Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter greenpixie
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Oh My ......your rehabbing skills are stellar!
Have you ever tackled a bag dry edging ( don't know what else to call the leather that wraps around the edges)? I have the same bag in Tabac in process of drying and noticed that the edging it is much dryer than I thought. I have used some Leather therapy and some Leather CPR. suggestions welcome!
Your collection is Lovely! Nice work
Thank you!
Thanks, it's fun and fulfilling.
Thank you for the kind words.
Actually it's funny you should ask about dry edges. I'm working on this Tabac Collegiate ("before" picture attached) and it has very dry edges. I'm on about my 4th coat of Leather CPR and it's still soaking it up like crazy. I don't have Leather Therapy. I'm counting on CPR and Blackrock to do the trick. Maybe one of the expert rehabbers with more experience will chime in.
For super dry leather, I often use Leather Honey and sometimes mink oil.
Looking for some opinions. I picked up a 1970s, early 80s black Dinky bag yesterday. It's flawless, the leather even still has a nice sheen to it. It has a few scuffs that can be buffed out, and it's a bit collapsed, likely from storage.
That being said the age plus the fact I bought it second hand makes me want to dunk it, the whole ick factor. I always dunk my bags but I've never had one that looked practically new like this. It won't lose its sheen, right? Some of my past rehabs came out looking duller, but they were in rough shape so I didn't mind. The particular bag I'm thinking of was a light brown, so difficult to work with.
Edit: I have leather CPR if that matters.
That being said the age plus the fact I bought it second hand makes me want to dunk it, the whole ick factor. I always dunk my bags but I've never had one that looked practically new like this. It won't lose its sheen, right? Some of my past rehabs came out looking duller, but they were in rough shape so I didn't mind. The particular bag I'm thinking of was a light brown, so difficult to work with.
Edit: I have leather CPR if that matters.
Thank you Whatever. Haven't seen Leather Honey Who makes it? Is it something I could find at a tack shop?
I've had a similar experience, trying to decide whether to dunk a bag like that. There's always a slight risk of changing the sheen and texture you love. One thing I have noticed after any dunk, the feeling of the suede inside changes. You have to decide if the potential benefits are worth the risk.
After giving it a good vacuuming (I'd use a Dust Buster with the narrow attachment to get inside that tiny space) and cleaning with Leather CPR. I'd just wait a while and live with the bag. For me, that often takes care of the "ick factor."
If you do decide to dunk, you could do it with water only, no soap. Maybe even use distilled water?
ETA: Blackrock Leather N Rich as the final coat will give it a nice glow.
Usually even perfect bags come out better after a dunk. Although I know what you mean. I have a few absolutely pristine bags that I haven't dunked, but the leather is still supple and they aren't misshapen. Yes, the suede can come out less soft, but I've been able to fix that by rubbing with a nail brush or lightly with sandpaper.
I've never seen it locally. I've bought mine online. However, twice when I bought it on Amazon, it leaked in the box. It has the texture of honey but does a really great job of moisturizing. I usually only use it on my very dry bags. I paint it on with a foam brush and let it sit overnight.
I got lucky and got mine at a local tack shop. I later saw it at a second tack shop, too.
It says distributed by Leather Honey on the bottle, so maybe they're a private company? Don't choke when you see the price - a little really does go a loooong way!
If anyone needs a Sonoma zipper pull, here is one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-tag-G...456442?hash=item41aeea2bba:g:0~IAAOSwtnpXj8z2
When I have bags when super dry edges, I buff the edges with a horse hair brush immediately after applying conditioner. I've had the best luck using an oil-based conditioner on these types of bags also (like Leather Therapy, Montana's Pitch Blend Oil, or Obenauf's Oil). I think the oils get in between the fibers of the leather better and brushing helps open the pores of the leather. Whateve's suggestion about Leather Honey is also a good one. I've had relatively good success with it, too. Although be careful not to overdo it because it can make your bag tacky if you use too much.