I know what you mean about the Willis, just from the front. But no, you shouldn't do this to classics!
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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I have washed a red leather, fabric lined bag but my lining was black so I wasn't worried about the red bleeding onto it. In your case, if the brown lining isn't very dark, it is likely that the red will bleed onto it. In almost every case, red dye will be released when you dunk. Can you pull out the lining and possibly dunk the bag without getting the lining wet? Have you tried to cleaning the stains with leather or multi-purpose cleaner?
The other thing you should know about dunking any bag that has lining is that the creed doesn't handle it too well. It tends to swell and warp. In one case, it became nearly unreadable.
So this is the bag I mentioned that I was thinking about dying. I believe it's a drawstring flap from the lightweights collection, (eBay, $23.50) but as I was beginning to post this I thought I'd verify the name so I simultaneously posted in the ID thread:
Here is the reason I thought I might have to dye her:
As I suspected from the auction photos, someone had tried to clean the ink. You can sort of see a yellowish stain around the blue stain in this picture-which is what made me think I for sure wouldn't be able to get it out:
turns out I was right, but it does look a little better after a hairspray dunk, and finally a trip through the washer:
The cool thing about the location, however was that it was barely noticeable. I had to hunt for it when I first received the bag. So after washing, I figured I'd carry her as is, for a little while, and if she got dirty or I just couldn't stand it, I'd dye her later.
This is what finally convinced me it was OK to leave it alone, I had just conditioned it and set it down while I did something on the computer, I looked over and she looked like this, you can't even see the spot and I was pretty close.
But, this story has an even happier ending-as I had to go to Wal-Mart yesterday and as I walked past the arts and craft section and I remembered that someone (Joodlz?) mentioned that "linen" was a perfect match for their white bag, so I figured "what the heck?" and picked some up too and touched up the bottom and used it to correct some edging issues on the strap.
I used it full strengh on the strap, which I didn't take a picture of, and then added some lexol and put a couple of coats on the bottom. It probably could use one more coat, but I'm happy as is. I may have to break out the paint again for the other two white bags I'm working on so I may touch her up then.
Besides the ink, this bag was pretty clean to begin with, she honestly looks like new now so I'm super happy with her!
FABULOUS JOB...beautiful bag! I have one that was originally light tan that I vinegarooned and ultimately Minwaxed to black (http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-191.html#post21841590). Hyacinth called it a Soho Shoulder Pouch #4025. I love mine, but the drawstrings are now so slick, they won't stay put! Any suggestions on how to remedy that?
Awww, what a shame...I thought I had a new family member!
By the way, my high school colors were purple and white...go figure! And my hubby's grandmother had purple (probably lavender tinted) hair and drove a purple car. Sorry I never got the chance to meet her!
This bag is so cool...painting was the right thing to do I think!!! Looks nice!So this is the bag I mentioned that I was thinking about dying. I believe it's a drawstring flap from the lightweights collection, (eBay, $23.50) but as I was beginning to post this I thought I'd verify the name so I simultaneously posted in the ID thread:
Here is the reason I thought I might have to dye her:
As I suspected from the auction photos, someone had tried to clean the ink. You can sort of see a yellowish stain around the blue stain in this picture-which is what made me think I for sure wouldn't be able to get it out:
turns out I was right, but it does look a little better after a hairspray dunk, and finally a trip through the washer:
The cool thing about the location, however was that it was barely noticeable. I had to hunt for it when I first received the bag. So after washing, I figured I'd carry her as is, for a little while, and if she got dirty or I just couldn't stand it, I'd dye her later.
This is what finally convinced me it was OK to leave it alone, I had just conditioned it and set it down while I did something on the computer, I looked over and she looked like this, you can't even see the spot and I was pretty close.
But, this story has an even happier ending-as I had to go to Wal-Mart yesterday and as I walked past the arts and craft section and I remembered that someone (Joodlz?) mentioned that "linen" was a perfect match for their white bag, so I figured "what the heck?" and picked some up too and touched up the bottom and used it to correct some edging issues on the strap.
