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Post by schmitty on Mar 15, 2006 10:05:03 GMT -5
I have been working on building up my German impression as I can see I will be using it more often than my Brit Kit since the Axis are always outnumbered here in the Northwest.
So I recently purchased a Leather belt, y-straps and P-38 holster. They are all reproductions and I feel like it's the first day back to school with all the shiny new clothes and leather. My question is: Has anybody found a way to rapidly and realistically age uniforms and leather?
Thanks Schmitty
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Post by predator06 on Mar 15, 2006 10:36:27 GMT -5
If my opinion means any thing, then here you go.
I Would suggest that you DON'T try to age your gear.
I mean its kind of silly if you think about it. If you are trying to portray an image of a soldier, who is fighting in WW2, then why would you want your gear to look antique?
Let it age Naturally, with use. It will end up looking More realistic that way. My gear and uniforms are covered in Mud, and Grime. I Have little tears in a few of my uniforms that have ben Hand sewn back up with a sewing kit. I Only wash my Uniforms when they start to get Insanely dirty, or if they begin to stink.And then I Only wash them in the bath tub using cold watter and a bar of regular Soap. Just Like a a ww2 soldier would wash his stuff in a creek in the field.
You Could try Using a little saddle soap and some black boot polish on the web gear to protect it. BUT,be careful, the more rigid the leather the better it will hold all your gear in place.
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Post by smokeythebear on Mar 15, 2006 16:04:39 GMT -5
I agree with predator.because back then their gear was new so it should look new.
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Post by 9mmsleepingpill on Mar 15, 2006 19:28:15 GMT -5
i was talking to talking to reinactors about that sort of stuff ages ago they tell me never wash it, let it age at its own pace (as predator says) if it gets very dirty............. let it dry and just brush off the mud and dirt later my stuff is about 1 year old and ive never cleaned it, altho it still looks new it would help if i used it more
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Post by schmitty on Mar 16, 2006 10:36:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice Comrades. It did occur to me that this stuff would have looked newer in WWII than the real stuff you see now. I have been wearing my British stuff for years and it takes on a lived in look pretty quickly. It's mainly all the black leather with the German kit that looks real shiny and new.
Schmitty
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Post by fallout11 on Mar 16, 2006 12:12:16 GMT -5
Neets Foot Oil. Works absolute wonders on leather goods (especially old, stiff, and nearly cracked), much better than any saddle soap. Takes the shine right off new leather, you can forget about ever getting a good polish on it again. Darkens new unfinished leather, and softens it.
You can find it at any saddlery/tack store like Tractor Supply (as people who ride horses swear by it), and well-equipped army surplus stores (as GI's love it for breaking in new boots).
I use it heavily, not so much to age leather as to care for it, especially on old or original equipment.
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