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The easiest repair is to use fabric puffy paint. Or you could use leather cement, which is similar to white glue. If you use that, the hole will be repaired but you'll still be able to see the rip. The puffy paint will hide it. It takes a bit of finesse to get it to look perfect but it can be done. I've done it many times.
I do similar. In steps. First, the glue. Let it dry. If necessary, then light sandpaper. Then the puff paint smoothed on top of that. Let it dry. Then I use some leather dye over the puff paint to remove shine.
 
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Hi all! I wanted to get some opinions if the repair for this Station bag is worth the price and if it’s a fairly easy repair for a newbie to try! The seller is asking $83 for it (includes shipping) and it has wear and scuff marks on the corners which look like it can be improved with some conditioning, but the main repair would be a rip on the inner pocket. Attached are pics from the listing, any insight/opinions are much appreciated!
 

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The easiest repair is to use fabric puffy paint. Or you could use leather cement, which is similar to white glue. If you use that, the hole will be repaired but you'll still be able to see the rip. The puffy paint will hide it. It takes a bit of finesse to get it to look perfect but it can be done. I've done it many times.
Wow, thank you, I’d never even heard of puffy paint. I’ve ordered some now and it’s on its way to me.
 
Hi all! I wanted to get some opinions if the repair for this Station bag is worth the price and if it’s a fairly easy repair for a newbie to try! The seller is asking $83 for it (includes shipping) and it has wear and scuff marks on the corners which look like it can be improved with some conditioning, but the main repair would be a rip on the inner pocket. Attached are pics from the listing, any insight/opinions are much appreciated!
The corners don't look too bad. Repairing the pocket would be difficult. I think it is overpriced for the damage.
 
That's probably a good idea. My Elderberry bag still has a spot on the bottom that simply won't brush away, but I'm still no willing to potentially ruin the bag with a dunk. Who really knows the spot is there besides me???
If you decide to dunk your bag, please be sure to share photos and the results.
Yes, mine also has a spot on the bottom also that won't go away, though rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip did reduce it a bit. I'm afraid to do more for fear of removing some of the dye. And, I figured out mine is actually "grape". Do you know if anyone's tried to add some dye to the dunking water? I dye a lot of cloth, and Procion reactive dyes also dye my fingers, so they'll probably dye leather. Or at least prevent the original dye from escaping too badly. IF I try this, I'll definitely show my results - good OR bad ;).

Edit: I did a little looking around, and it seems the Procion ought to dye leather if used as an acid dye (that means white vinegar, usually). I'm thinking that adding a little to the rinse water might help with any dye loss, and ought to be gentle enough so as not to get splotchy. Unfortunately, I'll be traveling a lot for the next few months and won't be able to try anything until summer, but I can tell there are some dyeing experiments in my future...
 
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Yes, mine also has a spot on the bottom also that won't go away, though rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip did reduce it a bit. I'm afraid to do more for fear of removing some of the dye. And, I figured out mine is actually "grape". Do you know if anyone's tried to add some dye to the dunking water? I dye a lot of cloth, and Procion reactive dyes also dye my fingers, so they'll probably dye leather. Or at least prevent the original dye from escaping too badly. IF I try this, I'll definitely show my results - good OR bad ;).
I've used RIT dyes to dip dye Coach bags. I don't remember trying it with a nubuc bag but I did with a natural grain Sonoma. It deepened the color. It was fine for a refresh but it couldn't be used to change the color completely. I left the salt out and didn't make it boiling hot. You could probably also paint it on but it would be difficult getting the color even. It was even difficult with the dip dyeing getting the color even. I think I just left the bag in a bucket of dye water for several hours, or maybe overnight. I think it had to be weighted down to keep from floating. I didn't worry about the lining as it is dark enough that it wouldn't be noticeable if it got dyed. In my case, the dye color was lime green.

The issue with nubuc is that after it dries you should brush it, and when you brush it, some of the color will come off. That is what happened when I used Fiebings suede dye on a suede Coach bag. In that case, most, if not all, of the color was removed with brushing. Then I painted it with RIT liquid dye and that worked much better. The color seemed fast. I don't know what would happen if it got wet again. I didn't dunk it after that.
 
