Sheepskin Shearling Aviator Jacket in need of repair

[seantomes]

Hello,

I have acquired a number of WW2 Sheepskin Aviator Jackets. 2 of them are in a pretty bad state. They do not hold much value and I would like to try and rescue them from further decay... or better still, improve their current condition.

As you can see from the photographs, they are pretty worn. The leather itself seems like it is in good condition - its not thinning. It actually feels quite substantial. The main problem is the flaking of the leather. I'm not sure if this is some kind of coating? The material under the "coating" seems to be a nubuck type material.

Things to note:

The material is shearling sheepskin
The leather that is revealed under the flaking seems strong and thick.

I am lead to believe that these coats are a shearling, but have a dye apppied, followed by some kind of lacquer.

Many thanks to all that read and give advice.

Sean

[Roger Koh]

Sean

From pictures, they are identified as “shearling napalan”; these are sheepskin that is shown on the wool face and pigmented coated on the suede face to simulate smooth leather. These emulsion pigment coating forms a “discontinuous film” so that they unlike other pigment coloring is absorbent for wearing comfort.

Finishing:
The range of product to restore the finish is using the Napa system with (Napa-84 as the pigment color + NapaTop-84 as the topcoat in satin or gloss).

Restorative Cleaning:
Restorative cleaning to remove the foreign contamination is a two steps process using Degreaser-2.2 follows with Rinse-3.0.

Restoring the Leather Structure:
Rejuvenating the leather structure is done with Hydrator-3.3 to precondition the leather prior to Fatliquor-5.0

Protection:
Non-stick rub-resistant protection use Protector-B+

Note:
The deteriorated surface needs exfliolate probably using suede Eraser-5.
The trim is smooth leather and will need refinish in “Aniline System Gloss” using Aniline-76 with AnilineTop-76.
The shearling wool is clean with “Hair-on System” using Cleaner-5.5 > Rinse-4.0 > Protector-S+

Roger Koh
[email protected]

[jfbeltran01]

Roger, do u have a step by step guide with pictures on how to use the products to restore this kind of damage?

[Roger Koh]

The steps for color refinishing are briefly describe above.

Example are seen on this thread
http://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com/forum/showthread.php?14328-Oliver-Sweeny-Shearling-Jacket

You may bring a few of these jackets and come for a hands-on training would be the best training approach.

Roger Koh
Leather Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor
web: www.leatherdoctor.com
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
email: [email protected]

[jfbeltran01]

where are these trainings offered?

[Roger Koh]

Vancouver, Canada.