Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#14,191
Cocoabean said:
View attachment 3748067 View attachment 3748051 Ok, y'all...reading back through posts trying to learn. This brown city bag I am working on..... I went about things backwards, being the newbie that I am. I did Leather CPR and Blackrock first. Then I dunked it. When I dunked it, the water came out the color if iced tea. After a soak in cool water and dawn, I rinsed it and let it soak in plain water. The water was a very weak tea color this time. I stuffed it with towels. This morning I put on a coat of Leather CPR. It looks much better, but it smells of Ben Gay muscle rub.

On the right track?

This is the before photo, it is much darker right now, perhaps because it is still damp. I don't mind, as long as it looks nice.
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Definitely on the right track! I've noticed that Ben Gay (menthol?) smell too. It seems to go away once the bag is dry.

Buffing the bag with a horsehair brush or microfiber cloth about 8 hours after each coat of conditioner really helps work the conditioner in too.
 
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#14,196
coach943 said:
I've never tried the version in the picture that comes in a tin, but I have tried their regular leather conditioning formula -- this version. I didn't like it that well. It is very thin, similar to Lexol. I don't think it worked well on dry vintage bags.
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I concur. I used some formula no. 1 on my Willis that I dunked. It was so dry. I used apple conditioner on it afterwards and it got better. But in my opinion, leather cpr got it soft and buttery with a nicer overall feel to it.
 
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#14,197
Ok everyone, question. The black Station Bag I am working on....when it dries between coats of CPR and Blackrock, it is still drying somewhat gray. When it was damp, and when newly CPRed it is black. If I keep adding coats will it darken, or do I need something more drastic?

It is greatly improved from it's before photo, but I don't want to keep using product on it if I am beating a dead horse..or cow as it were. Per Hyacinth the bag is from 1990-1993. Right now it is still drying from the latest coat. Will post a pic when dry.
 
#14,198
Cocoabean said:
Ok everyone, question. The black Station Bag I am working on....when it dries between coats of CPR and Blackrock, it is still drying somewhat gray. When it was damp, and when newly CPRed it is black. If I keep adding coats will it darken, or do I need something more drastic?

It is greatly improved from it's before photo, but I don't want to keep using product on it if I am beating a dead horse..or cow as it were. Per Hyacinth the bag is from 1990-1993. Right now it is still drying from the latest coat. Will post a pic when dry.
Click to expand...

Keep applying conditioner every 24 hours or so until the conditioner stops soaking in. In between coats, buff with a soft cloth or horsehair brush. It will help the leather absorb the conditioner. (I'd also recommend Blackrocks as a final coat.) It will probably stay black once it is fully conditioned. I've had a couple black bags that had some spots that needed a touch of dye to restore the color. I've had good luck with Kiwi Leather Dye for spot dying.
 
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#14,199
I have a before and after picture to share. I have been doing a lot of rehabbing lately but the difference after a bath to this lady is very notable. I don't know why tinypic is turning my pictures sideways today
2zplb3s.jpg

I have only put one coat of leather cpr on her:
153btdk.jpg
 
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