Club Obi Wan

Hey guys. I'm trying to think ahead here, and get my russet goat expo I purchased last Nov broken in. I'm not wanting to distress it, but just to break in and soften, that sort of thing. I've heard to sit on it while you're driving, but is there anything else? Thanks.

Zip up your jacket, and turn it inside out, and place it in your dryer. Set the dryer
for AIR DRY only, do NOT set it for any heat settings. AIR ONLY!

Then let it run thru some cycles to let it tumble around in the dryer.

After about 5 or so cycles, it should start to get softer.

This will soften it without adding in any distressing.

The stiffer the leather is, the more cycles thru the dryer it will take
to soften up to your liking.

Flathead

Thanks man..

An application of Pecards leather jell wil also help it to relax more. I only used one treatment on my chrome tanned FS goatskin, and it relaxed tremendously. I also did the old 'sit on, roll up, etc' tricks, which also did the deed. The dryer trick is tried and true. Just follow Flatheads directions. it will take a while (I believe it took Lee Kepplers a total of 45 hours to reach perfection), but you're not it THAT big a hurry, are you? (grins) Regards. Michaelson

What sort of leather jell? Should it be applied before or after the drier treatment? how much should it take?

Uh-oh. the "jell" debate. Actually what Michaelson is referring to is the Pecards Leather Cream(formerly Jell)which seems to work the best on Goatskin. I've applied the Leather cream to my Wested goat, without trying the dryer trick, and it did wonders.
I've read you are to butter up the jacket with the Pecards, THEN throw it in the dryer.
'Blues

FLATHEAD wrote:Zip up your jacket, and turn it inside out, and place it in your dryer. Set the dryer
for AIR DRY only, do NOT set it for any heat settings. AIR ONLY!

Then let it run thru some cycles to let it tumble around in the dryer.

After about 5 or so cycles, it should start to get softer.

This will soften it without adding in any distressing.

The stiffer the leather is, the more cycles thru the dryer it will take
to soften up to your liking.

Flathead

Why turn it inside out? Isn't the leather tougher than the lining? Just curious.

Why turn it inside out? Isn't the leather tougher than the lining? Just curious

You can leave it with the leather side out if you want, but you run the
chance that the beaters (The fins in the dryer that look like paddles on
a paddleboat) will distress the leather from the beating it gives, and
the constant contact with the beaters.

Usually, since most of the stuff you put in the dryer is the same as
the interior of most jackets (cotton, poly, flannel, stuff like that) it
can take the beating without doing an damage.

Also, if you do apply any leather creams or jells, and you leave it with
the leather facing out, the leather cream/jell will get all over the inside
of your dryer, and the next time you put regular clothes in there, the
regular clothes will get the cream/jell all over them, and they will get
ruined.

Not to mention the fact that it will take you a VERY long time to clean
the cream/jell out of there.

If you are going to put your leather jacket in the dryer for a run, I would
recommend NOT putting any creams/jells on it before you do this
for just the reasons I mentioned.

Its safer to run the jacket thru the dryer, soften it up, and then put on
any creams/jells to keep it soft.

That, or do as Michaelson says, and just use the cream/jell from the
start, and let the jacket soften up naturally.

Flathead

Actually, it's the other way around...formally the creme, soon to be relabled and called 'jell', as that's what it is, and has ALWAYS been. Why they called it creme is beyond me, and them as well! speaking from my personal experience with my jacket, I 'jelled' the jacket right out of the box. I then just wore it and rolled it up when not in use. I didn't attempt a dryer softening until almost 2 years later, so there's no real order in how to do it, though I would say that the method above would work best if you're going to use jell on your jacket. Put it in the dryer first so you don't pick up any of that infamous dryer lint in the process, as you will most DEFINITELY do so if you apply ANY product, Pecards jell or otherwise, if you have something applied to the leather first. Regards. Michaelson

I stand corrected. I thought it was the other way, because I just recieved some, and it say "Leather Cream". Man, I got old stock :evil:

In addition to the "dryer treatment" another good thing to do is to not hang it up. When you take it off just wad it up into a ball and drop-kick it into the corner! The next day, pick it up, put it on and repeat when you get home. These jackets are tough and they need to be man-handled in order to soften them up.

