Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[kithrobyn]

I have dunked her, applied Leather CPR 3 times, and also a coat of Blackrock.

She was in really rough shape and very flat. I'm up for doing the process again though if it will help.

 

[katev]

Have you dunked it yet? It looks basically fine but will benefit from reshaping and conditioning.

I have dunked her, applied Leather CPR 3 times, and also a coat of Blackrock.

She was in really rough shape and very flat. I'm up for doing the process again though if it will help.

If you are starting over, at this point I might put it in a laundry bag (or pillowcase) and try running it through the washer with woolite on gentle to get all of the conditioner and blackrocks out of it; but that's just me, others may not agree.

Did you stuff the bag with towels or clean rags during the first day or two of drying? And lay it flat and shaped while it is drying? That usually helps a lot to restore the shape of the bag.

 

[whateve]

An update on where I'm at in my rehab project.

Just looking to see what you guys think and see if anybody has suggestions.

If you are starting over, at this point I might put it in a laundry bag (or pillowcase) and try running it through the washer with woolite on gentle to get all of the conditioner and blackrocks out of it; but that's just me, others may not agree.

Did you stuff the bag with towels or clean rags during the first day or two of drying? And lay it flat and shaped while it is drying? That usually helps a lot to restore the shape of the bag.

I don't think it needs to go through the washer as I'm not seeing stains. What I see are scratches, corner wear, and it is very misshapen. Did you stuff it when it was drying? I think that is the main problem. I would probably dunk again, just enough to get it soaked enough so it can be reshaped. Then condition again and fix the corners like I mentioned before.

 

[kithrobyn]

I don't think it needs to go through the washer as I'm not seeing stains. What I see are scratches, corner wear, and it is very misshapen. Did you stuff it when it was drying? I think that is the main problem. I would probably dunk again, just enough to get it soaked enough so it can be reshaped. Then condition again and fix the corners like I mentioned before.

Thank you, I will do it again.

 

[whateve]

Thank you, I will do it again.

Don't overstuff but get it to dry in the shape you would like. Probably with the back pressed flat against a surface. Lightly stuff the front pocket. Pay attention to getting the corners stuffed enough that they dry square. Once it has dried enough that the shape remains without stuffing you can remove the stuffing. Leave the flap open until it is about half dry or more, then close it in order to shape the flap. I use old towels and rags for stuffing, not paper which could make a mess.

 

[houseof999]

Ugh.. I didn't pay attention to the back of this hobo before dunking. Now I'm stuffing it to shape and notice this on the back. Do you think it's natural veining or variations of the leather? It doesn't look like that to me. It's not hard to touch and no stains are inside behind the leather. If something happened, it happened from the outside. Had anyone worked on something like this? What did/would you do to make it smoother? I feel like I will wasting my time and conditioner and no one will want this bag due to this flaws.

 

[whateve]

Ugh.. I didn't pay attention to the back of this hobo before dunking. Now I'm stuffing it to shape and notice this on the back. Do you think it's natural veining or variations of the leather? It doesn't look like that to me. It's not hard to touch and no stains are inside behind the leather. If something happened, it happened from the outside. Had anyone worked on something like this? What did/would you do to make it smoother? I feel like I will wasting my time and conditioner and no one will want this bag due to this flaws. View attachment 4305918

I don't know what you can do but i don't think you should give it up. I don't think it is that bad. The part of the right looks weirder because of the shape. I think it is natural veining.

 

[Catbird9]

Ugh.. I didn't pay attention to the back of this hobo before dunking. Now I'm stuffing it to shape and notice this on the back. Do you think it's natural veining or variations of the leather? It doesn't look like that to me. It's not hard to touch and no stains are inside behind the leather. If something happened, it happened from the outside. Had anyone worked on something like this? What did/would you do to make it smoother? I feel like I will wasting my time and conditioner and no one will want this bag due to this flaws. View attachment 4305918

I wouldn't give up on it yet! You might be surprised what appeals to someone.

The long wavy lines could be natural veining. The shape on the right doesn't look natural, I have no idea what that could be, maybe some residue from where the cow was branded?

I would just go ahead and condition it with CPR and Blackrock, buff it up plenty, and trust that there's a buyer out there who will appreciate the natural rugged look.

 

[houseof999]

I wouldn't give up on it yet! You might be surprised what appeals to someone.

The long wavy lines could be natural veining. The shape on the right doesn't look natural, I have no idea what that could be, maybe some residue from where the cow was branded?

I would just go ahead and condition it with CPR and Blackrock, buff it up plenty, and trust that there's a buyer out there who will appreciate the natural rugged look.

Lol.. I didn't even think about the source being the branding on the cow! That would've been really cool to have in my opinion.

I don't know what you can do but i don't think you should give it up. I don't think it is that bad. The part of the right looks weirder because of the shape. I think it is natural veining.

Thanks! I'll go ahead and finish and then auction it off. I don't have high hopes for this one. Lol!

