Storing and Protecting Leather Jackets

rocketeer · May 12, 2012

Whats a petrol wash? Sorry, never heard of it.

Peacoat · May 12, 2012

rocketeer said:
Whats a petrol wash? Sorry, neer heard of it.

A petrol wash is a relatively new idea that has yet to fully catch on here in the states. I think it originated in the UK. The concept is that all foreign matter will be removed from the leather, and it will be crispy clean, perhaps a bit too crispy if left in solution too long. It does a wonderful job of cleaning, but, as Seb Lucas noted, it can have deleterious effects on the finish of the jacket. It is not a project to be undertaken by the faint of heart. Long term effects on the leather have not been fully studied, but short term results have not been promising.

ButteMT61 · May 12, 2012

If it don't fall from the sky naturally, I'm not soaking my jacket in it lol

rocketeer · May 12, 2012

It sounded like some kind of dry cleaning method. No, I will only be trying tried and trusted methods onmy jackets unless I get something real nasty, such as sticky road tarmac on my leathers. Only then would I try turps or spirit to clean it.

NikkiB · May 21, 2012

Hi Dave - moth damage is an issue that is becoming more prevalent due to warmer climates and central heating, and is now an all-year-round issue. Take the following steps to stop damage to your clothes and get rid of clothes moths for good:

DETER – Protect your fabrics with natural moth repellent products such as cedar wood or natural anti moth scented sachets, or chemical alternatives, depending on your preference. For expensive garments such as leather, it’s also a good idea to use air tight storage solutions.

MONITOR - Place pheromone moth traps within your storage areas to monitor for adult moths. This will also break the breeding cycle of any moths that are present, and reduce their numbers.

REFRESH - Keep replacing deterrents every 3 to 6 months, as they will wear out and lose their scents in time. Keeping on top of this issue will keep your clothes safe.

Spitfire · May 21, 2012

I must admit, I've had some of my sheepskin Irvins on hangers for several summers - without any damage done. (pheeewww)
But I will not recommend it.
Now I simply fold it up lightly in an old leathersuitcase - drop a pice of cedarwood in for the good smell - and leave it there for the summer.

Qinhan · May 21, 2012

I was under the impression that keeping leather jackets in an air-tight container for any period of time is a no-no.

Spitfire · May 21, 2012

My old leather suitcase is far from air-tight. So no problem there

rocketeer · May 21, 2012

Storing jackets flat is fine but takes up a lot of room, I have collected old jackets for years and the wide padded hanger method I posted earlier has been fine for me. Cant say about airtight containers or the like, the suitcase method sounds great but again takes up a fair bit of room.
I also sell a lot of motorcycle clothing, this I just fold up and put into large sports holdalls though I fold them carefully.

Hopalong · Jun 7, 2012

Rocketeer
I went to Goodwill today and also Kmart and I noticed they had hangers for sale that looked exactly like the ones you made and put the 40MM foam rubber on except these hangers had material and they were most likely made for womens clothes when they came from the hanger factory to be sold in stores so would these hangers I just described be ok for hanging the A-2 and etc jackets on or does it have to have the 40MM foam on the hanger?

Mike

ButteMT61 · Jun 7, 2012

Many survived WWII and are still around. They'll be just fine. Just get them that match shoulder width. That's really the important thing to avoid points being stretched into them.

Hopalong · Jun 7, 2012

Thanks

rocketeer · Jun 7, 2012

ButteMT61 said:
Many survived WWII and are still around. They'll be just fine. Just get them that match shoulder width. That's really the important thing to avoid points being stretched into them.

Like Butte MT says the hangers you see will be fine.
Wood are best though as they will be better and stronger to take the weight.
I only used 40mm as I had it left over from a job I was doing, though I think a sheepskin is best hung on as thicker padding as practical, again it is important to cover the edges of the hanger to avoid any mis shaping over time. Any thin jackets like the A2 you can get away with a padded hanger that is not too thick. I had some made by my mother that had old flowery material with just enough padding, say about 25mm for my A2. But she took them back when I was naughty

J

OneEyeMan · Jun 7, 2012

I throw my leather jackets on the floor in the closet.
They really don't need any special treatment other than some
Pecards every few years.
Lenny

Panacheman · Jun 7, 2012

rocketeer said:
I was just about to post this idea, I have been using it for years with no ill effect. My sheepskins have been hanging like this for around 8 years now with no ill effects. These were new jackets but I also stored an original irvin on a similar covered hanger. The larger sized insulation can even mimic the size of your shoulders so they are stored like you are wearing them.

Here is an Eastman Roughwear B3 on a hanger covered with 40mm insulation foam(Outside diameter) The size is usually taken for the inside tube to be insulated
You buy this from DIY, plumbers merchants or anywhere really that sells central heating. All you need is a hanger.

Storing jackets flat is fine as long as space allows, Gary Eastman sells a set of boxes that stack up but they are a bit expensive. This is a cheap way, give it a try, if you are not keen how much have you wasted? $10 £7 for a pack of 4 mtr?

Hah nice to know im not the only one who does this great minds really do think alike.

Hopalong · Jun 9, 2012

I live next door to a plumber and his shop and he told me to pick out whatever MM I wanted and he wouldn't take my money and just gave it to me, nice guy, huh? I'll get back at him so way because I'm a giver too.

jksu · Jun 9, 2012

that settles it, i'm going to start tossing my jackets in the floor! ;-)

another reason is the jackets are getting heavy (especially the fox creek grayson but also the aero highwayman fqhh) that i see some sag on the rack. and as i've gotten more jackets crowding my dress shirts and pants.

too much coffee · Jun 10, 2012

jksu said:
that settles it, i'm going to start tossing my jackets in the floor! ;-)

another reason is the jackets are getting heavy (especially the fox creek grayson but also the aero highwayman fqhh) that i see some sag on the rack. and as i've gotten more jackets crowding my dress shirts and pants.

That's the spirit jksu! But you can't just toss them, you have to throw them or body slam them on the closet floor. As brother Peacoat alludes to, and I concur, with the jackets strewn on the floor it makes them tougher (and easier to hide from the wife).

Best regards,
coffee

jksu · Jun 10, 2012

too much coffee said:
That's the spirit jksu! But you can't just toss them, you have to throw them or body slam them on the closet floor. As brother Peacoat alludes to, and I concur, with the jackets strewn on the floor it makes them tougher (and easier to hide from the wife).

Best regards,
coffee

i appreciate all the wisdom from you guys! tossing them in a pile definitely makes it harder for the wife to detect a new coat...slowly rotate the newer ones to the top layer.

now she may find it odd me jumping up and down body slamming them but by now, not much i do causes her to raise a brow

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