Club Obi Wan

I have already applied one coat of Pecards jell to my jacket which it soaked up overnight. The jacket still has a bit of shine to it. Is it okay to use rubbing alcohol on it at this point to cut down on the shine or just let the shine go away naturally?

I don't know if it's safe or not--someone else will know much better than I. It doesn't sound safe at all to me. I wouldn't risk it. But, instead of the gel, I'd use the leather lotion on the jacket. Just passing along the advice our dear Michaelson (the Sage of Pecard's) has given me.
Regards--Maryon

The jell idea was actually from Eric at Pecards. He recommended putting on a coat of the jell waiting several months, putting on another coat around december an then not treating it until the fall with the regualr dressing.

Rose,

Send a PM to MK. He and _ have Expos and have treated them with RA in the past. Not sure how it turned out as I can't remember.

However, post your findings as if it is a green light...both of us will be doing this.

junior

This previous thread tackles a similar topic--

http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1378

Thanks Joe.

I remember that one, but, is there a difference in acetone and rubbing alcohol?

Michaelson?

junior

Big difference. Use alcohol with a rag if you just want to take down the shine.

Yep, MK is the expert on this info, and has experimented with all these items on his own jackets with amazing results. You were asking the wrong fellow when you asked me. (grins) Regards. Michaelson

So rubbing alcohol on a chrome goat expo won't hurt it?

Hey Michaelson, (this is very off topic, but Michaelson recently posted) Incase you don't know, you're still in the Fedora Lounge Chat

I can't get back in to log off for some reason, so I'm stuck in a time warp over there. Thanks for the heads up, though. I'll try and log out in a bit. Regards. Michaelson

Appears as if I was mistaken. Sorry for the bad advice.

I just gave my Flightsuits a coat of Pecard's motorcycle leather lotion last night, and it looks really nice. Not too shiny. (Incidentally, it was my free sample from the QM summit!)
Regards--Maryon

Yes zohar, it seems that if we want to "de-shine" an Expedition, all you have to do is grab a rag and some RA and go to work. But it may be awhile before that RA smell is gone. And vice versa, you know that wonderful leather sent your Expo still puts out? I wonder if that will be gone once we RA the jacket?

MK?

junior

Can't say on that one. My nose has never worked too well.

All those leather aging cocktails no doubt...

-P-

Thanks MK. Well, I just learned that there may be some negative side effects to doing this. So I wanted to ask:

1. What actually happens to the goatskin that makes it appear as a more dull finish when you apply the RA? Is there a layer of something removed from the hide?

2. Does applying the RA to remove the shine hinder the skin in any way as far as making it less waterproof, making it less waterproof?

In other words, are there any side effects to doing this and will the jacket be any different than it was before other than having no shine because the RA removed the thin layer of whatever?

junior

I know this is nit-picky, but leather is generally not water-proof by nature. The only hide that I thought I read has waterproof tendencies was horsehide, but my horsehides soak through. Coatings, oils and gels can help make leather more water resistant and water repellent. Just remember a waterproof jacket wouldn't be able to absorb any of the protective coverings we apply. My assumption is (and Michaelson can feel free to pipe in whenever her wants ) that if you break down any outer coating, you should protect it with a coating of Pecard's to compensate...

Prior to getting my first Indy jacket, I never really treated my leather jackets and they have held up for years. I still have my father's old leather jacket from the 40's or 50's and the steerhide is in perfect condition. It was never treated and always worn - especially in the elements - by both my father and myself after he handed it down. I have only now started treating it since he passed away and I realized how important it will be to keep this jacket in nice shape. What did fail was the lining, zipper and the seams at the armpits. These repairs have all been made. Steerhide is heavy, but kicks ###.

After a year of owning my Expo in dark brown chrome goat, I finally decided to take some alcohol to it last night. It got rid of the shine really well, and doesn't smell at all. Other than that, it still looks brand new.

I have owned my chrome tanned dark brown FS for almost 3 + years now, and the shine has worn off with regular wear and application of Pecards jell, so it will eventually go away with use. You just have to use the jacket and be patient. Regards. Michaelson