Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Catbird9]

Quick Blackrocks usage question -- I know I've harped on this a bit but I get irritable working with this product to the point where I almost don't want to use it since I'm not seeing much of a positive result from all the efforts.

When you work it into a bag (I used my fingers), wait a few minutes, then wipe it off vigorously with the paper towel, are you supposed to keep wiping vigorously until there is no more residue on the paper towel? For example, when I was Blackrocking my brown (mahogany?) Ergo I would go through at least 5-6 pieces of paper towel per side and they were still coming up with brown dye on them. Not a lot, but definitely a noticeable amount. And I was scrubbing a bit with the paper towel too, wiping with some force. After the tackiness started to dissipate I'd move to another area.

What techniques do you all use with Blackrocks in terms of how you apply, how long you leave it on, and your methodology for removing it? I was starting to wrench my shoulder with how much I was going at this bag the other night! And do you only use it on black or brown bags? I really don't want to risk it on my red ones. TIA!

I don't wipe that hard or that much with the paper towel.

I put a tiny amount on my fingertips and massage it lightly over the bag. I usually do the piping and strap (or handles) first, then the side panels, the front and back panels, and the flap if it has one. I let it sit for a few minutes and then go back to where I started and wipe off any excess product (usually there isn't much to wipe). Then I let it sit for several hours or overnight before buffing.

I've used it on just about every color of leather with no problems.

 

[gerbies]

I'm in love with this purse but I hate that you can still kind of notice the deep scuffs on the flap. Am I just being super picky? I can only really see the worst one on this pic. It's right by the turnlock. I have conditioned and done Blackrocks

Great bag!

 

[whateve]

Quick Blackrocks usage question -- I know I've harped on this a bit but I get irritable working with this product to the point where I almost don't want to use it since I'm not seeing much of a positive result from all the efforts.

When you work it into a bag (I used my fingers), wait a few minutes, then wipe it off vigorously with the paper towel, are you supposed to keep wiping vigorously until there is no more residue on the paper towel? For example, when I was Blackrocking my brown (mahogany?) Ergo I would go through at least 5-6 pieces of paper towel per side and they were still coming up with brown dye on them. Not a lot, but definitely a noticeable amount. And I was scrubbing a bit with the paper towel too, wiping with some force. After the tackiness started to dissipate I'd move to another area.

What techniques do you all use with Blackrocks in terms of how you apply, how long you leave it on, and your methodology for removing it? I was starting to wrench my shoulder with how much I was going at this bag the other night! And do you only use it on black or brown bags? I really don't want to risk it on my red ones. TIA!

I don't let it sit. I put it on one panel, then wipe it off with the paper towel, then do the next panel. I don't really scrub. After several hours, I brush it to buff.

 

[whateve]

Now I have a question, has anyone ever dunked a leather wallet?

In my case where talking about chalk colored, pleated one from the Madison line.I dont think the previous owner cared.





Pic1 is before , Pic 2 that side got a wipe down with leather cleaner.The inside is clean.

I don't think I would dunk. I think you will probably have to use at least a little dye or paint. I would clean it with vinegar, then condition, and see how bad it is. Light colored items don't usually benefit from scrubbing as the natural color of the leather starts to bleed through. I would probably try to find a matching color on Wood n Stuff Leather Refinisher. You just need the sample size. First I would try it mixed with conditioner rather than using it full strength.

 

[Splatnext]

I don't think I would dunk. I think you will probably have to use at least a little dye or paint. I would clean it with vinegar, then condition, and see how bad it is. Light colored items don't usually benefit from scrubbing as the natural color of the leather starts to bleed through. I would probably try to find a matching color on Wood n Stuff Leather Refinisher. You just need the sample size. First I would try it mixed with conditioner rather than using it full strength.

Thank you @whateve , I had a feeling she shouldn't be dunked.I'll source the refinisher and then follow your instructions.

 

[vickenator]

Blackrock was the one I got carried away with at first. Since then I put a dab on my fingers, work it in circularly (no force), wait a few minutes, then wipe it off. I do each side one at a time. Dab, apply, wait, wipe, each side. Then later I buff with a microfiber cloth. Seems to come out fine that way.

How much Blackrocks do you use?
Being a relative newbie at rehabing I know I was a bit heavy handed on the first couple of bags, I cured one bag by sheer stupid luck, even after giving it a bath it had a very unpleasant chemical odor to it and I used Obenaufs since it smells better then Blackrocks.The bag still reeked so I stuck her out on the sunny porch.
That cured the stench and the tackiness.
Since then I use very small amounts and work them in to the leather untill there is nothing left to work in.I finish one panel then let it sit a few minutes, then wipe and buff.

I don't wipe that hard or that much with the paper towel.

I put a tiny amount on my fingertips and massage it lightly over the bag. I usually do the piping and strap (or handles) first, then the side panels, the front and back panels, and the flap if it has one. I let it sit for a few minutes and then go back to where I started and wipe off any excess product (usually there isn't much to wipe). Then I let it sit for several hours or overnight before buffing.

