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I almost bought one of these yesterday. I saw that the end of the dowel was wooden. Is this correct? What does yours look like? I have a smaller one and the dowel had a covered end (no wood showing). I left it there. Did I do the right thing? Was it a fake?
Just curious, why did you remove it? Was the dowel painted the same color as the bag? The one I saw, the dowel was black like the bag.
Fortunately you will find posters here sharing a lot of good info on what worked and what did not. With some recent before and after shots, I try to give a quick overview to let others know what I did. As someone already replied, apply leather conditioner while the bag is still wet. I often begin applying it as soon as the bag stops dripping! When I did my first true rehab, I did not have Leather Therapy R/C yet but I couldn't wait lol and began dunking it anyway. It was a dried out water stained convertible clutch and without conditioner, it dried out like cardboard bordering on Sheetrock! However it did respond once I applied the LT thank God! But I would not start washing a bag again if I could not begin conditioning immediately.
My only hard rules are to avoid clicking on links from @houseof999 and to stay away from Brits that look like they have been chewed
Pulling for ya sister on that black envelope, and yes, have seen those posts. Nothing like jumping in the deep end of the rehab pool!Thanks so much, Lake Effect! That's really helpful to know. I think I already posted it here, but I've been trying to rehab an Envelope Briefcase bag that is seriously dried out in some places, so these tips are really helpful. I just dunked it last night and conditioned right after. Will do another round of conditioning tonight. Hope that by the end, I can post a success story like others on this thread instead of a "help me, this bag is getting on my last nerves and still feels like a potato chip" plee
Awesome! The glow! Remember that there is a search feature. I highly recommend it. In my opinion, it is *the bomb*. While you are waiting for others to reply, you can do a search of this thread or forum for Obenauf's Oil and it will bring up a list of posts where it is mentioned.Okay, so after a bath, repeated rounds of Apple Conditioner (which didn't work), Leather CPR (lost count of how many times I applied it), and a final layer of Obenauf's LP, this is the condition of the bag!
Looking at the photo, it doesn't seem significantly different than the ones I posted when I first got it. BUT, it's now really soft to the touch and feels more pliable. I was able to buff out the scratches and even softened up one of the two dry areas I photographed. The remaining dry pebble-y patch is still there and likely there to stay, but I'm okay with it at this point.
I think the Obenauf's did make a difference but seemed a bit overkill...the end product was really greasy and I had to wipe some of it off with a cloth. Wonder if anyone has thoughts on Obenauf's and how it should be applied? Also vs. Blackrock? Seems like both are greasy, but one leaves a shine and the other doesn't? (The shine in the photo is mostly the flash)
View attachment 3763889
And now, I can finally use this bag for work...and rest my tired, greasy little hands
Awesome! The glow! Remember that there is a search feature. I highly recommend it. In my opinion, it is *the bomb*. While you are waiting for others to reply, you can do a search of this thread or forum for Obenauf's Oil and it will bring up a list of posts where it is mentioned.
I just recently posted somewhere that Obenauf's is messy so make sure you spread out lots of newspaper, are not in a rush and have cloths or paper towels handy. I apply it using the dabber on the lid after it had stopped dripping. I start in the middle of and area and go out to the edges. That way it doesn't pool in the piping lol because it is so runny. It is beyond runny! The first time I used it on a convertible clutch, I applied so much on the corner where a seam is that it saturated through the seam to the interior of the bag! Hot mess. I wish I had video taped myself. It would make a great Do Not Do It This Way tutorial. After I apply it I wait a minute, then wipe off the excess. I have found after using on a tabac/taupe bag the application seemed uneven at first , possibly due to the hot mess application method, but over weeks, it leveled out.
Overkill or not to use Obenauf's ? My disclaimer is that I like to use it and feel it really helps to restore leather that's been used or abused. I find the bags I used it on smell like leather again. IMO it seemed like your bag had a rough ride so I am inclined to think no, it was not overkill. I would suggest over the next few weeks to periodically, if not daily, buff your bag with a soft cloth. That and using it (in all seriousness) will help to distribute and even out the Obenauf's as well as absorb any excess, if any.
And for what it's worth, great bag! Congrats, you rehabber you lol
I had to finish the application in my tiny apartment bathroom since it's the only place they won't go. Wow, so brave to try on a taupe bag! I've yet to take on any restoration projects with light leather bags, but maybe one day since this one wasn't sooo bad. Am I officially a Coach rehabber now? Woohoo! I get to join the ranks of the mighty and stylish.Okay, so after a bath, repeated rounds of Apple Conditioner (which didn't work), Leather CPR (lost count of how many times I applied it), and a final layer of Obenauf's LP, this is the condition of the bag!
Looking at the photo, it doesn't seem significantly different than the ones I posted when I first got it. BUT, it's now really soft to the touch and feels more pliable. I was able to buff out the scratches and even softened up one of the two dry areas I photographed. The remaining dry pebble-y patch is still there and likely there to stay, but I'm okay with it at this point.
I think the Obenauf's did make a difference but seemed a bit overkill...the end product was really greasy and I had to wipe some of it off with a cloth. Wonder if anyone has thoughts on Obenauf's and how it should be applied? Also vs. Blackrock? Seems like both are greasy, but one leaves a shine and the other doesn't? (The shine in the photo is mostly the flash)
View attachment 3763889
And now, I can finally use this bag for work...and rest my tired, greasy little hands
