So… What are Your Thoughts On This ?

[B-Man2]

Today I had lunch with Young Medic (Tim). We usually try to get together once a month at our favorite spot in Jacksonville, Mission BBQ. We had a nice lunch and some good conversation, after which we went out to Tim’s car so that he could show me a Star G-1 which was an over run and was sold on the commercial market. Tim had mentioned that the jacket was in rough condition and he wasn’t sure wether he wanted to hang onto it. You can see what it looked like in the photos posted below. I asked Tim if he would mind if I took the jacket with me and clean it up a bit. Tim agreed and off I went with the jacket in hand . Now here’s the part of this story that needs your opinions . The question is that we as a group continuously try to break in jackets and “wear the piss out of them “ to get those jackets to have that “been there ,done that” look. Well as you can see from the before photos Tim’s jacket definitely has acquired that look to near maximum capacity. As you can see from the after photos I restored the jacket to a fairly nice looking and cleaned up jacket .
So the question is should the jacket have been left alone and worn with that salty look, or was it in the best interest of the jacket to restore it in an effort to preserve these original jackets as best we can for the next care taker who acquires the jacket?
I think it’s an interesting question so please
let me know your thoughts.
Ok here we go

BEFORE

 

[B-Man2]

BEFORE

 

[B-Man2]

AFTER

 

[B-Man2]

Ok that’s it … so let me know your thoughts . Wear it and keep it the way it was OR try to preserve it for the next generation of caretakers .
Cheers

 

[mulceber]

Great job, Burt. I think it still looked pretty good before, but I think that was a worthwhile restoration.

 

[Juanito]

What was done to the finish of the jacket to cover up or darken the wear marks?

Coming from a car background, I don't really get the preserve vs. restoration thing as it applies to jackets. Preserve has always meant to maintain in its original form, whereas restoration means refinishing or replacing a number of components. Something is original once.

I suppose with jackets it is a little different since I one doesn't really refinish a jacket and the only other option is to replace the significant components, like cuffs, liner, etc. What does one do to preserve a jacket aside from store it properly? Slather on the ghastly Pecard's? Darn the mothings?

For what it is worth, I like the untouched look better. Secondarily, I think what one does to a jacket depends heavily on it value and rarity. One isn't going to treat a 1970s cowhide G-1 the same as even an Aero A-2.

 

[Dumpster D]

You know me, and my rule...'Don't do anything to it unless you absolutely have to'

It looks good before, and after...hard to say in this case.

Personally I like the flaking and cracking etc, gives it character.

 

[YoungMedic]

Pretty wild how well it cleaned up Burt , I’d say if i didn’t know they were the same jacket I would choose the after version every time .

 

[Chandler]

Personally, it looked like it was getting dry and needed some attention. If all you did was feed it a little mink oil, I think it's perfect. Sooner or later it will show that wear again, just not as near-to crumbling.

 

[Nickb123]

Hell yeah!

 

[Micawber]

What did you do to it Burt? From the photos it looked somewhat dry beforehand.

If no permanent re-dye and refinish of the wear spots took place but rather had a good clean and some hide food then it’s likely to have revived it and done it some good. The wear through the original finish will still be present and will become apparent again over time as the treatment dries and wears.

 

[ZuZu]

I think this is one of the very early 55j14s with the generic label- there are Fosters with the same label. No maker name. I have a brand new one. I'm kinda with the don't fuck with it crowd- I always worry about rubbing oil into cracking leather. Either way it's cool.

Here's my mint one:

 

[bseal]

Nice work Burt!!!!

Most of us just might, if we were offered the chance, gladly turn back the clock a wee bit on our own wrinkles and assorted aches n’ pains.

Ponce de Leon has found the fountain of youth in Florida; URAD & Tenderly?


YoungMedic must be stoked.

 

[Lorenzo_l]

Great job, Burt. In my opinion, the jacket needed the TLC. What did you use to treat it?

 

[MikeyB-17]

I agree it looked like it needed something doing. If all it’s had is a clean and some leather treatment, I think that’s fine, and the wear will show through again. These days I find that although I think the worn look is cool, I don’t tend to want mine to look like that.

 

[flyincowboy]

Sorry guys but i d rather go for the before treatment . To me the jacket had a normal wear and a nice patina It's not a new one that been pampered.
The leather just need to have a good cleaning and to be nourrished with some Sapo or Pecard cream that's all!

 

[johnwayne]

I’d slightly ‘err on the before look too but had you not shown those pics we’d all probably be saying what a nice condition jacket the refurbed look is! So great job and a nice G1 either way!!

 

[Southoftheborder]

I'm on the side of refinishing it and making it look good again. I don't like worn out leather, and patina does not mean scuffs and wear. This is so much better after IMO. But others will have their own opinions.

I don't have holes in the knees of my jeans either though plenty do...

 

[Ritchy]

Very nice job Burt. We all ask ourselves this question at one time or another.
It depends on each person and what they will use the jacket for.
For my part, I like to preserve beautiful things and bring them back to life when they deteriorate.
This is what I did with my Jeep Willys which I completely restored to give it a second life.

 

[Falcon_52]

Honestly, I don't think there is a right answer. Either approach is okay in my mind. That being said, I like the way it turned out and the leather is probably grateful for some "hydration" - it looked pretty dry in the original photos. Well done!

Noel