How to protect RMC Shinki raw sienna?

[jamington2004]

I was about to buy an RMC raw sienna shinki horsehide jacket - until I read that it’s very absorbent and not resistant to stains at all

I’ve always avoided anything like that as I like to throw my jackets around rather than molly coddle them - but I really want to try this one.

RMC said it is what it is and the beauty of the leather is in its softness etc - but I’d rather like for it to be soft and stain resistant please

So any tips please on what I could I use to treat it / coat it / waterproof it?

Thanks for any advice to help me take the plunge

(PS just joined up to finally have a place to rant about my obsession with leather jackets - no one else seems to get it funnily enough)

Cheers
Jamie

 

[Zoro]

I don't know how to protect it, but if you're concerned about that and RMC themselves confirmed it's basically what happens (probably a perk in their eyes), I would recommend you to look for something else. Why spend 2k on something you have to baby?

 

[jamington2004]

Thanks for the input - but let’s assume I’m crazy, how would I go about doing that?

 

[Zoro]

I guess be extra careful with it? If the weather forecast is 1% chance of rain, don't wear it. If you're going for lunch, wear something else. If you're going to the gym, don't wear it on the off chance some sweaty dude bumps into you.

I'm only partially joking, of course. I get the whole "let's assume I'm crazy", but I just don't see why spend top buck on something to then apply a layer of wax or some other product to coat and protect it. Clothes are supposed to protect you, not the other way around!

 

[jamington2004]

Yeah true. I’m a clumsy ****** though and the thought of being over zealous with a hot dog and getting a stain on it would fill me fear of wearing it.

Anyway I’ll hope for some advice a to whether it’s possible - probably a decent wax would work.

But while i have you - is the “raw” part that makes it different? I see lots of other RMC with a protective shine on them. IE it’s not the Shinki per se, but the raw finish?

 

[Monitor]

Don't get it stained. That's all you can do.

The whole point of absence of protective finish on this type of leather is precisely so it fully retains its natural properties (grain, softness, etc.) so "waterproofing" it is entirely counterproductive. Stuffing it with waxes, oils and other such slop basically turns it into a leather with a protective finish (only botched).

So yeah, either be careful and don't get it stained or stop caring and wear it as a military-type jacket should be worn or get something else.

EDIT: All leather tanned by Shinki is coated to some degree, same as this Sienna. Likewise, all leather can & will get stained. Leather that hadn't had any kind of finish applied to it is completely matte in appearance with no gloss at all. Which is to say, no amount of "waterproofing" will prevent your tan leather from getting stained.

 

[jamington2004]

Thanks for the extra opinion all useful thanks!

So what about all the RMC ones I see that have a bit of shine to them like this one for example? They must be treated in some way?
Or maybe its just the colour deceiving me and they are actually the same? The dark one definitely looks like water drops would run off though (the one I want is the lighter one)

Not disagreeing with the principles of buying something thats suitable in 1st place - but my brain doesnt work like that and I tend to see something I want, then work out how the hell I can make it work!!! (currently trying to slowly stretch a sheepskin jacket to add some length as I love it so much and dont want to try and find something similar and slightly longer)

I might give up once i'm utterly convinced its a stupid idea

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/147191980786?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338749399&toolid=20006&_trkparms=ispr=1&amdata=enc:1Wy5IqFw3QUGsw35CWqOlDA1&_ul=GB&customid=CjwKCAjwpcTNBhA5EiwAdO1S9rW3mMqrZLYPk0-AkKDH7acrBH0f38n4x1upDeNeFJHDrAqh7Dbr7RoCscwQAvD_BwE|0AAAAADihhqVu9RPGz3T7bn3ufl2YWlR9C|CkAKCAjwgr_NBhABEjAAfzP2p6cx0O4kI6NGGQ6VY2JtBjiVlKARsQfXBEm3z15m4nWtFCawOGty6uwV1S4aAh7t&gclid=CjwKCAjwpcTNBhA5EiwAdO1S9rW3mMqrZLYPk0-AkKDH7acrBH0f38n4x1upDeNeFJHDrAqh7Dbr7RoCscwQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADihhqVu9RPGz3T7bn3ufl2YWlR9C&wbraid=CkAKCAjwgr_NBhABEjAAfzP2p6cx0O4kI6NGGQ6VY2JtBjiVlKARsQfXBEm3z15m4nWtFCawOGty6uwV1S4aAh7t&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=1006565&adtype=pla&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17338301492&gbraid=0AAAAADihhqVu9RPGz3T7bn3ufl2YWlR9C

 

[Tom71]

Don't get it stained. That's all you can do.

