Micro cracks in top coat .. how to treat ?

• May 3, 2019

• #1

TheGuitarFairy

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hi friends,

i'm not sure my terminology is correct here but i have an old bates CR ... it's clearly been owned by righties it's whole life as the creasing at the right underarm is very very fine. while leather overall isn't a bit stiff, it's actually freely pliable, if you run your fingers over these fine creases theres an edgy, paper like quality to them. if, with your x100 magnifier eye goggles (don't judge me!) you look at this area you can clearly see "top coat" is cracking albeit at a very fine level, at these fine creases .. hence the sensation when i run my hand over this area. etc etc etc ..

i realize i can't reverse what's already happened but how do i prevent this process from continuing? i've already given jacket a couple of lexol treatments which <seem> to help leather overall but not touch this issue w/ top coat.

thanks for any help,
mike

 

• May 3, 2019

• #2

Boyo

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A nice rub down with the leather conditioner of your choice is about all you can do.. If the lexol isn't giving you the satisfaction that you want.. bring in the next conditioner..

 

• May 3, 2019

• #3

regius

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Top coat cracking is really not an issue. Don’t worry, this is my ultimate comment. To put it in perspective, an extreme case of desirable cracking is the sheepskin used on WW2 B3. They WILL crack and form a tile pattern/turtle shell, & it’s good. The top coat is just some kind of acrylic, only serves as color & water proofing. According to my experience with Bates cowhides, this kind of micro-cracking over 10-20 years is normal & again, imparts no major harm on the integrity of the leather. What’s important is to keep the leather fibers lubricated by using good, non-silicone conditioner like Leatherique, leather honey, leather milk, Montana pitch blend etc.


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• May 3, 2019

• #4

TheGuitarFairy

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thank you, fellas ... but isn't this the first step to coloring literally falling off jacket?
if i rub my hand over rough area i can see a few, <very> small black flakes on my fingers.

 

• May 3, 2019

• #5

Guppy

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TheGuitarFairy said:

thank you, fellas ... but isn't this the first step to coloring literally falling off jacket?
if i rub my hand over rough area i can see a few, <very> small black flakes on my fingers.

Click to expand...

Yes, but to many here, it's desirable "character" that will make your jacket uniquely yours.

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• May 3, 2019

• #6

TheGuitarFairy

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my character cup spilleth over ..

 

• May 3, 2019

• #7

Guppy

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TheGuitarFairy said:

my character cup spilleth over ..
View attachment 167179 View attachment 167180 View attachment 167181 View attachment 167182

Click to expand...

I don't think any one around here is going to say that doesn't look like good leather.

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• May 3, 2019

• #8

regius

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The top coat flaking off is the first step in developing the brown shade, the ultimate Ralph Lauren/Johnny Depp/Rockstar look.

 

• May 4, 2019

• #9

JMax

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That jacket looks great. For real yet minor cracks try Chamberlain’s Leathermilk. It has cosmetic fillers/adhesive. Works great.

 

• May 4, 2019

• #10

torfjord

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TheGuitarFairy said:

my character cup spilleth over ..
View attachment 167179 View attachment 167180 View attachment 167181 View attachment 167182

Click to expand...

That cracking looks horrible. You should give it away. I can take it off your shoulders.


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• May 4, 2019

• #11

TheGuitarFairy

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Just West of Boston

thank you fellas,

don't mean to belabor the point and i'm done here ... of course jacket <looks> good but phenomenon i'm talking about is how certain areas <feel>. no one here would want black color to start flaking off this jacket .. i was just wondering what would touch top coat to prevent this : )

i'm going to check out leathermilk .. thanks for the suggestion, JMax

best,
m