It's really not as bad as it sounds. The first time is the scariest. Afterwards it's really no big deal.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter greenpixie
- Start date
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I dunked a lined yellow leather/suede chevron bag yesterday. It was really cheap because it was pretty grungy so I had nothing to lose. The first time I dunked it I used Dawn and scrubbed the suede and the metallic leather a little bit with a plastic brush that surgeons use when they prepare for surgery. I did not clean the strap because it was in perfect condition. I stuffed it with tea towels and let it dry for a bit and put Leather CPR on the leather but not on the suede. When it was still damp I tried to put a little CPR on the suede as well and it went really dark, which scared me.
It was damp dry today but it still had stains on the bottom dark brown suede so I mixed up some Dawn with a bit of water and scrubbed the suede with a tooth brush. I let it sit for a while to let the soap do its' magic then rinsed it out in cool water. The water was a pretty gross color. Then I hung it over the faucet to drain out. I noticed some of the color from the darker suede had seeped into the mustard yellow leather chevron and discolored it. Oh no, I thought, I've have totally screwed it! So I thought, what the hell, it cost me $25.00, lesson learned. But now as it's drying it's starting to look great. I love this bag, I don't know why, it's those crazy 70's colors that appeal to me I think. A great summer purse that holds every thing you want and then some.
Oh totally! But the first time I dunked it was kinda scary since I remember always being told that leather isn't washable like regular clothes.
I remember how scary my first rehabs were. I bought my first vintage bag because I wanted to rehab but then I was relieved when it didn't need any work!
I just bought another rehab project. I'm really excited about it.
I'm tempted to take on a HUGE rehab project just to try out some techniques I haven't done yet. There's a bag in an auction I'm eyeing that needs serious help but its a style I've wanted for a long time but is always sniped at the last minute on eBay for an obscene amount of money. It's like a complete overhaul of the bag. Just from the pictures I know it needs a bath, probably a whole bottle of conditioner, the binding needs to be sewn back on in some places, the piping is poking out in a couple corners and I would need to figure out what to do about the top handle just being gone.
And I'm probably either insane or have WAY too much spare time on my hands to even consider taking it on.
I know the one you mean. It may be too far gone. If I was you I'd be asking the seller if it sounds hollow when it's tapped - which would indicate dry rot, and for pics of the inside. However if there are no other bids on it and you win it, you could at least salvage the turn locks and not lose any money
I have done my Skinny Tote. By work, I meant I've gone a little nuts in the last month and have 5 bags to do.
Somebody bid on it last nightI know the one you mean. It may be too far gone. If I was you I'd be asking the seller if it sounds hollow when it's tapped - which would indicate dry rot, and for pics of the inside. However if there are no other bids on it and you win it, you could at least salvage the turn locks and not lose any money
I've already messaged the seller about it once already...they don't seem entirely "with it" and I had to walk them through attaching a photo of the creed via the eBay app. Somebody else suggested it might have dry rot as well, and the seller doesn't accept returns. Maybe I should just hang back and see what happens with the auction. That would also explain why the handle's gone now that I think about it.
Haha, I totally know how you feel. I've got at least half dozen bags in my "to do" pile at the moment and I'm still going out and looking for more inventory.I have done my Skinny Tote. By work, I meant I've gone a little nuts in the last month and have 5 bags to do.
You ladies have been a very bad (but fun
) influence on me, I had to stop the rehabbing for several months due to family issues needing the attention, but when a deal crossed my path, I went for it and now I have (not exaggerating), a pile to rehab of about 22 bags, with time to do it mostly in weekends, well.... I better get moving, LOLWhat's bad is when you have a pile of bags that are too hard and you can't get motivated to work on them, so you buy more easier rehabs!You ladies have been a very bad (but fun
A question:
Does anyone know what this bag was called?
And a comment:
5 days post bath, meguiars, blackrocks, and many buffings, bag is lightening in color again. And the white spot is slowly reappearing.
What does all this mean? Bag absorbing conditioners? Gremlins? An angry bag fairy ?????
