Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Minchanka]

Do you guys think this bag can be saved?? This is one of the very few bags that I will break my bag ban for. This one's in such sad shape though!! What a shame. Do China leathers rehab decently?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/283525737133

I’d only take it for free. It’s a combination of the color, the damage, and the leather that I don’t have much hope for.

 

[Minchanka]

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It looked like ink, but I’m not 100%. It got most of this unknown stain off as well which did behave much more like ink. The cleaner is worth a shot if your hopeless lol. I got a sample pack a while back on amazon.

If that was ink, this is a WOW result!

 

[Ava_13579]

You'd mentioned the D-rings facing backwards being a bothersome thing for you -- did you stuff the bag with towels after dunking it and leaving them there while it dried? That would have poofed out the sides a bit. It's also possible the heaviness of the towels you're using to reshape the handle are pulling the bag slightly backwards as a result. Do they still face backwards after the handle-shaper is removed?

I agree with @coach943 that the bag doesn't look particularly dry at this point and would probably be fine with a couple coats of CPR spaced out over a couple days or so. That's all I've been using on my two rehabs thus far and the bags seem to look pretty good. (I need to do a coat of Blackrocks on them both and will then post my pics!)

I am wondering if the pictures shown, where taken before stuffing the bag itself, or if stuffed not enough to reshape those sides. I always stuff mine till there is no more room inside, then I press around the bottom where I see "bulges" not to stretch the leather any further, if the sides are supposed to go inwards or outwards is if course other consideration.

Funny I never have paid attention at how the D rings look like, maybe because they looked OK with the shape of the sides. I will pay more attention in the future.

Thanks, guys!

This Manor seemed to insist on taking a similar shape to that, regardless of how I fiddled with it.
I battled against the bag for a while with this, and the bag won. It was stuffed when I took those pictures.

I stuffed as much as I could, but still wanted to be able to close the bag using the turnlock.
In this case, because the flap has a double layer of leather, I figured that could be necessary, because I didn't want to have an issue closing the bag later. With something like a Willis, where the flap is just a single layer of leather, I've dried the bag with it open.
It might have been fine drying the Manor with the flap open, though.

The Manor seems to be semi-structured, with a relatively soft silhouette. So I think I'll just live with the sides as they are. Maybe they'll adjust a bit as the bag is worn over time.

 

[Ava_13579]

I know we have some new rehabbers in the group, so I thought I'd share my latest rehab. It has been a while since I rehabbed a bag. This is an old skinny flight bag with the longer handles and no crossbody strap. I like this style because I like straps long enough to shoulder-carry rather than crossbody.

The bag was very misshapen, and the color was faded because of lack of conditioning. I dunked using Castile soap and let it soak for 15-20 minutes. I used vinegar in the rinse and rinsed until I was sure no soap remained. I stuffed with old towels and started conditioning after the bag dried a bit.

I started conditioning with Montana Pitch-Blend Oil. The bag really soaked in the conditioner. I did the first few rounds after about 12 hours because the bag really absorbed the conditioner. I then waited 24-36 hours between coats. I lost track of how many coats of Montana oil I used. It was probably 4 or 5. I also did a round of CPR in there, but went back to the Montana oil because the CPR absorbed more than I expected it to and I realized the bag was drier than I thought.

Then I let the bag sit for a week or so. (I also buffed with a horsehair brush between coats and randomly a couple times during the week I let it rest.) I felt like the bag was pretty well conditioned, so I did a coat of Blackrocks. I let it sit for another week or so and did a final coat of Blackrocks today. I buffed again and polished the brass.

The color is a bit uneven, but that is not surprising given the state of the bag when I started. I'm very happy with how it turned out. I love the heavy, chewy leather of this bag.

View attachment 4476068View attachment 4476070

Wow, looks beautiful!
Thanks so much for sharing with us!

 

[Ava_13579]

If you think the leather is really dry, I'd use Leather Therapy. Use it until it stops absorbing the conditioner.

Also, I don't think you'll have a problem with it being dry just using CPR. I've only used CPR on lots of rehabs. Lots of people here use CPR, too. Your bag doesn't look especially dry. You can just keep using it until the bag stops absorbing it.

