My first Aero -- is it a keeper?

Hh121 · May 14, 2018

Sorry, it's perfect

AbbaDatDeHat · May 14, 2018

Fix it!! Wear the s**t out of it!! Don’t even look back!
That’s a bitchin cool jacket!
B

Monitor · May 14, 2018

Again, I really like it.

dubpynchon · May 14, 2018

The fit looks fine to me. Some of my own jackets fit well in the front but seem to have excess material at the back. If you got a good deal on it I’d keep it but otherwise due to the cost of a replacement zip I’d probably return it.

Gamma68 · May 14, 2018

Thanks, guys, for the additional feedback.

I took the jacket outside for the first time today to see how it felt wearing in the sun. It softens up nicely.

In direct light, I see more wear than expected at areas like the collar folds and edges and some sleeve spots. Is this level of wear considered normal or problematic?

I know Aero FQHH is often described as tough as nails. If I decide to keep this jacket, I don't want to invest money in a new zip if the leather is going to start flaking or have other condition issues.

Carlos840 · May 14, 2018

That's normal to me, although considering the jacket is more than 25 years old, it might be time to give it a clean and some conditioner. Oils and grime can rot a collar if left alone for too long, and yours looks like it could do with some love.
All i would do is clean it with a mild leather cleaner (i like Lexol) and then use whatever conditioner you want. Horween use neatsfoot oil on CXL, but there are so many opinions on the subject...

Gamma68 · May 14, 2018

I dunno, fellas. This jacket is turning into a project, beyond the zipper repair.

I'm not above using a leather conditioner and have done so on several of my other jackets. The seller described the leather and lining as "in great condition." I just don't know if I feel like investing the time to rejuvenate the leather when I didn't plan on it.

This one's probably going back.

Monitor · May 14, 2018

It's just the top coat. Starts cracking like that fairly quickly but it's nothing serious. But if it bothers you, send it back. At least now you know what size to look for exactly.

These are great jackets!

Guppy · May 14, 2018

The leather looks like a should for its age. Cleaning and conditioning is normal and to be expected as part of the normal care of the jacket. People LIKE aged leather to show wear like that. The zipper replacement is a project, but conditioning is not. It's routine, occasional maintenance.

ton312 · May 14, 2018

Seriously I'd fix the zip and just enjoy it. Kind of making a mountain out of a mole hill here. That's exactly what CXL is supposed to do. Rub a little Vaseline on it, thin coat and let it soak that up. That jacket will outlive every current member on this forum. And probably their kids kids!

Monitor · May 14, 2018

And again, Dav's HWM. It's all just normal wear. Most CXL will start looking like that after a few years. Might as well enjoy it now. Fits you great which is the most important thing.

Hh121 · May 14, 2018

That's something you have to be prepared when you getting horween CXL, I don't say it is good or bad,but it will developed eventually. I used to bias LW horsehide over horween, but now I don't see one supreme to another one, same as building quality.

Gamma68 · May 15, 2018

OK, fellas. Some of you have seen me around here long enough to know I tend to overthink things. LOL

I've seen some old horsehide jackets with lots of cracking and flaking (not Aero) in second-hand shops that look terrible. The Aero in my hands now is the first I've ever seen in person, and I've never seen or handled Horween CXL, so I didn't know what to expect. I just thought that if I'm only going to see lots of cracks and flaking after investing in a zipper, even with conditioning, that I might be wasting my money.

@ton312, I'll use a little Lexol and put a touch of Pecard's on a small area to see how the leather responds.

Oh, and any tips on how to remove the green gunk that's over the other zippers? Just lightly scrub off with an old toothbrush?

Carlos840 · May 15, 2018

Monitor said:
And again, Dav's HWM. It's all just normal wear. Most CXL will start looking like that after a few years. Might as well enjoy it now. Fits you great which is the most important thing.

Normal wear? He chops wood and wrestles bulls in his HWM, that's not normal!
It would take us mere mortals an entire life to do what Dav has achieved in a few years.
He should be a pro distresser.

JMax · May 15, 2018

Super cool jacket. Heck, Holly sounded proud of it (as she should). I would keep it, fix the zip and rock it.

Though it sounds like you are trying to talk your way out of it. If that’s the case get rid of it.

AbbaDatDeHat · May 15, 2018

^^^I was just typing the same.
+1
B

Mich486 · May 15, 2018

If you bought it with the idea of just wearing it than probably return it.

If you instead enjoy the process of conditioning and restoring it in your spare time keep it. That will make feel the jacket more yours. Well of course assuming you like the jacket and how it fits you.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Seb Lucas · May 15, 2018

Conditioning an old leather jacket that needs some care is one of the great pleasures in this hobby.

Gamma68 · May 15, 2018

Final decision:

I'll clean and condition the leather.

I'll clean the lining.

I'll scrub the green crud off the zippers.

I'll get a new main zipper installed.

Accomplishing those things will make it feel more like MINE! It'll be ready to rock.

This is my favorite post. I actually laughed when I read it:

AbbaDatDeHat said:
Fix it!! Wear the s**t out of it!! Don’t even look back!
That’s a bitchin cool jacket!
B

Thanks for all the feedback!

Hh121 · May 15, 2018

Gamma68 said:
Final decision:

I'll clean and condition the leather.

I'll clean the lining.

I'll scrub the green crud off the zippers.

I'll get a new main zipper installed.

Accomplishing those things will make it feel more like MINE! It'll be ready to rock.

This is my favorite post. I actually laughed when I read it:

Thanks for all the feedback!

My first Aero -- is it a keeper?

Banned

I'll Lock Up

One Too Many

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I'll Lock Up

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