Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#1,021
I won a Madison Carlyle a while back, and when I got her she had a couple of problems:

1. She was as flat as a pancake
2. She had two ring shaped dents and another small dent on her flap
3. The hardware had some corrosion.

Here's her befores:





I finally got her out today for some rehab experimentation. I didn't want to dunk her because she is a lovely shade of butter, so, I got out my steamer! I steamed her insides like there was no tomorrow, and gave her a good stuff. I know the wrinkles won't some out, but at least she won't be smooshed. While she was resting, I pondered the problem of the flap dents. Inspiration struck! I removed her hardware to see if I could get in between the two layers of leather - yep, there was an opening! The flap appears to be a sandwich of leather, a thin sheet of foam, a piece of cardboard, and then the back layer of leather. I inserted the nozzle of my steamer between the foam and the layer of cardboard, and gave her several blasts of steam. I let her rest a bit, and blasted her again. I repeated this a few times, and she is now plumped up and pretty!! I am leaving the hardware off for a bit until I'm sure she is dry inside. Check her out!





Hardware solution next!
 
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#1,022
There was some corrosion (very heavy and bumpy) on the closure on my Carlyle, so I decided to tackle that while I had it off of the flap. I used some brass polisher, but it was pretty heavily corroded, and the corrosion had removed the antique brushed finish that was on the hardware. It's important to get all of the corrosion off or it will just keep coming back. I thought about it, then got out my 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper and sanded the entire piece. It removed the rest of the corrosion, and gave the piece a beautiful brushed finish. It's a just a tad lighter than the hardware on the straps, but it's not noticeable at all. I tried to take a pic, but it was impossible. Don't try this with a lower grit, and remember to go in one direction for a nice brushed look. A circular motion will give you circles! I have 800 grit somewhere, and when I find it I'm going to try it on some scrap brass to see if it will give me a smoother finish. I'll try to post a pic when she's back together!

ETA: Got a pic!

 
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#1,023
And my last post - I promise! It's colder than usual in my basement (gee thanks polar vortex), so when I dunked a bag yesterday I was trying to find a good spot to let it dry upstairs. I wanted to have it in proximity to a heating vent, but didn't want to have it sitting around on the floor since heat rises. I had another inspiration this morning (must have been a great batch of coffee ha ha!), and came up with a spot! I grabbed my 12 x 24 cutting mat, put the purse on it, and then slid it onto the stretchers of one of my dining room chairs. I moved the chair near the vent in the dining room. Not directly in front, but in the vicinity where I know that nice warm air is circulating. It's working like a charm, the front flap is almost dry, and I don't have to keep stepping over the bag or moving it off of my table. :smile1:
 
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#1,024
Beccabaglady said:
I won a Madison Carlyle a while back, and when I got her she had a couple of problems:

1. She was as flat as a pancake
2. She had two ring shaped dents and another small dent on her flap
3. The hardware had some corrosion.

Here's her befores:





I finally got her out today for some rehab experimentation. I didn't want to dunk her because she is a lovely shade of butter, so, I got out my steamer! I steamed her insides like there was no tomorrow, and gave her a good stuff. I know the wrinkles won't some out, but at least she won't be smooshed. While she was resting, I pondered the problem of the flap dents. Inspiration struck! I removed her hardware to see if I could get in between the two layers of leather - yep, there was an opening! The flap appears to be a sandwich of leather, a thin sheet of foam, a piece of cardboard, and then the back layer of leather. I inserted the nozzle of my steamer between the foam and the layer of cardboard, and gave her several blasts of steam. I let her rest a bit, and blasted her again. I repeated this a few times, and she is now plumped up and pretty!! I am leaving the hardware off for a bit until I'm sure she is dry inside. Check her out!





Hardware solution next!
Click to expand...
This is genius!
 
#1,025
whateve said:
It is adorable! The rehab should be pretty easy. I don't see any stains, just worn edges. I would soak it in some soapy water, then rinse well and pat dry. Roll a small towel and place inside to define the shape you want the bag to be when it dries. Lay it out on a towel to dry. When it is mostly dry, you can start conditioning. I recommend using Leather CPR. I would do two or three coats over a few days. Then I would do a few coats of Blackrock Leather 'n' Rich. This will help hide the worn edges. You can also mix a small amount of matching acrylic paint in with your conditioner for a more permanent fix to the edges.
Click to expand...


Hi Whateve. Bag rehab is off to a good start!! Quick question....I've tinted the CPR with the appropriate color and have done my first coat; should I add paint to the other coats as well? Thanks!!
 
#1,026
soozlz said:
Hi Whateve. Bag rehab is off to a good start!! Quick question....I've tinted the CPR with the appropriate color and have done my first coat; should I add paint to the other coats as well? Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Hi! I try to be sparing on my use of paint. I use the absolute minimum I can get away with. I have a bag in my rehab pile that has paint on it that I can't remove. I would only use the paint-tinted CPR on the parts that need it. The rest of the bag just needs regular conditioner. If the edges still seem light later, you can always do another paint-tinted coat then.
 
