I can always use Pecards again.

I think I'm gonna call this the Strider method. if that's ok with you?

This is a little off the subject but how do I post pics? and use the quotes?

Thanks

VP · Post by VP » Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:37 am

First click the Img-button, then paste the url between [img] and [/img]. To quote somebody you have to click the quote-button next to the post.

Jorenz · Post by **Jorenz** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 1:21 pm

VP wrote:To quote somebody you have to click the quote-button next to the post.

Thanks VP

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 1:59 pm

Does the brown pecards rub off on stuff or drip brown liquid with rain?

Rusty Jones · Post by **Rusty Jones** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 2:09 pm

Those pics almost give me the guts to distress my own jacket... actually I'd better just order a second one for distressing ;c)

LeatherneckJones · Post by **LeatherneckJones** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 2:51 pm

Yup, thanks, Strider! I now have a bit more courage to distress my Wested goat!

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 3:38 pm

Indiana Texas-girl wrote:Does the brown pecards rub off on stuff or drip brown liquid with rain?

Heavens no, ITG! It's just standard Pecards dressing with a touch of brown suspended in the dressing, so it's just the same as using standard Pecards with a touch of color. The color will not separate from the product or rub off after the suggested buffing after the dressing has been allowed to soak in, just like ALL Pecards dressing should be applied. I've used it for years, ever since the intial testing I did for Pecards, and to date have never had it transfer to anything else come rain or shine or close proximity to other clothing in my closet.

Regards! Michaelson

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 4:00 pm

Yup, thanks, Strider! I now have a bit more courage to distress my Wested goat!

From what I recall, it's alot harder to distress the goat than the lamb.

LeatherneckJones · Post by **LeatherneckJones** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 4:09 pm

agent5 wrote:
Yup, thanks, Strider! I now have a bit more courage to distress my Wested goat!
From what I recall, it's alot harder to distress the goat than the lamb.

No worries... I'll just give it my best shot!

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 5:35 pm

Goat is a lot harder, from my understanding. The lamb just rubbed right off with the sandpaper. I think acetone would be better for goat, but I am not going to distress my goat.

The "Strider" method, eh? I'm flattered. Let's see, that entails getting a jacket, going too far with sandpaper, and being lucky enough that brown Pecards helps bring it back.

I still can't believe that's the right sleeve myself.

Is it true that brown Pecards has shoe polish in it? What is it that makes it brown?

Thanks all for the kind comments.

I am a picture taking fool. Here are just a few more taken with natural daylight instead of a flash. Links are high res shots.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... 0_0228.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... 0_0229.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... 0_0230.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... 0_0226.jpg

Prof. Ed · Post by **Prof. Ed** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 6:38 pm

Quite a difference, my friend! So different!

Best,

Prof. Ed

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:25 pm

Wow Strider!

That looks great!

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:20 pm

Strider, you really have done a beautiful distressing job on that jacket.

In the words of Henry Sr: "Well done!"

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 10:05 pm

Michaelson, that's a relief!

Strider, the jacket looks great with the Pecards on it.

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 10:12 pm

Wow Strider.....your jacket has been resurrected...Pecard's saves the day. 100% improvement. Now it looks like its 20 yrs old with natural wear.

$\:D/$

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:00 am

Looks WAAAYYYYYYYYY better, Strider! Congrats!

Ya gotta love Pecards!(I do).

have a nice day.

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:41 am

Last pic, I swear. I took this one, then gave the picture a few different tints to see which one accented the distressing the best. This is the "scenic" tint, I believe. In this photo, you can really see a lot of the original scratch marks, and how everything turned out after. This, I think, is the best pic I've gotten of it yet. Of course, the marks are not this accented (or really even that color) when you look at it in person, it's just the tint I used during editing that makes it much easier to see.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... st_Yet.jpg

eaglecrow · Post by **eaglecrow** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:10 am

Your jacket looks really great now, well done

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 8:08 am

Much better looking now!

That Pecards is wonderful stuff.

