Washing an A-2

[flightmac]

Hi, I'm fairly new and have put up a couple of questions elsewhere; but let me get this straight - you can actually put a jacket in the washer (on gentle/delicate I guess)? I'd always heard leather jackets had to be "professionally" cleaned. I've got a modern A-2 that was issued to me in the 1990's. Now that the Air Force Reserve has retired me I'm planning on cleaning and customizing. Washing it would be good news to me, especially the part about shrinking it slightly. Back when the Air Force first re-issued them, we were told get a size or 2 larger because they "ran small". So it's a bit baggy, but it's got a lot of honest wear and I'd love to adjust the fit slightly. Thanks to all you guys for your advice!

Oops! I meant this to be a reply in the Breaking in Do's and Don'ts Thread

 

[Burnsie]

They shrink. AND stretch. Doh!

 

[deeb7]

... but let me get this straight - you can actually put a jacket in the washer (on gentle/delicate I guess)? I'd always heard leather jackets had to be "professionally" cleaned.

Yes, you can wash ... here's one of several threads.

viewtopic.php?p=30166#p30166

 

[flightmac]

One more thing, the lining was replaced with some sort of synthetic material (rayon?) when it was modified by Pops' Leather. The original cotton wouldn't be affected by water, but what about other lining materials? Thanks again.

 

[deeb7]

If you aren't sure exactly what the lining is, then it's risky.

Rayon is a manufactured fiber, but not synthetic, and some types of Rayon don't wash well, or may shrink a lot.

 

[nickgp]

omg no-epaulettes and pockets would curl waste bands and sleeve ens would fuzz-maybe with an experimental cowhide-but i would not wash goat or fine horsehide-although i do wear in rain-maybe an original Cable Raincoat jacket (tee hee DONT DO IT)

 

[dadgad]

I washed yesterday an old cowhide Schott 184 in the washing machine for experimental purpose.
Cold water wool soap (a tiny spoon) and gentle cycle.
The jacket didn't dry totally yet but so far doesn't looks bad.
This is a jacket that I worn in every imaginable situation and weather in my teenage years, the leather is bullet proof, it saved me from a long bike slide also.
The first impression I got is that the leather has lost that typical shiny look of old cowhide jackets and looks more pliable.
I'll wait until it will be completely dry.

 

[John Lever]

Try liquidising some Pears soap grated in hot water. Glycerine is the main ingredient in most leather soaps, so it cleans and softens the leather all in one. No need to feed afterwards.
1/3 of a bar will be enough for one jacket. It's cheap at only £1 or $1.50 a bar.

 

[interbak]

A couple of months ago I picked up a Cooper/US Wings G-1 on Ebay pretty cheap. When it arrived it had a hint of a musty smell, so I thought I'd try washing it. I put it in the washer in cold water with a little Zero/Woolite gentle soap, and washed it on the gentle cycle. To dry, I laid it flat on a table with a towel inside. It took a few days to dry completely. It came out fine, no damage, no shrinking, no problems with the finish at all, I've been wearing it almost every day since. I was always worried this would ruin a leather jacket, but after reading many posts here I thought I'd give it a try, after all it only cost me about $100.00. I don't know of I'd try it with a $700.00 high end jacket, I'd have to work my way up to that. This is of course only one experience with one jacket, your mileage may vary!

Brian

 

[jacketimp]

One more thing, the lining was replaced with some sort of synthetic material (rayon?) when it was modified by Pops' Leather. The original cotton wouldn't be affected by water, but what about other lining materials? Thanks again.

please share your experience when you decide to go ahead.

 

[Dieter]

Im surprised this is an issue. i've washed my lost worlds horsehide A2 with regular detergent in the washing machine to no ill effect and would do so again.

 

[flightmac]

I assume the lining is cotton? That's one concern I have. When I had it modified by Pop's Leather they changed the lining to some kind of polyester blend. I guess cold water might work; but I also intrigued by the possiblity of adjusting the fit, which would take hot water to shrink. I also understand goat resists that sort of thing. Thanks.

 

[rikitiki]

I machine wash my goatskin and HH A-2's all the time without harm. Use COLD water on gentle cycle with only a tablespoon or two of soap. I zip up my jackets inside-out to protect the leather from abrasion: I don't worry about abrading the lining since it can be relined every few years. Don't use the dryer unless you want to shrink the jacket one size or so, instead, roll up the jacket in a towel to absorb most of the water, and then air dry. Then Pecard the jacket as the washing tends to dull and dry the leather.

I would only wash repro's not valuable originals.

A gentler method of cleaning is wiping down the leather thoroughly with a damp cloth and washing only the lining. Turn the jacket inside out and wash the lining with gentle soap under a cold shower, rinse, roll-up in a towel, then air dry.

 

[johnnynotoes-1]

Hey Mac....welcome in! If I understand you want it shrunk a wee bit? I've done this with reasonable success a couple of times. Ebay deals that I couldn't pass up became experiments in the stretch and shrink game! Washing machine I myself would not try. Especially with a rayon lining. Instead I would get a dollar store spray bottle or similar item, fill it with hot hot hot tap water and spray it over and over until it gets heavy[or noticeably so]. Mostly on the outside but I would spray down the lining too to ensure the dryer treatment would not be too harsh. Cotton seemed to be fine when I did this but not sure about rayon. The rayon won't shrink I'm pretty sure but one size down in the leather may not make much difference concerning interior appearance.

