Iron Heart X Simmons Bilt Horsehide Western Shirt - The Pale Rider - Natural
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@Autorotate I wouldn't apply pecards and then get wet. Pecards is pretty much vaseline with some extra oils. So that will repel water. Not totally waterproof, but definitely make it harder to fully absorb. Which brings me to my next point. If you get it wet, make sure it is fully wet and soaked all over. Don't try spot treatment and that kind of thing. Whatever evolution is going to happen, you want it all over to make it look more natural and even.
You probably read some of my posts on TFL. I go by "Toomanyhatsonlyonehead" over there. I've washed many, many leather jackets, put in dryer full blast, etc. I haven't had a "ruin" yet, but I definitely can see ways it could go wrong. The biggest issue with doing with jackets is the zipper. It will cause waves since the zipper doesn't shrink with the leather.
Also, I wouldn't try the wet and dry method with the pale rider unless it's at least a size too big. I don't think this shirt will wear comfortable skin tight. The shirt pocket, placket, etc. adds a lot of thickness, and some of the edges almost feel sharp if that makes sense. I'd be curious to know more about the kind of tanning they did to the leather. It doesn't feel like veg tan to me. It has more CXL type qualities, so maybe it's a combo, or maybe it's veg tan, but there's some sort of top coat, pigment finish, etc. Anyway, I'm really curious to see the journey over the next couple years with lots of wears. I think those wearing on motorcycles are going to speed up that process with the exposure to elements, all that motion, etc. vs someone just wearing around the house like me.
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That is looking so great @louisbosco
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@Nik cheers mate.
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@Autorotate cheers mate, sharing so that you can see how different lifestyles evolve this shirt.
Mine has just been through a second mustang paste coating
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@louisbosco looking niceeee
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The Pale Rider has landed. Fit is perfect for me. I’m shorter, so the front length is about an inch longer than I prefer, but it’s a minor complaint. Also I am popping buttons with extreme arm movement. I’m going to explore mods to make the snaps just a tad more tight.
In the pic with my unhappy-at-this-moment son, you really can see the stout, cardboard-like hand of the leather. My initial thoughts are: if one can break this beast, you’ll have a friend for life. Like 3 lifetimes.
I liberally hand slathered it with Pecard’s Antique formula and put it outside in the sun. It’s sunny and cold here… I believe the leather shade/color benefits from the UV and not the air temp…
TBD if I decide to soak it. I like the idea of “form fitting” it, but I also recognize the process will probably do nothing to soften it. It’s just gonna take days/months/years of hard wear. That said, I’ve noticed on @louisbosco jacket that the seams have puckered slightly and the collar has formed beautifully. I really like those details!
I’m taking off to Spain tomorrow, and the shirt will stay home, passively absorbing the Pecard’s in the closet.
Thanks to all you Pale Rider Riders for the insight, advice and first hand experience. This will be a cool ride.
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Oh yeah
hopefully I’ll grab one -
@Autorotate looks good mate. Still very fresh yours is.
Once you get those few wears in and the creases sets in, it should feel a lot better. Including the length and sleeve. I tend to think of mine more as a jacket than shirt so I’m quite okay with the length
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@Giles i spy an Extractor!
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I need these snap hacks. Still popping buttons since I gained a few over the holidays. In meantime, shirt getting wears.
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@weegeebee1 i tried using a needle nose plier and ever so slightly bending the circularity of the male snap. Did not achieve desired results. I got scared midway through the project and didn’t want to risk permanently warping the hardware. They are quite malleable.
I have another idea that I’m going to try when I get home next week. I’ll post my findings. -
Should add… I’m committed to soaking the jacket- and while wet and drying - while I wear it, I’m hoping to achieve some stretch in the back and shoulders. I think then the snaps will have less stress in them. Will document and post findings of course.
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What are the care instructions for this shirt? How do you guys go about keeping them clean? Patina is fine, but most of my IH shirts, after wearing them for quite some time, they have developed a stain around the collar and I could not get it cleaned. So wondering how it is on this leather shirt? I'm considering getting one this time.
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My experience with natural leather like this shirt is that permanent darkening/staining is inevitable on contact areas (collar, cuff, placket…). For cleaning, I would use Lexol cleaner followed by Lexol conditioner. This would help to keep it clean, remove salt and dirt, but I’d not expect it to remove the discoloration. The Lexol product will normally not darken the leather post-treatment. Initially, it will darken from the moisture of the product, but will return to pre-treatment shades (30 mins).
I am using Pecard’s Antique for softening, conditioning and achieving darker hues. Probably annually, or as the leather needs it. Don’t want to over do this. Can weight the jacket down, and too much can harm the leather fibers. YMMV.
I am of the school of “I am impatient for it to darken and patina”. LOL. -
So, this like a leather jacket is not a candidate for the washing machine? Correct? Excuse me for my stupid question!
