Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[coach943]

BTW, can the LP cause darkening of lighter colored leather like Blackrock does? I've only tried Blackrock on black and brown bags, but read a few times here that many TPFers had this experience.

Coach943, can you tell me if LP would cause the lighter leather darkening like Blackrocks does? I'm just trying to figure out all do's and don'ts before I start using it. Thanks!

I assume you mean Obenauf's LP. I don't really think that Blackrocks darkens, so I may not be the best person to ask. Blackrocks may darken temporarily while it soaks in, but I think it brings out the natural color of the leather. I've never really worried about Obenauf's LP darkening leather.

Understand that all leather darkens as it ages, and all conditioners are likely going to darken at least a little bit depending on the age of the bag, how it was tanned, how conditioned it is, etc.

I've used Obenauf's LP on my vachetta bags without any problems. If you are worried about darkening, I'd recommend you use some on an inconspicuous spot first to see if you are ok with the results.

 

[catthecurious]

I assume you mean Obenauf's LP. I don't really think that Blackrocks darkens, so I may not be the best person to ask. Blackrocks may darken temporarily while it soaks in, but I think it brings out the natural color of the leather. I've never really worried about Obenauf's LP darkening leather.

Understand that all leather darkens as it ages, and all conditioners are likely going to darken at least a little bit depending on the age of the bag, how it was tanned, how conditioned it is, etc.

I've used Obenauf's LP on my vachetta bags without any problems. If you are worried about darkening, I'd recommend you use some on an inconspicuous spot first to see if you are ok with the results.

Thanks, that helps!

 

[catthecurious]

Did anyone use Fiebing's Bag Kote on the handles' edges? Does it dry clear? I also read people who work with leather prepare it with neatsfoot oil about 24 hour in advance and then seal the edges - does anyone know anything about it? Thanks!

 

[HI5O]

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.

I will attempt a rehab once I receive the bag, but could you confirm for me the order in which to condition the bag?
1. Dunk in water with Dawn. (Baby wash ok for this step?)
2. Rinse
3. Stuff with towels and dry.
4. Condition, once dry or still wet?

Do I use Leather CPR first, then Blackrocks or the other way around?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[AggieK]

I will attempt a rehab once I receive the bag, but could you confirm for me the order in which to condition the bag?
1. Dunk in water with Dawn. (Baby wash ok for this step?)
2. Rinse
3. Stuff with towels and dry.
4. Condition, once dry or still wet?

Do I use Leather CPR first, then Blackrocks or the other way around?

Thanks again for your help!

Rinse more than you think it needs. Don't stuff, but put towels in to hold the shape.

Black rocks is last, after the bag is dry. I use Lexol when the bag is a bit damp. I want to prevent cracking.

 

[coach943]

Did anyone use Fiebing's Bag Kote on the handles' edges? Does it dry clear? I also read people who work with leather prepare it with neatsfoot oil about 24 hour in advance and then seal the edges - does anyone know anything about it? Thanks!

What type of bag are you working on? What is wrong with the edges? Can you post a picture? I just looked up Bag Kote. It's a water-based product for vegetable tanned leathers. Are you working on a bag that is vegetable tanned leather? It would not be a product to use on a glove-tanned vintage Coach bag.

I've used Fiebing's Edge Kote before to fix the edge of a modern bag where the sealant came off. It comes in black, and maybe other colors. Debi did a video of how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_wn2jgyFlk#t=25

 

[HI5O]

Rinse more than you think it needs. Don't stuff, but put towels in to hold the shape.

Black rocks is last, after the bag is dry. I use Lexol when the bag is a bit damp. I want to prevent cracking.

Thank you AggieK!

 

[catthecurious]

What type of bag are you working on? What is wrong with the edges? Can you post a picture? I just looked up Bag Kote. It's a water-based product for vegetable tanned leathers. Are you working on a bag that is vegetable tanned leather? It would not be a product to use on a glove-tanned vintage Coach bag.

I've used Fiebing's Edge Kote before to fix the edge of a modern bag where the sealant came off. It comes in black, and maybe other colors. Debi did a video of how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_wn2jgyFlk#t=25

Don't have my camera on hand now, sorry. I don't think it's a vegetable tanned lether - it's dark green Devon bag, the original sealant color was the same as the bag, so I can't use black or brown. So I thought maybe I'd solve this problem for the upcoming projects as well if I can use the edge sealant in neutral color. Thanks for pointing this out, I didn't notice it's for the different type of leather.

 

[whateve]

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

That's the right stuff.

