Red Rot, Cracks, and Flaking...When is a jacket too far gone?

[tmitchell59]

I would love to hear the thoughts of or members on what situations would push you to fix a jacket vs. giving up the ghost.

I've owned many vintage jackets and fix very few..it is very expensive to have jackets repaired.

Rotting, flaking, cracking of the leather shell is when I do not buy. This is most prominent on the upper arms and shoulders. Both are high stress areas.

Some shoulders areas an be reinforced through an inner piece. I don't think an upper sleeve area can be so reinforced short of a new sleeve.

This is a very interesting California Sportswear jacket that can not be restored. It is currently with Dave Sheeley being used as a pattern/model. He called this "red rot". It is goatskin.

This is a Levi made jacket. An original "Speedway" as named by Aero. It is worth restoring. It needs a few areas re-sewn, but does not have rot. The lining is pretty well ripped.

A lot of folks would pass because of the lining. I don't care that much about worn lining even though it is expensive to replace. The point is it can be replaced. So can zippers and seams re-sewn. I can't wear it do to size. So down the road another owner may op for a restored lining.

When the leather shell is gone, so is the jacket. Linings, zippers, buttons, threads can be repaired/replaced. You have to figure if it is worth the cost.

I guess it is just a personal thing.

 

[handymike]

Terry, that Californian is beautiful! Can’t wait to see what Dave makes with the pattern.

 

[tmitchell59]

Terry, that Californian is beautiful! Can’t wait to see what Dave makes with the pattern.

I recall someone saw that jacket posted here, contacted Dave about a re-make. No idea where he is with it.

Here is a current ebay jacket I really like. Interesting style, brand I like.

but I lost all interest when I saw this pic, which I appreciate them showing. To me this is rot and not amenable to any sort sort of treatment. The rest of the jacket looks nice, but not worth a new sleeve.

 

[Gamma68]

A lot of folks would pass because of the lining. I don't care that much about worn lining even though it is expensive to replace. The point is it can be replaced. So can zippers and seams re-sewn. I can't wear it do to size. So down the road another owner may op for a restored lining.

Those two jackets you posted are very interesting. I'm curious about your personal take on jacket lining--are you saying you don't mind wearing a jacket with torn lining in the body or sleeves? Like that Levi's jacket, for example. If it fits well, you can ignore major lining tears and wear it without it bothering you?

 

[GHT]

I follow a Japanese company called Souvenir Repair Works. They seem to be able to fix anything made of leather. I watched a video of them fixing a cracked old A2. I couldn’t believe how great it looked when completed. Is this service unique in Japan? Are there others out there?

That sounds interesting, always worth having another string to your bow. I have used the same leather repair on a very old A2 and my vintage MG car seats. Some might freak out but I'm more than pleased with the results.
http://www.theleatherclinic.co.uk/

 

[tmitchell59]

Those two jackets you posted are very interesting. I'm curious about your personal take on jacket lining--are you saying you don't mind wearing a jacket with torn lining in the body or sleeves? Like that Levi's jacket, for example. If it fits well, you can ignore major lining tears and wear it without it bothering you?

Yes I can wear a jacket with a torn lining, or no lining at all. I do like and want jackets that have the original lining. I've made my own repairs to linings I guess since you don't see him I don't care. That's where it gets just just a personal choice. There are jackets where the lining is pretty critical to the original look of the jacket.

 

[Guppy]

I recall someone saw that jacket posted here, contacted Dave about a re-make. No idea where he is with it.

Here is a current ebay jacket I really like. Interesting style, brand I like.

but I lost all interest when I saw this pic, which I appreciate them showing. To me this is rot and not amenable to any sort sort of treatment. The rest of the jacket looks nice, but not worth a new sleeve.

Yeah, about that... I found the item. Condition:

“Very good condition. The jacket is clean inside and out. The thick horsehide leather is in very good condition with no dry rot or cracking to the leather. All the pocket bags are clean and intact. The original lining is very good to excellent, totally intact, clean, with no issues. The main talon zipper runs well. All the other zips run perfect, with pulls intact. There is some road rash on the right outer shoulder, very visible, and in one place there is a single small slit (about 1/8 inch) that goes through the leather (see photos). Sold as is. The jacket comes from a smoke and pet free home and is odor free.”

That seems incredibly scummy, given the photo shows cracking and a freakin' HOLE right there next to the sleeve seam.

 

[tmitchell59]

That seems incredibly scummy, given the photo shows cracking and a freakin' HOLE right there next to the sleeve seam.[/QUOTE]

Is that was Road Rash it wasn't treated properly and is turned into some sort of deterioration. They did mention it was road rash and showed a picture. Too bad, it is a really interesting Taubers.