Flathead

Post by **Mike** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 9:06 am

After discussion amongst the mods, we feel that there was no reason to shut this thread down. When you ask for opinions, you need to expect both good and bad. Not everyone will like what is accomplished, and as long as their opinion is expressed in a way that doesn't violate any rules on the boards, then they have a right to state it.

There was nothing inflammatory or derrogatory in any opossing viewpoints offered.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:39 am

Strider...you jacket as it now appears looks JUST like what Wested used to produce years ago in their pre-distressed cowhide jacket, after a light coating of standard Pecards dressing. That particular cowhide isn't available anymore (as I understand), so you're recreated a classic with the application of the dressing. Well done!!

Regards! Michaelson

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:43 am

Strider wrote:Last pic, I swear. I took this one, then gave the picture a few different tints to see which one accented the distressing the best. This is the "scenic" tint, I believe. In this photo, you can really see a lot of the original scratch marks, and how everything turned out after. This, I think, is the best pic I've gotten of it yet. Of course, the marks are not this accented (or really even that color) when you look at it in person, it's just the tint I used during editing that makes it much easier to see.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/ ... st_Yet.jpg

Even with the tint adjusted to "accent" your distressing, it still looks MUCH better. Congrats!

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:03 pm

THAT'S what I was hoping for...that the Pecards would smooth it out, but still give that subtle distressed look! Excellent! Great work Strider!

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:22 pm

Nicely done. That looks a LOT better. Congratulations.

Post by **Mike** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:53 am

As others have said, a lot better. Nice job.

And please excuse my post four posts up. That's really weird. I entered that in after Jerry's "I'm glad this wasn't deleted" post, but it came through after a ton of other posts.

Really odd.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:30 pm

Mike wrote:And please excuse my post four posts up. That's really weird. I entered that in after Jerry's "I'm glad this wasn't deleted" post, but it came through after a ton of other posts.

Really odd.

hahaha...see, now I feel better when weird things happen to me.

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:10 pm

It's okay, Mike, I agree with you anyway. To quote Theodore Roosevelet:

"It is not the critic who counts .. the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena .. who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly .."

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 12:57 am

Strider,

I know how someone feels when they think they have done irreparable damage to something they truely care about. It is a sickening, sinking feeling when you come to that realization, and all of us have been in that situation I am sure. I think that is what you were going through at the beginning of this thread.

I know how much Indygear in general and your jacket in particular mean to you. You are a very well liked and valuable member to this community and I don't think anyone here would ever say things about you or your gear to purposely hurt your feelings. However, some of the truthful but blunt responses probably made you feel worse than you already did.

Working through all of that and having some luck and determined effort on your part and using advice that you received, you finally reached your goal of a distressed Indy jacket that you could be proud of. I am personally, very glad that you like the way your jacket turned out. Congratulations.

Minnesota Jones · Post by **Minnesota Jones** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:02 pm

Yes, I know this is two weeks after, but well done on the Brown Pecards. I was hoping that would work for ya.

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:48 am

Thanks, pal. It all turned out well in the end, thank goodness. Bufflehead said it exactly right. At first, I got kind of sick, and visions of having to throw my jacket away danced through my head. I even seriously contemplated it!

I'm so glad that I didn't, now. Thanks for the comments, Buff.

I bought the biggest container of brown Pecards I could get, but it didn't really even take that much. All's well that ends well, I'll be able to use the stuff for the IOAB whip I am going to order.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:36 pm

You can just send any gear you want to throw away to me.

(Unless it had a run in with something maloderous.)

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:23 pm

Hey, I'm glad this got bumped again - I forgot to add something - I saw Strider's jacket in person at the Aero, and it came out just great! After all was said and done, Strider, you ended up w/ a nicely distressed jacket - it does NOT look overdone.

astroboy · Post by **astroboy** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 3:13 am

You could have put it on a dummy and actually dragged it behind a truck unless your'e game enough to drag behind a truck in person..