トラブルシューティング5I want to tame the stiff and hard leather!

From "Leather in Japan No. 4" published in 2011

A little effort before the season
will give you the comfort and look you deserve!

When winter arrives and you take out your leather jacket to put it on, you may find that it is somewhat stiff and stiff. One possible cause of this is hardening due to lack of oil. What you can rely on is a wax with a high moisturizing effect.
The key is to spread the wax thinly and leave it on for half a day to allow it to penetrate deep into the leather. Incidentally, "I recommend applying wax at night," says Takagi. If you apply it before going to bed, you can wear it the next morning simply by wiping it dry.
For even greater softness, there is a more advanced method: "wiping with water. 〜Soak the cloth in lukewarm water of 3.5°C and wipe the desired area with a stiff cloth, and then apply the wax. Be careful, however, as some leather tends to become unevenly colored.

When I put on a leather jacket for the first time in a year, I am particularly concerned about the stiffness in areas where there is a lot of action, such as the armpits and elbow areas. You want the jacket to look a little more polished.

Step 1: Remove dirt and dust beforehand

Before applying wax, first brush off dirt and dust. Brush carefully around areas where dust tends to accumulate, such as seams and zippers.

Step 2: Use a "thin" layer of wax.

Apply a thin layer of wax to a sponge or cloth and spread it over the leather by stroking it lightly. The amount of wax used should be about 5g per piece. There is no need to apply so much wax that the leather becomes moist.

Step 3: For best results, use your hands to penetrate the wax.

After applying the wax, if there is an area you want to make softer, you can use your hand to blend it in. Also, if there are areas where wax tends to accumulate, such as zippers and seams, brush the area to prevent unevenness.

Step 4 Finish by wiping dry

After applying wax, be sure to let it rest for at least half a day to allow it to penetrate deep into the leather. After that, wipe off any excess oil remaining on the surface. Do not scrub the surface, but rather gently stroke the surface.

Step 5: Re-wax any areas of concern

Try the jacket on, and if there are areas that still feel stiff or tight, reapply wax to those areas. Take a little more wax on a sponge and spread it out like stroking lightly.

Step 6 Don't forget the armpits and back.

When checking for stiffness or tightness, try wearing the clothes you would normally wear most often under your jacket and move your body around. Apply more wax to any areas that you find difficult to move.

Step 7: Move your body to blend in

Do not wipe off the wax, but move your body and rub it in with your hands to let it penetrate. It is recommended to do this about once a month during the season to keep the wax in the best condition.

Step 8: Finish!

The oil has penetrated deep into the leather, making it supple and shiny. Also, by applying wax while wearing the jacket and moving around, you can see that it now has a three-dimensional look, as if it has been worn for a long time.

Care products that create suppleness

1. Brush made of softened pig hair. It is safe for delicate leather.
2. Slightly stiffer pig hair brush. It can effectively remove dust, dirt, etc.
3. Horsehair brush. Brushing with this brush after applying wax will help to spread the wax evenly.
4. Cloth for wiping dry.
5. Sponge for applying wax.
6. Cloth for applying wax.
Tenjin Works' original "JoJoba Wax" (20g/¥950), which has an excellent moisturizing effect.

One more step to create a "nice" nuance

If you want to give a "worn-in" look to a jacket you just bought or one that has become stiff due to neglected care, we recommend adding nuances by hand. Rub the collar, pull the pockets and cuffs, and so on. Even if you just do it in spots, it will create a certain atmosphere.