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#44,014
Would it be possible to wrap a length of thin leather cord around the handle to strengthen it and hide the damage? Something like this although you would have to find a matching color; perhaps a shoe repair shop could help you find the right color leather cord?

 
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#44,015
katev said:
Would it be possible to wrap a length of thin leather cord around the handle to strengthen it and hide the damage? Something like this although you would have to find a matching color; perhaps a shoe repair shop could help you find the right color leather cord?

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That's a unique idea! :) Thanks! Here are my thoughts: The underside of the handle where you hold it is smooth and comfortable. If I wrapped it with cord would that feel bumpy and weird? I'm absolutely persuaded that the handle is strong enough as is to carry. I'm thinking maybe another layer of filler (or the leather oval or strip). What really happened to the strap and I didn't address it...there's filler material inside the strap puffing out the leather, and some of it was missing. I should have stuck something in there before I glued it... Next time!
 
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#44,017
katev said:
Thanks to @Narnanz and other fellow rehabbers for sharing advice about restoring this Chadwick Satchel (9928, USA 1993). Thanks also to @Hyacinth and @BeenBurned for authenticating the bag.

This is the first time that I’ve used Black Saddle Soap for a rehab and it really made a big difference!

As @Narnanz advised, the Black Saddle Soap is very messy and you have to use it sparingly, but I am very pleased with the results!

The bag originally belonged to the recently deceased sister of my friend and she asked me “to try and fix it up a little” so that she could it wear it in memory of her sister.

I was happy to help her but the bag was a challenge. It had been treated with shoe polish or paint. The polish was hard to remove and the bag looked dull and faded after giving it the standard rehab treatment, but the black saddle soap was a game changer!

There are Before pictures of the black Chadwick 9928 at the link below:

And here are After pictures of the black Chadwick. I gave the bag to my friend this morning and she was thrilled!
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A gift of love! What a wonderful way to help your friend remember her sister. 🕊️
 
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#44,019
squeakyrose said:
Where did you source your ‘elbow patch’? Looks like it’s going to work well!
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I measured the area to be covered and asked ChatGPT to create me an appropriate oval shape. I printed it, cut it out, and traced it on a piece of scrap leather I had. I think I got the piece of leather at Michael's craft store in a giant bag of assorted leather scraps. The next step is to smooth the edges with either Angelus filler or edgekote. And then dye.
 
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#44,020
ConnieinSeattle said:
I measured the area to be covered and asked ChatGPT to create me an appropriate oval shape. I printed it, cut it out, and traced it on a piece of scrap leather I had. I think I got the piece of leather at Michael's craft store in a giant bag of assorted leather scraps. The next step is to smooth the edges with either Angelus filler or edgekote. And then dye.
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So interesting and helpful — thank you for sharing! Love ChatGPT assisting vintage bag restoration. 😍🤓
 
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#44,022
I’ve searched back posts and can’t find anything exactly on point…though I swear I remember reading others having a similar issue… Any advice on LOTS of black color continuing to come off black bag onto sponge and dry microfiber during multiple coats of CPR conditioning?

80s 9730 Shoulder Sac graciously authenticated by our excellent TPF authenticators. Thrifted, dunked with Ivory clear liquid, then 6-7 CPR, a coat of Leather Therapy RC in there somewhere, lots of buffing with horsehair brush and soft cloth between coats. There was black coming off during bath and conditioning, esp after LT, but it tapered off. No color transfer during dry buffing. Tonight I was doing a final app of CPR and when I wiped excess the tack sponges and cloth were coming away solid black. All the tools were clean. It looks like dye but I’m not seeing any noticeable color loss. Didn’t see any evidence of paint. Shoe polish?

I’m mystified — and a little horrified bc it’s a gift for BFF for this Wednesday, and I thought I was about finished. Bag looks nice. But I don’t want marks on her clothes! Thoughts?

ETA: Thanks!!
 
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#44,023
squeakyrose said:
I’ve searched back posts and can’t find anything exactly on point…though I swear I remember reading others having a similar issue… Any advice on LOTS of black color continuing to come off black bag onto sponge and dry microfiber during multiple coats of CPR conditioning?

80s 9730 Shoulder Sac graciously authenticated by our excellent TPF authenticators. Thrifted, dunked with Ivory clear liquid, then 6-7 CPR, a coat of Leather Therapy RC in there somewhere, lots of buffing with horsehair brush and soft cloth between coats. There was black coming off during bath and conditioning, esp after LT, but it tapered off. No color transfer during dry buffing. Tonight I was doing a final app of CPR and when I wiped excess the tack sponges and cloth were coming away solid black. All the tools were clean. It looks like dye but I’m not seeing any noticeable color loss. Didn’t see any evidence of paint. Shoe polish?

I’m mystified — and a little horrified bc it’s a gift for BFF for this Wednesday, and I thought I was about finished. Bag looks nice. But I don’t want marks on her clothes! Thoughts?

ETA: Thanks!!
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Update, next day…. The mystery continues but my concern about gifting it has abated. I did some testing this afternoon and was able to identify a few things. It isn’t the tack sponges (new to me brand), specific bottle of CPR (which was also fresh) or the specific black bag. I tested on another in-process black bag - later year but still vintage - and it happened there too but to a much, much lesser extent. Most importantly, it *only* happens when there’s (1) a visibly heavy creamy coat of CPR that (2) hasn’t been allowed to soak in before wiping. Nothing comes off with a more reasonable amount after being allowed a couple minutes to rest or once dry or (importantly) with plain water on a white towel.

Very odd. It’s almost like the cream was momentarily lifting the dye a little and then settling. *bemused shrug* I think my takeaway is don’t overdo the coat of CPR. Which is true of most products! That’ll teach me to condition distractedly while also talking Christmas plans with my husband and sons. But maybe this escapade will be helpful to someone else refining their conditioning skills!

So relieved bc it’s a lovely bag that I think she’s going to be thrilled by!
 
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#44,025
ConnieinSeattle said:
A new bag that needs help! A vintage swagger. I feel that the prior owner attempted their own rehab and it didn't go well. Yikes! Also, wondering if the leather cleaner that came with it is still good since 1995 purchase.

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Love it! My grandmother used to take me with her to shop at Bergner’s when I was a little girl. I was sad to see them liquidated in the 2010s. Not as sad as the Marshall Fields buyout but similar old historical store. I’m going to go with expired, connieinseattle. 😂 Your post is also weirdly timely, I was literally just searching up scuff marks on dark leathers. Can I ask, what’s your plan for those?
 
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