The whole point of absence of protective finish on this type of leather is precisely so it fully retains its natural properties (grain, softness, etc.) so "waterproofing" it is entirely counterproductive. Stuffing it with waxes, oils and other such slop basically turns it into a leather with a protective finish (only botched).

So yeah, either be careful and don't get it stained or stop caring and wear it as a military-type jacket should be worn or get something else.

EDIT: All leather tanned by Shinki is coated to some degree, same as this Sienna. Likewise, all leather can & will get stained. Leather that hadn't had any kind of finish applied to it is completely matte in appearance with no gloss at all. Which is to say, no amount of "waterproofing" will prevent your tan leather from getting stained.

That´s it.

You can spray it with a waterproof coating and it will prevent stains/raindrops etc. from penetrating through the hide, but
(i) you will basically have to do it very regularly and
(ii) it will completely ruin the leather as it´s basically suffocating under a plastic cover.

As a piece of consolation:

I don´t aspire to speed-age my high-value leathers by "wearing it like I stole it" myself. I am not babying my outerwear, but I take reasonable care by choosing the jacket relative to the conditions of wear (rain or shine; sweaty rock-show or romantic dinner).

My Y2 saddle-horse is pretty spongy and so is the Conipel "unfinished" hide, so I guess, they do stain like the "raw" sienna.
They do attract the occasional stain etc., but they don´t look "stained" for the casual onlooker. They do to the OCD-prone eye, though, so I guess, that´s where you have to find out how that goes for you.

 

[Tom71]

Thanks for the extra opinion all useful thanks!

So what about all the RMC ones I see that have a bit of shine to them like this one for example? They must be treated in some way?
Or maybe its just the colour deceiving me and they are actually the same? The dark one definitely looks like water drops would run off though (the one I want is the lighter one)

Not disagreeing with the principles of buying something thats suitable in 1st place - but my brain doesnt work like that and I tend to see something I want, then work out how the hell I can make it work!!! (currently trying to slowly stretch a sheepskin jacket to add some length as I love it so much and dont want to try and find something similar and slightly longer)

I might give up once i'm utterly convinced its a stupid idea





View attachment 774903 View attachment 774904

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/147191980786?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338749399&toolid=20006&_trkparms=ispr=1&amdata=enc:1Wy5IqFw3QUGsw35CWqOlDA1&_ul=GB&customid=CjwKCAjwpcTNBhA5EiwAdO1S9rW3mMqrZLYPk0-AkKDH7acrBH0f38n4x1upDeNeFJHDrAqh7Dbr7RoCscwQAvD_BwE|0AAAAADihhqVu9RPGz3T7bn3ufl2YWlR9C|CkAKCAjwgr_NBhABEjAAfzP2p6cx0O4kI6NGGQ6VY2JtBjiVlKARsQfXBEm3z15m4nWtFCawOGty6uwV1S4aAh7t&gclid=CjwKCAjwpcTNBhA5EiwAdO1S9rW3mMqrZLYPk0-AkKDH7acrBH0f38n4x1upDeNeFJHDrAqh7Dbr7RoCscwQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADihhqVu9RPGz3T7bn3ufl2YWlR9C&wbraid=CkAKCAjwgr_NBhABEjAAfzP2p6cx0O4kI6NGGQ6VY2JtBjiVlKARsQfXBEm3z15m4nWtFCawOGty6uwV1S4aAh7t&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=1006565&adtype=pla&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17338301492&gbraid=0AAAAADihhqVu9RPGz3T7bn3ufl2YWlR9C

The seal brown jacket is coated, the "raw" jacket not. The coating will let rain through, but it won´t happen immediately.
Unfinished hides basically respond like a cotton shirt: Rain drops will penetrate the outer parts of the leather and darken it. With prolonged exposure to rain, it will completely soak through.
If you get caught in a drizzle, you can wipe down the entire jacket with a moist cloth, so the stains will not be apparent.

