I'm experimenting with a new technique. One of the NYC bags I did a long time ago has a super soft smooth feel to it. I'm thinking that I did this when I first started using Blackrocks and didn't know to wipe it off right away. So now I'm just wiping it off very lightly. Then after a day, I brush it.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter greenpixie
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Thank you for the quick response, Whatev! You alway give great adviceSo far, the one side looks good. I'll do the other side in the morn to make it uniform.
Actually, I'm hopping the leather gets darker (is patina the correct term?) since it is currently a bit lighter than I'd hoped. Would really love it a few shades darker (honey-colored) so it looks more like a fall rather than summer bag. Is there a way to speed up that process without damaging the leather?
I used Obenauf's on my vachetta bag and also brush regularly with a horsehair brush. The Obenauf's darkened the leather slightly. I think placing in the sun will also darken. I love my vachetta bag so much, I was afraid to do anything with it, but I wanted protection in case I got caught in a rainstorm. I actually love the bag even more after applying Obenauf's to it. I read quite a bit about vachetta before deciding what to apply, and Obenauf's seems to be highly recommended.
Nope, it ended up drying the same color. Which is ok for now as I have other parts to take care of before I focus on the amazing leather (love the smell!). The rubbing alcohol you mentioned is working like magic to remove the marker on the suede tassels
SO happy about that! But it seems like a never-ending amount of red to be removed! I dabbed at it for a good 45min before I had to stop in order to get to work on time! I know what I'll be doing on my next day off 
Oh, & I did take a look at the LV threads about developing the patina... Will work on that when the weather clears up. I don't want my Precious getting caught out in the rain. Horrifying thought!
Thank you again for the great advice! I'll let you know how the finished product turns out
You're welcome! I'm looking forward to seeing the final result!Nope, it ended up drying the same color. Which is ok for now as I have other parts to take care of before I focus on the amazing leather (love the smell!). The rubbing alcohol you mentioned is working like magic to remove the marker on the suede tassels
Oh, & I did take a look at the LV threads about developing the patina... Will work on that when the weather clears up. I don't want my Precious getting caught out in the rain. Horrifying thought!
Thank you again for the great advice! I'll let you know how the finished product turns out
Hmmm... Very interesting! Do you happen to have before &/or after pics? I'd really love to see how yours turned out. I agree, I'm seriously in love with vachetta leather & am thankful I found such a great First Vachetta bag to learn on. Did the Obenauf's change the feel/ texture or smell of the leather? Thank u for all the info!
Hmmm... Very interesting! Do you happen to have before &/or after pics? I'd really love to see how yours turned out. I agree, I'm seriously in love with vachetta leather & am thankful I found such a great First Vachetta bag to learn on. Did the Obenauf's change the feel/ texture or smell of the leather? Thank u for all the info!
I don't think I have a before picture. It's the belted Ergo in this picture. It was a while ago that I did it. The leather was already rather dark, and it made it slightly darker. I've carried it quite a bit since then, and it is probably time to do it again. I used a very light coat of Obenauf's because I wasn't sure what it would do, but I could've used it more generously. (In fact next time I probably will.) There were a couple places where the leather was slightly lighter, like I had rubbed it or bumped it on something, and the Obenauf's helped blend out those spots, along with the brushing. The handle has also darkened somewhat from carrying it. I recall the Obenauf's making the leather feel slightly different, but I felt like it helped perk the leather up when I used it.
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Wow! Beautiful bags! I especially like the belted Ergo. Well, I'm definitely going to try the Obenauf's! Thank you for posting the pic
I'll take before & after pics of mine to show how things went. Fingers crossed!Wow! Beautiful bags! I especially like the belted Ergo. Well, I'm definitely going to try the Obenauf's! Thank you for posting the pic
Thanks. The belted Ergo is probably my all-time favorite bag. I picked it up second hand awhile ago, so I don't have the care card and wasn't quite sure how to handle it. It was a limited edition bag. Can't wait to see your pictures - I hope it comes it great.
Just a question for you rehabbers - has anyone ever added feet to a bag you are rehabbing? I wouldn't do it if I was planning to sell a bag but I really prefer bags with feet to protect the bottom of the bag. For lined bags I was thinking that I could just unstitch a small portion of the lining and install the feet. Thoughts?
Hello! I've been reading some of the back pages and you ladies are amazing! I was wondering if I could get some opinions of what to do with a Coach purse (a beige pebbled leather Soho hobo) I have that is looking rather worse for the wear.