'Creme' sounds so much nicer than 'jell'. Creme is, like, some wonderful smelling, smooth stuff that lovingly perfects your jacket... while jell is like, I dunno, stick stuff you put in your hair!

Well, creme may SOUND nicer, but you'll be a bit, uh, surprised when you open the container and find a product that LOOKS like it should go in your hair. There's nothing 'creamy' about it! Regards. Michaelson

I went to buy some tonight, but the cheapest shipping off the Pecard site to Australia for my order (a 14oz and 6oz) was US$70

I have e-mailed Eric for alternatives...

I don't have any pecards, so until I get some (and the fact that I'm sure someone else in the house will throw something in with it and ruin it) I placed it between my two mattresses. I figured, I can get plenty of that "sitting on it while riding" thing by the time it gets cool enough.

I placed it between my two mattresses.

I don't know if you should do this unless you wad it up before you place
it between the mattresses. Don't lay it in there flat, or you will create
some unwanted creases in the jacket, kind of like ironing a shirt or
pants.

You want to avoid the creases down the length of the sleeves and body.

And don't leave it too long between there without taking it out, and
re-wadding it back up differently, and placing back in there.

You want to avoid putting it inbetween your mattresses the same way
all the time.

I don't know if I would do this, for the fact that it would make the bed
very lumpy when you try to go to sleep...

I would still go with the dryer method. It will not create any unwanted
creases or folds that might stay in the jacket.

Flathead

One further, and seemingly 'odd' suggestion, but one tested, used, and sworn by several members.....sleep in it for a night or two. Sergei did this with his, and said the difference was absolutely unbelieveable. Regards. Michaelson

I just wore my Wilsons lambskin for about 5 days in Wisonson, and it sofetned up very nicely. However, it got wet on the way back, so one of the sleeves got pretty stiff.....

I've also done the try'd and true method of softening up a jacket by sleeping in it. I made sure we had the air on that night, and I slept outside of the covers. Just make sure you zip it up all the way too before going to sleep. I did that a couple nights, a few hours in the dryer, and she loosened up a bit. Then apply the Pecards. The only other thing after that is just wear it, wear it , wear it......

Uh, MJ, if you'll look about 2 posts up, I already mentioned the 'sleep' method. (grins) Regards. Michaelson

I think wearing it is the most comfortable way to soften it up. Sleeping in it. Now I think's thats something I would only do if I had to. Which I might have to do on a backpacking trip.

Geoff

You mean there are some people here who actually DON'T sleep in their jackets???? Now I guess you'll try and tell me they don't shower in them either.

Have mercy!

You mean there are some people here who actually DON'T sleep in their jackets???? Now I guess you'll try and tell me they don't shower in them either.

Nope. I opt for the clean shower scent, over the wet leather scent.

Michaelson wrote:Uh, MJ, if you'll look about 2 posts up, I already mentioned the 'sleep' method. (grins) Regards. Michaelson

Guess I didn't get enought "sleep" myself last night.....

Must.... have.... more.... caffiene!

ALWAYS...caffine is GOD!!! 8-[ Uh...sorry about that. regards. Michaelson

I can see your custom coffee maker now, Michaelson... you have your gold plated cup of java on a stone pedestal booby-trapped in case anyone tries to replace it with a bag of sand...

bink

binkmeisterRick wrote:I can see your custom coffee maker now, Michaelson... you have your gold plated cup of java on a stone pedestal booby-trapped in case anyone tries to replace it with a bag of sand...

bink

"Senor, no one has ever come out of there alive!"

Take a look at our good friend 'GotMaul's avitar. He has the TRUE handle on the situation. Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:ALWAYS...caffine is GOD!!! 8-[ Uh...sorry about that. regards. Michaelson

Reminds me of the java mantra:
"It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion, it it by the sacred beans of java that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning, it is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion."

javajavajavajavajavajavajavajavajava Regards. Michaelson

FLATHEAD wrote: And don't leave it too long between there without taking it out, and
re-wadding it back up differently, and placing back in there.
Flathead

Of course.


OK

What if I roll/wad it up and use it for a pillow?

Oh, yeah, the jacket's in the dryer (NO HEAT) as we speak...