#1,027
whateve said:
Hi! I try to be sparing on my use of paint. I use the absolute minimum I can get away with. I have a bag in my rehab pile that has paint on it that I can't remove. I would only use the paint-tinted CPR on the parts that need it. The rest of the bag just needs regular conditioner. If the edges still seem light later, you can always do another paint-tinted coat then.
Click to expand...


Luckily I was sparing with the paint, but I did put it on the whole bag. The edges look a little lighter, but not much. Maybe I 'll do a 2nd tinted coat on the edges tonight. The CPR is amazing!! The strap was stiff like waaaay under cooked pasta. When I applied the CPR it went limp.
 
#1,029
Hi rehabbers, I need some advice!

I picked up a poorly listed Madison Hailey for a steal. I cleaned the inside lining which came out great but the leather is kinda dry feeling & has a few scratches. I don't know the first thing about leather moisturizer/cleaner/etc... Can anyone recommend which type of product I can use to bring some life back?
 
#1,030
rynamyn said:
Hi rehabbers, I need some advice!

I picked up a poorly listed Madison Hailey for a steal. I cleaned the inside lining which came out great but the leather is kinda dry feeling & has a few scratches. I don't know the first thing about leather moisturizer/cleaner/etc... Can anyone recommend which type of product I can use to bring some life back?
Click to expand...
I've never put any conditioner on my Haileys but I think any of the products we use on other bags would work. Just don't get one that has silicone in it. Are there places where the color is gone? Once I bought a lime one on ebay and there were a bunch of gray patches. I returned it.
 
#1,031
whateve said:
I've never put any conditioner on my Haileys but I think any of the products we use on other bags would work. Just don't get one that has silicone in it. Are there places where the color is gone? Once I bought a lime one on ebay and there were a bunch of gray patches. I returned it.
Click to expand...

No, the colour is fine luckily. Is Apple a good choice? I've heard a bit about that one & can order easy on Amazon...
 
#1,034
Beccabaglady said:
I won a Madison Carlyle a while back, and when I got her she had a couple of problems:

1. She was as flat as a pancake
2. She had two ring shaped dents and another small dent on her flap
3. The hardware had some corrosion.

Here's her befores:

I finally got her out today for some rehab experimentation. I didn't want to dunk her because she is a lovely shade of butter, so, I got out my steamer! I steamed her insides like there was no tomorrow, and gave her a good stuff. I know the wrinkles won't some out, but at least she won't be smooshed. While she was resting, I pondered the problem of the flap dents. Inspiration struck! I removed her hardware to see if I could get in between the two layers of leather - yep, there was an opening! The flap appears to be a sandwich of leather, a thin sheet of foam, a piece of cardboard, and then the back layer of leather. I inserted the nozzle of my steamer between the foam and the layer of cardboard, and gave her several blasts of steam. I let her rest a bit, and blasted her again. I repeated this a few times, and she is now plumped up and pretty!! I am leaving the hardware off for a bit until I'm sure she is dry inside. Check her out!

Hardware solution next!
Click to expand...

Beccabaglady said:
There was some corrosion (very heavy and bumpy) on the closure on my Carlyle, so I decided to tackle that while I had it off of the flap. I used some brass polisher, but it was pretty heavily corroded, and the corrosion had removed the antique brushed finish that was on the hardware. It's important to get all of the corrosion off or it will just keep coming back. I thought about it, then got out my 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper and sanded the entire piece. It removed the rest of the corrosion, and gave the piece a beautiful brushed finish. It's a just a tad lighter than the hardware on the straps, but it's not noticeable at all. I tried to take a pic, but it was impossible. Don't try this with a lower grit, and remember to go in one direction for a nice brushed look. A circular motion will give you circles! I have 800 grit somewhere, and when I find it I'm going to try it on some scrap brass to see if it will give me a smoother finish. I'll try to post a pic when she's back together!

ETA: Got a pic!
Click to expand...

Beccabaglady said:
And my last post - I promise! It's colder than usual in my basement (gee thanks polar vortex), so when I dunked a bag yesterday I was trying to find a good spot to let it dry upstairs. I wanted to have it in proximity to a heating vent, but didn't want to have it sitting around on the floor since heat rises. I had another inspiration this morning (must have been a great batch of coffee ha ha!), and came up with a spot! I grabbed my 12 x 24 cutting mat, put the purse on it, and then slid it onto the stretchers of one of my dining room chairs. I moved the chair near the vent in the dining room. Not directly in front, but in the vicinity where I know that nice warm air is circulating. It's working like a charm, the front flap is almost dry, and I don't have to keep stepping over the bag or moving it off of my table. :smile1:
Click to expand...

Beautiful bag...great tips!
 
#1,035
whateve said:
This is genius!
Click to expand...

Two.time.bags said:
I agree. I want that coffee! Can't wait to see the finished product. Did the wrinkles smooth out at all?
Click to expand...

JOODLZ said:
Beautiful bag...great tips!
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone! Unfortunately, I think the leather on the Madisons is going to act like paper - once it's folded you can unfold it, but the crease is still there, know what I mean? It was so dry, it was actually making a crinkling noise when I was trying to open her up a little. The strap was pretty stiff too. I see lots of Leather CPR and a custom made storage cushion in her future!
 
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