Guns N Roses Wilson jacket

I have a Guns N Roses leather jacket, purchased from Wilson's leather years ago. I joined the military and it sat in storage for quite a while. Now that I'm out and facing winter again I would really like to recondition it. Now is where you find out I've never done anything like this. The leather still feels like leather but the black has worn off a good portion of it. It has a few logos I want to preserve however. Will a reconditioning agent do the trick or do I need to do more? Can anybody direct me to a guide dealing with dyed leather? I've attached a few pictures to give an idea of the wear, but the lighting isn't great. Any help would be appreciated.

>>> Will a reconditioning agent do the trick or do I need to do more?

When referring to “reconditioning agent” we should be aware that we have two strata or layers to deal with. The lower strata or primary layer refers to the crust or leather itself and the secondary or upper layer refers to the finishes. The suppleness of the leather depends on the percentage of fatliquor remaining, originally from a modern tannery is up to 14%. The last picture shows some creases and wrinkles a sign of diminishing original fatliquor. When stiff leather usually reads less than 3% fat and oil moisture level, when frequent flexed it may goes soft at the overstretch creases or fault lines and it may be very soft but weak and may rip easily then on. Leather rejuvenating it is by Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system. The appearance is by a matching refinishing system either with a continuous film forming or a discontinuous film forming system. The continuous film forming system typically allows water droplet to pool at the un-used hidden area or inside of jacket that is not subject to abrasion, while the discontinuous system will easily absorb water droplets. In most cases the heavier finishes is for sports jacket and the finer finishes for fashion garments, but can’t tell from look, it has to be tested out.


>>> Can anybody direct me to a guide dealing with dyed leather?

Any finishes system used, the sequence of redyeing process is the same as follows:

A – Preparation for Re-dyeing:
All surface contamination especially the body oil, grease and sweat have to the removed and neutralized back to its original pH integrity. A test if the leather is healthy is to produce a squeaky feel when wet.
Recommend Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 or Acidifier-2.0 to protonate the leather for a squeaky feel.

B – Leather Rejuvenating:
Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system restore the un-natural creases and wrinkles and soften up the leather with strength.

C – Repairs:
Repairs as necessary and deteriorated finishes removed accordingly. Any surface roughness is repair with Adhesor-73. When such repairs are apparently needed continuous film-forming like Micro-54 system is normally recommended rather than the discontinuous film forming Nappa-84 system.

D – Use Micro-54 coloring when Adhesor-73 is used for surface roughness repair.

E – Matching MicroTop-54 gloss, satin or matte luster to match original luster.

F - Protector-B+ will reduce finishes damages.


Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
[email protected]


A before and after refinishing system using the Nappa-84 system.

#1 before
Attachment 4083

#2 after
Attachment 4084



For further readings:

Attachment 4085
Leather Doctor® Kit P8.cl, pigmented leather color refinishing kit is design for a holistic restoration approach to not only the finishes but also rejuvenating the leather for suppleness and strengthening overstretching weakness for another cycle of practical use. Most of these repairs may range from missing finishes to abrading damages into the leather structure. Some expose areas may be contaminated with foreign soiling that includes conditioners, protectors, body oil, grease and sweat or alkaline overexposure from cleaners. A comprehensive repair for a long-term lasting solution will require a holistic approach to deal with both the exposed structure and surface finishes. The practical and functional softness and strength of the leather depends on the health of the structure with average thickness between 0.9 to 1.2mm from stiffness and cracking. The aesthetic aspect of the leather finishes averages 0.02mm (or 20 micron) in thickness for practical compressing and flexing from cracking. A leather-safe restoration system begins by stripping with Stripper-2.3 and rinsing with Rinse-3.0. Degreasing with Degreaser-2.2 follows with Acidifier-2.0. The suffix numbers of these four products denotes it pH value for recharging the protein fiber ionic positive besides the act of decontamination. The leather integrity is revitalizes once the ionic attraction between the positive protein fiber and its negative leather constituents like the tanning agent and fatliquor (fat, oil and water) is initiated. Leather rejuvenating system for softness and strength is accomplishes with Hydrator-3.3 follows with Fatliquor-5.0. Structural weakness from overstretching is re-strengthens with Impregnator-26, while surface uneven absorption is seals with Adhesor-73. These repair and auxiliary products where necessary reduces the need for color over-coating thus increase its flexibility and stretchability from premature cracking. Protector-B+ imparts a non-stick rub-resistant surface with a buttery feel, reduces noises that translate into less friction wear. As the leather surface is well lubricated it reduces compression when comes to heavy body contact thus reduces compressed creases and wrinkles.

Instruction:

Stripping Existing Deteriorating Finishes:
1. Cover and tape off frames, trims and protect flooring.
2. Mist sprays Stripper-2.3, Eraser-4 scrub with help of 2000-grit sandpaper feathering out seamlessly and towel extract for an even appearance.

Degreasing:
1. Shake Degreaser-2.2 to gel prior to use with a repeat shake and rest until it gels.
2. Transfer to Eraser-4; agitate to saturate the stain, feather out to the entire section.
3. Towel extracts suspended soiling after 10 to 30 minutes or before it dries until it shows clean.
4. Spray Acidifier-2.0, towel extract until it shows clean to a healthy squeak.

Hydrating:
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 saturating the stain area and feather out for an even appearance.
2. Covering with tissue paper without airspace to trap wick up stains instead of remaining on the leather surface as it dries. 3. Peel tissue paper when crispy dry and use Eraser-4 to erase surface residue prior to fat and oil replenishing.

Fat and Oil Replenishing:
1. Spray Fatliquor-5.0 and redistribute with foam brush until saturation.
2. Repeat application each time water contents evaporate until fully saturated.
3. Drive remaining surface remnants free of milky fat and oil until it turns clear with Hydrator-3.3.
4. Allow natural drying for extra softness.

Dry Prep:
1. Erase wick-up residue with Eraser-4 prior to repairs.

Structural Repairs:
1. Apply Impregnator-26 to weak and worn areas for tightening and restremgthening where necessary.

Adhesion Promotion Coating:
1. Apply Adhesor-73 by foam brush to seal surface uneven absorption rate and promote adhesion simultaneously.

Color Coating:
1. Apply Pigment-64 by foam brush, varnishing brush or airbrushing for professional result.
2. Fine dry atomize dispersion with more air is achieve with 80 to 100psi of air pressure.
3. Light spray is preferred and let dry in between coats to build up colorcoat.

Topcoating:
1. Shake the product well and apply by airbrushing for professional result.
2. Use lint free paper towel to even out drips and streaks.
3. Speed dries between coats with help of hair dryer.
4. 2000-grit sanding may applies to improve touch and appearance.

Rub-Resistant Protection:
1. Mist sprays Protector-B+ redistribute with a foam brush / paper towel and ready for use when dry.