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Yes, mine also has a spot on the bottom also that won't go away, though rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip did reduce it a bit. I'm afraid to do more for fear of removing some of the dye. And, I figured out mine is actually "grape". Do you know if anyone's tried to add some dye to the dunking water? I dye a lot of cloth, and Procion reactive dyes also dye my fingers, so they'll probably dye leather. Or at least prevent the original dye from escaping too badly. IF I try this, I'll definitely show my results - good OR bad ;).
The spot on the bottom of my bag is light vs dark, so a previous owner may have used alcohol or such that might have already removed some original dye from that area. I, too, am afraid of making the spot worse, so I just leave it alone. I might consider doing a "spot" dye of the area if I was able to find the exact color dye for nubuc, but I'm not sure that's a rabbit hole I want to enter. IF there comes a time that I'm finished carrying my bag, I may plunge into a dunk and take my chances. Unless you are dying the bag black or an equally dark color, any spots or stains may still show through a new dye process since nubuc absorbs stains differently than leather.
But dying the bag negates the rich "Grape" and "Elderberry" color bags you and I currently have. Another plus in my view...my bag has the original Elderberry hangtag.
Many/most rehabbers here avoid nubuc bags aka "the devil", because you just never know what might show up when you dunk the bag. Ya know...Which is better? The devil you know, or the devil you don't know! Good luck!!
 
My latest rehab.............a Megan bag that the seller had listed as a Court bag on ebay. It was pretty mishappen and dirty but there were no repairs or touch ups needed........so into the dawn bath it went, after rinsing in clear water stuffed with towels to reshape and about 6 coats of Leather CPR and a final coat to finish of Black Rocks (still buffing with horse hair brush, I like my bags to have luster!!). Here she is with a few dents and indentations............Megan Bag Style #9921 in black leather made in the USA between 1988 to 1993. (my husband calls it my Stargate Bag -Chevron 3 is holding!!!)
 

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I've used RIT dyes to dip dye Coach bags. I don't remember trying it with a nubuc bag but I did with a natural grain Sonoma. It deepened the color. It was fine for a refresh but it couldn't be used to change the color completely. I left the salt out and didn't make it boiling hot. You could probably also paint it on but it would be difficult getting the color even. It was even difficult with the dip dyeing getting the color even. I think I just left the bag in a bucket of dye water for several hours, or maybe overnight. I think it had to be weighted down to keep from floating. I didn't worry about the lining as it is dark enough that it wouldn't be noticeable if it got dyed. In my case, the dye color was lime green.

The issue with nubuc is that after it dries you should brush it, and when you brush it, some of the color will come off. That is what happened when I used Fiebings suede dye on a suede Coach bag. In that case, most, if not all, of the color was removed with brushing. Then I painted it with RIT liquid dye and that worked much better. The color seemed fast. I don't know what would happen if it got wet again. I didn't dunk it after that.
So, I went down the leather dye rabbithole a bit last night, and discovered there are two brands of suede and/or leather dye that come up a lot in addition to Fiebing's: Angelus and Saphir. All three are alcohol-based, and expensive. Given all that, and my experience dyeing various things with Procion, I still think I'll give the Procion a try. I can match the bag's color, and the point would be to give a refresh only, not a color change. And because it will soak in, the final brushing shouldn't remove much of the new color. Blotchiness around unseen stains is the biggest worry, I think, but with a dark color like grape that might not be too much of an issue. BTW, RIT is what's known as a "union" dye, which means it's a mixture of different kinds of dye so it'll be more-or-less all-purpose. But it also means it tends to fade more.

While I'm talking with you, can I ask about date/factory code F6M? It has come up here on post 1029 and also 62,762 in the authenticate thread, once on a Costa Rica bag and once on a US bag. Both seemed good to the authenticators. Did that kind of movement happen, or is one likely to be a fake? (I'm too new on this forum to be able to initiate a post of my own, so please ignore this question if it's not appropriate for here and now. And please forgive my presumption. Please, I'm genuinely asking the question. What you and the other the authenticators do is astonishingly generous and kind, and your experience is amazing. From what I've read, 1996 was a fraught time at Coach, so it's entirely possible that the US M factory moved everything to Costa Rica. I'm wondering if you know whether that did actually happen.)
 
