Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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I'm loving the Leather Therapy Wash..it makes all the difference in the world when you have rotten egg smelling Florida well water..that dries your hair& your skin ..the good thing is I only have to wash my hair about twice a weekWe have a cistern so when it rains,I go crazy washing bags &laundry because it overflows, but we just began WINTER here.Last winter my bags came out like cardboard..I used baby wash,woolite, dawn.Then a couple months ago.I got "da boss" to buy me LT wash,because he wanted me to clean 2 leather jackets..first I used it on about 10 bags..sososo soft..it comes with a spray,so for those of you that don't dunk ,or want to clean shoes or other stuff,you can spray it on & wipe it off.I'm using it as my soap when I dunk,and I used it on 1980s leather Jax too..its well worth the money & since I'm an LT rehabber,when I need to to order the LT conditioner I didnt have to pay xtra shipping..I've been buying from Horse.com..you can google it for the coupon usually 10% off..its the best deal I've found. You can also use the LEXOL Spray cleaner as wash..but most peeps with normal water are probably fine with dawn ..woolite is pretty harsh IMHO!!..Dr Bronners,baby wash,baby shampoo..I was going to try that Dawn with oil of olay,it sounds bizzarro to use dish soap with lotion on dishes... I rarely throw bags in the machine unless they are the XLarge Duffels, or briefcases..the only time I let the cycle go through is when I get BAD BAD BAGS from BAD BAD PEOPLE that cover them in BADBAD Shoepolish.my.last duffel sac & last Helens were a mess! I was cleaning my washing machine with a toothbrush~UGH!! But, I dream of a front loader!! I have thought about bringing a load of bags to the laundromat & using their machines, but I'm always getting into trouble,so I would probably get arrested or fined or thrown out for washing leather..
I'm glad all of you got a giggle from my NOTADREMEL Story.. I'm sorry I can't multiquote, I'm running on XP & this desktop was pretty much given to me,totally refurbished by some awesome ladies that run a small Computer Geek Shop in my town. ..I thought I was drinking too much while writing..fortunately that isn't true!! I drink just enough!! One day when I grow up, I hope to have windows 7..yahoo!! By then,we will have computer chips in our earbuds if not embedded in our brains..its a good thing I like VINTAGE because I'm waaay behind the times here...like way back before tablets!! OMY!! Ciao or now kidz...
Thanks for all the info on leather cleaning! Speaking of cleaning, my studio is now going into it's fourth year of chaos/disorganization/garage substitute since we moved to Seattle! Nice to know it isn't just me! Although, I did make room for bag rehabbing!
Thank you! Proud, yes, and relieved that I've sent one of my children successfully into the world. I still have two more to worry about.Your trip sounds FABULOUS!! CONGRATS on your daughters wedding & the Graduation...WOW!! you must be sooo proud!!
Newbie rehabber here! I got a beige 4153 from ebay, which looked simply dirty. Well, i gave it a quick dunking with warm water and a spot of woolite, and it WAS dirty! But the beige color is also pretty worn too, and as it's drying, I'm realizing that even with conditioner, this bag is never going to look as good as the black one I've just finished. So, should I dye it? And if so, with what product? I've been looking through the threads but I'm overwhelmed by it all. Can someone put me on the right path, please? 