I used it full strengh on the strap, which I didn't take a picture of, and then added some lexol and put a couple of coats on the bottom. It probably could use one more coat, but I'm happy as is. I may have to break out the paint again for the other two white bags I'm working on so I may touch her up then.
Besides the ink, this bag was pretty clean to begin with, she honestly looks like new now so I'm super happy with her!
looks like someone is copying color block style but I hate to see this done to a bag that was fine before the paint. I wish this seller was on the forum though to give us some insights on painting and prepping the bags since it looks like it was well done !!
whateve said:
Thanks whateve. I have tried to clean the stains but I guess they either went clear through the leather as they didn't change any. I used coach cleaner because I was afraid apple would remove the color too. I could pill the lining up and dunk the bag except the handle sides are higher than the middle. Would it stain if I only dunked the bottom 3/4 and left it dry from the lowest center up?
Here's a picture of the bag as it probable explains better than I do! Lol! The stains are approximately dime size or smaller at the bottom edges. The rest of the bag is perfect.
I should preface this with a warning-I'm probably the least conservative rehabber here, as far as dunking, anyway.
First of all I would make a decision about what is going to bother you more, the spots, or possibly a pinkish tint to the lining of the bag. There's a good chance that even if the bag fades, it won't really affect the color of the lining noticeably.
If you decide you want to dunk it I would first pull the lining out of the bag and wet it down separately, if it's already wet with clean water it's slightly less likely to soak up red water. You might want to have some sort of clip or hair tie handy to keep the liner out of the bag while you're working, but keep in mind it's going to be next to impossible to keep everything separate while it's wet and slippery, so don't freak out if things touch.
Then, I would dunk and clean the bottom of the bag, doing my best to keep the lining out of the water. Concentrate on the dirty area first and get it as clean as possible-however, try not to over scrub because there is a real risk of lighter spots-I think that is more likely than really noticeably bleeding onto the liner.
Work on the bottom for as short a period as possible, but, also keep in mind you want to get it all clean in one shot-you don't want to have to go back and redunk when you're done. When your comfortable with the bottom, quickly dunk and clean the entire bag to even it out so you don't get water spots on the bag.
RINSE WELL, trying to keep the lining separate while you rinse also...but don't freak out if you get some pink water on the lining, it's just going to happen.
Shape the bag and pull the lining out while it drys whenever possible. If you can get the lining mostly dry and keep the bag shaped without stuffing it, you are that much less likely to have the leather bleed on the bag while it's drying. Most of the real shaping takes place in the final stages of drying anyway, so if you get the lining dry and the leather mostly dry, and then stuff it, you're probably ok.
Some more tarting up....
Not my style... not really a "bling" or "be-dazzled" kinda girl....
http://www.etsy.com/listing/97051447/coach-brown-leather-wristlet-with
or
http://www.etsy.com/listing/93705601/upcycle-atrist-coach-white-leather
My grandfather always reminded me..."it's good for those that like it..."
I've never rehabbed anything myself...but I'm wondering, would one of those Shout dye catcher sheets do anything to prevent transfer of the dye onto the lining? Anyone every thought of trying that? And forgive me if this is the dumbest suggestion you've heard!!!
I would take it to a store where you can find a rainbow of acrylic paint choices like Michaels, and get an EXACT match and lightly dab a watered down acrylic onto the spots until it's "camouflaged" This bag is too awesome to not carry her. I am pretty forgiving of the marks on a vintage bag and would almost carry her as is. I don't think I'd risk washing her only because of the slight chance that dunking her won't get rid of the water spots and yet cause other problems....., but that's me. I'm miss Cautious Pants ....always.
I've never used castile soap on anything, so use your best judgement. I usually use whatever dish soap I have, I know some people use Woolite.
I think the most important thing is to use something relatively gentle, that is easy to rinse out.
I typed that out while you were posting the pix, so I hadn't seen it yet. Gorgeous bag. Do keep in mind that there's also a chance the color of the leather may run and leave the color of the bag somewhat uneven. I haven't had this happen but someone did, now I forget who it was and I'm at work and shouldn't be doing this at all.
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