Hmm, so if I Pecard a predistressed, will it end up looking new, or just different? I'd hate to get a predistressed Wested ruined just for the sake of keeping the look... but then without the look... decisions, decisions!
It will just look different. It will NOT make it look new, nor will it make
it act like new.
A "pre-distressed" or "Weathered" jacket has a lighter, drier, cracked look to it
all over. Kind of like the old acid washed jeans. Its this way all over,
not just in a few spots. This is what makes these types of jackets look
"fake". Its too evenly distressed all over.
By applying any type of leather dressing, you will darken a
pre-distressed jacket up some, but it will not look anything close to new.
It will look much better, and not as dry looking. Also, since the
leather dressing will absorb differently in different parts of the jacket, it
will also have a much more pleasing look than the all over, cracked, dry
look it has before you add the dressing to it.
Leather that is "pre-distressed" or "Weathered" has had the outer color
surface removed all around, exposing the raw leather underneath.
Once the raw surface has been exposed, it will soak up water like a
sponge if you don't apply some kind of protectant to it.
If you are ever caught in the rain with a "pre-distressed" jacket, the
water will soak right in, and it will come thru to the inside, transfering
some of the color to the lining, and your clothes. Not good.
By applying some Standard Pecards (the one in the tub, that contains
beeswax, and is the cosistancy of vaseline) the jackets dry look will
be gone, but you will still see the lighter and darker tones from the
pre-distressing, but now the jacket will have some protection added.
I still would not want to be caught out in a downpore, as even great stuff
like Pecards can't stop every drop, but if you are out in a light rain, you
won't have to worry about it that much.
Flathead