Thank you and it does help, and does make sense. I am approaching it with the 'tiered' mentality, because I like to keep things as simple as possible, but also don't want to waste my efforts, but I see what you mean about the conditioning properties won't be undone, just any excess product will possibly be cleaned out which is probably fine.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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Thank you and it does help, and does make sense. I am approaching it with the 'tiered' mentality, because I like to keep things as simple as possible, but also don't want to waste my efforts, but I see what you mean about the conditioning properties won't be undone, just any excess product will possibly be cleaned out which is probably fine.
Good luck! My experience has been this approach does work, even if frustrating and time consuming - hope it does for you. What an interesting conversation you started
You may know this, but if you can put the bag in the sun for a few hours, the blackrock sinks in and cures faster.
I didn't know that! I only recently started collecting and attempting to rehab. I was inspired by the fantastic rehabs done on this forum and am definitely learning a lot!
I can't say enough about Blackrock's! I started using it on the vache of my Louis Vuittons and it has worked miracles on vintage bags. tPFer Docride who is usually over in the Hermes forum where she runs a leather care thread first started me on this product and it's great for cleaning and conditioning. I alternate thin applications of Blackrocks and Obenaufs LP Heavy Duty (which helps to make the leather weather resistant and not show water stains). These are pics of my Louis Vuitton VVN All Vachetta bags that have been treated and have not shown water stains after being caught in the rain. I have also used it on a rehabbed vintage Coach Lula's Legacy drawstring as well. A bonus is the Obenaufs has the most lovely smell of honey to it as well!
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Black Rocks is very sticky but I have learned to use very light applications and to let it rest between applications and then buff. I don't use it all the time but I find it very helpful when the color is faded, splotchy, or inconsistent.
I can't say enough about Blackrock's! I started using it on the vache of my Louis Vuittons and it has worked miracles on vintage bags. tPFer Docride who is usually over in the Hermes forum where she runs a leather care thread first started me on this product and it's great for cleaning and conditioning. I alternate thin applications of Blackrocks and Obenaufs LP Heavy Duty (which helps to make the leather weather resistant and not show water stains). These are pics of my Louis Vuitton VVN All Vachetta bags that have been treated and have not shown water stains after being caught in the rain. I have also used it on a rehabbed vintage Coach Lula's Legacy drawstring as well. A bonus is the Obenaufs has the most lovely smell of honey to it as well!
I.Am.SOLD after your pics! One of my projects is a very "vintage" LV Keepall with super dried out leather straps. So far I've used the Leather Honey to moisturize, but it's remained a dark brown for almost a month now, and it makes me hesitate to try it on my only-water-stained speedy vachetta. I just got my Leather CPR and BlackRocks in the mail over the past three days, so I'm planning to conduct some experiments tomorrow. One thing I keep getting hung upon is the smell: aside from the Leather Honey, the other brands recommended smell bleh to me. ("Bleh" being the technical term, of course.) I read some of DocRide's notes, so Obenaufs is next on my to-buy list!
KateV: I know it sounds silly to go on about glue (as if I've been sniffing too much of it!?!?) But that stuff you recommended has made a TREMENDOUS difference in my projects. Thank you thank you thank you for saving me so much time and effort.
I love the vintage Keepalls too! I would love to get a trunk one day as well. I have never tried the Leather CPR but I have heard good things about it. I also have grown used to the smell of the Blackrocks ( not bad in my opinion) and I love the smell of Obenaufs. The bags start to smell delicious like honey after several applications. Good luck on your rehab experiments and post pics when you have a chance. I have a large Coach vintage Duffle Sac in british tan arriving this week that needs some love so I will try to post before and after pics, too!I.Am.SOLD after your pics! One of my projects is a very "vintage" LV Keepall with super dried out leather straps. So far I've used the Leather Honey to moisturize, but it's remained a dark brown for almost a month now, and it makes me hesitate to try it on my only-water-stained speedy vachetta. I just got my Leather CPR and BlackRocks in the mail over the past three days, so I'm planning to conduct some experiments tomorrow. One thing I keep getting hung upon is the smell: aside from the Leather Honey, the other brands recommended smell bleh to me. ("Bleh" being the technical term, of course.) I read some of DocRide's notes, so Obenaufs is next on my to-buy list!
