Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[whateve]

Update on the suede Pocket Tote:
Still not sure if I like it enough to buy more dye and continue. I think it looks….okaaaay.

Thought I’d share what I learned as a first time suede-dyer. I did 2 ½ coats of a 2:1 ratio of Petal Pink/Fuchsia Rit powder dye, adding vinegar and simmering the dye bath before using. Final color is a little darker, more dusty rose than pics. IMO, it’s much harder to get even color on suede than when dyeing regular leather. ETA: Definitely doing a bunch of easy black bags after this!

What WORKED for me:
-Misting with vinegar helps dye go on more evenly (but creates other problems)
-Spreading wet dye in uneven areas with a toothbrush works
-Brushing drying suede with a toothbrush kept it soft
-Stuffing and taping the inside helps avoid dye drips on the lining
-A q-tip with Dawn used *right away* removes dye drips on lining
-Wool dauber + artist brush are good applicators
-Adding vinegar and simmering the dye helped set the dye

What DID NOT:
-Painters tape removes leather finish if the leather gets wet
-Vinegar mist lets dye to wick into stitching
-Too much vinegar mist leads to spots
-Dye didn’t cover pen marks near zipper

I think it looks great! Thanks for sharing your experience. I don't think any home dye job ever comes out perfect but it looks so much better.

 

[Ravvie99]

I think it looks very good! I wanted to dye some shoes and I used Tarrago Nubuck Suede Renovator.

I don't know if it would work on a bag, but it was really easy. (Not sure why the picture is gigantic)

Thank you - I saved your link! Looks like it's the kind with a flat-head applicator built in? The wool dauber is good b/c it holds a lot of dye and suede is thirsty, but I bet a porous, flat-surfaced applicator would be even better.

I think it looks great! Thanks for sharing your experience. I don't think any home dye job ever comes out perfect but it looks so much better.

You are kind and I admit it looks better than the disaster it was! I've used sooooo much info from this thread that it's nice to be able to contribute once in a while. Even if it's sometimes what NOT to try

 

[Ravvie99]

I finished this Devon right after all the suede dyeing - never been so grateful for a black bag! I named it Little Devvie Snack Cake. It was mainly just scuffed and tarnished so it got the usual bath, CPR x 2, BR x 2 treatment, with steel wool and Brasso on the hardware. The strap straightened out very nicely between two layers of towel with books on top.

 

[AggieK]

Thank you - I saved your link! Looks like it's the kind with a flat-head applicator built in? The wool dauber is good b/c it holds a lot of dye and suede is thirsty, but I bet a porous, flat-surfaced applicator would be even better

No - it's a spray. I used painters tape to mask off what I wanted to protect. The shoes were nubuck, and the texture wasn't affected at all. I did 2 or 3 coats.

 

[Belicious]

I finished this Devon right after all the suede dyeing - never been so grateful for a black bag! I named it Little Devvie Snack Cake. It was mainly just scuffed and tarnished so it got the usual bath, CPR x 2, BR x 2 treatment, with steel wool and Brasso on the hardware. The strap straightened out very nicely between two layers of towel with books on top.

Looks great!

 

[Catbird9]

I finished this Devon right after all the suede dyeing - never been so grateful for a black bag! I named it Little Devvie Snack Cake. It was mainly just scuffed and tarnished so it got the usual bath, CPR x 2, BR x 2 treatment, with steel wool and Brasso on the hardware. The strap straightened out very nicely between two layers of towel with books on top.

Such a cool little bag! Nice job!

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who names my purses.

 

[Ravvie99]

No - it's a spray. I used painters tape to mask off what I wanted to protect. The shoes were nubuck, and the texture wasn't affected at all. I did 2 or 3 coats.

A spray is even better and it sounds like less work - thank you!! I'll have to try it once I recover from this project...

Looks great!

Thank you

Such a cool little bag! Nice job!

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who names my purses.

Lol - thank you!

 

[BlondieToHell]

Hey rehabbers! I'm looking for a dye. I want to re dye a vintage duffle (9060) and need a dye recommendation for a close-to-perfect match. I want a penetrating dye. I do like Fiebings, but if anyone has a better match I'm open to it. The color is the chocolate brown. It's the classic Coach color that is much darker than British tan. I don't want to seal this one so any tips on that would be very appreciated!! My goal is to refurb without being obviously redyed. Thanks for your help!

 

[dignatius]

I've recently dunked a burgundy Lexington briefcase and am in the conditioning phase with Leather CPR. I recently picked up some Blackrocks (never used it before) and I'd like to do the finishing coat with that to create a glow and add depth.

I've done 4 layers of Leather CPR so far over a couple of days as the bag continues to dry out (the bag is mostly dry except for inside the slip pockets). The leather is flexible and doesn't feel dry to the touch, but it continues to absorb the cream within a couple of minutes.

My question is :
How do I know when to stop conditioning with CPR and switch to Blackrocks? I have allergies so I'm concerned about sealing too much moisture under the wax coating and accidentally starting a mold farm


Thanks in advance!

