Club Obi Wan

JohnNdy wrote:
What's more is the jacket! That thing is one of the best looking ones I've seen. The pocket placement is dead on. Sorry to change topics but is that a wested? Did you distress it yourself? It fits great. And the hat goes with it perfectly! Good show...

-John

Dr. J wrote:
Rick,

I'm with JohnNdy; That is one kickin' jacket you got there! How about some info (either by PM, or in the jacket section). Thanks and I'm glad that you're happy with your hat! It suits you.'

Regards,

Dr. J

Thanks guys. This was unexpected as the point of the post was to show that hat after some Fuller's Earth and how it matched the jacket a little better. The Fuller's Earth wears off and no time and the natural distressing has already begun. Who says you can't eat your cake and have it too (which is the correct phrasing for that statement and makes far more sense.)



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The jacket was the same way. When I receive my new jackets, they look nice but they do not look Indyish. Way too clean. Natural vs artificial distressing? We have all read these posts a zillion times. I can tell you what I did, but will not recommend anything, since I do not want to be responsible for a ruined jacket.

Okay, the jacket is a Wested. It was my 6th Wested to be exact. I received goatskin, lambtouch, regular cowhide, authentic lamb #2, authentic lamb #2 and authentic lamb #3 in that order. Each time I changed something I did not like, or Peter incorporated various changes to make them standard, so how they are different is part request, part design and part pure luck. This is the authentic lamb #3.

The jacket is now pretty much a standard size 38 except for the request that the body and sleeves be made narrower. Specifically 11 1/2" circumference at the cuffs. To me the perfect Raiders jacket is one that is form-fitting and specifically designed NO to have anything bulky worn underneath it. I like the jacket tight enough in the sleeves so that you have difficulty putting it on if you roll your shirtsleeves up.

The jacket should be close fitting and not too long either. Most of the jackets I see here are too baggy-looking for my liking. The inside pocket on mine is unlined with a nylon zip to help it maintain its shape (which is what the facing does - props to Michaelson for this). This affects the drape of the left side of the jacket only minimally.

The distressing is (like everything I do) haphazard. When I first got it I used alcohol to get rid of any shine that was there. Next, I used a Q-tip dipped in acetone (follow MK's excellent tutorial) and distressed the seams. Not to the point where they look like pinstriping. The effect was very subtle.

This is where I origianlly intended to leave it. I liked the look here. But after a while, I wanted more. I wanted it to look really beat up . Trying to rotate six jackets means that they will never get distressed unless you do it yourself, artificially.

Next, I coated the jacket with Pecard's Boot and shoe oil. Yes oil (Michaelson cringes). There are those including Pecard's themselves that do not recommend using this on jackets. The biggest concern is staining and added weight since the absorption is very rapid. Again, I am not advocating any of this. I just want to explain what I did and my reasoning behind it. I do not care if I ruin my own jacket, but I do care if you ruin yours because of me.

The goal here was to get the jacket as soft as possible and to add the extra weight since I feel the weight of the matertial adds to the drape of the jacket. The other thing to remember is that I used 1/4 of a 4-ounce bottle of oil. The extra ounce did not make a huge weight issue for me. After a week or two I repeated the oil treatment.

Another week later, I wiped the entire jacket with acetone. Very lightly and not with a soaking wet paper towel. Very light hand pressure as the goal is to break down any protective finish, not remove much color (although I did pull a lot of green out of the jacket!)

Next? Oiled it again. At this point the jacket absorbs the oil in some areas more readily than others. Another week goes by. Now the fun begins. Keeping in mind that the jacket is being worn and there is a little natural distressing going on as well.

I tried to guess where a jacket would get distressed if it was worn on Indy-like adventures, and used acetone to wear these areas in. The upper back shoulderblade area, the entire back, but in two distinct sides. The pockets - especially the bottoms of the pockets and the side warmer pocket entrance. The elbows would be a mess! I put the jacket on and tried to feel what part of my body touches what part of the jacket and while wearing it, distressed these areas.

My favorite part is to push up the sleeves and while they are all bunched up, use acetone to remove the color from the high points. I often wear my sleeves pushed up if it is getting too warm and I am wearing the jacket. This really brings out the sleeve wrinkles when you pull them back down. You can see what I mean in the picture.

I was considering putting the Staff of Ra headpiece in one of the front pockets and distressing the jacket so the headpiece is outlined on the pocket, but changed my mind. (You read it here first!)

Staying away from the seams, I used a 440 grit sandpaer to scuff up the jacket a bit as well. This is after I was done with the acetone.

I like the way the jacket came out. I am glad others like it as well. If you want more info/pics, PM me with an e-mail address. Thanks!

One of the better jackets I've seen hear in a long while. You even put the zipper pull on what I think is the most appropriate side. Good job onya mate.

junior

Staying away from the seams, I used a 440 grit sandpaer to scuff up the jacket a bit as well. This is after I was done with the acetone.

This is the best bit of advice. When I hear about folks distressing their jackets, I can picture people walking through the woods with sleeves falling off in a few months.

#### Rick! You practically ARE Indiana Jones!!

Ha, ha! If my wife read this she would be rolling her eyes, saying not to encourage me

Seriously, you really have some of the best looking gear I've seen on this forum and what's more you use it rather than put it on display which for me is the whole point. Now, where's that sandpaper...?

Thanks Langpuss. I appreciate the compliments. I agree, it should be used. But do not kid yourself, as I have stuff on display as well