 

[catthecurious]

I got this older bag that looks nice overall, with no major age-related issues or "man-made problems"... It's in very dark shade of brown - espresso or mocha. I don't think the color has been altered as it doesn't look perfect or too even and "poreless". It doesn't smell like shoe polish, either. The leather isn't stiff, sticky or hard to touch. What bothers me is the disgusting persistent smell of old rancid fat. If I rub it with a dry clean rag, it leaves faint "brushstrokes" on the bag's surface, but it doesn't make hands greasy. Whatever it was, the substance was either very thick or hardened. A drop of water rolls off the surface like it's covered in lard. I'm not posting the picture as you can't really see anything, it's just the smell is awful and airing it out won't help. Tried to research the subject, but it's hard to search how to get rid of it if I don't know what it is. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated! And sorry the question turned out so long.

 

[nursebetty]

I got this older bag that looks nice overall, with no major age-related issues or "man-made problems"... It's in very dark shade of brown - espresso or mocha. I don't think the color has been altered as it doesn't look perfect or too even and "poreless". It doesn't smell like shoe polish, either. The leather isn't stiff, sticky or hard to touch. What bothers me is the disgusting persistent smell of old rancid fat. If I rub it with a dry clean rag, it leaves faint "brushstrokes" on the bag's surface, but it doesn't make hands greasy. Whatever it was, the substance was either very thick or hardened. A drop of water rolls off the surface like it's covered in lard. I'm not posting the picture as you can't really see anything, it's just the smell is awful and airing it out won't help. Tried to research the subject, but it's hard to search how to get rid of it if I don't know what it is. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated! And sorry the question turned out so long.

Apparently Mink oil can go rancid. Maybe someone covered your bag in something that turned. Have you washed it? Maybe that would remove a good deal of the coating?

 

[whateve]

I got this older bag that looks nice overall, with no major age-related issues or "man-made problems"... It's in very dark shade of brown - espresso or mocha. I don't think the color has been altered as it doesn't look perfect or too even and "poreless". It doesn't smell like shoe polish, either. The leather isn't stiff, sticky or hard to touch. What bothers me is the disgusting persistent smell of old rancid fat. If I rub it with a dry clean rag, it leaves faint "brushstrokes" on the bag's surface, but it doesn't make hands greasy. Whatever it was, the substance was either very thick or hardened. A drop of water rolls off the surface like it's covered in lard. I'm not posting the picture as you can't really see anything, it's just the smell is awful and airing it out won't help. Tried to research the subject, but it's hard to search how to get rid of it if I don't know what it is. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated! And sorry the question turned out so long.

Apparently Mink oil can go rancid. Maybe someone covered your bag in something that turned. Have you washed it? Maybe that would remove a good deal of the coating?

I've read of people using vegetable oils, like olive oil and coconut oil, which can also go rancid.

If you haven't already, dunk in extra hot water.

 

[Catbird9]

I got this older bag that looks nice overall, with no major age-related issues or "man-made problems"... It's in very dark shade of brown - espresso or mocha. I don't think the color has been altered as it doesn't look perfect or too even and "poreless". It doesn't smell like shoe polish, either. The leather isn't stiff, sticky or hard to touch. What bothers me is the disgusting persistent smell of old rancid fat. If I rub it with a dry clean rag, it leaves faint "brushstrokes" on the bag's surface, but it doesn't make hands greasy. Whatever it was, the substance was either very thick or hardened. A drop of water rolls off the surface like it's covered in lard. I'm not posting the picture as you can't really see anything, it's just the smell is awful and airing it out won't help. Tried to research the subject, but it's hard to search how to get rid of it if I don't know what it is. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated! And sorry the question turned out so long.

Apparently Mink oil can go rancid. Maybe someone covered your bag in something that turned. Have you washed it? Maybe that would remove a good deal of the coating?

I've read of people using vegetable oils, like olive oil and coconut oil, which can also go rancid.

If you haven't already, dunk in extra hot water.

I agree...and I'd probably add vinegar to the wash.

 

[Belicious]

I got this older bag that looks nice overall, with no major age-related issues or "man-made problems"... It's in very dark shade of brown - espresso or mocha. I don't think the color has been altered as it doesn't look perfect or too even and "poreless". It doesn't smell like shoe polish, either. The leather isn't stiff, sticky or hard to touch. What bothers me is the disgusting persistent smell of old rancid fat. If I rub it with a dry clean rag, it leaves faint "brushstrokes" on the bag's surface, but it doesn't make hands greasy. Whatever it was, the substance was either very thick or hardened. A drop of water rolls off the surface like it's covered in lard. I'm not posting the picture as you can't really see anything, it's just the smell is awful and airing it out won't help. Tried to research the subject, but it's hard to search how to get rid of it if I don't know what it is. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated! And sorry the question turned out so long.

Agree with pp. And also add dawn to the bath as it dissolves grease.

 

[zooba]

I like stuffing and wrapping the bag in plain newsprint after dunking and drying. Put it in a sealed airtight bag. Any residual odor transfers to the paper.

I have a vintage bag that I bought in 87 it's a pouch shoulder with drawstring. No stains but has lost its shape. Any recommendations?