Goatskin care:

[Captain D]

Hi all,

I've been out of the limelight for awhile, but getting back into the hobby. I've done some searches (am still doing so), but was curious to see what the latest available products are for treating goatskin leather. I'm looking for a product that:

- Isn't going to darken the leather color any,
- Will help soften the leather,
- And, help relax the leather to enable it to become more loose, pliable, flexible, etc.

As mentioned, I'm still searching through the older posts. But, interested in seeing if anything new is out on the market worth trying.

Thank you for any and all info!

[Michaelson]

Oddly enough, the most reported 'successful' method of softening a stiff goatskin jacket was to wear it to bed.

Yep, to bed. Lots of complaints by the significant others, but apparently it works.

I'd still wait to see what you get in terms of leather....as a lot of goatskin doesn't take any leather treatment due to the density of the material.

The Italian goatskin that is used for that incoming USW's jacket is supposed to be very soft from the 'get-go', so you may not have to DO anything.

I've used a VERY light coating of Pecards leather cream on my goatskin jackets with no change of color....but then a lot of it wiped right back off even after hanging overnight in a warm room. It will only soak up so much product.

Just a couple 'old' points used in the past that were successful.

Regards! Michaelson

[Captain D]

Thanks M for the reply & info!

A somewhat off-topic, but while we're chatting about Pecard products - I had seen on their site that they sell 'Antique Dressing.' I own a pair of original Civil War era boots (1860s) worn by a Union general that are currently on loan at a Virginia museum. Anyhow, the leather, naturally, is rather brittle (probably calfskin of some sort). Although I've heard that in order to protect a historical item's value that it's best not to do anything. But, just curious if the Pecard Antique Dressing would not affect the historical piece except in conservation / preservation properties.

Any thoughts on something like this, just out of curiosity...? Thank you once more for your time and insight!

[Michaelson]

I'd defer to a museum curator who specializes in the care of historical equipment, such as your boots, as museums like the Western Heritage Museum uses Pecards on all their leather inventory, and yet the Smithsonian no longer does.

Opinions vary, and though I'd toss out an opinion any day regarding OUR stuff, I'd just feel right in offering anything regarding something that is pretty much irreplaceable.

I'd suggest you do some serious research before doing ANYTHING to those boots.

I'm a regular watcher of Antiques Road Show, and THEIR expert on Civil War leather items has said on many occasions do NOTHING to leather gear.

I found this Civil War artifact/reinactor website. Ironically, they're literally located about 20 miles from where I'm sitting, and they prefer Pecards! Scroll down on the page on this link.

http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg10.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Like I said, opinions vary!

Regards! Michaelson

[Captain D]

Thank you M for your reply - I greatly value and appreciate your insight, my friend!

I agree, I've been on the fence whether something like this should be added or not + I'll be sure to ask round' the curators. I suppose as long as the boots are stored in an ideal temperature controlled environment while on display, there may not be a need for the Pecard product. But, it's tempting to want to treat them, lol. As a side note, speaking of the 'Antique Roadshow,' these boots were on their program back in the early 2000s. Thank you again for your time and info once more as it's always a pleasure chatting with you!

High regards!

[Michaelson]

[Prodigal Son]

I came to this thread today as I've recently distressed a Wested brown goat. I'm wondering about the finish now. I used alcohol on this jacket and wiped off quite a bit of the top layers of finish, doing away with most of the dark surface, and in areas, quite a bit of the reddish bottom layer, exposing the beautiful brass-colored leather surface itself. By the way, buffing the surface with a cloth afterward brought the shine right back! It's amazing. Instant patina with a brass color. I was also able to buff a shine back into the remaining finish. This is a goat from about four years ago. Now I find myself wondering if the finish will begin to crack and fall off in years to come. The reason I'm thinking about this is because about 9 years ago, I used a synthetic acetone nail polish remover on a US Authentic MFC CO Horsehide A2. I removed much of the finish, leaving a little bit. Over the years, the sun and wind while riding my motorcycle quickly caused the distressed areas to lose all the finish, exposing the leather below. The finish itself, which is really thick on that particular jacket, is now brittle and in the distressed areas, those little bits of remaining finish feels like smooth sand paper.

So, here I am, wondering if my goatskin Wested Hero is going to do the same thing in a handful of years. I hope not. What would prevent this? What have you all experienced with the finish on your jackets after doing your distressing with alcohol? I used to use the Pecards lotion on the A2 and it did make the finish more flexible. It says on the bottle that it is made for that type of leather, the kind that has the paint-like finish and I'm sure that's what it is meant to do, keep the finish moist and pliable. Any thoughts?

By the way, I also have an old washed goat ROLA from Wested that I got about 10 years ago. I use Pecards on it. I slather it on and then use a hair dryer to melt the Pecards. I scoots right into the leather, which, again, is washed goat and just a day or two later, it looks like it's old self again, but is much more flexible and feels new. So, try the hair dryer trick. You don't need a lot of heat. That Pecards melts really quick and when it does, the leather soaks it up. It won't soak right into a leather with a painted-on finish, though. You might call that kind of finish something else, but I'm referring to the leather that has that finish on that dissolves with things like alcohol and acetone, even paint thinner.

Anyway. Try the hairdryer trick with your jacket and Pecards. It really, really speeds up the process and you don't need much heat.

I also read a bit about Pecards and Vasoline. They use something called petrolatum. According to what I've read, petrolatum is highly-refined, so it does not have the harmful chemicals that degrade leather, if I read correctly.

I hope this helps someone and I'd appreciate feedback on your personal experiences with painted-finishes after alcohol distressing.