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Post by GCR on Feb 17, 2007 14:53:50 GMT -5
After doing some initial distressing to my Wested shortly after I got it in 2003, I have allowed it to distress naturally. However, I recently decided to try and do something about the high color contrast between some of the distressed or "raw" areas of the jacket, which are quite light and the rest of the jacket, which has a dark brown finish. At first, I opted for just simple leather conditioner (Kiwi brand, I picked it up at the grocery store) and it did indeed help to "blend" some of the colors of the jacket a bit better. But in bright light, the worn and scratched areas of the jacket still looked too light, and I wanted a better transition from the "raw" areas to the areas where the finish was still very dark. So, on another excursion to the grocery store, I picked up some Kiwi Mink Oil and began to apply it all over the jacket. A warning on the tin clearly states that this product will darker lighter leather, so I was fairly confident it would give me the results I was hoping for. Below are some shots of the jacket thus far, you can use the pictures from this thread: indylounge.proboards105.com/index.cgi?board=gallery&action=display&thread=1170548853 for comparison, as the pics of the jacket in that thread are after an application of leather conditioner, but before application of this mink oil. I believe using sandpaper or a steel brush to "chew" up the leather in some key areas and then applying some mink oil to it, might give me that "Raiders" texture I've been looking for, without making the jacket 3 shades lighter.  The hat is my new JPD, the holster and whip are from Western Stage Props      I'll posts some more pics of the jacket in direct sunlight as soon as I get my stupid camera fixed...  -GCR |
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Post by IndyBlues on Feb 17, 2007 19:52:09 GMT -5
Looks good, GCR. Tell me, how does the leather 'feel" now?? Did the mink oil make the leather more supple, and/or make it drape better? Did it add any noticeable "weight" to the jacket?
'Blues
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Post by GCR on Feb 17, 2007 21:43:26 GMT -5
Looks good, GCR. Tell me, how does the leather 'feel" now?? Did the mink oil make the leather more supple, and/or make it drape better? Did it add any noticeable "weight" to the jacket? 'Blues Hey, thanks 'Blues! The leather definitely feels a lot softer and more supple now, and didn't even think that was possible with the lambskin from wested, as it's soft and supple right from the start. As for weight, I didn't really notice much of a difference, but I haven't been wearing my jacket much lately (too cold for it around here) so I my frame of reference might be off. Looking back at the pics above, I realize that these aren't the best quality pictures in the world. The first two are probably the best representation of what the jacket actually looks like in normal lighting. The light washed out some of the color and texture of the leather in the other shots. The Mink oil seems to work quite well, and I'd recommend it if someone wants to darken up an older jacket that has been abused or a jacket where they got a bit over zealous with the artificial distressing. I'll get some better pics up later this weekend so you can get a better idea of how this jacket is coming along. Stay tuned! -GCR |
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Post by Ragingblues on Feb 17, 2007 21:45:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the scoop on this, as I have often thought of trying out some mink oil myself. I think your jacket looks good with this added to it and was wondering the same as Indyblues, with regards to the feel of those areas now. Are they a different color or just a darker shade of the same brown? It's hard to see from the photos. I have used Pecard's leather dressing and weatherproof dressing in regular and brown on certain areas of my distressed jacket. I like the results they gave, but am always open to trying new things. I have read and do believe they hit the Raiders jackets with dark shoe polish and mink oil to darken some of the areas they weathered/distressed. The TOD jacket looked good too and probably had much less leather conditioning done to it after distressing. The LC jacket looked to be hit with a belt sander and was way too uniform for my tastes. It also looked like they added nothing to it after the distressing, which made it seem lighter in color and way too dry.  Ken |
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Post by Ragingblues on Feb 17, 2007 21:47:30 GMT -5
Sorry... during my lengthy post, you seem to have answered my questions.  Thanks for the info, Ken |
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Post by GCR on Feb 17, 2007 21:58:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the scoop on this, as I have often thought of trying out some mink oil myself. I think your jacket looks good with this added to it and was wondering the same as Indyblues, with regards to the feel of those areas now. Are they a different color or just a darker shade of the same brown? It's hard to see from the photos. I have used Pecard's leather dressing and weatherproof dressing in regular and brown on certain areas of my distressed jacket. I like the results they gave, but am always open to trying new things. I have read and do believe they hit the Raiders jackets with dark shoe polish and mink oil to darken some of the areas they weathered/distressed. The TOD jacket looked good too and probably had much less leather conditioning done to it after distressing. The LC jacket looked to be hit with a belt sander and was way too uniform for my tastes. It also looked like they added nothing to it after the distressing, which made it seem lighter in color and way too dry. Ken The areas that have been distressed are darker than they were, but still lighter than the areas where the finish is intact. The contrast between the two is lessened so that instead of having a dark brown jacket that has light brown distressing, I have a dark brown jacket with medium to medium dark distressing. The mink oil didn't seem to alter the regular color of the finish on the jacket, just the distressed areas. All in all, it had the effect of muting the distressed look of the jacket. the texture of the wrinkles and scratches is still there, but they aren't as noticeable now, since they are darker and blend better with the rest of the jacket. Exactly the results I was hoping for. -GCR |
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Post by GCR on Feb 17, 2007 22:00:39 GMT -5
Sorry... during my lengthy post, you seem to have answered my questions. Thanks for the info, Ken Oops, I was replying to your lengthy post with a lengthy post of my own!  Ah, well, happens to the best of us... -GCR |
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Post by Ragingblues on Feb 17, 2007 22:06:15 GMT -5
No problem, as I think you answered my question even better with the last respsonse anyway.  I will pick up a tin of mink oil now for sure, and give it a try as well. I may have to add a few new distressed areas, just to test it with. Ken |
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Post by Kt. Templar on Feb 18, 2007 4:16:26 GMT -5
There does seem to be some disagreement as to the use of mink oil. Some leather jacket fans will totally discourage you from using it, maintining that it may become rancid over time. Others seem to use it without any mishap and recommend it.