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The spot on the bottom of my bag is light vs dark, so a previous owner may have used alcohol or such that might have already removed some original dye from that area. I, too, am afraid of making the spot worse, so I just leave it alone. I might consider doing a "spot" dye of the area if I was able to find the exact color dye for nubuc, but I'm not sure that's a rabbit hole I want to enter. IF there comes a time that I'm finished carrying my bag, I may plunge into a dunk and take my chances. Unless you are dying the bag black or an equally dark color, any spots or stains may still show through a new dye process since nubuc absorbs stains differently than leather.
But dying the bag negates the rich "Grape" and "Elderberry" color bags you and I currently have. Another plus in my view...my bag has the original Elderberry hangtag.
Many/most rehabbers here avoid nubuc bags aka "the devil", because you just never know what might show up when you dunk the bag. Ya know...Which is better? The devil you know, or the devil you don't know! Good luck!!
Yes, I do tend to rush in where angels fear ... and all that! But with Procion I know how to match the color, which is a big plus for a refresh. You're definitely right about the blotchiness, though. Well, if I do try this, I'll definitely let you know, either way!
 
So, I went down the leather dye rabbithole a bit last night, and discovered there are two brands of suede and/or leather dye that come up a lot in addition to Fiebing's: Angelus and Saphir. All three are alcohol-based, and expensive. Given all that, and my experience dyeing various things with Procion, I still think I'll give the Procion a try. I can match the bag's color, and the point would be to give a refresh only, not a color change. And because it will soak in, the final brushing shouldn't remove much of the new color. Blotchiness around unseen stains is the biggest worry, I think, but with a dark color like grape that might not be too much of an issue. BTW, RIT is what's known as a "union" dye, which means it's a mixture of different kinds of dye so it'll be more-or-less all-purpose. But it also means it tends to fade more.

While I'm talking with you, can I ask about date/factory code F6M? It has come up here on post 1029 and also 62,762 in the authenticate thread, once on a Costa Rica bag and once on a US bag. Both seemed good to the authenticators. Did that kind of movement happen, or is one likely to be a fake? (I'm too new on this forum to be able to initiate a post of my own, so please ignore this question if it's not appropriate for here and now. And please forgive my presumption. Please, I'm genuinely asking the question. What you and the other the authenticators do is astonishingly generous and kind, and your experience is amazing. From what I've read, 1996 was a fraught time at Coach, so it's entirely possible that the US M factory moved everything to Costa Rica. I'm wondering if you know whether that did actually happen.)
The same factory code was used by two different factories at the same time. It probably wasn't supposed to happen.
 
Here are the After Pictures of my Oat Suede Dinky 86821 that was authenticated by @BeenBurned. The bag was very dirty and wrinkled so I scrubbed it and gave it a bath in the sink but that only helped a little. So I spot-treated it, tied it up in a net laundry bag and put it through a laundry cycle with Leather Therapy Laundry Solution and Leather Therapy Laundry Conditioner and Rinse.

Then I stuffed it to dry and started working on ways to eliminate that ugly wrinkle across the front flap. I tried ironing with a press cloth, weighting it down with bookends, and even stretching it out with twine.

I discovered that this Dinky bag took a really long time to dry! I let it dry for days and whenever I thought it was dry I would put my hand inside and discover that it still felt damp. I think that the double-wall construction traps water between the layers. I finally put a hair dryer on "cool air" and stuck it inside the bag to dry it - and that finally worked.

This is the first modern style Dinky that I have rehabbed and I don't know if they are all constructed the same way, but I would hesitate to give one a bath unless it was really necessary. Unfortunately it really was necessary for this poor, beat-up, little bag. I am guessing that it how the wrinkle was created. Perhaps that bag got wet and was casually allowed to dry in a wrinkled state.