 

[jamington2004]

Thanks Tom - so I guess thats my point. If they are all made from Shinki (?) why cant I finish the raw one the same?

I have loads of leather jackets by the way - so I get about the difference between a quick spill having time to be wiped / light shower. Like these 2 - both will let the water soak in, but the one on the left a bit slower than the one on the right (which is probably similar to the raw finish I guess but as its darker and more grainy it wont show up the marks)

 

[AerGuitar]

I tend to agree with Monitor and Tom. If you like what the leather looks like, take it as it is and let it be what it is. If you are hell bent to buy it and try to prevent staining, there is a product called “Resolene” that is an acrylic top coat for leather. It will stop most all water from penetrating, but it will also prevent conditioner from penetrating the leather down the road as well. You also run the risk of staining the jacket with the Resolene if applied unevenly, as well as darkening the color overall. I’ve used the acrylic finishes on things like holsters/moto tool bags, etc. It adds a shine, and prevents soaking through, but no go for conditioner to get in.

 

[jamington2004]

Hi thanks - yes definitely don’t want acrylic, just something natural and waxy.

 

[AerGuitar]

Another option is a resin based top coat like “Tan Kote”. It is still permeable as far as water and conditioners, but does add a sheen to the leather. But again, it’s very difficult to apply it evenly on an already constructed jacket, and you run a high risk of uneven coloring on a light colored hide. Who knows what Shinki uses for their top coats…. Could be “baked in” to the tanning process, or could be a proprietary top coat finish.

 

[jamington2004]

Cool thanks.

I’ll probably get the jacket as they’re offering returns, and see how it feels in real life and take it from there.

I’m the meantime anyone who’s successfully waxed / darkened a raw Shinki jacket let me know

 

[Tom71]

Cool thanks.

I’ll probably get the jacket as they’re offering returns, and see how it feels in real life and take it from there.

I’m the meantime anyone who’s successfully waxed / darkened a raw Shinki jacket let me know

Interested to learn how it goes for you.

You may want to check the thread "Show your natural leather". Lots of folks who messed with their untreated hides to wax/darken/age it.

 

[jamington2004]

Brilliant that’s exactly what I need thanks

 

[Monitor]

Thanks Tom - so I guess thats my point. If they are all made from Shinki (?) why cant I finish the raw one the same?

You can, of course, but even if you do a tannery-grade job (which you cannot do) you will effectively eliminate the benefits of having a jacket made in this particular leather & thus nullify the reason for its existence. You will turn one product into another, one that is more common and cheaper.

Raw leather shows wear differently, uniquely, hence it being their choice for this jacket. Well, this isn't really raw leather, like I said earlier, but you know what I mean.

Or maybe its just the colour deceiving me and they are actually the same? The dark one definitely looks like water drops would run off though (the one I want is the lighter one)

Color doesn't affect waterproofness. Both jackets looks to have been similarly coated. This isn't only to help protect the leather but mainly because people want their leather jackets shiny.

But hey, whatever you decide, know that regardless of the protective coating, not much you can spill on your jacket can actually physically harm it.

 

[jamington2004]

Yeah all makes sense.

I do quite like the idea of just seeing what happens with it.

If i drop one greasy chip on it - I’ll make sure to drop a few more evenly distributed chips to mess it up evenly

(That’s French fries / chunky cut deep fried potatoes for any Americans confused with what the hell I am throwing all over my self!)

 

[Iron Horse]

EDIT: All leather tanned by Shinki is coated to some degree, same as this Sienna.

Actually no, Shinki offers their Standard HH in an uncoated (nume leather) variant, below on the left. It is matte, dry, and uncoated:

 

[jamington2004]

interesting thanks