Club Obi Wan

Okay, got my new jacket today. Everything is wonderful, it fits very well, looks great, and I love it.

But apparently a couple of small chalk marks used to locate the pockets before sewing were left on the leather. Not a problem, I've seen this before, it happens and it's an easy fix. I simply moisten my fingertip and proceed to wipe them off. After wiping all four of them off I happen to look at my fingertip and notice that it is a slightly lighter shade of brown than my new jacket. Well maybe I rubbed too hard? No, not really.

So I dampen a paper towel and moisten the leather trim around the inside pocket. A lot of dye easily bleeds on to the paper towel. I have never seen this before. I own five leather jackets and never had a problem with dye bleeding. I might forgive some small amount of dye loss, but even after scrubbing my fingertip there is an easily noticeable area of brown dye.

I read about other guys wearing their jackets in downpours. How can I possibly wear this jacket in any kind of rain? Would my skin, and all my clothes, turn a shade or two more brown? Will the jacket lighten in color? Will it eventually stop bleeding if I get it wet and let it rinse? Should I seal it somehow?

My question is - how common is this? Is this an acceptable trait of certain leathers or dyes? Should I treat the leather somehow? But that would definitely change the texture and finish...

I'm not going to reveal which brand of jacket this is until I am able to chat with the maker, but the leather is cowhide with a lightly distressed finish if that helps on getting input on this problem.

It has been my experience that some leathers bleed depending on the dying prosess. Latigo leather, for example, does this, especially the burgundy. It will go away eventually. How long depends on too many factors to list here and is probably out of my realm of expertise. I seapk only from my experience.

Okay, well that's what I'm looking for in an answer I guess. Since I made the posting I tried to make the dye bleed in another area of the jacket and nothing happened. I'm not really sure what to make of that, but I guess time will tell.

I've also done a search for this problem and had very few returns. Apparently this is not widespread.

The only reports I've read of any hide doing this was a few batches of lambskin Wested jackets that bled something awful. As stated, it depends on the tannery, any particular batch and their quality control at the time.

Regards! Michaelson

Some guys prefer to subject their jackets to the water. The water is obviously for distressing purposes. I prefer to use a product, such as a leather lotion on the jacket once I receive it. Last night, and as I rubbed leather lotion all over it, it did not bleed any sort of color. While it takes time, the process does a few things: it lubricates, preserves, adds body to the leather and provides a durable base coat. Although the lotion does not make the jacket water-proof, it does make it water resistant, so that if it does get wet, it is not likely to dry stiffly. When leather becomes dry and stiff, it has a tendency over time to become brittle and lose its tensile strength. There are lots of products on the market. I used the lotion from Wilson's leather for that application.