There are quite a few leather products with it in which may be some indicator, but it's all down to personal preference in the end.
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Post by IndyBlues on Feb 18, 2007 10:14:19 GMT -5
KT, I have heard this as well. Both Pecards orders I've made int he past came with a tiny can of "boot oil" for free. Rick5150 uses this stuff on his jackets, and loves the results. Not sure if it is mink oil or not, but he says it doesn't cause any odor problems.
'Blues
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Post by GCR on Feb 20, 2007 21:26:46 GMT -5
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Post by IndyBlues on Feb 20, 2007 22:31:08 GMT -5
Looks great, GCR. I love the look of a broken in jacket. It can get real tiresome looking at brand new jackets, unless they are new offerings, of course. I am still debating adding some light distressing to my Wested Goat. That thing is nice and broken in, but damn if it will distress naturally. The thing is bullet-proof.
Anyway, great job, and I like the way the color is more uniform, as opposed to the pinstriped LC jacket.
'Blues
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Post by pitfallharry on Feb 20, 2007 22:53:53 GMT -5
I think the jacket in it's current state looks very "Raiders". The combination of the distressing and the mink oil really looks good. I really like it. Great Job! |
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Post by molaram on Feb 21, 2007 0:02:34 GMT -5
There does seem to be some disagreement as to the use of mink oil. Some leather jacket fans will totally discourage you from using it, maintining that it may become rancid over time. Others seem to use it without any mishap and recommend it. There are quite a few leather products with it in which may be some indicator, but it's all down to personal preference in the end. Yea, The argument is that mink oil over time becomes chemically unstable and that leads to dry rot, it causes the fibers in the leather to bind up into each other over time, into little bundles, and prevents the hide from breathing, not good for garments. Though it really does not affect leather instantly at all. Only if you plan on having your jacket for 10+ years. Pecard's is chemically neutral, thats what makes it such a great leather dressing. It does not get affected by anything. |
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Post by GCR on Feb 21, 2007 0:12:04 GMT -5
There does seem to be some disagreement as to the use of mink oil. Some leather jacket fans will totally discourage you from using it, maintining that it may become rancid over time. Others seem to use it without any mishap and recommend it. There are quite a few leather products with it in which may be some indicator, but it's all down to personal preference in the end. Yea, The argument is that mink oil over time becomes chemically unstable and that leads to dry rot, it causes the fibers in the leather to bind up into each other over time, into little bundles, and prevents the hide from breathing, not good for garments. Though it really does not affect leather instantly at all. Only if you plan on having your jacket for 10+ years. Pecard's is chemically neutral, thats what makes it such a great leather dressing. It does not get affected by anything. Ouch...thanks for the scoop on this, Molaram! I think I'll be switching to Pecards from now on...hope it's not too late to save my jacket...  -GCR |
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rick5150
Temple Guard
18 Down, 30 To Go
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Post by rick5150 on Feb 23, 2007 14:56:26 GMT -5
KT, I have heard this as well. Both Pecards orders I've made int he past came with a tiny can of "boot oil" for free. Rick5150 uses this stuff on his jackets, and loves the results. Not sure if it is mink oil or not, but he says it doesn't cause any odor problems. 'Blues The oil contains the same ingredients as the other Pecard products. I prefer oil on all my leather jackets, but have also used the paste and the lotion. I like the way oil absorbs and "thickens" the look of a jacket. Bikers have been oiling their leather jackets since ...well, the dawn of time, I think. Unless over-applied on a jacket where the exterior finish is broken down, it has never caused any problems for me. I did apply WAY too much on an old jacket and wound up with a mess. But that was my first time trying to restore an old jacket and I learned my lesson the hard way. For the record, I have used naphtha, penetrating oil, WD40, shaving cream, vaseline, saddle soap, etc. on my jackets during the expirimental phases (using ebay & thrift shop jackets, of course) along with Pecard's, Zaino Z-10 leather in a bottle, Lexol, Letaps, etc. Even the extreme treatments did not ruin the jackets. It would depend on the length of time the substance is used. Find someone with a really old leather jacket in great condition that they have had for 30 years and ask them what they treat the leather with. Odds are good it will have been some type of oil... |
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Post by GCR on Feb 23, 2007 15:04:47 GMT -5
So, chances are that my poor oiled Wested isn't gonna rot off my back in the next 5 years after one dose of the mink oil, eh? Well, THAT'S a relief! Still, I think I'm gonna cool it with the mink oil and start lookin' into some Pecards. So the pecards boot oil is just as safe as the standard pecards lotion? I wonder if it would yield similar results to those that I get with the mink oil? -GCR |
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Post by IndyBlues on Feb 23, 2007 15:50:02 GMT -5
Hey, Welcome aboard, Rick5150! Glad you could make it. Your experience with leather jackets could fill volumes. Don't be a stranger,
Mike
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