I've had rehabs where I apply a couple coats and it was done. I've also had rehabs where I've applied lots of coats before it was done. The leather will let you know when it is done being conditioned.

Thank you so much for the advice!

The bag is drying now. I'm not sure if is very dry (or just very wrinkly).
I'm leaning towards just applying Leather CPR, but I don't know if I'd be better off with Leather Therapy?
(After dunking the bag yesterday, I haven't applied any conditioner yet.)

However, the bag has some darker areas. For example, on the top handle.
(Similarly, there's also a dark area on the front of the flap.)
Not sure if this is something that tends to fade with time, or if it'll likely be permanent?

So debating whether I should to dunk the bag again, or whether I should go ahead with applying conditioner...?

 

[Catbird9]

Do you guys think this bag can be saved?? This is one of the very few bags that I will break my bag ban for. This one's in such sad shape though!! What a shame. Do China leathers rehab decently?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/283525737133

I don't think you'd be able to do much to restore the color. The flap looks like it has ink or oil stains on it.

I might consider it for an experimental rehab adventure if I could get it for $20 shipped.

 

[coach943]

Thank you so much for the advice!

The bag is drying now. I'm not sure if is very dry (or just very wrinkly).
I'm leaning towards just applying Leather CPR, but I don't know if I'd be better off with Leather Therapy?
(After dunking the bag yesterday, I haven't applied any conditioner yet.)

However, the bag has some darker areas. For example, on the top handle.
(Similarly, there's also a dark area on the front of the flap.)
Not sure if this is something that tends to fade with time, or if it'll likely be permanent?

So debating whether I should to dunk the bag again, or whether I should go ahead with applying conditioner...?

View attachment 4476865

View attachment 4476866

You need to start conditioning the bag. Just pick a conditioner and start conditioning. You don't want to let it dry too much before conditioning.

You also can't judge a rehab at this point. A bag will change dramatically during the rehab. I'm not sure why you would dunk the bag again at this point.

 

[Ava_13579]

You need to start conditioning the bag. Just pick a conditioner and start conditioning. You don't want to let it dry too much before conditioning.

You also can't judge a rehab at this point. A bag will change dramatically during the rehab. I'm not sure why you would dunk the bag again at this point.

You need to start conditioning the bag. Just pick a conditioner and start conditioning. You don't want to let it dry too much before conditioning.

You also can't judge a rehab at this point. A bag will change dramatically during the rehab. I'm not sure why you would dunk the bag again at this point.

Thank you SO much for the late night response!

Lol sigh. I'm like, the worst apprentice ever right now.
I didn't see your post, and dunked again last night. Ugh.

https://media.giphy.com/media/CXAPW8vCQzYkg/giphy.gif

There were some dark marks on the bag, which is why I dunked.
(I figured my window of time for conditioning was closing, and I didn't know if conditioner would set the stains, or what.)

The marks are still there now, even after the bag has been dunked again. (Pictures are below. These were taken just now.)

No idea what these are, i.e. actual marks, or water stains, or color loss, or what. (This is my first time doing a red bag.)
I didn't see any of these marks on the bag, when I first received it, so quite annoyed with myself.

You mentioned it's too early to tell, so that's what I'm telling myself!

Will start conditioning today using CPR or Leather Therapy.

I saw that @valv54 mentioned using Obenuf's Oil in the past to even out color. Wondering if that might help with this bag.

Ordered some on Amazon now, and also ordered Obenauf's LP.
Just on the remote chance that people here think these products may help.
I'm assuming they won't help, and I shouldn't use them?

I'm assuming that if I use Leather CPR, I shouldn't use Obenauf's Oil later.
If I use Leather Therapy now, guessing that I shouldn't use Obenauf's Oil later (or maybe that'd be fine, because they're similar).

I should probably stop messing around with conditioners.
Oh my gosh, this rehab.

 

[vickenator]

Thank you SO much for the late night response!

Lol sigh. I'm like, the worst apprentice ever right now.
I didn't see your post, and dunked again last night. Ugh.

https://media.giphy.com/media/CXAPW8vCQzYkg/giphy.gif

There were some dark marks on the bag, which is why I dunked.
(I figured my window of time for conditioning was closing, and I didn't know if conditioner would set the stains, or what.)