Did anyone use Fiebing's Bag Kote on the handles' edges? Does it dry clear? I also read people who work with leather prepare it with neatsfoot oil about 24 hour in advance and then seal the edges - does anyone know anything about it? Thanks!

Neatsfoot oil darkens, supposedly permanently. I've used regular edge kote. I have no experience with bag kote. On a vintage bag, I don't use anything since Coach didn't. On newer bags where the edge coating has breaks, I prefer using fabric puff paint or leather cement to fill in the edges, then paint if necessary.

I will attempt a rehab once I receive the bag, but could you confirm for me the order in which to condition the bag?
1. Dunk in water with Dawn. (Baby wash ok for this step?)
2. Rinse
3. Stuff with towels and dry.
4. Condition, once dry or still wet?

Do I use Leather CPR first, then Blackrocks or the other way around?

Thanks again for your help!

Blackrocks is the last step. I start applying CPR when it is still slightly damp. The bag will probably dry uneven so the outside will be mostly dry before the inside.

I imagine baby wash would be fine. I don't use Dawn. I just use whichever dishwashing soap I happen to have.

 

[coach943]

Don't have my camera on hand now, sorry. I don't think it's a vegetable tanned lether - it's dark green Devon bag, the original sealant color was the same as the bag, so I can't use black or brown. So I thought maybe I'd solve this problem for the upcoming projects as well if I can use the edge sealant in neutral color. Thanks for pointing this out, I didn't notice it's for the different type of leather.

I don't think Coach used any type of edge sealant on that type of bag. The edges of many types of vintage Coach bags were left raw.

 

[catthecurious]

I don't think Coach used any type of edge sealant on that type of bag. The edges of many types of vintage Coach bags were left raw.

I guess you're right, now that I look at the strap closer, green is probably the leather color, and that's it. The thing is now it definitely needs some kind of sealant - do you think my only option is black Edge Kote?

 

[catthecurious]

Neatsfoot oil darkens, supposedly permanently. I've used regular edge kote. I have no experience with bag kote. On a vintage bag, I don't use anything since Coach didn't. On newer bags where the edge coating has breaks, I prefer using fabric puff paint or leather cement to fill in the edges, then paint if necessary.

So I guess I should consider either black Edge Kote or just use matching green acrylic paint in the areas where the color on the strap edges is completely worn off.


I'm currently trying to fix several small cracks on a wristlet strap made of patented leather. Oh, I never liked that kind of leather, but now I just hate it! I only bought the wristlet (slightly used, but with cracks already) because I liked the fabric design. The cracks are small, but it's such a pain to get rid of them! Adding tiny amount of 3D paint, let dry for a day, remove the very top layer with the finest sand paper, then do it again... I must've put 5 or 6 layers already, and still don't like the result.


And thanks for the info about neatsfoot, whateve, I read that people who make leather harnesses use it before sealing the edges - I guess it's just not for Coach bags.

 

[HI5O]

That's the right stuff.

Neatsfoot oil darkens, supposedly permanently. I've used regular edge kote. I have no experience with bag kote. On a vintage bag, I don't use anything since Coach didn't. On newer bags where the edge coating has breaks, I prefer using fabric puff paint or leather cement to fill in the edges, then paint if necessary.

Blackrocks is the last step. I start applying CPR when it is still slightly damp. The bag will probably dry uneven so the outside will be mostly dry before the inside.

I imagine baby wash would be fine. I don't use Dawn. I just use whichever dishwashing soap I happen to have.

Thank you, whateve, for "holding my hand" as I attempt to rehab my british tan basic bag currently on its way! I admit, this is borderline addiction!

 

[whateve]

I guess you're right, now that I look at the strap closer, green is probably the leather color, and that's it. The thing is now it definitely needs some kind of sealant - do you think my only option is black Edge Kote?

Sometimes they get kind of hairy looking. I would take leather cement and smooth it over the edge. It dries clear. I think they also make a clear Edge Kote, so you could try that.

 

[catthecurious]

Sometimes they get kind of hairy looking. I would take leather cement and smooth it over the edge. It dries clear. I think they also make a clear Edge Kote, so you could try that.

Thank you for telling me about the clear kind, whateve, it's actually not as well known as black and brown Edge Kote. It's called Edge Kote Neutral. In fact, so far I was only able to find it in one place - Fiebing's web store. The problem is, they charge $10 for shipping of $8 4-oz bottle. So tomorrow I'll call Tandy Leather store located about a half an hour from my home and check whether they carry it. I also did research on how to use it and found on some other designer bag forum that people have successfully used it on red colored bags. Hopefully it'll work for me, too! Thanks again!