Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Finch]

I had a sad rehab and I am hoping someone can help

I thrifted a pre-1994 Devon bag in british tan. The color was gorgeous and it was in amazing shape aside from being misshapen. Also, it was kind of dirty on the inside. So, I gave it a bath and put one coat of Leather CPR on it, not realizing it may darken leather (I checked too but missed it).

It has only been three days. Even before I put the CPR on, it was still dark but it wasn't 100% dry. It still feels a bit damp but, I don't think it is going to go back to the original color. Do I just wash it again? What conditioner would be safe for this? Or, am I SOL?

Thank you.

 

[whateve]

I had a sad rehab and I am hoping someone can help

I thrifted a pre-1994 Devon bag in british tan. The color was gorgeous and it was in amazing shape aside from being misshapen. Also, it was kind of dirty on the inside. So, I gave it a bath and put one coat of Leather CPR on it, not realizing it may darken leather (I checked too but missed it).

It has only been three days. Even before I put the CPR on, it was still dark but it wasn't 100% dry. It still feels a bit damp but, I don't think it is going to go back to the original color. Do I just wash it again? What conditioner would be safe for this? Or, am I SOL?

Thank you.

I've never known cpr to darken unless the leather surface was damaged. It might go back to the original color after it dries. I would wait and if nothing changes, possibly bathe it again.

Then again, maybe the bag darkened to its original color. I've known bags that were one color before a bath and another after. Usually this is because the bag was very dry before bathing. The bath restores some of the lost moisture and the original color comes back. If this is the case, nothing can be done to bring back the color it was before the bath other than neglecting it until the leather gets dried out again, which I don't recommend.

 

[JOODLZ]

Finally finished a few. Here's a collection of navy blue bags. Compact Brief #9425 with glued-in serial no, NYC Basic Bag #9455 and Camera Bag #4012.

Beautiful...as always!

And another NYC Basic Bag - tabac I think - and a burgundy Madison Satchel #9725.

Also a couple of Sheridans. Green Charleston #4217 and a black Lauren #4234.

Good heavens, you've been a busy, busy girl...be proud of yourself for all of this fine work...I've finished a few of my projects - and even taken pics - now just have to get around to posting

 

[JOODLZ]

I had a sad rehab and I am hoping someone can help

I thrifted a pre-1994 Devon bag in british tan. The color was gorgeous and it was in amazing shape aside from being misshapen. Also, it was kind of dirty on the inside. So, I gave it a bath and put one coat of Leather CPR on it, not realizing it may darken leather (I checked too but missed it).

It has only been three days. Even before I put the CPR on, it was still dark but it wasn't 100% dry. It still feels a bit damp but, I don't think it is going to go back to the original color. Do I just wash it again? What conditioner would be safe for this? Or, am I SOL?

Thank you.

Welcome! I don't think you have a sad situation at all...you just need to allow a little more time. British Tan...IMO...is a tricky color to work with. And the true color is probably a little darker than we may think. Depending on where you live...temperature and humidity play in to how quickly a bag dries. Anything wet will likely be a little darker than when dry. Same goes for applying products. The moisture in Leather CPR, for example, will darken leather when first applied...then as it soaks in and dries, lightens up again. There are a few products that may darken leather more permanently, but I use Leather CPR, Blackrocks and Obenauf's and have only seen temporary color changes.

Most times the bags I rehab have never been given the luxury of a "spa day" and are typically dry, and therefore a lighter color than they will become after a bath, conditioning and finishing. In your case, the "original" color may not return, but that's not a bad thing...after it finishes drying and is conditioned and finished, the leather will be as it should be. Most often, at least for me, a bag has a much deeper, richer tone than before rehab. Hope this makes sense.

Like everything you do, as you gain more experience, you'll become more patient as you understand and get a handle on the process. We were all new once...LOL...but if you keep hanging out here and asking questions, it just gets easier and easier (and way more addictive, beware!). Good luck...I'd say you're off to a good start!

Here are some before and after pics of a little coin wallet I picked up at a local charity shop for $2. Pretty sad in the beginning, but with a Dawn bath, Leather CPR, Blackrocks and Obenauf's, it recovered well. First 2 pics are before, then 2 afters.

 

[Two.time.bags]

Beautiful...as always!



Good heavens, you've been a busy, busy girl...be proud of yourself for all of this fine work...I've finished a few of my projects - and even taken pics - now just have to get around to posting

Thanks Joodlz. I've been far too busy - buying bags. My rehab pile is getting out of control so I really have to get a production line happening! Now the weather has warmed up they don't take so long to dry.

 

[Two.time.bags]

Welcome! I don't think you have a sad situation at all...you just need to allow a little more time. British Tan...IMO...is a tricky color to work with. And the true color is probably a little darker than we may think. Depending on where you live...temperature and humidity play in to how quickly a bag dries. Anything wet will likely be a little darker than when dry. Same goes for applying products. The moisture in Leather CPR, for example, will darken leather when first applied...then as it soaks in and dries, lightens up again. There are a few products that may darken leather more permanently, but I use Leather CPR, Blackrocks and Obenauf's and have only seen temporary color changes.

Most times the bags I rehab have never been given the luxury of a "spa day" and are typically dry, and therefore a lighter color than they will become after a bath, conditioning and finishing. In your case, the "original" color may not return, but that's not a bad thing...after it finishes drying and is conditioned and finished, the leather will be as it should be. Most often, at least for me, a bag has a much deeper, richer tone than before rehab. Hope this makes sense.

Like everything you do, as you gain more experience, you'll become more patient as you understand and get a handle on the process. We were all new once...LOL...but if you keep hanging out here and asking questions, it just gets easier and easier (and way more addictive, beware!). Good luck...I'd say you're off to a good start!

