Oh yeah, this is the most important step. The leather won't absorb conditioner as well if it hasn't been dunked.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter greenpixie
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I have not dunked it. I have to admit, I am nervous at the thought, as I have never done it before. This is my first raw lined interior bag, so I will have to research it before I attempt it.
I was nervous as well but its really easy. I even let them soak in the soapy water. tThere are lots of tips and tricks in this forum that are super helpful, just look at past posts to get ideas. The results are well worth it though.
It helped me to first dunk a *test*bag. Way back when, I did dunk a Saddle and Patti, both second hand, in black. I wasn't too concerned about soap and water and conditioner. But because I only had Lexol conditioner, which is a light conditionder, it left some whitish streaking. Which I just kept wiping with a damp cloth and wound up just fine. But they were in good shape to start.
So when I found this thread, I read up on the products people used and made a decision to look for a couple of distressed bags and try my hand. I found two bags at a flea market, tobac convertable clutch and bt classic hobo for $10 each. The price was right and they were squashed, water stained with a whiff of mildew.
And I was not invested in the out come. I actually figued I could sell / use the hang tags and straps for replacements at that price. They actually came out great. And I am convinced doing it *just to see* made it alot of fun. I have used Leather Therapy Restorer/Condition and/or Leather CPR for after the bag has drained. I will look for an old post with my steps. Others have posted their process as well.
This is a link for a Light tote I dunked.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/page-944#post-31465378
Eta, if the bag is clean appearing, I will even use less Lexol, maybe 1/2 ounce in a sinkful of water.
Leather CPR and Blalckrocks I had some scuffs on mine so I had to do some touch up in areas with acrylic paint mixed with leather CPR before the blackrock. all this after a dunk of course.
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It was a spectator white and British tan saddle bag vintage I would call it bright white. I always go sparingly on the blackrocks. but I didn't experience any color changes from the products. Other opinions welcome.
Yes! No issues with dunking.
I am going to put a coat of blackrocks on it today after two rounds of leather CPR. Bag is less squished and looks much cleaner. Will post pics later if I get a chance in between oldest's baseball games.Whitney satchel is done. I couldn't get the shaping perfect, but it's better than it was and cleaner. I was also able to lighten the pen marks on the front with a Mr. Clean eraser. I successfully used it dry on getting black marks off of my white Legacy Willis, so I wanted to see what it could do wetted. It lightened the marks and didn't remove any dye.
I don't think I would try it on a darker bag, though, too chicken Below are before and after photos
I don't think I would try it on a darker bag, though, too chicken
Below are before and after photosI also finished the Asheville today too. It came out a little 
darker than it went in the bath, but looks so much better than before. Below are before and after photos.
darker than it went in the bath, but looks so much better than before. Below are before and after photos.
Really? I have often wondered about a condition in the water. Now, if I could find a dye to add to the water for a “refresher”.