Fingers for me! I squeeze a blob on my hand then work it in, let it set ( or dwell for those who watch YouTube cleaning asmr videos LOL) then I redistribute any excess over the area to get an even application and let everything absorb for a couple hours.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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Fingers for me! I squeeze a blob on my hand then work it in, let it set ( or dwell for those who watch YouTube cleaning asmr videos LOL) then I redistribute any excess over the area to get an even application and let everything absorb for a couple hours.
I agree. Whatever stained it did some serious damage. I wonder what it was? It'd be cool to do experiments on leather to see what really eats it up/stains it irrevocably. That way, when someone claims it's "just water spots" I can say "Nope!" Haha! I'm just being silly, but I've had that happen soo often.
What's the reason for this method? I would try it but my CPR cost an arm and a leg to get to me so I'm using it super sparingly
Yes that's why I don't use a cloth only fingers. Less waste. A cloth or sponge soaks up so much product. I wipe my hands off on the strap so I don't waste anything!
Might be the previous owner carried it by the handle exclusively, and the darkening is body oils. Everyone has different body chemistry and that could react differently with the leather.
Yeah I agree with the "just water spots"
Msotly fingers, I do wipe off excess Blackrocks quickly with paper towels after rubbing it in.
I suggested Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner as a mosituring and hydrating agent. I like to use it on some bags but it isn't esential. Right now I am working on 3 vintage bags that haven't been touched in a long time so I gave them all an application of LT while they were still a little damp after the bath, to deep moisturize them. Of course the straps and pull tabs dry much faster so I gave them some Leather Therapy sooner.
The label on the Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner bottle claims that it also "inhibits mold and mildew" so that's good! Shake the bottle well before applying.
Occasionally I have to run a leather bag through the washing machine to deep clean it because the bag is filthy and sink baths aren't doing a decent job. I tie them up inside a net laundry bag or a pillow case. When I machine wash a leather bag I usually use Leather Therapy Laundry products, see below.
I've got so many rehab products I'm like a "mad chemist" in my workshop!
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Haha I do that too!!!
I don't think I can get this in the UK
oh well, I already have a big pile of conditioners so I need to slow down and use them up first, haha.ETA: I can, but still need to use up my current stock.
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Okay, this might sound weird, but I reuse the sponges repeatedly. I have different ones for different colors. I get tack or high quality artist sponges that are quite porous. I wash the sponges sometimes and reuse them until they fall apart basically. Lol. I don't use an excess of product this way, but this is just what I've found that works for me.
It's fun to read how y'all do it. I'm always experimenting with new methods, and I'm sure I'll try other ways too!
Okay, this might sound weird, but I reuse the sponges repeatedly. I have different ones for different colors. I get tack or high quality artist sponges that are quite porous. I wash the sponges sometimes and reuse them until they fall apart basically. Lol. I don't use an excess of product this way, but this is just what I've found that works for me.
It makes perfect sense to me to be washing and reusing sponges but I don't understand how that's preventing excess product. To me, the sponge soaks up the product and then gets washed off down the sink. Am I misunderstanding your post?
Not excatly. I reuse the sponges several times before I wash them. I only wash them when they're getting weird, haha, as in a lot of color transfer or nearing the point of stickiness. And because they're quite porous, the product doesn't absorb too much into the sponges (don't get my wrong, some does). These are the kind I use; they're for leather horse tack, so actually made for the purpose.It makes perfect sense to me to be washing and reusing sponges but I don't understand how that's preventing excess product. To me, the sponge soaks up the product and then gets washed off down the sink. Am I misunderstanding your post?
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The Pulley definitely needs a little something extra besides the CPR. It does feel better than it did, but it's just not enough. I hope to pick up some Leather therapy today or tomorrow.
I used to wait until my bags were dry or almost dry before I conditioned. Then I had a basic bag crack and develop a piping issue, and I have been putting on CPR right after dunk. On my two oldest bags, I even put a good coat of CPR on the day before dunk to make sure I'm not starting out with an overly dry bag.
ETA: one coat right after dunk. I wait on the second coat until almost dry. Then it depends on the bag as to how many more coats it gets.
I've used conditioner before dunking too a couple times when I've had really dry bags. I haven't had a bag crack, yet. Hopefully, I never do! Sorry that happened to you! I have a really really dry basic bag. I've been putting it off because it's so damaged. Definitely going to condition that one before washing.
Oh, and just because I'm excited about it, I got a RED feed sack! Woot! That's going to be fun to rehab... and use up a lot of conditioner.
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It makes perfect sense to me to be washing and reusing sponges but I don't understand how that's preventing excess product. To me, the sponge soaks up the product and then gets washed off down the sink. Am I misunderstanding your post?
My best rehabs have been when I apply a thick layer of CPR with a sponge, then wipe with a cloth a few minutes later. I only do this when the bag is wet. I aim for 2-6 applications depending on how fast the bag is drying. If I lose some product in the process, Im fine with it. It’s worth it for the results I get. I’ve tried the finger method but I don’t like getting my hands wet. For Renapur, I apply it with the provided sponge & then buff with a cloth. I have a horsehair brush but I feel I have better control over the final result with a soft cloth. To each their own though, if something works for you, don’t feel you need to change it. Rehabbing isn’t a one size fits all
Love both these bags! I think anything looks good in red!
Honestly, I don't recall that basic bag feeling too dry before rehab. It was a small crack so easily fixable, glad it wasn't worse, but it was on the piece of leather that holds the d ring on, so I am going to keep an eye on it. The piping on one side across the top of the bag(along the zipper) pulled away from the piping on the side of the bag, I still can't figure out why that happened, it is almost as it it drew up or something. Maybe I pulled it as I was handling/rinsing? I have been much more mindful of my process after that rehab. It's fixed and turned out great(by my standards, whatever that's worth
) and I love the bag in the end, so a learning experience I guess.