Leather care

[reborn]

Recently I bought a vintage leather jacket (horsehide) and the leather has foul smell.

I heard that put it outside (in open air) would extinguish the odour.
Nevertheless in my case, the smell is still there after I put it out for 2 x 12 hours.

Anyone understand on how to make it back to normal?
Also regarding the colour, if I apply leather conditioner, would the colour back to normal?

Is it the leather or the lining that smells?

If you have a trusted dry cleaners or tanner in your hood, then I would take it there...otherwise the DIY approach: use lemon halfs and rub all over the leather...it will lighten the coloring but should attend to the smell...then saddle soap the crap out of the leather (you have to restore moisture)...making sure to develop the creamy lather...then use a leather conditioner.

If you love the jacket test a small corner or edge before attempting.

[LEWisMe]

I just picked up a Julius sheep skin leather blouson and I'm wondering if I need to treat it for the weather here in Seattle. It's the start of the rainy season and this jacket will get some sprinkles no matter how hard I try to avoid it.

Faust - I see that you recommend not treating the RO leather jacket. Is it sheep skin as well? Anyone know if sheep skin will stain with water spots?

If I should treat it, what should I use? Most water protectants for leather seem aimed for cow instead of sheep.

Thanks guys!

[Faust]

As long as it's not reverse (by the way, nice move on getting away from the term "suede" that traditionally marked inferiority to "real" leather and into "reverse" ), it won't stain Lewis. My RO leather is lamb, softest thing ever.

[LEWisMe]

As long as it's not reverse (by the way, nice move on getting away from the term "suede" that traditionally marked inferiority to "real" leather and into "reverse" ), it won't stain Lewis. My RO leather is lamb, softest thing ever.

Awesome! Thanks for the information Faust. Just for my own knowledge, why do some leathers get water stains and others don't? For example, I was told that the SS07 CCP leather jacket (the one with the mesh lining) was notorious for retaining water spots where other seasons of CCP jackets weren't. They're all object dyed and most are calf leather. Is it the finishing treatment?

[Faust]

I am no leather expert, but it can't be anything else in Poell's case. Overdye is overdye - it may leak if not done well. Or it may have been's Carol's intention, who knows. With suede, it's the texture of the fabric, I think, that retains water stains. (retains rain's stains - I feel like Elisa Dolittle).

[LEWisMe]

I am no leather expert, but it can't be anything else in Poell's case. Overdye is overdye - it may leak if not done well. Or it may have been's Carol's intention, who knows. With suede, it's the texture of the fabric, I think, that retains water stains. (retains rain's stains - I feel like Elisa Dolittle).

Interesting... I'll start Googling some more. I'm about to put a droplet of water on the inside cuff of my sheep skin jacket and see how it does.

[tjoek]

Is it the leather or the lining that smells?

If you have a trusted dry cleaners or tanner in your hood, then I would take it there...otherwise the DIY approach: use lemon halfs and rub all over the leather...it will lighten the coloring but should attend to the smell...then saddle soap the crap out of the leather (you have to restore moisture)...making sure to develop the creamy lather...then use a leather conditioner.

If you love the jacket test a small corner or edge before attempting.

Thanks reborn!

I believe it is the leather that smells because of long time shelves and in turns the lining also became smelled.

Would you please elaborate more on the DIY approach?
________
Yamaha PW80

[Chim]

faust - i have a question regarding your soft rick leather that has gone through the paces. Are you ever afraid of nicking it on a rough corner or something? My favorite RO leather is just ridiculously soft and thin, but i'm sooo cautious when wearing it. Is it tougher than it seems, or do you just develop a second sense for avoiding sharp edges?

[MikeN]

Full disclosure... this warmish weather in NYC right now has got me sweating through an undershirt, a shirt, and my rick leather. I'm getting annoying white sweat marks on this damn thing near the pits. It comes off with a wet towel but I'm afraid a stain is going to set in the leather or something.

[reborn]

Thanks reborn!

I believe it is the leather that smells because of long time shelves and in turns the lining also became smelled.

Would you please elaborate more on the DIY approach?

Step one: Buy lemons (6 should be more than enough).
Step two: Cut a lemon in half.
Step three: using the juicy cut side, rub the lemon over the leather in a circular motion. (please note this is a messy procedure). Using a dry cloth, wipe off excess moisture & crap.
Step four: Repeat step three until you have rubbed lemon all over the jacket.
Step five: Air dry the jacket.
Step six: If the jacket smells like lemons proceed...if still smells rank (repeat steps 2 - 5).
Step 7: using a moist (with water) cloth, rub a schmear of saddle soap onto the jacket. In a circular motion, rub the soap into the leather (the soap should turn creamy).
Step 8: wipe excess creaminess off the jacket with a damp cloth.
Step 9: let the jacket air dry.
Step 10: Optional: using a dry cloth, in a circular motion, rub leather conditioner all over the jacket. and let dry.

Hope it helps.

PS: My grandfather showed me this cleaning technique when I was a wee boy. It works but its time consuming.

[Faust]

faust - i have a question regarding your soft rick leather that has gone through the paces. Are you ever afraid of nicking it on a rough corner or something? My favorite RO leather is just ridiculously soft and thin, but i'm sooo cautious when wearing it. Is it tougher than it seems, or do you just develop a second sense for avoiding sharp edges?

Yea, I know what you are saying - I am also afraid of that. Not that it precludes me from wearing the jacket.

[LEWisMe]

Speaking of knicks, I noticed a 1mm perfectly straight "cut" on the underside of the forearm of my new sheepskin Julius jacket.

Can this be fixed? If so, how and what should I use?

This wasn't something I did and the folks at Blackbird are happy to pay for the fix. Anyone know a good leather place in Seattle?

Thanks!

[Real Real]

I just bought a washed gray/tan suede harrington-style jacket - anyone have experiences with suede outerwear? Recommendations on a waterproofing spray?

[Castor]

Don't spray light colored suede, especially if it is very soft. It will change the color and feel, in my experience. Magic Eraser used dry will remove scuffs (gently please).

[allanb]

Does anyone know a place in NYC where I can buy Pecard or Meltonian leather lotion?

[Castor]

Leffot in NYC has even better: Saphir.

[allanb]

Perfect, thanks!

[comedyzen]

I have a pair of dark brown Julius engineer boots that I want to dye black. Has anyone had experience dying their boots? I am afraid that they will have a "painted" look. I did ask a cobbler and he said he would just dye it as is.....I would think stripping the boot first would be required first...but I really have no idea.

[Who?]

I have a pair of dark brown Julius engineer boots that I want to dye black. Has anyone had experience dying their boots? I am afraid that they will have a "painted" look. I did ask a cobbler and he said he would just dye it as is.....I would think stripping the boot first would be required first...but I really have no idea.

Read this thread:
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=45530

Then look here for supply:
http://www.fiebing.com/Home.aspx

The key to not having that painted look is using many very thin coats of dye, allowing each coat to dry and polishing between the coats.

[thaiison]

For my Guidi reversed stag derbies I use a smooth leather shoe cream and clean them from dust after each use. Do you guys recommend me to use other treatments as well? oil, etc?