Here are some before and after pics of a little coin wallet I picked up at a local charity shop for $2. Pretty sad in the beginning, but with a Dawn bath, Leather CPR, Blackrocks and Obenauf's, it recovered well. First 2 pics are before, then 2 afters.

I agree. Your bag will be in a lot better condition when you've finished working on her and the colour will be closer to the original. I think she's looking pretty good already.

Nice job of the purse Joodlz. Looking forward to seeing your others. Oh, and that Mandy you picked up is TDF.

 

[maramd]

I have a few questions before I bid: Is this poor bag beyond hope? I get thirsty just looking at this! Any guesses on the true color?

 

[Finch]

Thank you for the responses, glad to hear others have not had an issue with CPR darkening leather. We will see how it looks in a few days, needed to add another coat of CPR today and may need another one tomorrow.

That was actually my second rehab. My first rehab (for a Coach bag, I rehab all kinds of thrifted things) was about the grossest thing I have ever rehabbed. It was much worse than I realized. I think in total it soaked for 4 hours - I had to turn it inside out (both the main body and the exterior pocket) because animal and human hair was PACKED into the creases. I had to clean out every crevice with tweezers because it was so bad


Before

 

[Finch]

After

As you can see, there is quite a bit of color loss. I have used 5 coats of Leather CPR. I am not sure what to do about the color loss. The leather itself is fine everywhere, just worn in some places. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

This bag is from 2002 and is style 9148 unfortunately I was not able to find anything out about this style.

 

[whateve]

After

As you can see, there is quite a bit of color loss. I have used 5 coats of Leather CPR. I am not sure what to do about the color loss. The leather itself is fine everywhere, just worn in some places. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

This bag is from 2002 and is style 9148 unfortunately I was not able to find anything out about this style.

There are a couple of things you could do. You could use RIT dye to refresh the color but you would have to clean off all the conditioner and start over. A page or two ago there is a post about how well the RIT dye worked on another bag. Or you could try mixing black acrylic paint with conditioner and using that. If you do this, you have to be careful not to use too much paint as it has a different sheen and texture than leather.

 

[Finch]

There are a couple of things you could do. You could use RIT dye to refresh the color but you would have to clean off all the conditioner and start over. A page or two ago there is a post about how well the RIT dye worked on another bag. Or you could try mixing black acrylic paint with conditioner and using that. If you do this, you have to be careful not to use too much paint as it has a different sheen and texture than leather.

Thanks, I will look for that. I probably will dye it then - I really like this bag, big and slouchy.

 

[bigal]

Welcome! I don't think you have a sad situation at all...you just need to allow a little more time. British Tan...IMO...is a tricky color to work with. And the true color is probably a little darker than we may think. Depending on where you live...temperature and humidity play in to how quickly a bag dries. Anything wet will likely be a little darker than when dry. Same goes for applying products. The moisture in Leather CPR, for example, will darken leather when first applied...then as it soaks in and dries, lightens up again. There are a few products that may darken leather more permanently, but I use Leather CPR, Blackrocks and Obenauf's and have only seen temporary color changes.

Most times the bags I rehab have never been given the luxury of a "spa day" and are typically dry, and therefore a lighter color than they will become after a bath, conditioning and finishing. In your case, the "original" color may not return, but that's not a bad thing...after it finishes drying and is conditioned and finished, the leather will be as it should be. Most often, at least for me, a bag has a much deeper, richer tone than before rehab. Hope this makes sense.

Like everything you do, as you gain more experience, you'll become more patient as you understand and get a handle on the process. We were all new once...LOL...but if you keep hanging out here and asking questions, it just gets easier and easier (and way more addictive, beware!). Good luck...I'd say you're off to a good start!

Here are some before and after pics of a little coin wallet I picked up at a local charity shop for $2. Pretty sad in the beginning, but with a Dawn bath, Leather CPR, Blackrocks and Obenauf's, it recovered well. First 2 pics are before, then 2 afters.

Joodlz! That wallet looks so much better! Great job!

 

[JOODLZ]

Thanks Joodlz. I've been far too busy - buying bags. My rehab pile is getting out of control so I really have to get a production line happening! Now the weather has warmed up they don't take so long to dry.

You're welcome...I too have gotten too far behind Real work is cutting into my rehab time...they're stacking up on me. Our weather has taken a lovely turn to dry, cool breezes...Yay!

I agree. Your bag will be in a lot better condition when you've finished working on her and the colour will be closer to the original. I think she's looking pretty good already.

Nice job of the purse Joodlz. Looking forward to seeing your others. Oh, and that Mandy you picked up is TDF.

Thanks...the Mandy is amazing (and HUGE), but wait till you take a look at the AT Michael Kors thread...$9.99 at GW...$228 online Yeah, I'm cheating again! Gotta get organized before I can post more rehabs. I've shifted to a newer computer with a newer browser, but my records and links are in the old one...I'll muddle through somehow!

 

[JOODLZ]

Joodlz! That wallet looks so much better! Great job!

Thanks!

 

[bigal]

You're welcome...I too have gotten too far behind Real work is cutting into my rehab time...they're stacking up on me. Our weather has taken a lovely turn to dry, cool breezes...Yay!



Thanks...the Mandy is amazing (and HUGE), but wait till you take a look at the AT Michael Kors thread...$9.99 at GW...$228 online Yeah, I'm cheating again! Gotta get organized before I can post more rehabs. I've shifted to a newer computer with a newer browser, but my records and links are in the old one...I'll muddle through somehow!

Sounds like perfect rehab weather. And that MK bag is gorgeous!