Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#10,681
Technically this is a Kooba rehab so feel free to kick me off (!) BUT I used a ton of dyeing tips from this forum to help me do a drastic color change fairly successfully using Fiebing's deglazer, dye, and resolene. So thank you all!

I consistently see dyeing questions here and thought my experience might help others, esp. since I'll be listing all the dye-related posts/threads/tutorials I found on tPF in one thread. I know I wanted every nugget of dyeing info I could get my hands on when I started.

I started a thread in the Kooba forum and will be adding detailed pics and descriptions of what I did: http://forum.purseblog.com/kooba/dyeing-a-kooba-a-different-color-935620.html
 
#10,682
Ravvie99 said:
Technically this is a Kooba rehab so feel free to kick me off (!) BUT I used a ton of dyeing tips from this forum to help me do a drastic color change fairly successfully using Fiebing's deglazer, dye, and resolene. So thank you all!

I consistently see dyeing questions here and thought my experience might help others, esp. since I'll be listing all the dye-related posts/threads/tutorials I found on tPF in one thread. I know I wanted every nugget of dyeing info I could get my hands on when I started.

I started a thread in the Kooba forum and will be adding detailed pics and descriptions of what I did: http://forum.purseblog.com/kooba/dyeing-a-kooba-a-different-color-935620.html
Click to expand...

Wow! It looks great! What a transformation. I can't wait to read your additional posts.
 
#10,687
Ravvie99 said:
Technically this is a Kooba rehab so feel free to kick me off (!) BUT I used a ton of dyeing tips from this forum to help me do a drastic color change fairly successfully using Fiebing's deglazer, dye, and resolene. So thank you all!

I consistently see dyeing questions here and thought my experience might help others, esp. since I'll be listing all the dye-related posts/threads/tutorials I found on tPF in one thread. I know I wanted every nugget of dyeing info I could get my hands on when I started.

I started a thread in the Kooba forum and will be adding detailed pics and descriptions of what I did: http://forum.purseblog.com/kooba/dyeing-a-kooba-a-different-color-935620.html
Click to expand...

The result is impressive, Ravvie! I'm always skeptical about dyed bags because in most cases, unfortunately, you can tell the color is not authentic. Here, as much as I looked, I couldn't tell the difference. And it's especially impressive because you didn't dye it black which is probably the safest bet for dramatic color change!
 
#10,688
I just purchased a pre-loved Coach basic bag in British Tan which is in pretty good shape, but wanted to try my hand at giving it a wash and conditioning. I've read several threads and numerous conditioners are mentioned--Apple Care, Leather Therapy, Blackrock, Lexol, even a mention on YouTube of Kiwi Saddle Soap to double as cleaner and conditioner. I also have the Coach moisturizer although I also read that it is not recommended due to it containing silicone. Has there been any general consensus as to which product works best? I read Sacs Magnifiques' blog of a few years ago mentioning Leather Therapy. I'd like to look at my local Walmart for a product but here in Hawaii, a lot of products are not in stock. Thanks for any feedback.
 
#10,689
HI5O said:
I just purchased a pre-loved Coach basic bag in British Tan which is in pretty good shape, but wanted to try my hand at giving it a wash and conditioning. I've read several threads and numerous conditioners are mentioned--Apple Care, Leather Therapy, Blackrock, Lexol, even a mention on YouTube of Kiwi Saddle Soap to double as cleaner and conditioner. I also have the Coach moisturizer although I also read that it is not recommended due to it containing silicone. Has there been any general consensus as to which product works best? I read Sacs Magnifiques' blog of a few years ago mentioning Leather Therapy. I'd like to look at my local Walmart for a product but here in Hawaii, a lot of products are not in stock. Thanks for any feedback.
Click to expand...
Walmart doesn't carry much of what we use. I consider Lexol to be a thinner conditioner, really only good for maintenance. I don't use it for a rehab except to mix with paint for touch-ups. Most of my conditioners I get online. I find Blackrocks to be essential. I believe you have to order that online. I get mine from ebay. I also use Leather CPR, which is usually available at Bed Bath and Beyond. If you are lucky, you can find it discounted at Tuesday Morning, TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Some tack shops also carry it. I consider Apple to be similar to Lexol, not really for rehabs. Leather Therapy you would have to order online, most likely. I wouldn't use the Coach moisturizer.

I use different products for different situations but I always use Blackrocks. I use Leather CPR most of the time as my first conditioning treatment. For really dry bags, I'll use Leather Honey or mink oil. Some deep conditioning treatments make marks more obvious and sometimes bags look worse after than before, so I wouldn't use these unless the bag really needed it.

There is no consensus here on the forum. We all have our favorites but I think nearly everyone uses Blackrocks. Personally, I haven't had great results with Leather Therapy but others love it.
 
