My nails were splitting and cracking, my tips were kind of translucent, which is a sign of dryness. Now my tips are nice an white an much thicker, and my skin feels moister as well. What a nice benefit!
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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katev said:
I live in Colorado. It is very dry here. If you are not careful you start to look like jerky so I use lots of lotion. Funny I started to rehab bags and one day realized my hands looked 100 times better. I couldn't help but laugh that not only was I rehabbing bags but my hands as well.
katev said:
When I mixed color into the leather conditioner I did it sparingly. I took about an quarter cup of conditioner and mixed small dollops of color in using an artist paint brush. I painted a white unwaxed paper plate with it and when dry compared it to my hangtag. But you can use any part of the bag that may have original color left. Drying doesn't take long. I got the best results using a slightly moist artist sponge. Then applied in circular motion. I didn't use make-up sponges as they left bits of sponge behind.
Doing it this way allowed for gradual color build up if the bag needed it. But the bag only needed one coat. After that I finished it off with Leather CPR using a white wash cloth. It did take a little color off but it was very light and not enough to change the color.
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Emu oil is great stuff for skin! I make personal care products for myself and for gifts and have gotten many requests for more of my foot balm/cream that has emu oil in it!
I wouldn't say the bag looked iridescent, just very dry. The bag also smells like smoke
so I have given it two baths so far, first with wool wash and some bac out, then the second with borax. In both washes and in both rinse/soaks, the water becomes very brown. It's like color just keeps coming off this bag, but the bag itself doesn't look lighter itself.I wouldn't say the bag looked iridescent, just very dry. The bag also smells like smoke
I am sorry to hear that it smells like smoke, that is my personal challenge with a bag right now! Let us know how your bag turns out, good luck!
Porter4 said:I wouldn't say the bag looked iridescent, just very dry. The bag also smells like smoke
My Ranch felt slimy and smelled of smoke too. I soaked it for 30 minutes in soapy water. Then rubbed with wash cloth to release whatever was on it. Then resoaked again in a fresh batch of warm soapy water. I must have done it 5 or 6 times. Then soaked several times in cool water to release the soap. It did get a rub down with rubbing alcohol and one more rinse. Then the stuffing and drying step.
She is so cute!So I've been spending lots of TLC time with my Bonnie Cashin gal this afternoon. And I couldn't resist loading her up and taking a pic.
First - this is after the latest round of conditioner. I love how durable old leather is!
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Next - here's a modeling shot. She's a cute little thing!
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And, finally - what she holds. I was surprised...she's pretty roomy! The joys of a bucket style.
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I am just loving her more and more.
Really nice job on the brass...and I saw the Bonnie Cashin on the AT thread a little while ago...what a steal, and in such good shape! Congrats! Can't wait to see your rehabs.
Thanks! I'm having lots of fun with my new hobby. I should hopefully have some reveals of my first two endeavors (a Pocket Purse and a Station Bag) this weekend. Both need a little more work than I anticipated, so lesson learned in regards to full inspections before buying. Actually, I'm hoping y'all can help me problem solve on a couple of the issues, which I'm about to post.
Okay, so I'm in the midst of my first two rehabs, and have discovered issues with both of them [sigh]. So, I'm hoping maybe you can help me with some ideas.
First up - my Station Bag from 1998. Overall - in great shape and a bath really seemed to do wonders to help bring the shape back to her. However...the back wall pocket with the creed on it has come away from the left side of the bag, so it flaps down into the bag. At first, I thought it was just that the stitching had loosened, so thought I'd find a local cobbler to see if they could restitch it. Unfortunately, as I followed the seam down, about 2/3 of the way down, it looks like there's an actual tear in the leather, so a small triangular stub of leather is still attached to the side seam of the bag. Boo. So, since I never plan to use that back wall pocket anyway, I was thinking that I'd just get some leather glue to try and glue it back into place against the back of the purse. Am I nuts to think that will keep it from flapping down into the bag?
Second...the Pocket Purse - not sure of the year, just know it's from before they started putting style numbers in the registration number, so pre-1994, I guess (so much to learn!). On the front pocket under the flap, there's a small hole in the leather along the top of the pocket. It's not a huge tear or anything, so wondering if I can try filling it in somehow and painting over it? I can live with it if I can't fix it, but figure it's worth a try.
I can provide pictures of both issues when I get home tonight, if that would be helpful? If nothing else, I'm definitely learning what to look for when picking out bags to revive.
First up - my Station Bag from 1998. Overall - in great shape and a bath really seemed to do wonders to help bring the shape back to her. However...the back wall pocket with the creed on it has come away from the left side of the bag, so it flaps down into the bag. At first, I thought it was just that the stitching had loosened, so thought I'd find a local cobbler to see if they could restitch it. Unfortunately, as I followed the seam down, about 2/3 of the way down, it looks like there's an actual tear in the leather, so a small triangular stub of leather is still attached to the side seam of the bag. Boo. So, since I never plan to use that back wall pocket anyway, I was thinking that I'd just get some leather glue to try and glue it back into place against the back of the purse. Am I nuts to think that will keep it from flapping down into the bag?
Second...the Pocket Purse - not sure of the year, just know it's from before they started putting style numbers in the registration number, so pre-1994, I guess (so much to learn!). On the front pocket under the flap, there's a small hole in the leather along the top of the pocket. It's not a huge tear or anything, so wondering if I can try filling it in somehow and painting over it? I can live with it if I can't fix it, but figure it's worth a try.
I can provide pictures of both issues when I get home tonight, if that would be helpful? If nothing else, I'm definitely learning what to look for when picking out bags to revive.
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