My first vintage leather jacket (1950s Windward)

[OldManFung]

I've just purchased my first vintage motorcycle jacket (1950's Windward horsehide jacket).
I wish to "restore" it so that it can have long life.
I also want to clean it as I have no idea where it has been.

I found a leather specialist and he recommended the following:
-clean and revitalize the leather by adding oils to it.
-replace the zipper with a new one since the existing one is broken (see the 3rd picture below)
-replace the liner

Do you guys agree with his recommendations?

What does most people do in regards to restoring a leather jacket?

I definitely want to treat the leather and replace the zippers...but I'm unsure about replacing the lining.

 

[jchance]

Nice kop. I posted this jacket as one I missed out on. If you ever want to let it go, hit me up.

Vintage Jackets You Regret Not Buying

I was also worried it would be a bit too small but in hindsight it was certainly worth it to check out Yeah we both missed out I think

www.thefedoralounge.com

I studied this jacket in detail before. The jacket looks almost mint and needs no restoration. I would just wear it as is, unless the leather is dry to the touch and need conditioning, which you can do yourself. Unless you plan to wear your jacket zipped up (most people don’t), you should skip the zipper replacement. Without “restoring” it, the jacket is still going to outlast you, even if you wear it every day.

The “leather specialist” likely doesn’t know what he’s doing and just wants your business / money. A new lining is around $200. New zipper costs $50-120 for labor alone to replace; you gotta source the zipper yourself.

Let me give you an example. You be the judge. This is me in a vintage crosszip leather jacket. Do you think I walk around with it zipped up? That’s suffocating and doesn’t look good.

 

[OldManFung]

Nice kop. I posted this jacket as one I regret not buying. If you ever want to let it go, hit me up.

http://[URL]https://www.thefedoralo...ets-you-regret-not-buying.113960/post-3212003

[/URL]

I studied this jacket in detail before. The jacket looks almost mint and needs no restoration. I would just wear it as is, unless the leather is dry to the touch and need conditioning, which you can do yourself. Unless you plan to wear your jacket zipped up (most people don’t), you should skip the zipper replacement. Without “restoring” it, the jacket is still going to outlast you, even if you wear it every day.

The “leather specialist” likely doesn’t know what he’s doing and just wants your business / money. A new lining is around $200. New zipper costs $50-120 for labor alone to replace; you gotta source the zipper yourself.

Let me give you an example. You be the judge. This is me in a vintage crosszip leather jacket. Do you think I walk around with it zipped up? That’s suffocating and doesn’t look good.

View attachment 737608 View attachment 737609

Thanks for the tip!

Did you clean your vintage jacket when you brought it? Or did you leave it as is?

 

[jchance]

Thanks for the tip!

Did you clean your vintage jacket when you brought it? Or did you leave it as is?

It was a lot dirtier (dustier) than yours when I bought mine. I only wiped it down with a damp cloth and let it dry indoor. If the leather feels dry like paper after drying, which mine did, I’d condition it. Otherwise just wear it. You can repeat this process once or twice a year.

 

[Modified_last_call]

I always clean and condition a leather jacket that I acquire.
In your case, the condition looks top notch for a jacket of this age.

I want to remove dirt and give it a good preservative.
I use Lexol leather cleaner, foam it up and towel off the dirt.
In terms of conditioning, you will get 50 different answers here as what to use.
My preference is Obenauf LP, it's essentially a beeswax without any harmful solvents or oils.

Good luck with your new jacket, it's a beauty

 

[jchance]

Thanks for the tip!

Did you clean your vintage jacket when you brought it? Or did you leave it as is?

Here’s what a vintage leather jacket that needs cleaning looks like (mine when I first bought it, before any cleaning). If you zoom in, you’d see a lot of white stuff all over the leather. Yours is shiny, not dirty.

You’d risk damaging the leather every time you clean it (especially with leather cleaner) when it doesn’t need cleaning.