How can I make a jacket to look darker?

[drjulian]

Hi, I've just bought a jacket that, even that is not a Cooper, Wested or Expedition or even a bomber jacket, looked to me almost like an Indy Jacket it only needs the storm flaps and D rings), and even has a nostalgic 30's B movie hero touch; the only thing with it is that its a tanned color and I'd like it to match that specific brown, so how can I make it to look darker?? oh, by the way, it looks distressed already and I want it to still look distressed, but darker.

::)THANKS

By the way, I was reading about somebody who wanted to make a Dorfman hat to look more like a Raiders'; I actually achieved it since I've got two of these and made that with steam, soaking them in hot water and my hands, one of those has been with me for 11 years.

[Deleted]

Hey there and welcome to the Lounge.

I'm not sure how to make a jacket darker or even if it is possible, but I'm sure there's someone around here who may be able to help

[Deleted]

Welcome to the Lounge ..

I don't think there is any way to darken the jacket other than perhaps using a Leather dressing such as Pecards.

You can find a link for it in the Where to Buy Section.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[jerthrs]

Hi there, welcome to the lounge.
A friend of mine actually used wood tint to darkened his jacket a while ago. It was first brown and it turned out black, he used sand paper on it and by the time we could see the "brown hue" through the black tint. I do not recommend you to do that because it is quite an irreversible change, unless you don't really care putting your jacket in test.

jerthrs

[IndyBlues]

Pecards offers a brown tinted leather treatment cream, that will slightly darken a jacket.
Also, you could always use some dark brown shoe polish, although the smell might overwhelm you.
'Blues

[Kt. Templar]

Using wood stain concerns me. You never know what is in it and as this is something you will be wearing close to your skin, mmmm not sure.

I'd look into the tinted pecard first as even normal pecard will help darken dry leather even though it will lighten back up as it eventually 'dries out' again over a few months.

[Ragingblues]

A local leather repair shop might be able to dye it for you without much drama. If that isn't an option or you can't find some place that will do it, Tandy Leather or even some hobby shops may carry a topical solution you can use yourself.

I personally don't care for brown Pecards, as it has a reddish color base. I would find a brown stain, dye, etc... that had a greyish base to make the brown color instead. This will give much more natural looking brown leather color similar to Indy's jacket, and insure you don't get mistaken for an Irish Setter.


Ken

[drjulian]

Thanks everyone for the tips and the warm wellcome!!!