I've used it on just about every color of leather with no problems.

I don't let it sit. I put it on one panel, then wipe it off with the paper towel, then do the next panel. I don't really scrub. After several hours, I brush it to buff.

Thank you, @pandapreston @Splatnext @Catbird9 and @whateve ! I can see now that I have been overly aggressive in my Blackrocking and will be much more measured with my future bags. Wow. Well, at least the bags I've used it on now don't seem any worse for wear because of it, but man, I really worked that leather hard with that stuff. I'll be more careful in the future. Thank you all again for the great feedback!

 

[Lake Effect]

I'm in love with this purse but I hate that you can still kind of notice the deep scuffs on the flap. Am I just being super picky? I can only really see the worst one on this pic. It's right by the turnlock. I have conditioned and done Blackrocks.

I think it is very easy when rehabbing to look at some of the spectacular bags and/or results posted here and become fixed in the spot or scratch or whatever that did not respond to refurbishing. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
I enjoy my bags for what they are, some of them have more imperfections and some have less. But they all have imperfections. For me, that’s how it rolls for acquiring used items that I put to more use!

 

[valv54]

I think it is very easy when rehabbing to look at some of the spectacular bags and/or results posted here and become fixed in the spot or scratch or whatever that did not respond to refurbishing. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
I enjoy my bags for what they are, some of them have more imperfections and some have less. But they all have imperfections. For me, that’s how it rolls for acquiring used items that I put to more use!

Here, here!
All those imperfections are little stories along the way.

 

[Syren]

Ahhhh I’m so excited! My Rambler is here! I know this bag is so common haha but I’m pumped! First time I’ve ever been able to really inspect one of these older styles and the quality just really blew me away. I think it’s in pretty good shape but I’m still going to attempt a full rehab as the strap has a lot of darkening at the top and some other areas need some love. I think this color will be good for me to learn with. I’ve ordered some polishing clothes to clean up the brass as well. Wish me luck!

Is this color Mahogany? And every time I get my creed skills in check my brain seems to forget it all lol It’s A9C-9061 which I think means it’s was made in 1999?

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Quoting my own post with before pics. I finished my Rambler! The bag was in great shape so I think I can only take some of the credit but I’m so proud of her! In person you can’t see the wear on the corners, it only shows up a bit in my after pics. I polished the brass tonight with steel wool and cape cod cloths UGGGHHH who can I pay to do this part in the future lol But wow the brass is so shiny now. I can’t wait to use it this weekend! Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[pandapreston]

Quoting my own post with before pics. I finished my Rambler! The bag was in great shape so I think I can only take some of the credit but I’m so proud of her! In person you can’t see the wear on the corners, it only shows up a bit in my after pics. I polished the brass tonight with steel wool and cape cod cloths UGGGHHH who can I pay to do this part in the future lol But wow the brass is so shiny now. I can’t wait to use it this weekend! Thanks for the help everyone!

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Whoooooo!!! She looks beautiful!!! You should be proud of the job you did! Excellent work.

 

[coach943]

Great! So no vinegar. Lol!

I don't think vinegar would work to seal it, but I don't think it would hurt your bag if you wanted to try it.

 

[pandapreston]

I don't think vinegar would work to seal it, but I don't think it would hurt your bag if you wanted to try it.

Well, my theory was that if it worked on denim...but it's a stupid idea. I didn't expect anyone to go for it.

 

[coach943]

Thank you, @pandapreston @Splatnext @Catbird9 and @whateve ! I can see now that I have been overly aggressive in my Blackrocking and will be much more measured with my future bags. Wow. Well, at least the bags I've used it on now don't seem any worse for wear because of it, but man, I really worked that leather hard with that stuff. I'll be more careful in the future. Thank you all again for the great feedback!

Don't worry if there is some color loss from the bag on your paper towel, either. That's normal. I go over each section with the paper towel and just rub/buff in a circular motion until the Blackrocks is buffed in and the leather smooth. You only need to use a very small amount of Blackrocks for each section of the bag. I don't think I've ever used more than one small section of a paper towel when I've applied Blackrocks.

 

[coach943]

Quoting my own post with before pics. I finished my Rambler! The bag was in great shape so I think I can only take some of the credit but I’m so proud of her! In person you can’t see the wear on the corners, it only shows up a bit in my after pics. I polished the brass tonight with steel wool and cape cod cloths UGGGHHH who can I pay to do this part in the future lol But wow the brass is so shiny now. I can’t wait to use it this weekend! Thanks for the help everyone!

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It is beautiful! You did a great job!

 

[c_atchin]

I need some advice! I got incredibly lucky on this one, but I'm not quite sure how to proceed. The bag is misshapen, but I'm not sure I should dunk it-I've read that some of the bags from this era disintegrate. It also has a tear in the piping on the strap. Should I leave it alone? Should I try to repair it? Otherwise, it's in great shape. Maybe just conditioner? I'd appreciate any thoughts.