I've used it for a number of years, and strictly speaking, the bag and the leather has held up very well despite doing all sorts of stuff I'm probably not supposed to do to it (getting it wet, using conditioner, etc). The only thing is that because it gets heavy use and thrown around a lot, the color has gotten all blotchy as the lighter color on the body has rubbed off in areas to reveals the darker brownish leather color underneath - I don't understand why they seemed to have dyed the leather of the handle straps completely through but not the body.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how best to salvage this bag? I'm thinking I'll need to redye it, but it seems that all of the leather "dyes" for lighter colors are more of a leather paint, which worries me on how it will hold up as this bag does get a lot of use. The actual leather dyes are all for darker colors than it is currently - will it look weird since the stitching is light colored (and there is the possibility it might not absorb the dye)? Thanks!
I've used it for a number of years, and strictly speaking, the bag and the leather has held up very well despite doing all sorts of stuff I'm probably not supposed to do to it (getting it wet, using conditioner, etc). The only thing is that because it gets heavy use and thrown around a lot, the color has gotten all blotchy as the lighter color on the body has rubbed off in areas to reveals the darker brownish leather color underneath - I don't understand why they seemed to have dyed the leather of the handle straps completely through but not the body.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how best to salvage this bag? I'm thinking I'll need to redye it, but it seems that all of the leather "dyes" for lighter colors are more of a leather paint, which worries me on how it will hold up as this bag does get a lot of use. The actual leather dyes are all for darker colors than it is currently - will it look weird since the stitching is light colored (and there is the possibility it might not absorb the dye)? Thanks!
You haven't ruined it. I've never had this happen with Lexol but I have with Blackrocks. It will eventually dry. You can also wipe it with Leather Cleaner or alcohol to speed up the process.Hi all - working on my second rehabs - a made in NY basic bag with a glorious Talon zipper. I've hit a snag and the Lexol has made the leather sticky. Have I ruined it or will it dry with time?
Thank you - I was mortified that the texture has gotten worse! I've learned my lesson about overdoing it
thanks for the feedback!Hi Rehabbers! Wanted to share my current project - the Ocelot Haircalf Candace makeover. It isn't a rehab because she was just fine but I wanted to make her perfect for me.
I revealed her a couple of days ago - with her yellow tassels, zipper and tag. She was kind of slouchy and since her base is mahogany and she does't have feet scratches started showing up after carrying her for just a few days.
So, I am going to add some feet but I need nice ones in silver so that will be part 2.
Part one is her new liner and her new look. I made the liner out of Peltex interfacing and corset boning. It isn't very pretty (none of my purse liners look as good as the ones you can buy but they are lots cheaper and they work!) but it does match her lining and works great to keep her standing tall. I put a strip of balsa wood in the bottom to keep it flat - which will keep her bottom up once she has feet.
The yellow had to go. I don't wear yellow and I am not sure what it is with Coach having to add random colors to bags that would probably be best left alone - but I plan on carrying this bag when I am dressed up. The Madison clutch - which has black leather trim and a small cream colored tag is perfect - sophisticated and subdued. So now Ms Candace is much more sophisticated. I swapped out her tassels for matching mahogany, gave her a silver tag and dyed the zipper to match.
I also touched up the scratches on the bottom and she is ready to go. I'll report back once I do the feet.
I revealed her a couple of days ago - with her yellow tassels, zipper and tag. She was kind of slouchy and since her base is mahogany and she does't have feet scratches started showing up after carrying her for just a few days.
So, I am going to add some feet but I need nice ones in silver so that will be part 2.
Part one is her new liner and her new look. I made the liner out of Peltex interfacing and corset boning. It isn't very pretty (none of my purse liners look as good as the ones you can buy but they are lots cheaper and they work!) but it does match her lining and works great to keep her standing tall. I put a strip of balsa wood in the bottom to keep it flat - which will keep her bottom up once she has feet.
The yellow had to go. I don't wear yellow and I am not sure what it is with Coach having to add random colors to bags that would probably be best left alone - but I plan on carrying this bag when I am dressed up. The Madison clutch - which has black leather trim and a small cream colored tag is perfect - sophisticated and subdued. So now Ms Candace is much more sophisticated. I swapped out her tassels for matching mahogany, gave her a silver tag and dyed the zipper to match.
I also touched up the scratches on the bottom and she is ready to go. I'll report back once I do the feet.