Now use your dryer on a low setting and monitor it constantly to check if the leather or lining isn't getting too much heat. This process can take a while. I checked every 2 minutes or so and gave it a quick shake to cool it a bit before putting it back in. It need not dry completely in there...as a matter of fact that may well ruin it. Giving it 15 minutes with a check every 2 brought my jackets down a size.

Hard to describe the process here exactly but you need a fairly even dampness throughout so spray the jacket on an old towel or blanket. You need it wet enough to definitely notice a weight difference as I said. Over a 45 minute period I've sprayed on a good 6 or 8 one litre [32 oz] bottles of water. Soak 'er good, ie; like 20 minutes in a rainstorm.

Then[after the dryer treatment] let the STILL DAMP jacket air dry on it's own [a few days to be entirely dry] and see how it fits. Don't put it on a hanger. Dry flat and turn it once in a while or prop it up in a corner. Difference won't be drastic but it certainly helps. I dropped two 48s to estimated 46s. Whatever the number they wound up fitting better! If you have any questions in particular about this technique I can try to answer them. It's a pain having a valued jacket one can't wear. J.

 

[flightmac]

Instead I would get a dollar store spray bottle or similar item, fill it with hot hot hot tap water and spray it over and over until it gets heavy[or noticeably so]. Mostly on the outside but I would spray down the lining too to ensure the dryer treatment would not be too harsh.

Now use your dryer on a low setting and monitor it constantly to check if the leather or lining isn't getting too much heat. This process can take a while. I checked every 2 minutes or so and gave it a quick shake to cool it a bit before putting it back in. It need not dry completely in there...as a matter of fact that may well ruin it.

Hard to describe the process here exactly but you need a fairly even dampness throughout so spray the jacket on an old towel or blanket. You need it wet enough to definitely notice a weight difference as I said. Over a 45 minute period I've sprayed on a good 6 or 8 one litre [32 oz] bottles of water. Soak 'er good, ie; like 20 minutes in a rainstorm.

Then[after the dryer treatment] let the STILL DAMP jacket air dry on it's own [a few days to be entirely dry] and see how it fits. Don't put it on a hanger. Dry flat and turn it once in a while or prop it up in a corner.

If you have any questions in particular about this technique I can try to answer them. It's a pain having a valued jacket one can't wear. J.

Thanks for the detailed instructions! It almost seemed like you were saying to wet it again after the dryer, but I you were just re-emphasizing how wet I should get the jacket (right?). This is all part of re-doing my jacket I was issued in the early 90's (the Air Force Reserve retired me earlier this year).

When we got them everyone was used to the CWU series jackets, so the fit through us off and we ended up getting a size or two large. I've worn it alot over the past 15+ years, but I wouldn't mind adjusting the overall fit, especially with the underarm pieces allowing more freedom of movement. Reading the posts here I see where jackets can be shrunk, although some have said goatskin doesn't shrink as much (and may even go back). Your method seems a good one to try. Thank you again.

 

[johnnynotoes-1]

Yep that's right. Re-emphasis that the jacket must not dry entirely in the dryer. it must come out still damp. Which leads me to this question. In your last post you mentioned reducing the overall size but still would like more movement in the armhole area? Am I correct in that? In that case when you remove it from the dryer still dampish you can try this: Hot water mist the shoulder area in and around the arm hole inside and out. It will be damp already but you're just giving that area some extra water to induce easier stretching. Then stuff a couple of towels good and firmly into the upper armholes from the inside. Now set it aside to dry naturally as I mentioned before. That may give you a BIT more room in the upper arm/shoulder area. Was I right in thinking you wanted a little extra room there?

Usually when I've shrunk or enlarged a jacket it was a one procedure affair. All bigger or all smaller. However, areas I imagine, can be tweaked. Leather after all is a pretty 'plastic' substance so to speak. Let me know how it goes. Again I stress low heat and constant monitoring to avoid damaging hide. Dry or near dry goat can shrivel in a dryer pretty quick. That's why I remove it when still damp. That way most of the shrinkage has already occurred and air drying will finish the job gently and naturally.

 

[johnnynotoes-1]

Well Mac...After mulling over procedures etc., I'm inspired. It's off to the basement to dig out an old W@G A-2 I bought last summer and packed away. Needed stretching overall and I've been meaning to get to it. Late night but I'll get 'er wetted down anyway before turning in. Cheers!

 

[flightmac]

In your last post you mentioned reducing the overall size but still would like more movement in the armhole area? Am I correct in that?

No, what I was trying to say is that we asked for jackets that were a little too large so we had more freedom of movement in the cockpit. As a Flight Engineer, I had to be able to reach my overhead panel. But, in the late 90's some of us had our jackets modified by Pop's Leather in Turkey. In addition to the dreaded handwarmer pockets and inside pockets, the mod included an oval shaped piece of leather in the armpit area that allows one to raise their arm more easily. So now, I don't need the jacket to be so big, but it's got too much history for me to want to just get another.

 

[johnnynotoes-1]

Aha...interesting design mod. Ok. well again let us know how she turns out.