Getting a patina going, Mulberrymania, or anyone else can you help?

[BooBooToad]

Evening all.

i've been searching all your wonderful wonderful threads for hints and tips on getting my beatiful oak bayswater's patina going. i just much prefer them a bit darker and worn in and mine is so very new looking, soooo.....

I've seen mulberrymania say that filling the bag with warm water will give an all over darkening, i'm game for anything but anyone know how long should i leave the water in the bag?

or alternatively i thought i might try a combination of collonil, leather creme, perhpas a bit of misting with a plant sprayer. has anyone had success with this kind of approach?

and if anyone has tried anything like this, if i collonil first will that stop the leather cream being absorbed, and will misting with a plant sprayer have any effect if it's collonil'd?

thank you in advance for any advice you can offer

[bluecat_00]

I'd be interested in any advice you get here. I tried misting mine with the plant sprayer and the water just slid off - probably because of the collonil.

[TheaBerry]

I'd be very interested in any advices too! As I am getting my very own oak bays in less than 15 weeks

Also, how to you treat it? Spray with collonil a few times (spray - dry -spray) when new, than once in a while (once a month?). Rubbing on cream (clarks or r&b) once in a while? What's buffing?

[corries2]

I did the water thing to even out heavy water stains on my Oak Roxanne. It worked, but I definitely lost quality in the leather. I would not do this to a bag that is not stained. My printed Oak Bays is gradually going a honey colour and I want the patina to occur naturally. And that will only happen I think if I collinol lots and use it lots. Sometimes I buff/rub with a soft sloth while I'm watching telly and if it hasn't been used for a while I rub in some leather cream then collinol again.

[Jenova]

I filled my Oak NVT Bays (unstained) with cold water because I wanted to darken it and because it was much too floppy for my taste. It took about 4-5 days in warm weather to dry and I had to keep turning it round to prevent ring marks forming. I would not do this if I could not be around to monitor the bag on the first day at least. The thicker elements of the bag, where there is more than one layer of leather, are also much harder to get wet, which again creates a risk of tide marks forming.

I love my results - my Bays is much richer colour and definitely stiffer. I buffed it repeatedly during drying and achieved a lovely shine. I view the process as Darwinisation as well as speed patination. However, it is not untraumatic to achieve.

[mulberryfloss]

Originally Posted by Jenova

I filled my Oak NVT Bays (unstained) with cold water because I wanted to darken it and because it was much too floppy for my taste. It took about 4-5 days in warm weather to dry and I had to keep turning it round to prevent ring marks forming. I would not do this if I could not be around to monitor the bag on the first day at least. The thicker elements of the bag, where there is more than one layer of leather, are also much harder to get wet, which again creates a risk of tide marks forming. I love my results - my Bays is much richer colour and definitely stiffer. I buffed it repeatedly during drying and achieved a lovely shine. I view the process as Darwinisation as well as speed patination. However, it is not untraumatic to achieve.

Gosh, I can imagine!!!!!

I only got my oak Bays 3 weeks ago and I can't wait for it to look a bit less new but I think I'll be letting nature take its course for the time being!!!!

[bluecat_00]

I think thats the way to go MF. Afterall I assume that you, like me, intend to keep the bag for years so there is plenty of time to develop the patina.

[corries2]

It is definitely stiffer and my Roxy is now a lovely toffee colour but I definitely have lost quality in the leather when I compare my choc Roxy. The heat was intense outside when I did mine in May and it took only 2/3 days to dry out. I have had to use tons of lanolin and leather creme too to create suppleness.

[corries2]

Glad your first day went well mulberryfloss.

[mulberryfloss]

^^ thank you Corries

The oak Bays was going to be my workbag, but when I got there yesterday I was presented with a Toshiba laptop which I'm apparently going to have to lug around London with me - that doesn't fit in with my bag plan at all!!!!! Didn't think it was appropriate to mention it on my first day though.....

[BooBooToad]

great advice, thanks all. i think i might lay off the water route for now and perhaps stick to spraying and rubbing

thanks again

[Limitededition]

Originally Posted by corries2

I did the water thing to even out heavy water stains on my Oak Roxanne. It worked, but I definitely lost quality in the leather. I would not do this to a bag that is not stained. My printed Oak Bays is gradually going a honey colour and I want the patina to occur naturally. And that will only happen I think if I collinol lots and use it lots. Sometimes I buff/rub with a soft sloth while I'm watching telly and if it hasn't been used for a while I rub in some leather cream then collinol again.

This is a novel approach, in my experience sloth's have very long toe nails and I'd be worried about scratching the leather. Is your sloth a pet or did you borrow it from the zoo .......sorry Corries I could go on and on - just spotted this and it tickled me .....its been a loooonnnnnnng day !

[Tote Girl]

[iLuvBagsnChocs]

[hulahoop]

^^^ love your avatar Bagsnchocs!