The marks are still there now, even after the bag has been dunked again. (Pictures are below. These were taken just now.)

No idea what these are, i.e. actual marks, or water stains, or color loss, or what. (This is my first time doing a red bag.)
I didn't see any of these marks on the bag, when I first received it, so quite annoyed with myself.

You mentioned it's too early to tell, so that's what I'm telling myself!

Will start conditioning today using CPR or Leather Therapy.

I saw that @valv54 mentioned using Obenuf's Oil in the past to even out color. Wondering if that might help with this bag.

Ordered some on Amazon now, and also ordered Obenauf's LP.
Just on the remote chance that people here think these products may help.
I'm assuming they won't help, and I shouldn't use them?

I'm assuming that if I use Leather CPR, I shouldn't use Obenauf's Oil later.
If I use Leather Therapy now, guessing that I shouldn't use Obenauf's Oil later (or maybe that'd be fine, because they're similar).

I should probably stop messing around with conditioners.
Oh my gosh, this rehab.

View attachment 4477339
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View attachment 4477350
View attachment 4477351

I saw this post and audibly did an oh gurl!

From my notes -- not my experience as I haven't used them yet, just reading the posts here -- I noted that the Obenauf's Oil may darken the leather. I'm not sure how best to use it to even out colors, and I'd worry that applying it over the entire bag would just darken everything un-uniformly so that the dark spots are still darker than the rest of the now-darker-bag.

Like others recommended I would focus first on conditioning using the CPR for the next few days. You'll want to apply the CPR before the bag is dry, so after you have soaked it and rinsed it and toweled it off a little bit, I'd go ahead and apply the first coat then, blotting off excess so it doesn't collect in corners. Wait 24h and apply a second coat. I know you mention some darkening on the strap and other areas that you noticed, but frankly at this point I wouldn't worry too much about resolving staining (if that's what it is) and make sure the bag gets properly conditioned evenly. Plus, it's a vintage bag, right? So some character is to be expected, kind of like wrinkles as we get older. Imperfections are what make us all unique. My two cents (thinking of the scratches and marks on several of my to-be-rehabbed vintage bags that I probably won't stress too much about correcting).

Looking forward to the advice from others. Some of us newbies are learning right alongside you, so thank you for taking one for the team!

 

[Yrelle]

Hello! I was hoping you guys could help me with color. I want a light tan-ish bag for my next one. Does anybody have a putty bag and a camel tan bag? Could you please take a picture side by side? Thanks. Also is Taupe an official color?

 

[Catbird9]

Hello! I was hoping you guys could help me with color. I want a light tan-ish bag for my next one. Does anybody have a putty bag and a camel tan bag? Could you please take a picture side by side? Thanks. Also is Taupe an official color?

Depending on the year of manufacture, the tan colors can vary quite a bit. Putty, especially, could look very different depending on the bag's origin and history.

Taupe was an official color in certain years, for certain styles.

 

[Yrelle]

Depending on the year of manufacture, the tan colors can vary quite a bit. Putty, especially, could look very different depending on the bag's origin and history.

Taupe was an official color in certain years, for certain styles.

Thank you! That makes sense. My British Tans have some slight variations as well but not too much. Hoping the same would be true for light tans. I’m not looking for a particular style at the moment. I want to decide on a color and start from there. Hopefully somebody has these colors and could maybe post a picture.

 

[Yrelle]

Thank you SO much for the late night response!

Lol sigh. I'm like, the worst apprentice ever right now.
I didn't see your post, and dunked again last night. Ugh.

https://media.giphy.com/media/CXAPW8vCQzYkg/giphy.gif

There were some dark marks on the bag, which is why I dunked.
(I figured my window of time for conditioning was closing, and I didn't know if conditioner would set the stains, or what.)

The marks are still there now, even after the bag has been dunked again. (Pictures are below. These were taken just now.)

No idea what these are, i.e. actual marks, or water stains, or color loss, or what. (This is my first time doing a red bag.)
I didn't see any of these marks on the bag, when I first received it, so quite annoyed with myself.

You mentioned it's too early to tell, so that's what I'm telling myself!

Will start conditioning today using CPR or Leather Therapy.

I saw that @valv54 mentioned using Obenuf's Oil in the past to even out color. Wondering if that might help with this bag.

