Club Obi Wan

Just wondering what is the current school of thought on darkening a pair of Aldens? I just got a new pair and they are wonderful but I would prefer to have them a darker olour now that I have seen them. I only ask because people seem to try differet ideas and some work better than others or last better than others. Any input much appreciated.

Ken

There's nothing really "official" - but I used Fiebing's Leather Dye - Light Brown, used the whole bottle, then pecards, and done. Oh, I also used their Deglazer first to remove any wax, pecards, etc before I dyed them. I know Daleks used "Russet" as color of choice, so any of the light to medium browns would probably work. I'd gauge it as you went as if it was too light or dark. Once pecarded, that's when they really show their color, so you may want do one coat, then pecard a small area to see if that's the color you want.

Is that available on the internet do you know? how is it applied - is it a cream/gel or a stick or like a polish? Sorry I have never had much experience with dying shoes. One of the great things of Indygear, always learning new skills.

Ken

It's a bottle of liquid. You get a "dauber" to apply it with. It's a little metal stick with a cottony ball on the end. Just "daub" it in the bottle and start rubbing it on the shoe. Very easy. I did about 2-3 coats with it drying in-between. You'll have to gauge how dark you want them. Just be careful or wear gloves. Being dye, a little dollup on your hand will hang around for awhile....

I have been using the new Pecards brown leather dressing. So far, after 3 applications over the past couple of months, they are now the exact same color as my old ALdens that came in the darker brown. Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson do you think I could get the same results with Letap what with it being a spreay form or would I be better just getting some pecards anyway (if a Fedora is Indy's signature item I guess pecards is a gearhead's). I dont want to ruin them - I have only had them a day and I am already in love with them.

Ken

The new brown Pecards has a coloring agent it besides the standard dressing ingredient, where Letap, though good for the leather, will probably not change the color much. It will probably darken a LITTLE, but not to the level that product I'm talking about does. You could try it. It sure won't hurt your boots at all. Dang, WHY do you keep referring to Letap?! Folks, if you can somehow wrangle some of this stuff for your use, you'll know why I keep wringing my hands everytime it's mentioned. I got hold of this stuff before I got into Lexol or Pecards. I love both of them, but for our jackets, Letap is the absolute way to go for care of the smooth leathers, bar none. My opinion here, but I stand solidly behind it. I've used over 6 cans of it myself over the past 5 years, and when it's shipment over seas was stopped, it was a black day for the hobby on this side of the big water. Anyway, give it a shot on your boots. I'd like to know what occurs myself. It may answer your question. Regards. Michaelson

Micahaelson:

Is there a specific url for ordering this new Pecards product as oppossed to the ones at the Indy store on the Indygear main page?

Also can I not just buy some Letap from Peter and then post it to you? Or will it explode in transit?

Ken

I believe those are the main and/or only links to Pecards. If someone knows of another, please chime in. Thanks for the offer, my friend, on the Letap, but I'm afraid after 9/11, among other reasons, pressurized cans are just a plain no-no for overseas shipment from anyone in your area. BUT, I DO appreciate you even thinking of it! It means a lot! High regards. Michaelson

Well the next time you happen to be over in the UK feel free to use a large quantity on your jacket.

Anyway thanks for the advice on the Pecards. I have got in touch with them about shipping to the UK so all being well I should get some soon and be able to see this thing you have been raving about ad infinitum

All the best Michaelson!

Ken

Ad infinitum? I think you mean 'ad nasium', don't you. (grins) Looking forward to your thoughts when you get the Pecards and use it. Always interested in hearing about others experiences. Regards. Michaelson

Peter gave me a can of LeTap when I was at Wested! I can't wait to use it on my new Lambskin Wested!

Regards,

Dr. J

Dr._J wrote:Peter gave me a can of LeTap when I was at Wested! I can't wait to use it on my new Lambskin Wested!

Regards,

Dr. J

That's good that it didn't explode on the plane due to pressure.

My sister is coming for a visit from Ireland. Maybe I can get her to bring over some Letap. Any idea where she'd be able to find it?

Michaelson wrote:I have been using the new Pecards brown leather dressing.

