Restoration Project: original Aero 21996

[mulceber]

No, I'm not talking about the one John Chapman recently sold. That one was already in great shape. I picked this one up on eBay for a pretty great price, all things considered:

The shoulders are an obvious area of concern, as they've lost pretty much all of their pigment:

That said, the leather is still remarkably soft and pliable.

There's also going to need to be some re-stitching:

...and a new zipper chain:

...and the cuffs are shot, although the bottom knits only have a few minor nibbles:

The liner needs some work, but apart from the area around the collar, it's still in very good shape:

That said, this jacket is still very salvageable. As noted above, the leather is still very soft and pliable, without any areas that look to be on the verge of cracking. And JC has already sent along some knits and lining material:

 

[mulceber]

If anyone happens to have a female half of a Crown shiny nickel zipper chain (original or repro), please get in touch, as I'd like to buy it - I'd hate to get one from MASH only to cannibalize it for the chain.

Other than that, it's going to be bundled off to @STEVE S. next week for some badly-needed restoration work.

 

[Chandler]

Nice to see tan/brown coming through that "distressed" leather and not gray.

 

[Micawber]

Nice project!

 

[Adama36]

Looks like a great jacket - Replacing the knits, the liner and the zipper should be relatively easy but what about the color? Do you plan to re-dye it of just leave it this way?

 

[mulceber]

JC recommended a product that he’s had success with in restoring some pigment to the originals.

 

[Adama36]

JC recommended a product that he’s had success with in restoring some pigment to the originals.

What does "restoring some pigments" mean exactly?
I am not quite sure how you get the color back without applying some sort of dye.
I am curious to learn more about that restoration process you (and JC) mentioned

 

[Erwin]

Great to see this, all the best and I'm waiting to see a continuation....

 

[mulceber]

What does "restoring some pigments" mean exactly?
I am not quite sure how you get the color back without applying some sort of dye.
I am curious to learn more about that restoration process you (and JC) mentioned

Translation: it’s a conditioner with dye in it.

 

[Adama36]

Translation: it’s a conditioner with dye in it.

got it. Makes more sense

 

[bseal]

Check in with Headwind. They might be a good resource. Just look at their Arlo, whoa.

No, I'm not talking about the one John Chapman recently sold. That one was already in great shape. I picked this one up on eBay for a pretty great price, all things considered:
View attachment 124291

The shoulders are an obvious area of concern, as they've lost pretty much all of their pigment:
View attachment 124293
View attachment 124295
That said, the leather is still remarkably soft and pliable.

There's also going to need to be some re-stitching:
View attachment 124297

...and a new zipper chain:
View attachment 124299

...and the cuffs are shot, although the bottom knits only have a few minor nibbles:
View attachment 124301
The liner needs some work, but apart from the area around the collar, it's still in very good shape:
View attachment 124303

That said, this jacket is still very salvageable. As noted above, the leather is still very soft and pliable, without any areas that look to be on the verge of cracking. And JC has already sent along some knits and lining material:
View attachment 124305
View attachment 124307

 

[Chandler]

@mulceber -- are you going to have Mr. S photograph his part of the restoration in order to document the transformation?

It'd be fun to see the process.

 

[mulceber]

That’s what I’m hoping to do - I was thinking something like @Wz1999’s 18091 restoration thread.

 

[Adama36]

That’s what I’m hoping to do - I was thinking something like @Wz1999’s 18091 restoration thread.

do you plan to do everything yourself?

 

[stanier]

Maybe I'm missing the point (I'm good at it!), but wouldn't it better to send the jacket to JC and let him sort it out good 'n' proper? it would probably be bob on after that.

 

[Grant]

Love the color of the original leather as seen inside the pocket. Looks like it'll become a lovely wearer.

 

[mulceber]

do you plan to do everything yourself?

Nope, sending it to Steve Sellers.

Maybe I'm missing the point (I'm good at it!), but wouldn't it better to send the jacket to JC and let him sort it out good 'n' proper? it would probably be bob on after that.

John doesn’t take on many refurbishment projects these days, from what I gather. He’s got his own jackets to make. Besides, Steve does great work.

 

[stanier]

Oooh yes, yes Steve too, I missed that, my apologies

 

[mulceber]

No worries - it was a bit buried in the second post.

 

[foster]

Several years ago I rebuilt an Aero 15142 in similar condition so my son could wear it.

Long story short - next time I'll send it to someone like Steve who is specifically experienced with these jackets. My background in textiles combined with my wife's training in apparel design and decades of sewing experience weren't enough for me to be perfectly satisfied with the end result. At least it ended up looking better than it started out when I obtained it!