Ordered some on Amazon now, and also ordered Obenauf's LP.
Just on the remote chance that people here think these products may help.
I'm assuming they won't help, and I shouldn't use them?

I'm assuming that if I use Leather CPR, I shouldn't use Obenauf's Oil later.
If I use Leather Therapy now, guessing that I shouldn't use Obenauf's Oil later (or maybe that'd be fine, because they're similar).

I should probably stop messing around with conditioners.
Oh my gosh, this rehab.

View attachment 4477339
View attachment 4477340
View attachment 4477350
View attachment 4477351

I wouldn’t worry about the uneven color until the bag is completely dry. Some spots dry faster than other and would appear lighter in color.

 

[valv54]

Thank you SO much for the late night response!

Lol sigh. I'm like, the worst apprentice ever right now.
I didn't see your post, and dunked again last night. Ugh.

https://media.giphy.com/media/CXAPW8vCQzYkg/giphy.gif

There were some dark marks on the bag, which is why I dunked.
(I figured my window of time for conditioning was closing, and I didn't know if conditioner would set the stains, or what.)

The marks are still there now, even after the bag has been dunked again. (Pictures are below. These were taken just now.)

No idea what these are, i.e. actual marks, or water stains, or color loss, or what. (This is my first time doing a red bag.)
I didn't see any of these marks on the bag, when I first received it, so quite annoyed with myself.

You mentioned it's too early to tell, so that's what I'm telling myself!

Will start conditioning today using CPR or Leather Therapy.

I saw that @valv54 mentioned using Obenuf's Oil in the past to even out color. Wondering if that might help with this bag.

Ordered some on Amazon now, and also ordered Obenauf's LP.
Just on the remote chance that people here think these products may help.
I'm assuming they won't help, and I shouldn't use them?

I'm assuming that if I use Leather CPR, I shouldn't use Obenauf's Oil later.
If I use Leather Therapy now, guessing that I shouldn't use Obenauf's Oil later (or maybe that'd be fine, because they're similar).

I should probably stop messing around with conditioners.
Oh my gosh, this rehab.

View attachment 4477339
View attachment 4477340
View attachment 4477350
View attachment 4477351

Obenaufs works better for dark colors like blacks or navy's, I just messed up my purple station by putting obenaufs oil on the flap thinking it was dry but the flap was still damp and the oil soaked all the way through to the suede and made the suede all dark and matted down. I would not recommend it unless it's a lost cause and you have nothing to lose, or you want to permanently darken something.

 

[whateve]

Thank you SO much for the late night response!

Lol sigh. I'm like, the worst apprentice ever right now.
I didn't see your post, and dunked again last night. Ugh.

https://media.giphy.com/media/CXAPW8vCQzYkg/giphy.gif

There were some dark marks on the bag, which is why I dunked.
(I figured my window of time for conditioning was closing, and I didn't know if conditioner would set the stains, or what.)

The marks are still there now, even after the bag has been dunked again. (Pictures are below. These were taken just now.)

No idea what these are, i.e. actual marks, or water stains, or color loss, or what. (This is my first time doing a red bag.)
I didn't see any of these marks on the bag, when I first received it, so quite annoyed with myself.

You mentioned it's too early to tell, so that's what I'm telling myself!

Will start conditioning today using CPR or Leather Therapy.

I saw that @valv54 mentioned using Obenuf's Oil in the past to even out color. Wondering if that might help with this bag.

Ordered some on Amazon now, and also ordered Obenauf's LP.
Just on the remote chance that people here think these products may help.
I'm assuming they won't help, and I shouldn't use them?

I'm assuming that if I use Leather CPR, I shouldn't use Obenauf's Oil later.
If I use Leather Therapy now, guessing that I shouldn't use Obenauf's Oil later (or maybe that'd be fine, because they're similar).

I should probably stop messing around with conditioners.
Oh my gosh, this rehab.

View attachment 4477339
View attachment 4477340
View attachment 4477350
View attachment 4477351

Sometimes dark spots show up on a red bag after dunking. I have no idea why. Eventually they will fade. I would not use obenauf's oil. Any oil is likely to darken, and darken unevenly. CPR is the safest conditioner you can use to preserve the color.