 

[Zealous]

I finished this Devon right after all the suede dyeing - never been so grateful for a black bag! I named it Little Devvie Snack Cake. It was mainly just scuffed and tarnished so it got the usual bath, CPR x 2, BR x 2 treatment, with steel wool and Brasso on the hardware. The strap straightened out very nicely between two layers of towel with books on top.

Your Devon looks great & so does your pink suede bag! I rehabbed the same color suede awhile back... It was a lengthy process & I'm not sure I'm done yet. Simpler rehabs remind me how much more rewarding than frustrating it can be.

 

[Catbird9]

I've recently dunked a burgundy Lexington briefcase and am in the conditioning phase with Leather CPR. I recently picked up some Blackrocks (never used it before) and I'd like to do the finishing coat with that to create a glow and add depth.

I've done 4 layers of Leather CPR so far over a couple of days as the bag continues to dry out (the bag is mostly dry except for inside the slip pockets). The leather is flexible and doesn't feel dry to the touch, but it continues to absorb the cream within a couple of minutes.

My question is :
How do I know when to stop conditioning with CPR and switch to Blackrocks? I have allergies so I'm concerned about sealing too much moisture under the wax coating and accidentally starting a mold farm


Thanks in advance!

That's an interesting question. My limited experience is that the thicker leather will continue to dry and absorb conditioner for longer than I thought it would.

If the leather wasn't too dry to begin with, 4 coats of CPR is probably enough. I would wait a day or two before applying the Black Rock. Start with a very light coat; it gets sticky if you use too much.

I believe Black Rock is permeable. The leather will continue to "breathe." Black Rock is absorbed and/or wears off after a while.

Unless you live in a very humid environment, you shouldn't have a problem with mold. If you DO live in a humid climate (or even if you don't!), leather bags should be stored stuffed, in a dust bag. You can also put in a packet of silica gel to help absorb moisture.

 

[whateve]

I've recently dunked a burgundy Lexington briefcase and am in the conditioning phase with Leather CPR. I recently picked up some Blackrocks (never used it before) and I'd like to do the finishing coat with that to create a glow and add depth.

I've done 4 layers of Leather CPR so far over a couple of days as the bag continues to dry out (the bag is mostly dry except for inside the slip pockets). The leather is flexible and doesn't feel dry to the touch, but it continues to absorb the cream within a couple of minutes.

My question is :
How do I know when to stop conditioning with CPR and switch to Blackrocks? I have allergies so I'm concerned about sealing too much moisture under the wax coating and accidentally starting a mold farm


Thanks in advance!

Sometimes it is hard to tell. 4 coats of CPR should be enough. I believe that most conditioners inhibit the growth of mold so I think you are safe. Obenaufs LP says that it resists mold and mildew on the label so you could get that if you want, but I would still use Blackrocks as the final coat. I don't think leather is extremely susceptible to mold as long as it is stored properly. I've usually only seen it when someone has kept a purse in their garage for years.

 

[dignatius]

Sometimes it is hard to tell. 4 coats of CPR should be enough. I believe that most conditioners inhibit the growth of mold so I think you are safe. Obenaufs LP says that it resists mold and mildew on the label so you could get that if you want, but I would still use Blackrocks as the final coat. I don't think leather is extremely susceptible to mold as long as it is stored properly. I've usually only seen it when someone has kept a purse in their garage for years.

Good to know! I'm going to use the bag as my laptop bag so it will in constant use, so mold shouldn't be a problem then. Thanks for the info!

 

[babysbluebird]

Hey rehabbers! I'm looking for a dye. I want to re dye a vintage duffle (9060) and need a dye recommendation for a close-to-perfect match. I want a penetrating dye. I do like Fiebings, but if anyone has a better match I'm open to it. The color is the chocolate brown. It's the classic Coach color that is much darker than British tan. I don't want to seal this one so any tips on that would be very appreciated!! My goal is to refurb without being obviously redyed. Thanks for your help!

WOW! I have these bags and I know nothing about them. I have read about the authentication process and they (4) all seem legit , well when reading your posting about re dying an older duffle 9060 well !! that is the bag I have ! so if you could pass on any information about that bag I would be so thankful.

 

[whateve]

WOW! I have these bags and I know nothing about them. I have read about the authentication process and they (4) all seem legit , well when reading your posting about re dying an older duffle 9060 well !! that is the bag I have ! so if you could pass on any information about that bag I would be so thankful.

Hi, welcome to the purse forum!
We have an authentication thread here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...oach-read-1st-page-before-posting-889527.html Read the first post to see what pictures and information we need.

We have an ID thread here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/id-this-coach-item-post-any-coach-item-355205.html if you know your bags are authentic but need a name, style number or year. If you are getting your bags authenticated, you can ask these questions in the authenticate thread.

We have a vintage chat thread here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/vintage-coach-photos-and-chat-857690.html to discuss our love of vintage Coach bags and show them off.