Onwards to a better BK

[jeremiah]

so my BK dubow(as was) with an

overly pigmented finish was making me not want to wear it. Just the color in person and the feel of the leather was gnawing at my OCD tendencies. So I thought I would do a bit of a strip and re-finish.

The above pic might make it look great but in person it just looked way off especially in sunlight and that shine, wow it was too shiny in person.

Here is step one. I think it looks good. Better than what it was in my opinion. Anyway. I am thinking of a dark brown dye to go over and hit the high spots where the original finish was stripped off. The dark brown I use will also give it a reddish tone under bright sunlight.

That said, what is your vote? Keep going or leave as is?

 

[B-Man2]

J
I think it looks kind of cool this way. Which way are you leaning?
What did you use to strip it?
I might just leave it that way and put a light coat of Pecards on it. You can always go back and try the other process in a few months if your not happy with the result.

 

[jeremiah]

I use acetone carefully. Before someone out there passes out, I work with leather and so a lot of dying and staining. I always test first.
Here is a pic inside. Not sure but I do like this. Just wondering it if looks a little too fake? My intention was not to make it look worn, but now that it’s where it is at, I think it looks pretty cool.

 

[B-Man2]

I would try a light coat of Pecards first, before I went any further.

 

[Skip]

Reckon J it looks swell as it is, definitely an improvement. But you are the one that has to be comfortable in it

 

[jeremiah]

Yeah. Well I can wear it like this for a while and see how it goes. Inside after a coat of liquid leather.

 

[Kennyz]

I think it looks good like this, Jeremiah.

Ken

 

[dmar836]

Yeah, I’d wear it for a season and see what it does. That Eco stuff from Tandy will put an even coat that isn’t too shiny and is surprisingly resilient. That is if you don’t like the way it ages from here.
Looks really good in the last pic.
Dave

 

[jeremiah]

Yeah I like the Ecco stuff. Sometimes I thin my dye with alcohol which allows it to penetrate deeper and I can build up layers more evenly.

 

[Smithy]

Looks much better Jeremiah, at least to my eyes. And you're right, you could stop ships from running aground with it in that first photo.

 

[ausreenactor]

Prefer the before...
Just 'wear' it..

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

Huge improvement, I'd try spraying a test area somewhere unseen with Pledge............a vastly underated product....give it vigorous run with a peice of rag while wet
We used industrial ammounts in The Thrift Shop, NEVER let us down, brings up a clear see through shine

 

[Brettafett]

Like it Jeremiah. Wear it a bit more as you say, and post some more fit pics....

 

[dmar836]

Certainly most all A-2s in period photos have a bit of a sheen to them - just not nearly that of the OP.
Not sure if Pledge could inhibit later dying but I would guess not much would... given a little time. Pledge is used on aircraft all the time too. Good stuff. Next is not for jackets but I'll throw in Scrubbing Bubbles as an underrated cleaner/degreaser.
Dave

 

[Boyo]

Certainly better now, nicely done... I'm with the crowd regarding wearing it for a bit, but its nice to have a fun project like this waiting for when you have the time. That said if you didn't like the results of adding additional dye to the jacket would another treatment of acetone bring it back to this point again?

 

[stanier]

When you’ve been out on the VLJ annual social and find out that you left your nice new A-2 at the bar, then someone says “don’t worry Jeremiah’s looking after it for you! He was last heard posting something about HWT, putting some new fencing in and where he could get a gallon of acetone”

Good on you Jeremiah for having the pluck to do this stuff, but it’s not my cup of tea at all. Just a joke anyway, and hope it doesnt offend, just couldn’t resist....

 

[jeremiah]

Nope. Not at all.
I decided I wanted to use a dark brown oil dye I have worked with in past. It has a few kickbacks as it is buffable to bring out a slight sheen and also it is more nourishing for the leather and it’s a bit harder to rub off.
Outside shade

Outside sun

Inside w/ flash

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

Great job but you've really got to do something about your footwear....
http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=2234
:<)

 

[jeremiah]

Send me a pair. I will redye them.

 

[Smithy]

That seriously looks awesome Jeremiah. A thousand times better than that linoleum in the first pic