Cleaning Advice

[Heritage_Brand_Guy]

I picked up this Jacket a few months back off the Finds and deals thread and have finally gotten around to cleaning and conditioning it. First off it is in great condition for it's age, the list said 30's but I rather doubt that. The lining, seams, buttons (all intact but one) and leather are great. I have cleaned the leather and am conditioning it now. My question is about the sherpa lining and collar. The listing states it is shearling but it seems to be a faux fur. Is that something they were working with in the 30's 40's 50's? When I move the collar almost a dust comes off that I think is the material distressing, is there a method to treat this so it lasts as long as the leather. The only y tag on the jacket is a 'Genuine Front quarter horsehide' tag. The leather is very nice supple but strong. Here is the ebay sold listing with more photos, I am curious what the experience of the Loungers has to say.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2571063393...ve&stype=1&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[cbez]

I don't think faux fur was common back then and that looks just like my shearling ones.

I would hit it with some compressed air to blow dust out, and/or use a car vacuum on it. If it's going to disintegrate from light cleaning then the collar would need to be replaced anyway if you actually want to wear it.

Maybe the fur is ok but the skin layer has degraded. Not a fur expert.

 

[Heritage_Brand_Guy]

I don't think faux fur was common back then and that looks just like my shearling ones.

I would hit it with some compressed air to blow dust out, and/or use a car vacuum on it. If it's going to disintegrate from light cleaning then the collar would need to be replaced anyway if you actually want to wear it.

Maybe the fur is ok but the skin layer has degraded. Not a fur expert.

My initial idea was to hit it with a shop vac. Old fur/shearling is a total unknown to me, I wonder what kind of product they use on vintage ladies fur coat.

 

[Jon Crow]

I picked up this Jacket a few months back off the Finds and deals thread and have finally gotten around to cleaning and conditioning it. First off it is in great condition for it's age, the list said 30's but I rather doubt that. The lining, seams, buttons (all intact but one) and leather are great. I have cleaned the leather and am conditioning it now. My question is about the sherpa lining and collar. The listing states it is shearling but it seems to be a faux fur. Is that something they were working with in the 30's 40's 50's? When I move the collar almost a dust comes off that I think is the material distressing, is there a method to treat this so it lasts as long as the leather. The only y tag on the jacket is a 'Genuine Front quarter horsehide' tag. The leather is very nice supple but strong. Here is the ebay sold listing with more photos, I am curious what the experience of the Loungers has to say.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2571063393...ve&stype=1&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

The collar looks like mouton but has been said faux fur wasn't a thing then

 

[Jon Crow]

I picked up this Jacket a few months back off the Finds and deals thread and have finally gotten around to cleaning and conditioning it. First off it is in great condition for it's age, the list said 30's but I rather doubt that. The lining, seams, buttons (all intact but one) and leather are great. I have cleaned the leather and am conditioning it now. My question is about the sherpa lining and collar. The listing states it is shearling but it seems to be a faux fur. Is that something they were working with in the 30's 40's 50's? When I move the collar almost a dust comes off that I think is the material distressing, is there a method to treat this so it lasts as long as the leather. The only y tag on the jacket is a 'Genuine Front quarter horsehide' tag. The leather is very nice supple but strong. Here is the ebay sold listing with more photos, I am curious what the experience of the Loungers has to say.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2571063393...ve&stype=1&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I think it's ingrained dust, if it was disintegration you'd notice in bald patches and flecks of fur around the collar, good cleaning is all I'd do, decent price you paid, 130, bit of titivating is all it needs

 

[Jon Crow]

My initial idea was to hit it with a shop vac. Old fur/shearling is a total unknown to me, I wonder what kind of product they use on vintage ladies fur coat.

Use a brush on it not too hard bristles then I use a sponge with a bit of warm water, don't soak it, then let it air dry, then it'll fluff up with your fingers after, leather like that I use Sapo cream

 

[Heritage_Brand_Guy]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to blow it then vacuum followed by a brushing and see where it ends up. Does anyone have an educated guess if it really is a 1930's vintage? What would be some things to look for to narrow down the decade of production.

 

[Jon Crow]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to blow it then vacuum followed by a brushing and see where it ends up. Does anyone have an educated guess if it really is a 1930's vintage? What would be some things to look for to narrow down the decade of production.

Welcome, I own a French 30-40s Horsehide barnstormer double breasted coat, yours would have had a belt too, I saw the loops, mine also has the sleeve cuff straps, to hazard a guess I'd say yes, the style is there, mine as well as the brown mouton collar also has a thick white sheepskin/Mouton lining

 

[apabarn]

That’s a nice pickup, it really does look to be in good shape for its age. Faux fur would be very unusual for that period, so shearling or mouton seems much more likely. The dust you’re seeing is often just decades of grime working loose rather than the lining actually breaking down.

 

[AeroFan_07]

That may actually be best done by a reputable dry-cleaner. I have no experience with sherpa or fur cleaning personally. Jacket does look nice, but I would have a hard time wearing it if I got "dusted" whenever I handled it.

 

[Jon Crow]

That may actually be best done by a reputable dry-cleaner. I have no experience with sherpa or fur cleaning personally. Jacket does look nice, but I would have a hard time wearing it if I got "dusted" whenever I handled it.

Nah a little simple cleaning isn't hard, I've had a cleaner knackered up a jacket before, I'm cautious

 

[apabarn]

Nah a little simple cleaning isn't hard, I've had a cleaner knackered up a jacket before, I'm cautious

I’d be cautious with dry cleaners too, especially with older shearling. Starting with gentle, low impact cleaning at home makes sense, and you can always escalate if it turns out to be more than surface grime.

 

[Jon Crow]

I’d be cautious with dry cleaners too, especially with older shearling. Starting with gentle, low impact cleaning at home makes sense, and you can always escalate if it turns out to be more than surface grime.

Like I said I'm cautious, I should have checked them out more, they ruined a rare Rayon jacket 40s with mouton collar, stupid of me really as I usually do all my own restoration and cleaning

 

[apabarn]

Like I said I'm cautious, I should have checked them out more, they ruined a rare Rayon jacket 40s with mouton collar, stupid of me really as I usually do all my own restoration and cleaning

Ouch, that hurts to read. Hard lesson, but you’re definitely not alone there. I’d trust my own hands over most cleaners with stuff like that too.

 

[Jon Crow]

Ouch, that hurts to read. Hard lesson, but you’re definitely not alone there. I’d trust my own hands over most cleaners with stuff like that too.

Haha yeah it hurts, it was a civilian B15, green rayon out, quilted dark red rayon liner, golden mouton collar, we live and learn eh

 

[apabarn]

Haha yeah it hurts, it was a civilian B15, green rayon out, quilted dark red rayon liner, golden mouton collar, we live and learn eh

Exactly, lessons like that stick with you. At least the knowledge carries forward, even if the jacket didn’t.