Here is the ebay listing with pics (lighter than IRL). http://www.ebay.com/itm/161456384415
Here is the ebay listing with pics (lighter than IRL). http://www.ebay.com/itm/161456384415
Fantastic! I found a leather jacket that fit me perfectly for $20 while out thrifting a couple months ago and I've been dragging my feet about taking it to a dry cleaner since it'll probably cost more to clean it than what I originally paid for it.I'm loving the Leather Therapy Wash..it makes all the difference in the world when you have rotten egg smelling Florida well water..that dries your hair& your skin ..the good thing is I only have to wash my hair about twice a weekWe have a cistern so when it rains,I go crazy washing bags &laundry because it overflows, but we just began WINTER here.Last winter my bags came out like cardboard..I used baby wash,woolite, dawn.Then a couple months ago.I got "da boss" to buy me LT wash,because he wanted me to clean 2 leather jackets..first I used it on about 10 bags..sososo soft..it comes with a spray,so for those of you that don't dunk ,or want to clean shoes or other stuff,you can spray it on & wipe it off.I'm using it as my soap when I dunk,and I used it on 1980s leather Jax too..its well worth the money & since I'm an LT rehabber,when I need to to order the LT conditioner I didnt have to pay xtra shipping..I've been buying from Horse.com..you can google it for the coupon usually 10% off..its the best deal I've found. You can also use the LEXOL Spray cleaner as wash..but most peeps with normal water are probably fine with dawn ..woolite is pretty harsh IMHO!!..Dr Bronners,baby wash,baby shampoo..I was going to try that Dawn with oil of olay,it sounds bizzarro to use dish soap with lotion on dishes... I rarely throw bags in the machine unless they are the XLarge Duffels, or briefcases..the only time I let the cycle go through is when I get BAD BAD BAGS from BAD BAD PEOPLE that cover them in BADBAD Shoepolish.my.last duffel sac & last Helens were a mess! I was cleaning my washing machine with a toothbrush~UGH!! But, I dream of a front loader!! I have thought about bringing a load of bags to the laundromat & using their machines, but I'm always getting into trouble,so I would probably get arrested or fined or thrown out for washing leather..
I'm glad all of you got a giggle from my NOTADREMEL Story.. I'm sorry I can't multiquote, I'm running on XP & this desktop was pretty much given to me,totally refurbished by some awesome ladies that run a small Computer Geek Shop in my town. ..I thought I was drinking too much while writing..fortunately that isn't true!! I drink just enough!! One day when I grow up, I hope to have windows 7..yahoo!! By then,we will have computer chips in our earbuds if not embedded in our brains..its a good thing I like VINTAGE because I'm waaay behind the times here...like way back before tablets!! OMY!! Ciao or now kidz...
Good to know about the Dr. Bronners! I have a bottle of peppermint scented soap in this house somewhere. (We moved about 3 months ago and we've still got a ton of boxes all over the place.)
I found another trick myself last night for vachetta! I tried a variation of using baby wipes on it, since I have entirely too many face wash cloths sitting around. The Simple face wipes work pretty well--they have no perfume, oil, or alcohol so it's essentially like the baby wipes people say work for vachetta. They did a decent job, still slow going but I felt like I made some progress since the wipes had a tint to them after wiping off various parts of the bag. It's still drying a little bit, but it's lightened up a dark spot on a bottom of a bag pretty well. (I'm probably going to need to use them at least a couple more times to completely get rid of it.)
This isn't quite a rehab question, but I'm hoping for some advice. I recently bought two new bags directly from Coach. A classic unlined stewardess and a Crosby Caryall which has a lining both in black. Any thoughts on whether you would put any kind of protectant on them right away or wait until they need cleaning? I have Leather Therapy, Blackrocks and Obenaufs on hand.
You will probably have to dye it but I think you'll lose some of the softness of the leather. This line has the softest leather but the dyes Coach used weren't the best. All the colors faded badly. If it doesn't have a lot of stains and you just want to darken it slightly, you could try RIT dye. It will get a little stiff but you'll be able to condition it back close to the original softness.Newbie rehabber here! I got a beige 4153 from ebay, which looked simply dirty. Well, i gave it a quick dunking with warm water and a spot of woolite, and it WAS dirty! But the beige color is also pretty worn too, and as it's drying, I'm realizing that even with conditioner, this bag is never going to look as good as the black one I've just finished. So, should I dye it? And if so, with what product? I've been looking through the threads but I'm overwhelmed by it all. Can someone put me on the right path, please?
Here is the ebay listing with pics (lighter than IRL). http://www.ebay.com/itm/161456384415
Fiebings makes a dye. I've never been successful at putting it on evenly. It always looks streaky on my items, so I wouldn't recommend it. There is a brand they sell at Tandy, I think it might be eco-flo, that comes in lots of great colors but is too shiny for my taste, so I don't recommend it either.
I've never tried Angelus dye, Tarrago or Meltonian.