I have an old suede brush but I remembered that the Sales Associate at the Coach Outlet recently gave me a free Ralyn Suede Care Kit when I purchased a Wave Dreamer with suede inserts. I got it out and followed the directions and it really helped a lot! I rubbed the bar on the spots and soiled areas and then I went over all of the suede areas with the brush and it looked much better in my opinion.

I used Lexol on the smooth leather surfaces and Cape Cod Cloths on the hardware. I used Leather Glue on a toothpick to tuck the frayed thread back into the side of the turnlock tab and that also worked to make the lock tighter and not floppy.

I tried several chain straps before selecting the one I liked best. I had assumed that the Black Cooper Strap would be the best choice because it has a matte finish like the silver hardware, but it looked heavy and over-powering with the bag IMO.

A plain silver chain strap looked okay but a little boring, but I really liked the look of the Dark Gunmetal strap with the bag and I had a Dark Gunmetal Hangtag that I could easily pair with it.

See below for the After Pictures. The wrinkle isn't gone but I think it looks better and less noticeable. Also below is a picture of Drew Barrymore wearing the bag in Fall 2017, and a stock Coach photo of the Oat and Fern colors - so you can see what the original strap and hangtag were like.

Suede Fringe Dinky 86821 After Rehab:

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Here are photos of Drew Barrymore carrying the 86821 Suede Fringe Dinky, and a Coach Stock Photo of the Oat and Fern colors:

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Here are the After Pictures of my Oat Suede Dinky 86821 that was authenticated by @BeenBurned. The bag was very dirty and wrinkled so I scrubbed it and gave it a bath in the sink but that only helped a little. So I spot-treated it, tied it up in a net laundry bag and put it through a laundry cycle with Leather Therapy Laundry Solution and Leather Therapy Laundry Conditioner and Rinse.

Then I stuffed it to dry and started working on ways to eliminate that ugly wrinkle across the front flap. I tried ironing with a press cloth, weighting it down with bookends, and even stretching it out with twine.

I discovered that this Dinky bag took a really long time to dry! I let it dry for days and whenever I thought it was dry I would put my hand inside and discover that it still felt damp. I think that the double-wall construction traps water between the layers. I finally put a hair dryer on "cool air" and stuck it inside the bag to dry it - and that finally worked.

This is the first modern style Dinky that I have rehabbed and I don't know if they are all constructed the same way, but I would hesitate to give one a bath unless it was really necessary. Unfortunately it really was necessary for this poor, beat-up, little bag. I am guessing that it how the wrinkle was created. Perhaps that bag got wet and was casually allowed to dry in a wrinkled state.

I have an old suede brush but I remembered that the Sales Associate at the Coach Outlet recently gave me a free Ralyn Suede Care Kit when I purchased a Wave Dreamer with suede inserts. I got it out and followed the directions and it really helped a lot! I rubbed the bar on the spots and soiled areas and then I went over all of the suede areas with the brush and it looked much better in my opinion.

I used Lexol on the smooth leather surfaces and Cape Cod Cloths on the hardware. I used Leather Glue on a toothpick to tuck the frayed thread back into the side of the turnlock tab and that also worked to make the lock tighter and not floppy.

I tried several chain straps before selecting the one I liked best. I had assumed that the Black Cooper Strap would be the best choice because it has a matte finish like the silver hardware, but it looked heavy and over-powering with the bag IMO.

A plain silver chain strap looked okay but a little boring, but I really liked the look of the Dark Gunmetal strap with the bag and I had a Dark Gunmetal Hangtag that I could easily pair with it.

See below for the After Pictures. The wrinkle isn't gone but I think it looks better and less noticeable. Also below is a picture of Drew Barrymore wearing the bag in Fall 2017, and a stock Coach photo of the Oat and Fern colors - so you can see what the original strap and hangtag were like.

Suede Fringe Dinky 86821 After Rehab:

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Here are photos of Drew Barrymore carrying the 86821 Suede Fringe Dinky, and a Coach Stock Photo of the Oat and Fern colors:

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@katev This is such a lovely rehab. I have been looking for cleaning advice on my (yet to arrive) Suede Eyelet Large Slim Duffle in Camel, Style 4122. I was wary of dunking suede, but your results are worth the risk!

I shall report back IDC.

Zoe xx
 
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