Is this the "Pecard Brown Weatherproofing" listed on the Pecard website? I've got the brick-red Aldens and I would like to try something to make them a little more brown.
PBG

I emailed Pecards asking that very question and will post on a response.

Ken

prettybigguy wrote:I've got the brick-red Aldens and I would like to try something to make them a little more brown.

Indiana Ken mentioned that his are brick red also. The Aldens that some gearheads received last Fall were described as pumpkin orange. Does anyone know why they now come brick red instead of pumpkin? Since they used to come in brown, I am wondering what's up with the somewhat frequent change in color.

Indiana Jess:

To my knowledge the only way to get Letap is directly from Peter and when I was living in Northern Ireland he couldnt send it to me because even though its still UK it would need to be transported by plane. I am planning to pick some up directly from Peter at the London summit.

Ken

[/quote]Indiana Ken mentioned that his are brick red also. The Aldens that some gearheads received last Fall were described as pumpkin orange. Does anyone know why they now come brick red instead of pumpkin? Since they used to come in brown, I am wondering what's up with the somewhat frequent change in color.[/quote]

This has been a debate for a while now. I know there have been other threads about this very subject, but I can't seem to find them. Maybe they are in the Gear Care and Distressing catagory. Anyway, if I remember right, nobody sems to know for sure which leather is the most current. Although, it seems that there are a lot of Gear-heads reporting in that they are buying the brick-red Aldens lately and not as many of the pumpkin.
PBG

The order of the Alden coloration was brown, brick red, then the orangy red coloration. The color change seemed to have to do with the changes in supplier of leather, as they changed suppliers 3 or 4 times for these boots. My brick red ones are more of a patent leather and takes standard shoe cream fine, where the new ones have a waxier finish and take to Pecards rather than shoe cream.

To answer the question about the Pecards, yes, the description of the brown standard Pecards dressing is correct.

As to where you can find Letap, Peter does sell it, but it's a product sold all over Europe, so it's not just a product available through Wested. But being proprietary, it can't be duplicated outside of England. It's neat stuff, as it comes out as a foam, but immediately liquifies. You rub it in with a dry sponge, and it immediately dries. You then don't have to bother with the jacket again for months, unless you get caught in a frog drowning rain. Once the jacket completely air dries, you just reapply the Letap, and you're good to go again. Just plain neat stuff!! I imagine Dr. J just put his in his carry on luggage, and it being in the pressurized part of the plane, no problem. SHipment is the problem here, as a lot of cargo isn't carried in pressurized cabins, and therefore they've narrowed down the products allowed for overseas shipment. Unfortunately, Letap fell directly into this category, dang it!. Regards. Michaelson

I've carried aerosal hairspray in my check in baggage before on a plane and no combustion, but I'll definitely keep future aerosal products in my carryon from now on just in case.

I imagine Dr. J just put his in his carry on luggage, and it being in the pressurized part of the plane, no problem.

That's a big ten-four, Michaelson.

Regards,

Dr. J

I recently got a pair of Alden's and they shipped with a small container of "Meltonian" shoe polish in Brick. After a couple of weeks of wear I applied a good coat of Pecard's followed by an application of the Meltonian Brick polish. This definitely darkened them up a bit. The color was much more "brick red" and less orange. After another month of wear I applied another more generous coating of Pecard's and left it on for 24 hrs leaving them in a spot where they'd get plenty of sunlight. Then after wiping away the small amount of residual Pecard's, I applied a coat of Kiwi Dark Tan shoe polish. Now they are much darker with more of a brown tint. Definitely getting there!!

I've had the same cannister of Letap for the past four years, and it's not even empty! (I only use it on my jacket once a year). If I'm not mistaken, I got it from Michaelson in exchange for a large tub of Pecard Leather dressing (yes, I'm the guy who first introduced Michaelson to the magic of Pecards). The foamy wonder of Letap (much like Gillette shaving cream) is great for Wested leather! I guess I'm completely screwed when I finish this can, which I shall keep for a souvenir. Is there ANYTHING comparable to Letap available stateside?


-Dale