I think your beauty might be vachetta. I really wish Coach had kept writing the composition on the creeds during this time. It would have been so helpful! The leather just looks like my vachetta ergo.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter greenpixie
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The oil based ones will most likely darken the leather. Just keep that in mind when working with those type of conditioners.
I'd just use CPR. When I've conditioned bags predunk, I let them sit for at least a few hours before washing
I vote tabac
The latest cohort of bags I started over the weekend were more dry than I realized - I did preliminary CPR on 2 of the 4, but probably should’ve done more applications/done all 4 pre-dunk. When I was applying first CPR post-dunk, I started getting really worried about dryness and cracking...so I quick ordered Leather Therapy from @katev ‘s recent suggestions! It arrived this evening and I went straight to work on my still-damp big bags.
WOW. I’m only a few hours in, but so far I’m loving the immediate positive improvement in the Original Rambler and Saddle Pouch - both were almost immediately more supple and soft feeling. The Stinky Stewardess, which might have arrived to me the driest old bag I’ve put hands on, is well on her way to making a comeback after that CPR/dunk/Leather Therapy routine.
For those who haven’t used it - if CPR is like body lotion, and Blackrocks is more like hand cream, Leather Therapy is like massage oil
. It’s totally different from any “moisturizing” leather product I’ve used so far.Really looking forward to seeing how this group turns out with a new product in the mix - thanks @katev for the tips!
The latest cohort of bags I started over the weekend were more dry than I realized - I did preliminary CPR on 2 of the 4, but probably should’ve done more applications/done all 4 pre-dunk. When I was applying first CPR post-dunk, I started getting really worried about dryness and cracking...so I quick ordered Leather Therapy from @katev ‘s recent suggestions! It arrived this evening and I went straight to work on my still-damp big bags.
WOW. I’m only a few hours in, but so far I’m loving the immediate positive improvement in the Original Rambler and Saddle Pouch - both were almost immediately more supple and soft feeling. The Stinky Stewardess, which might have arrived to me the driest old bag I’ve put hands on, is well on her way to making a comeback after that CPR/dunk/Leather Therapy routine.
For those who haven’t used it - if CPR is like body lotion, and Blackrocks is more like hand cream, Leather Therapy is like massage oil
Really looking forward to seeing how this group turns out with a new product in the mix - thanks @katev for the tips!
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I'm so glad that you tried the Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner and found it helpful! It's always my first choice for a dry bag. I originally found it years ago at an equestrian supply store and really liked it; good luck with your rehabs!
Apologies for the delay in replying- had my nose in a good book all day. Either CPR or an oil based conditioner will work, and I would let it soak 12 hours or so. I know, it wears on the patience!!
These are the new products I have been testing- oil based leather conditioners that do not darken! They are designed for museum use- books and leather artifacts. CPR is still the best for dunking, but for finishing and things you can't get wet these have been working very well. For extremely dry bags that are in danger of cracking or already cracked I would definitely use the rejuvenator. Made by Preservation Solutions LLC
And as usual, they only ship to US and Canada:'( lol
Does using an oil-based conditoner before dunking make the water oily when you put it in the bath? I always dunk first and I apply the Leather Therapy while the bag is drying but still wet or damp.
The bag I am working on right now I conditioned with the oil based product before dunking and yes the bag felt slick in the water, but has been soaking up the CPR just fine while drying. I use castile soap (Dr bronners) anyway while dunking so what's a little more oil in the water anyway? It's like bath oil for your purse.
Makes sense - even when I precondition with Chamberlain's, it feels slick in the water so could imagine it being that way with an oil-based.
I have found great leather products in saddle and horsemanship shops in the US. The UK has a long-equestrian tradition so you can probably find great local products that will make us all jealous here on the other side of the Atlantic!
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