#10,690
whateve said:
Walmart doesn't carry much of what we use. I consider Lexol to be a thinner conditioner, really only good for maintenance. I don't use it for a rehab except to mix with paint for touch-ups. Most of my conditioners I get online. I find Blackrocks to be essential. I believe you have to order that online. I get mine from ebay. I also use Leather CPR, which is usually available at Bed Bath and Beyond. If you are lucky, you can find it discounted at Tuesday Morning, TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Some tack shops also carry it. I consider Apple to be similar to Lexol, not really for rehabs. Leather Therapy you would have to order online, most likely. I wouldn't use the Coach moisturizer.

I use different products for different situations but I always use Blackrocks. I use Leather CPR most of the time as my first conditioning treatment. For really dry bags, I'll use Leather Honey or mink oil. Some deep conditioning treatments make marks more obvious and sometimes bags look worse after than before, so I wouldn't use these unless the bag really needed it.





There is no consensus here on the forum. We all have our favorites but I think nearly everyone uses Blackrocks. Personally, I haven't had great results with Leather Therapy but others love it.
Click to expand...



Thank you whateve! Is this the Blackrock that you recommend?


Appreciate your input! Will look into buying this right now!
thumbs.ebaystatic.com/images/g/5PcAAMXQ0pNRv367/s-l225.jpg
 
#10,691
catthecurious said:
The result is impressive, Ravvie! I'm always skeptical about dyed bags because in most cases, unfortunately, you can tell the color is not authentic. Here, as much as I looked, I couldn't tell the difference. And it's especially impressive because you didn't dye it black which is probably the safest bet for dramatic color change!
Click to expand...

Thanks Catthecurious, that is very kind! When the zipper fabric didn't take the dye, I was disappointed it would be a glaring giveaway that the bag was dyed, but now I really love the contrast. And black was definitely my Plan B!
 
#10,692
Fellow noobs: Don’t fear the split piping repair! If I can do a halfway decent job, so can you! Some before/after shots below.

On this Murphy, I used a similar Liquitex gel medium method used by Joodlz (http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-656.html). Got mine at Joann’s in a little tub (get the matte) and applied with an artist brush. Patience really is key – I easily did 8-10 coats, lightly sanding with an emery board between each coat. I tinted the Liquitex with black Edge Kote to save a step.

I practiced first on a thrifted Kate Spade, which was a piping nightmare. Glued down the plastic piping tube with E6000 then stretched leather edges over it and glued. Then I started applying coats of tinted Liquitex, sanding between coats. Not perfect but perfectly usable!

Same process on the split Anderson’s piping as with the Murphy.

If only I could figure out how to insert text between photos...:shrugs:
 

Attachments

  • murphyholes.jpg
    murphyholes.jpg
    423.5 KB · Views: 293
  • murphafter2.jpg
    murphafter2.jpg
    128.2 KB · Views: 270
  • katecorners1.JPG
    katecorners1.JPG
    88.9 KB · Views: 275
  • kateafter.JPG
    kateafter.JPG
    142.4 KB · Views: 274
  • anderson.JPG
    anderson.JPG
    108.5 KB · Views: 281
  • andersonafter.JPG
    andersonafter.JPG
    119.5 KB · Views: 294
  • Like
Reactions: Mimi_09
#10,694
Ravvie99 said:
Fellow noobs: Don’t fear the split piping repair! If I can do a halfway decent job, so can you! Some before/after shots below.

On this Murphy, I used a similar Liquitex gel medium method used by Joodlz (http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-656.html). Got mine at Joann’s in a little tub (get the matte) and applied with an artist brush. Patience really is key – I easily did 8-10 coats, lightly sanding with an emery board between each coat. I tinted the Liquitex with black Edge Kote to save a step.

I practiced first on a thrifted Kate Spade, which was a piping nightmare. Glued down the plastic piping tube with E6000 then stretched leather edges over it and glued. Then I started applying coats of tinted Liquitex, sanding between coats. Not perfect but perfectly usable!

Same process on the split Anderson’s piping as with the Murphy.

If only I could figure out how to insert text between photos...:shrugs:
Click to expand...

Amazing work! Now that I see what can be done, I'm encouraged to take on a piping repair.
 
#10,695
Catbird9 said:
Amazing work! Now that I see what can be done, I'm encouraged to take on a piping repair.
Click to expand...

You can totally do it!

FWIW I found these craft tweezers to be enormously helpful for glueing together edges, since the long ends allow you to hold 3/4" of piping at a time! I even used needle nose pliers to really squeeze the tweezer edges together on the K. Spade, to lock the piping leather to the plastic piping tube tightly, if that makes sense. Took a picture of that process then accidentally deleted it!
 

Attachments

  • tweezers.jpg
    tweezers.jpg
    76.5 KB · Views: 292
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top