I just got this Berkeley saddle bag. The smooth leather on the front is bumpy with age. I don't know exactly how to describe it but you can see it in the picture. Normally I avoid bags that have this problem. Does anyone have any ideas how to smooth it out? I was thinking about sanding it smooth and then using Leather Refinisher on it. Do you think this would work?
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter bunnymasseuse
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Sorry- I can't provide any input on how to smooth the leather, but I just wanted to say this is a gorgeous bag!!! Congrats!!! That color and style is just beautiful!
Thank you! I love the combination of suede and leather. I got outbid on one that was in perfect condition a few months ago. I'm very happy I finally got one, especially in red.
BE NOT AFRAID...only fear becoming addicted to rehabbing! There's nothing better for a dried out bag than a lovely bubble bath. You're starting out with a very nice black bag...and the bath and lots of conditioning will give you an amazing, brought-back-to-life beauty. A lot of us here use Leather CPR (usually available at Tuesday Morning) and Blackrocks Leather'n'rich (local tack shop or online).
Take a little time and read a few posts here. And don't be shy...ask lots of questions. Good luck and have fun...it's really not rocket science...just rehabbing. Keep us posted!
Thank you all so much for the encouraging words! (I haven't figured out yet how to multi-quote on this board or I would thank you all personally!)
Right after the holidays I guess I'll dunk her *gulp*. I have Apple Leather Conditioner I use on my new bags - do you guys prefer the Leather CPR or the Blackrocks to the Apple? I like the Apple because it doesn't aggravate the asthma.
Whateve - obviously I have no idea how to fix your bag
but I wanted to say it's absolutely gorgeous!
JOODLZ - if this bag turns out well, I could easily become addicted to rehabbing! The thrill of getting such a wonderful bag (I love the old leathers!) for such a price appeals to the bargain hunter in me. Plus I adore older things.
Right after the holidays I guess I'll dunk her *gulp*. I have Apple Leather Conditioner I use on my new bags - do you guys prefer the Leather CPR or the Blackrocks to the Apple? I like the Apple because it doesn't aggravate the asthma.
Whateve - obviously I have no idea how to fix your bag
but I wanted to say it's absolutely gorgeous!JOODLZ - if this bag turns out well, I could easily become addicted to rehabbing! The thrill of getting such a wonderful bag (I love the old leathers!) for such a price appeals to the bargain hunter in me. Plus I adore older things.
Thank you all so much for the encouraging words! (I haven't figured out yet how to multi-quote on this board or I would thank you all personally!)
Right after the holidays I guess I'll dunk her *gulp*. I have Apple Leather Conditioner I use on my new bags - do you guys prefer the Leather CPR or the Blackrocks to the Apple? I like the Apple because it doesn't aggravate the asthma.
Whateve - obviously I have no idea how to fix your bag
JOODLZ - if this bag turns out well, I could easily become addicted to rehabbing! The thrill of getting such a wonderful bag (I love the old leathers!) for such a price appeals to the bargain hunter in me. Plus I adore older things.
Dont be afraid of dunking her ... at first I was scared too but these bags can really take a beating.
Just use Dawn dish soap and warm water, and give her a gentle rub.
I like Apple for conditioning. When I get bags that have deep scratches or a lot of them, i use a different product but your looks really nice.
When you lay it out to dry, put towels in it so that it will hold its shape really nice.
It take about a day and half to get dry.
Put a few coats of Apple on the leather and voila! The front flap is suede, perhaps gently brush it and youre all set!
I believe this is characteristic of the Berkeley collection. I have seen some that seem a bit less bumpy but the leather on most is almost pebbled in my experience--new or old. It is a lovely bag and the color is gorgeous-congrats!
Thank you. I didn't think it was intentional. Maybe a bit of moisturizer will do wonders. How is your Berkeley rehab going?
I believe it's intentionally "pebbled"...don't know how they make this surface, but I've seen it on this type of bag before...also I think the Sheridans are pebbled as well. Some conditioning might make the bumps less noticeable, but I don't think they'll go away. Beautiful in red...good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I'm no help, but I'd totally leave it as is!! I have a few like this and I like it as is.
Thanks. I have a Sheridan but this isn't like that at all. The pebbles are bigger than my Sonoma bag too. The bumps on this are uneven in size. They get larger as you get near the bottom of the bag and there are vertical striations. The inside of the bag is lightly pebbled with much smaller "pebbles", which is the way I suspect the outside was at one time.
Thanks!
I think it is great all of you giving new loving homes to these bags!
I recently rescued a Coach Bella Graffiti from a craigs lister who was selling it as "used, dirty and stained" well it was. She was asking $40 so, I jumped on the opportunity! Her loss my gain! A few hours of patience and damp rag with dawn, I have a new bag! No stains, no dirt just a shiny pretty Bella ready for spring!
I recently rescued a Coach Bella Graffiti from a craigs lister who was selling it as "used, dirty and stained" well it was. She was asking $40 so, I jumped on the opportunity! Her loss my gain! A few hours of patience and damp rag with dawn, I have a new bag! No stains, no dirt just a shiny pretty Bella ready for spring!
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