Soaking my Irvin! See the result:

[flyboy]

This is how the wool looked when my Aero Irvin was brand new:

And this is the result after soaking it down in water and letting it dry in the sun for two days:

I like the new look!!!

 

[jonnyboy]

Søren - it looks great, with lots more character.

It's a definite improvement, and I'm glad you're happy with the results!

Cheers,

Jon

 

[rich]

If you wanted to take it further Soren, try sticking it in the washing machine, maybe John (Lever) will give you instructions if he reads this. It does gives a good result.

Check out the fleece on this wartime Irvin, it's much like yours.

 

[Hamsterbear]

Looks like it made your whiskers grow, too! :lol:

 

[John Lever]

The first time is the worst in terms of nerves. I think Soren may struggle to get his jacket in the drum as I think it's quite massive.
If you are ready to go to the next level, try soaking it and spin drying, allow to dry naturally for 24 hours then tumble dry. That will give the very pronounced nubbly wool buds.
It looks fine to me as it is though.

 

[flyboy]

@ Hamsterbear: Comes as a surprising side effect to the soakingtreatment

@ John: I am afraid it would ruin - not the jacket - but the washing machine and the tumbler. And - as you - I also think the jacket looks much better now.

 

[flyboy]

OK - did it again. And this time bigtime. Soaking in the bathtub for 'bout half an hour. Hanging in the sun and breeze for 24 hours
(Couldn't give it a spin in the washer - jacket too big or washer too small)
When damp into the dryer first on cold air - then on with the heat - just a little at first - a bit more - and out to hang in the sun again.

Here is the result:

I like it!

Did the jacket shrink? No!
Did it ruin the leathers surface? No!
Did it get stiff? ....well...yes. A little.
But the next step will be a good and solid rub down with Pecard - that should do it.
And then the jacket should be "as good as old."

 

[rich]

It's a bit heart stopping doing this! But looks really good now IMO, much more character.

 

[jonnyboy]

Looks great - well done Søren!

Looks like it has much more character now. A huge improvement.

Cheers,

Jon

 

[John Lever]

Well done Soren.
The only suggestion I would make is to not treat with Pecards. It will take a few weeks yet for the jacket to be completely dry, during this period the outer character will change still further and improve. It will end up looking 10 years older.

 

[flyboy]

Great advice, John. Thank you. Will just leave it hanging inside then.

 

[Falcon_52]

I agree with the others. The wool texture is much improved; a great result. You are a brave man! Now you just need some Irvin weather...

Noel

 

[Vcruiser]

Looks great..!
Out of curiosity...does the jacket still have a lanolin 'feel' to the wool..?
Van

 

[flyboy]

Hard to answer that one Van, since I don't really know what a "lanolin feel" is. But I think, I can say that the wool feels "more dry" now. Not as super soft as before....if it makes any sence

 

[Vcruiser]

Hard to answer that one Van, since I don't really know what a "lanolin feel" is. But I think, I can say that the wool feels "more dry" now. Not as super soft as before....if it makes any sence

Soren
My Aero B-6 has a slight 'hand lotion' type feel to the wool. I'm assuming this is the natural lanolin in sheeps wool.
Yep...makes sense to me!
Van

 

[flyboy]

See what you mean. But since I used plain cold water - not even warm - to soak it, I guesse the lanolin is still there to some degree at least.
Isn't it there originally to protect the sheep against the rain? My treatment couldn't be worse than a heavy shower in northern Scotland - and I did not tumble it with extreme heat either. But the main thing is I got rid of the very "fluffy look" - and supersoft feeling. Now it looks and feels and smells like and old sheep - from the north of Scotland. :lol: And not something from a fashionmagazine...

 

[John Lever]

Sheepskins are tanned and dyed at 80 deg. C

 

[Smithy]

Looks great. Oops I think I told you that somewhere else

 

[flyboy]

Found some pics from September 2009 - The jacket was brand new - just out of the box.
One and half year of wear and tear, two times soaking treatment after, it looks great, I think. Besides - it has shrunk to my size now. It fits perfectly and snug now. Just like the Levis we swam in and let'em dry up on the body back in the 60s.

 

[jonnyboy]

Looks terrific! Almost like a different jacket.

Looks like the fit is better too.

Well done!

Cheers,

Jon