Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[LunaSilver]

Hi guys!

So I recently got a courier pouch, and I was planning on dunking it since it's not smelling great.
However I noticed there's cardboard or something in the flap part, and I was wondering if anybody knows if it's safe to dunk with that part in?

Thanks!

Edit: I went back about a thousand years into this topic and found other people that dunked it with no issues so I just went for it.
It went great!
However the water turned a weird shade of purple pink, and I'm pretty sure my bag is black.
I noticed it had like a purple-y look in the sun though, so is it possible that it's just excess dye or grossness from being old and worn?
I don't think it's painted black since the inner pocket is also black, but the suede part has a very slight purple shade on it too!
Can anyone shed some light on this?

I can't say it for sure, maybe someone tried to dye it in the past, but doesn't make sense use purple dye on a black bag. I more lean to the bag leather was originally dyed in stages, each stage with different dye color, with that pinkish purple as the last stage. I once was playing with leather dyes on scrap leather, accidentally end up with black, and I definitely didn't use black dye at all.

 

[whateve]

I have a question for all of you knowledgeable rehabbers. I am in the middle of my own shoe polished/painted mess of a bag. I have never done one of these before so not sure of the next step.
I bought a spectator city bag and had it authenticated here, but it's had lots of work done on it. Little did I know it had also had shoe polish or paint applied. Not sure which. It was shiny and stiffer and had a waxy feel to it, so I used CPR to try and soften it up. I saw some black color come off on the cloth. So I used guardsman leather cleaner, more color on the cloth. I moved up to acetone and lots more color on the cloth.
I figured the bag was trash anyway so I had nowhere to go but up and gave it a good once over with acetone. Sorry I was in a rehab zone and didn't get photos!
Then I dunked it. This is where it gets weird- it turned whitish and slimy in the water. I scrubbed with a microfiber cloth and the water was black. I thought I got all the shoe polish off. Rinsed twice.
Let it dry overnight and put CPR on it twice. I woke up to a still wet bag and still shiny. I got photos of this stage-

View attachment 5031468View attachment 5031469

Another round of acetone. Finally my question is- do I dunk again and start over or just let it keep drying and continue CPR?

If you have read this far I applaud you!! Thank you!!

I would redunk since you used acetone again.

 

[whateve]

Thanks, me too And...I did, haha. It happened months ago - I was originally going to give this wallet to my wonderful sister-in-law for Christmas before this little debacle. I’ve been working up the courage to post here asking for advice!

But also - I’m a little scared to dunk other kisslock items now, especially light-colored ones. Based on responses so far, I’m really glad others haven’t had this happen!

I've dunked kisslock items without a problem. I'm leery of dunking wallets. They have thinner leather and can lose their smooth shape with dunking. The thinner leather doesn't plump up from a bath like the leather on a bag does so there isn't much benefit if there aren't stains.

 

[aerinha]

Hi guys!

So I recently got a courier pouch, and I was planning on dunking it since it's not smelling great.
However I noticed there's cardboard or something in the flap part, and I was wondering if anybody knows if it's safe to dunk with that part in?

Thanks!

Edit: I went back about a thousand years into this topic and found other people that dunked it with no issues so I just went for it.
It went great!
However the water turned a weird shade of purple pink, and I'm pretty sure my bag is black.
I noticed it had like a purple-y look in the sun though, so is it possible that it's just excess dye or grossness from being old and worn?
I don't think it's painted black since the inner pocket is also black, but the suede part has a very slight purple shade on it too!
Can anyone shed some light on this?

My dyed black tabac bag bled tabac in the water. Your bag might be dyed black

 

[lazysundays]

I have a question for all of you knowledgeable rehabbers. I am in the middle of my own shoe polished/painted mess of a bag. I have never done one of these before so not sure of the next step.
I bought a spectator city bag and had it authenticated here, but it's had lots of work done on it. Little did I know it had also had shoe polish or paint applied. Not sure which. It was shiny and stiffer and had a waxy feel to it, so I used CPR to try and soften it up. I saw some black color come off on the cloth. So I used guardsman leather cleaner, more color on the cloth. I moved up to acetone and lots more color on the cloth.
I figured the bag was trash anyway so I had nowhere to go but up and gave it a good once over with acetone. Sorry I was in a rehab zone and didn't get photos!
Then I dunked it. This is where it gets weird- it turned whitish and slimy in the water. I scrubbed with a microfiber cloth and the water was black. I thought I got all the shoe polish off. Rinsed twice.
Let it dry overnight and put CPR on it twice. I woke up to a still wet bag and still shiny. I got photos of this stage-

View attachment 5031468View attachment 5031469

Another round of acetone. Finally my question is- do I dunk again and start over or just let it keep drying and continue CPR?

If you have read this far I applaud you!! Thank you!!

It might have been dyed and not sealed properly if you could see white parts? In which case, maybe dunk it again until the water runs clear. Then you’ll know what you’re working with.

