A leather jacket is a valuable item that can last a lifetime if cared for properly. However, the leather jacket material will start to dry and fade after several years of use. When your favorite jacket starts to look worn, or you find an antique leather jacket at a thrift store that isn't well-maintained, you can restore it to a like-new look. The process of restoring a leather jacket is quite simple and can be done with just the help of a leather preservative and your two hands. After restoring the jacket, make sure you know how to remove scratches and cracks on the leather to keep it looking cool!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Restoring the Condition of a Dry and Faded Jacket
Step 1. Place the jacket on a flat surface such as a table
Place the jacket face up and spread the sleeves so you can access the entire front of the jacket. Trim until there are no visible crease marks on the surface of the skin. Remove buttons or zippers so you can tidy up all the folded parts.
This method will work on any colored leather jacket. Use it to restore color to a jacket that has dried, cracked, and faded with age and wear. This will also help you protect and maintain the condition of the jacket so that it can be used for a long time
Step 2. Brush the entire jacket with a horsehair brush to remove dust
Start at the front and brush the entire front of the jacket in short, even motions in the opposite direction of your body. Turn the jacket over, trim again the area to be worked on, then brush the entire back side in the same way.
Horsehair brushes are usually used to polish shoes or treat other leather products. This tool can clean and polish leather without damaging it. You can usually buy these products at stores that sell shoe polish kits and stores that sell leather products
Step 3. Wipe the entire jacket with a lint-free cloth
Dampen a lint-free cloth with clean cold water, then wring out the excess water. Wipe the entire front and back of the jacket to remove any remaining dust and prepare it for rejuvenation.
Microfiber cloth is perfect for this purpose. However, if you don't have one, you can also use a piece of cotton t-shirt instead
Step 4. Use a wax-based leather preservative product in a neutral color to restore your jacket
Leather goods preservatives are natural preservatives, usually made from beeswax and lanolin. This product is also known as leather conditioner or boot wax. The function of the preservative is to moisturize, resist exposure to water, and protect the leather material from scratches and abrasions.
- When leather absorbs preservatives, its luster will return so the jacket doesn't look dry and faded again.
- You can buy leather preservatives at a shoe store, a leather store, or online.
Warning: Do not use shoe polish, pens, or other coloring agents to restore a leather jacket as this may damage the material. You only need a neutral leather preservative that will restore the jacket's natural color while also moisturizing and protecting it.
Step 5. Test the leather preservative product on an inconspicuous area of the jacket
Some jacket preservatives can darken the color of the material. So, test the product first in an inconspicuous area to keep an eye on its effects. Try using a different brand of preservative if the product you're using actually changes the color of your jacket to something you don't like.
If the color of the leather changes slightly, you shouldn't view it as something negative. The use of jackets and leather preservative products can gradually bring out the unique character of the clothing, and give it a more refined look over time
Step 6. Rub the leather preservative product onto the jacket with your fingers
Take a small amount of leather preservative with your fingertips. Start rubbing it into the jacket in circular motions until it's fully absorbed into the leather. Repeat this process all over the jacket.
The heat from the fingers will help the skin preservative melt and absorb into the wax. This substance is not harmful to you. Just wash your hands when you're done to remove any grease marks from your fingers
Step 7. Repeat this process every 6 months to keep the jacket in top condition
Cleaning and treating the jacket with a leather preservative will prevent the leather from drying, cracking, and fading from wear and exposure to weather. If cared for properly, leather jackets can last a lifetime.
When not in use, store the jacket properly by hanging it on a wooden hanger or a soft hanger, then place it in a cool and dry closet and away from direct sunlight
Method 2 of 2: Removing Scratches and Scuffs on Jackets
Step 1. Rub the small scratches by hand until they disappear
Firmly massage the blisters with your fingertips in a circular motion. The heat and pressure from your hands will help remove minor scratches and make them appear to blend into the surface of the jacket.
This is usually effective at removing very fine scratches, such as scratches from dog or cat nails
Step 2. Use a hairdryer to heat up large strokes while massaging them, Turn on the hair dryer at home to high temperature and position it about 15 to 30 cm from the scratched area
Heat the scratched area while massaging the surface of the jacket in a circular motion.
- The heat from the hairdryer activates the wax and oil in the leather, making it easier for them to transfer to the scratched area and appear to blend into the leather jacket's surface.
- If the heat is too high to handle by hand, lower the temperature. If the appliance is too hot for you, it must also be too hot for the leather jacket and could dry out the material.
Step 3. Apply a leather curing product if you can't remove the scratch with heat
Take a small amount of skin preservative on your fingertips, then rub it into the blisters in a circular motion until it is absorbed into the skin and is no longer visible.
If the area repaired to remove the scratch with this method is quite a different color from the surrounding area, rub the area with a lint-free cloth in a circular motion until the scratch is no longer visible
Warning: You may be tempted to use a product such as a leather or vinyl tint pen to color the scuffed area, but this is tantamount to adding color to a jacket and ruining the original look. You just need a little patience and a leather preservative to remove scratches and restore the leather jacket's appearance without damaging it.
