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Leather Jackets Info

GARMENT IDENTIFICATION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Antiqued Leather (aka Distressed Leather)- To achieve an antiqued look, the base color is obtained by first applying a lighter color, then going over it with a darker one at varying degrees. An antiqued or distressed finish and texture will likely change slightly when cleaned. Some of the desired aged look can be returned in the refinishing process after cleaning.

Nude Bomber (Nu Buck)- A garment style still very popular today. Aniline dye with a pigmented finish applied to the skins. Top grain leather is buffed to appear as a suede. Stains can be difficult to remove. When finishing is required to disguise stains, the appearance and texture will be altered. Some of the garments in this style come in pastel colors. The blues, greens, some reds and other pastels are more susceptible to oxidation. After cleaning, spray dying may be an option, but color evenness and texture will change.

Pigskin- It has very little nap and varies from skin to skin in color and texture. The fibrous structure of the skin can allow spots and stains to soak deeply. Pigskin does not always respond to cleaning and spotting as well as other leathers. Many of the pigskins use textile pile linings for extra warmth or to achieve that "shearling look".

Shearling- Tanned and dressed sheep suede, bearing wool (or fur) made from the pelts. A slightly harder feel of the skin is common after cleaning. Hand cleaning is often used if minimal stains or soil are present.

Split Cowhide- A heavy feel and durable appearance. Veins, tick bits or other scars and wounds can be more evident after cleaning. The imperfections are often hidden by the manufacturer by using fillers.

Top Grain- A great motorcycle jacket. Most popular in black, but a multitude of colors are used. It's a durable painted finish leather which is fairly easy to care for. After cleaning, minimal refinishing is required.

Multi-Color Fashions- Virtually all major sports teams and major designers are putting together combinations of leather in different colors. There is always the possibility that colors will bleed into each other in the cleaning process. The utmost care is taken to avoid this. Finishing techniques vary and sometimes hand-painting is required, at additional cost.

Athletic Jacket- Almost always a combination of wool body and leather sleeves. At times reconstituted wool is used and does not hold up well during the cleaning process. Sometimes, letters need to be removed and sewn back after cleaning to prevent dye transfer. After cleaning, we will refinish the sleeves to return as much of the original color as possible. Jackets with embroidery can have problems with dye transfer depending on the thread used.

Matching Two-Piece Outfit- ALWAYS CLEAN TWO-PIECE OUTFITS AT THE SAME TIME! Manufacturers seldom use leather from the same dye lot. Skins may have even come from different tanners in different countries. If the outfit has different skin types, i.e. pigskin skirt or cowhide, they are not likely to match after cleaning.

Silk Suede- A velvet-like nap finish produced on leather by abrasive action. Often used for fine shirts, pants, skirts, etc. rather then outwear. It is soft and the skins can be thin. The fibrous structure of the skin can allow spots and stains to soak deeply.

Lambskin- Lambskin garments have become increasing popular because of their "buttery smooth" feel. Popular in an assortment of colors and finishes, cleaning results can vary. Much of the soft feel comes from the use of belly skins. Skins taken from these are naturally wrinkled. They are stretched and have fillers applied during tanning. These wrinkles will become more apparent after cleaning. The top grain finishes hold up well to stains. The naked or nappa finishes can absorb stains, making it more difficult to process. Lighter color garments can sometimes become darker after cleaning because the garment will absorb excess oils that are used in the professional leather cleaning process.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q: How long will it take to clean my leather jacket?
A: Our goal is to have all garments processed in three days. Items requiring repair may take longer.

Q: Will ink come out of leather?
A: Unfortunately no. The degree of success depends greatly on the type of leather. We can sometimes disguise the area with specially formulated dyes.

   Top Grain:  80% success with possible shine to the area
   Naked Skin:  50% success with possibility of disguising area
   Suede:  30% success with stain still visible.

Q: The shoulders and sleeves of my jacket are turning a lighter color. What can be done?
A: Sounds like you have a garment with a naked finish. You are describing oxidation. Exposure to light and atmospheric gases can cause leather dyes to oxidize. Check protected areas under collar to verify this. This can be even more noticeable after cleaning. However, finishes can be applied to disguise these areas, but the texture can change with this approach.

Q: What's the best way to store my leather coat?
A: It would be best to store it in a climate controlled vault just like a fur. This is not always possible. Store in a cool, well ventilated area. Never store a leather garment in a plastic bag. If your leather does develop mildew, in most cases this can be professionally cleaned to remove the damage (depends on severity)

Q: I have a large tear in my jacket, can it be repaired?
A: Yes, and there are options. The tear could be simply sewn to prevent more damage. A scar will be visible. Same would be true if a patch was used. While more costly, a panel replacement is the best option. Every effort is made to make skin color and texture.

Q: My jacket gets water spots when it rains. Can I prevent this?
A: First of all, wet garments should be allowed to dry naturally. Never subject your garment to heat (hair dryer, clothes dryer, etc.) After drying, use a very soft brush or high density sponge to raise the nap. You could also apply a water & stain protector. Always follow the instructions carefully. After cleaning, a professional leather cleaner can also apply this protection upon request.

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