Then there is Wood n Stuff Leather Refinisher. This stuff will cover the leather completely so all stains disappear, but it isn't technically a dye. It is made of acrylic and forms a thin coating on top of the leather. It seems to hold up well. You can also dilute it with conditioner for a thinner finish that lets some of the natural color variations shine through.
I never put anything on my newer bags except for the very light colors if I'm afraid of color transfer. If the bags are black, it is my opinion they don't need anything. If you really want to add a layer of protection, I would use Blackrocks. It will make the leather even more beautiful.
Thank you so much for this, whateve! The leather, as you say, feels great but looks really sad... I am thinking of taking it down to at least an English tan sort of color, or even to a burgundy or cordovan. The surface scuffs will integrate better in those tones, I think.
However, now that you mention the Rit dye, I remember I have some somewhere that I used for a dip dye scarf project earlier in the year... (I have navy blue and red.) This will really only tint the leather though, right? (Currently trying to picture this bag in pale purple...
)Very useful to hear about your successes and otherwise, and invaluable to know about finishes. What I really love about the older bags is their NATURAL feel, and I want to keep that!.
Hoping others will also chime in with their suggestions and ideas.
Thanks again!
You're welcome! I don't really know how much RIT will color the leather. I've never tried it on a very light colored bag. I used it on a lime Sonoma. I just wanted to refresh the color so I didn't leave it in the dye very long, and the change was subtle. I also used it on a bag with the same leather as yours. It was a very faded navy. I left it in the dye much longer and it came out a very dark navy. The color wasn't completely even but it wasn't that noticeable. I washed it after I dyed it, and although some color came out in the bath, the bag stayed dark.Thank you so much for this, whateve! The leather, as you say, feels great but looks really sad... I am thinking of taking it down to at least an English tan sort of color, or even to a burgundy or cordovan. The surface scuffs will integrate better in those tones, I think.
However, now that you mention the Rit dye, I remember I have some somewhere that I used for a dip dye scarf project earlier in the year... (I have navy blue and red.) This will really only tint the leather though, right? (Currently trying to picture this bag in pale purple...
Very useful to hear about your successes and otherwise, and invaluable to know about finishes. What I really love about the older bags is their NATURAL feel, and I want to keep that!.
Hoping others will also chime in with their suggestions and ideas.
Thanks again!
I have a suede bag that I'm going to do next. I already tried two coats of Fiebings suede dye and it didn't work so I'm hoping the RIT will yield better results. Then I have a couple of items in a faded purple suede that I'll attempt when I'm feeling adventurous.
I have a dark brown signature print tote that looks a little faded to me when compared to a newer wristlet. I think the bag got lighter after it's bath. Soooo, how about RIT on a canvas bag? Would love a nice deep rich chocolate brown color.
Meltonian is another option. It is described as a 'shoe cream' rather than a shoe polish. Once it is dry it doesn't rub off like polish does. It comes in a huge range of colours.Thank you so much for this, whateve! The leather, as you say, feels great but looks really sad... I am thinking of taking it down to at least an English tan sort of color, or even to a burgundy or cordovan. The surface scuffs will integrate better in those tones, I think.
However, now that you mention the Rit dye, I remember I have some somewhere that I used for a dip dye scarf project earlier in the year... (I have navy blue and red.) This will really only tint the leather though, right? (Currently trying to picture this bag in pale purple...
Very useful to hear about your successes and otherwise, and invaluable to know about finishes. What I really love about the older bags is their NATURAL feel, and I want to keep that!.
Hoping others will also chime in with their suggestions and ideas.
Thanks again!
I used it on my dh's black (non-Coach) leather briefcase which was terribly scratched and faded, waited for it to dry then buffed it. It looked like a new bag afterwards. I did it at the beginning of the year and it still looks good.
It works great. You can even paint it on rather than dipping it if you want to control where the dye goes. My daughter had a black on black signature bag that got faded from the sun. I used RIT and followed the instructions for painting it on. The lining was a gorgeous purple so I didn't want to do anything that would affect the lining. There were a few spots that didn't take the dye as well as others, but it wasn't noticeable unless you looked closely.