KateV: I know it sounds silly to go on about glue (as if I've been sniffing too much of it!?!?) But that stuff you recommended has made a TREMENDOUS difference in my projects. Thank you thank you thank you for saving me so much time and effort.
YES! I decided that after I win the lottery, I'm finally going to buy one of the unique antique LV trunks - possibly one of the library trunks. *sigh. But considering they typically sell for the price of a small car... *SIGH. Definitely has to wait until after the lottery win.
IN THE MEANTIME: I found this sweet little trunk at an antique show yesterday for a much-more-doable price. It's not an LV, and it won't prevent me from keeping my eyes peeled for an un-recognized bargain LV trunk, but it's perfect for storing/moving my now-growing collection of Coach and other pre-loved designer bags!
TWO webbed trays!!
LOVE it!! Congrats on your find! I always love to wonder about the stories these old pieces could tell. Very handsome trunkYES! I decided that after I win the lottery, I'm finally going to buy one of the unique antique LV trunks - possibly one of the library trunks. *sigh. But considering they typically sell for the price of a small car... *SIGH. Definitely has to wait until after the lottery win.
IN THE MEANTIME: I found this sweet little trunk at an antique show yesterday for a much-more-doable price. It's not an LV, and it won't prevent me from keeping my eyes peeled for an un-recognized bargain LV trunk, but it's perfect for storing/moving my now-growing collection of Coach and other pre-loved designer bags!
TWO webbed trays!!
That bag was in the back of a closet. I know years ago I had a bag that sat in the sunlight and some of the color was bleached out. This bag was found in a box in the back of a closet, so I think I will try washing it and then start moisturizing the bag before it drys completely. Will let you know what happens to it.
Hia Coachies.
So in between studying, I managed to use a little BlackRock on my most dried out and abused bag. I'm impressed! I used it on more than one bag, but I only got pics of this one for now. It did some minor cleaning, but I think the dunking got most of the dirt out...at least whatever was EVER going to come out. Is it wrong to say an old leather bag looks "healthier?"
Before (still soaking wet):
After (after BlackRock):
Before (wet - big ink stain):
After: (Still stained, but lightened)
So in between studying, I managed to use a little BlackRock on my most dried out and abused bag. I'm impressed! I used it on more than one bag, but I only got pics of this one for now. It did some minor cleaning, but I think the dunking got most of the dirt out...at least whatever was EVER going to come out. Is it wrong to say an old leather bag looks "healthier?"
Before (still soaking wet):
After (after BlackRock):
Before (wet - big ink stain):
After: (Still stained, but lightened)
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The leather does look "healthier"-with a nice sheen. That style of bag is pretty too!Hia Coachies.
So in between studying, I managed to use a little BlackRock on my most dried out and abused bag. I'm impressed! I used it on more than one bag, but I only got pics of this one for now. It did some minor cleaning, but I think the dunking got most of the dirt out...at least whatever was EVER going to come out. Is it wrong to say an old leather bag looks "healthier?"
Before (still soaking wet):
After (after BlackRock):
Before (wet - big ink stain):
After: (Still stained, but lightened)
x UHOH X said:
Very nice, from old and tired looking to a vintage patina! My glove-tanned multifunction tote is almost 12 years old and has survived two babies, orange juice spills, drips of all sorts, falls off my bike, and so on and has that same look. It still surprises me how often I still get random strangers complimenting the bag and stopping to ask about it - bet you will find the same!
Thanks! Not sure what drew me to it, but that bag just really speaks to me, bumps, stains, bruises and all.
This, by the way, is also the bag in which I tested the Arm & Hammer scented rug powder to work on smells. I think it worked fairly well, although I only sifted the powder around four or five times, and left it to sit in between over a period of a few days. If left a bit longer, I imagine it would definitely work on smells more. It's pretty harmless, so a few days isn't a big deal. I didn't vacuum it out, just shook it out over a trashcan. Even with the nubuck lining, it wasn't hard to shake it all out.
Have a great day!
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