Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#346
Yup, rehabbing light colored bags suck! I just made a bag worse (first time for every thing) with my experiment antics. I was on auto pilot and just finished a cotton bag rehab....Anyone know how to remove a spray and wash stain from light colored leather? I imagine all I can do is darken the leather to try and get it to even out, but how do you do that evenly? I think I may have to just give up on this one. First time I have made a bag worse.

Kathy, about the green verdegris on the leather. I would try the method you posted in a small test patch first. I would worry the baking soda would scratch the leather....I would do a test then condition and see if you can see any scratching or color loss.
 
#347
dstalksalot said:
Kathy, about the green verdegris on the leather. I would try the method you posted in a small test patch first. I would worry the baking soda would scratch the leather....I would do a test then condition and see if you can see any scratching or color loss.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I gave it a try and it seemed to lighten the green stains; but it may have just been because I was digging around in the green area and I inadvertently removed some of the green gunk that has been built up. I may try a repeat test.

My advice for your cotton bag - throw it in the washing machine and see what happens! Good luck!
 
#348
dstalksalot said:
Yup, rehabbing light colored bags suck! I just made a bag worse (first time for every thing) with my experiment antics. I was on auto pilot and just finished a cotton bag rehab....Anyone know how to remove a spray and wash stain from light colored leather? I imagine all I can do is darken the leather to try and get it to even out, but how do you do that evenly? I think I may have to just give up on this one. First time I have made a bag worse.

Kathy, about the green verdegris on the leather. I would try the method you posted in a small test patch first. I would worry the baking soda would scratch the leather....I would do a test then condition and see if you can see any scratching or color loss.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I misread and thought you were asking a fabric bag not a light colored leather bag. You might try contacting the manufacturer of Spray and Wash and ask them for advice.
 
#349
katev said:
Lighter colored bags are more challenging to rehab (I am struggling with one right now!) I would probably give the mark a gentle treatment with alcohol, but I wouldn't be too aggressive because of possible color loss.

I would also give the bag a bath in warm mild suds (Ivory, Woolite) and use my fingers to massage soap into the staind area. It will probably lighten the mark and make it less noticeable. Good luck!
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Yes I did give her a bath. I use Dawn liquid soap and I really like it. I figure if its mild enough for wild baby birds it will be ok for my coach leather. Thank you for the tip!
 
#352
katev said:
I am looking for advice for cleaning up verdigris stains on an old "made in NYC" bag that I am currently working on (that green discoloration that comes from the deterioration of brass.)

I know that I can use metal polish to remove the verdigris from the metal but I don't know how to remove the green staining from the leather around the buckles and strap connectors. I found the procedure below online for removing verdigris stains from leather. Has anyone tried this method or do you have some alternative suggestions?

I have also read that you need to "seal the metal" to keep the discoloration from coming back; but I have no idea how to seal the metal! Any advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

http://www.ehow.com/how_6386111_clean-verdigris-stains-leather-brass.html

Leather items trimmed with brass hardware have a classic look about them. If you've inherited or purchased an older leather item, you may have found green stuff where the brass is in contact with the leather. This green stuff is a chemical called verdigris that develops from moisture on the metal that comes in contact with the leather. Verdigris stains can be stubborn but are removable with a little gentle persistence. Using supplies from home, you can remove verdigris stains from leather without damaging the material.

Things You'll Need
White vinegar
Baking soda
Small bowl
Old toothbrush
Cotton terrycloths
Water
Leather balm

1
Instructions

Combine baking soda and white vinegar in a small bowl to create a paste the consistency of ketchup. The mixture will foam for a bit. This combination of ingredients creates a mild acetic acid that helps to safely remove the verdigris from the leather.

2
Apply the paste with an old toothbrush. Scrub gently, working the paste into the leather's pores. Allow the baking soda and vinegar paste to sit on the verdigris stain for about five minutes.

3
Wipe the cleaning paste and verdigris stains away with a clean terrycloth dampened with plain water. Repeat step 2 if any verdigris remains.

4
Dry the leather with a clean cotton terrycloth, removing all surface traces of liquid.

5
Rub leather balm into the leather where you treated the verdigris stain to help condition the area now that it's clean.
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I read (somewhere) that you can seal the brass with clear nail polish or something similar.
 
#353
madisonave5011 said:
Yes I did give her a bath. I use Dawn liquid soap and I really like it. I figure if its mild enough for wild baby birds it will be ok for my coach leather. Thank you for the tip!
Click to expand...
Hey, I wouldn't use Dawn unless you have a grease/oil issue. It may dry out the bag. Dawn is used on wildlife that are exposed to oil spills to take the oil off their feathers. I would use woolite or another gentle cleaner. :smile1:
 
#354
dstalksalot said:
Yup, rehabbing light colored bags suck! I just made a bag worse (first time for every thing) with my experiment antics. I was on auto pilot and just finished a cotton bag rehab....Anyone know how to remove a spray and wash stain from light colored leather? I imagine all I can do is darken the leather to try and get it to even out, but how do you do that evenly? I think I may have to just give up on this one. First time I have made a bag worse.

Kathy, about the green verdegris on the leather. I would try the method you posted in a small test patch first. I would worry the baking soda would scratch the leather....I would do a test then condition and see if you can see any scratching or color loss.
Click to expand...
I would give it a bath. I almost ruined a bag by putting it out in the heat/sun. Just trying to get the outside a little dry so I could finish rehabbing. I know...dumb. I was multi-tasking and forgot about it for 15 minutes. The leather dried quickly and left water spots everywhere. I conditioned it and gave it another bath...after a few days. The spots disappeared.
 
#355
ansaturday said:
I would give it a bath. I almost ruined a bag by putting it out in the heat/sun. Just trying to get the outside a little dry so I could finish rehabbing. I know...dumb. I was multi-tasking and forgot about it for 15 minutes. The leather dried quickly and left water spots everywhere. I conditioned it and gave it another bath...after a few days. The spots disappeared.
Click to expand...

Those were the thoughts I had too. I went one further and threw it in the washing machine. No love. Ironically, I sprayed the inside of the bag and there absolutely no stains there. I guess it seeped through????

So lesson learned I guessed. I am sad too, this was my favorite style. The cresent hippie with the seam down the center. I have rehabbed three of these previously.
 
#358
dstalksalot said:
Those were the thoughts I had too. I went one further and threw it in the washing machine. No love. Ironically, I sprayed the inside of the bag and there absolutely no stains there. I guess it seeped through????

So lesson learned I guessed. I am sad too, this was my favorite style. The cresent hippie with the seam down the center. I have rehabbed three of these previously.
Click to expand...
I hate to hear that. Just a question. Did you use a front loader machine? I don't feel like mine gives it a good soak like the sink. :smile1:
 
#359
RubyPrincess168 said:
Question for the experts and more experienced rehabbers:
What is your opinion on giving a black leather bag (unlined) a bath in Woolite for Darks?
Click to expand...

I've given lots of dark-colored, unlined bags baths without any problems. I usually use Ivory soap when I give bags a bath in the kitchen sink and woolite if I use the washing machine. That's just for convenience, the Ivory is always in the kitchen and the Woolite stays in the basement near the washer.
 
#360
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