 

[LadaZuri]

I can't say it for sure, maybe someone tried to dye it in the past, but doesn't make sense use purple dye on a black bag. I more lean to the bag leather was originally dyed in stages, each stage with different dye color, with that pinkish purple as the last stage. I once was playing with leather dyes on scrap leather, accidentally end up with black, and I definitely didn't use black dye at all.

View attachment 5032086

Luna, you are such a wealth of information and yet so humble! Thank you for this!

 

[LunaSilver]

Luna, you are such a wealth of information and yet so humble! Thank you for this!

Thank you very much.

 

[HiLau]

I can't say it for sure, maybe someone tried to dye it in the past, but doesn't make sense use purple dye on a black bag. I more lean to the bag leather was originally dyed in stages, each stage with different dye color, with that pinkish purple as the last stage. I once was playing with leather dyes on scrap leather, accidentally end up with black, and I definitely didn't use black dye at all.

View attachment 5032086

Oh that's very informative, thank you!
I dunked it until the water ran clear, so I'll wait for it to dry before seeing what it did to the colour!
I first thought someone tried to dye it purple/it was originally burgundy but someone dyed it black but that doesn't make sense with the inside suede colour and pocket.

 

[pammbw]

Oh that's very informative, thank you!
I dunked it until the water ran clear, so I'll wait for it to dry before seeing what it did to the colour!
I first thought someone tried to dye it purple/it was originally burgundy but someone dyed it black but that doesn't make sense with the inside suede colour and pocket.

It looks to me as though it was dyed black and not properly "fixed". The dye then "broke" into its component colors and the excess ran out when you dunked. This is typical with fabric dyes. Don't know why one would use fabric dye on leather, but we are all fans of creative problem solving around here and as long as the bag is no worse for the wear it's all good.

 

[pammbw]

It might have been dyed and not sealed properly if you could see white parts? In which case, maybe dunk it again until the water runs clear. Then you’ll know what you’re working with.

Not really seeing white parts, just a slimy whitish coating when the bag was dunked. I think that was some kind of coating put on the bag at the same time as the shoe polish. Some well meaning but misguided cobbler did a bunch of repairs on the bag and finished with a thorough polishing. Yikes! Poor bag was just as stiff and shiny as your grandpa's Florsheims!

 

[pammbw]

I would redunk since you used acetone again.

Agreed and done. Bag is very saturated and waiting for it to dry a few days and see what I've got. Thanks everyone!

 

[pammbw]

Sharing a quick satisfying rehab done in the midst of working on my City bag- everyone likes a quicky right?
Bought a smushed, dry Bleeker tote off Posh for cheap. Love the Bleekers! Such great leather!

Before-


After- still a bit tacky from the blackrocks

 

[laredouter98]

My new Court and Regina bags have had a dunk and have been drying for a few days. The Regina has a scuffing on the piping which should hopefully blend in once it has been conditioned. The Court is on dunk number 2 as it was filthy. It's still not perfect- it looks like the handle is permanently discoloured from being carried but most of the other marks have faded and I would carry it in this state. I haven't been able to get the hardware to a state I would like though so I was wondering how you guys took them off to rehab them? Do you need any specific tools for this? Thank you so much in advance.

 

[Coachaddict4020]

My new Court and Regina bags have had a dunk and have been drying for a few days. The Regina has a scuffing on the piping which should hopefully blend in once it has been conditioned. The Court is on dunk number 2 as it was filthy. It's still not perfect- it looks like the handle is permanently discoloured from being carried but most of the other marks have faded and I would carry it in this state. I haven't been able to get the hardware to a state I would like though so I was wondering how you guys took them off to rehab them? Do you need any specific tools for this? Thank you so much in advance.

You can always wrap a twilly scarf around the court handle to cover the wear if it’s really bad. I remove my hardware with tweezers & put it back on with tweezers & a long nose plier. Some of the other members have more specialized tools. Just be careful because sometimes it takes a couple of tries to pry the hardware off & Ive stabbed my hand doing it. I now use construction worker gloves that have a rubber coating to protect my hands- they can be purchased at the dollar store. You pull the prongs on the back side of both turn lock pieces up before removing them. If you want a visual of what Im talking about, I can take pics when Im done work.

Here’s an example I found on google for your handle:

 

[lazysundays]

You can always wrap a twilly scarf around the court handle to cover the wear if it’s really bad. I remove my hardware with tweezers & put it back on with tweezers & a long nose plier. Some of the other members have more specialized tools. Just be careful because sometimes it takes a couple of tries to pry the hardware off & Ive stabbed my hand doing it. I now use construction worker gloves that have a rubber coating to protect my hands- they can be purchased at the dollar store. You pull the prongs on the back side of both turn lock pieces up before removing them. If you want a visual of what Im talking about, I can take pics when Im done work.

Here’s an example I found on google for your handle:
View attachment 5032708

I need a visual of this process as well. I use only a Swiss Army knife and it’s a PITA to get the hardware on. Taking is off is easier.