Dooney rehab thread

[Catbird9]

View attachment 4174789View attachment 4174791
Hi everyone,
I’ve never rehabbed a D&B (just vintage Coach), and would love some advice, please. What is the best way to clean this satchel? Can I dunk it? The interior is not fabric; it looks to be of leather. Your advice is appreciated! Thank you

I have dunked a vintage Dooney & Bourke AWL Equestrian bag successfully, but for your bag, I would not dunk it. I would clean it as described on the D&B website Care and Cleaning page, All Weather Leather (Classic) collection.
https://www.dooney.com/care-n-cleaning-leather.html

They recommend not using any conditioners or creams, but I use a very light coat of Blackrock Leather 'n Rich on mine. Follow the directions on the jar for best results.

For the handles and trim, I'd use Leather CPR to clean and condition. Apply it and wipe with a clean microfiber cloth while still wet. When dry, do a light coat of Blackrock. It's normal to see some darkening on the handles.

The inside lining is leather and/or vinyl, I believe. You could just wipe it with a cloth dampened (wring it out well) with a solution of white vinegar and water.

There are also some good tips here for care and cleaning:
https://vintagedooneybourke.wordpress.com/category/all-weather-leather-2/leather-care/

Enjoy your new red satchel!

 

[LolaCalifornia]

I have dunked a vintage Dooney & Bourke AWL Equestrian bag successfully, but for your bag, I would not dunk it. I would clean it as described on the D&B website Care and Cleaning page, All Weather Leather (Classic) collection.
https://www.dooney.com/care-n-cleaning-leather.html

They recommend not using any conditioners or creams, but I use a very light coat of Blackrock Leather 'n Rich on mine. Follow the directions on the jar for best results.

For the handles and trim, I'd use Leather CPR to clean and condition. Apply it and wipe with a clean microfiber cloth while still wet. When dry, do a light coat of Blackrock. It's normal to see some darkening on the handles.

The inside lining is leather and/or vinyl, I believe. You could just wipe it with a cloth dampened (wring it out well) with a solution of white vinegar and water.

There are also some good tips here for care and cleaning:
https://vintagedooneybourke.wordpress.com/category/all-weather-leather-2/leather-care/

Enjoy your new red satchel!

Thank you!

 

[CurrentObsesh]

Have you tried acetone? I wouldn't use it on the Dooney red lining, only the checkerboard lining. I would be very careful not to get any on the leather. You probably already know to pull the lining completely out. I would try a little on a Q tip and see if it breaks up the stain. Sometimes, if the ink stain is too big, disturbing it only makes it worse. Also, you could take it to professional cleaners and see what they recommend. Good luck with your bag. [emoji122]

I feel REAL dumb replying to a 2 year old quote, but I just bought a Dooney that needs serious interior work. Outside? Perfect! Inside hot mess'o nasty. I turned it mostly inside out, but how does one completely pull out the lining? From research, it's a black Chiara patent bag. I don't see how it could even come out, but I was all armed with blue Dawn and a toothbrush, and thought...I'd better ask about this...

 

[lavenderjunkie]

I feel REAL dumb replying to a 2 year old quote, but I just bought a Dooney that needs serious interior work. Outside? Perfect! Inside hot mess'o nasty. I turned it mostly inside out, but how does one completely pull out the lining? From research, it's a black Chiara patent bag. I don't see how it could even come out, but I was all armed with blue Dawn and a toothbrush, and thought...I'd better ask about this...

Good luck. I haven't rehabbed a bag, so I'll leave the advice on that to others. But, from painful experience I will tell you to be very careful to keep chemicals, creams, sprays, etc. away from the patent leather. A single droplet of something can eat a hole in the patent finish. It happened to me and ruined a new bag. You can read the Dooney site care info to see what, if anything, they think is safe for patent leather. But just be sure to protect the outside while cleaning the inside of your handbag.

 

[Catbird9]

I feel REAL dumb replying to a 2 year old quote, but I just bought a Dooney that needs serious interior work. Outside? Perfect! Inside hot mess'o nasty. I turned it mostly inside out, but how does one completely pull out the lining? From research, it's a black Chiara patent bag. I don't see how it could even come out, but I was all armed with blue Dawn and a toothbrush, and thought...I'd better ask about this...

I think you can only pull it partway out, not completely remove it. If it's sewn to the bottom of the bag it won't pull out at all. The idea is to get it far enough away from the inside of the leather so the leather doesn't get wet.

ETA: good advice above from @lavenderjunkie.

 

[CurrentObsesh]

Good luck. I haven't rehabbed a bag, so l leave the advice on that to others. But, from painful experience I will tell you to be very careful to keep chemicals, creams, sprays, etc. away from the patent leather. A single droplet of something can eat a hole in the patent finish. It happened to me and ruined a new bag. You can read the Dooney site care info to see what, if anything, they think is safe for patent leather. But just be sure to protect the outside while cleaning the inside of your handbag.

Thank you! After reading that, I'm glad I didn't try to wing it!

I think you can only pull it partway out, not completely remove it. If it's sewn to the bottom of the bag it won't pull out at all. The idea is to get it far enough away from the inside of the leather so the leather doesn't get wet.
ETA: good advice above from @lavenderjunkie.

That makes sense, because the lining seems very very attached. I thought there was some trick that was known for getting it out. Thank you!

 

[India Null]

Hey y’all! I bought 2 dooney’s and need some help with rehab please. This one is AWL and I followed Dooney’s care instructions on cleaning with distilled water, which did nothing. I saw online where people use leather cleaner on AWL and it turns out great. Should I go this route? Also, the handles are very dark and other parts of the leather are lighter but look splotchy. Any fixes on that?

 

[India Null]

And on this one, the leather handles have what look to be water spots and the leather is lighter in some areas. What can I do? I have Leather CPR. Should I try that? Any other suggestions? Thanks y’all!

 

[Catbird9]

Hey y’all! I bought 2 dooney’s and need some help with rehab please. This one is AWL and I followed Dooney’s care instructions on cleaning with distilled water, which did nothing. I saw online where people use leather cleaner on AWL and it turns out great. Should I go this route? Also, the handles are very dark and other parts of the leather are lighter but look splotchy. Any fixes on that?

View attachment 4230689View attachment 4230689

Leather CPR cleans and conditions, so that's what I would use on the smooth leather trim. The handles will probably remain dark though.

I'd use a very light coat of CPR on the All Weather Leather, and wipe off any excess with a clean microfiber cloth.

You can finish the smooth trim with a light application of Blackrock Leather 'n Rich, wipe off excess with paper towel, let dry, then buff. I don't think it's necessary to use Blackrock on the AWL.

 

[Catbird9]

And on this one, the leather handles have what look to be water spots and the leather is lighter in some areas. What can I do? I have Leather CPR. Should I try that? Any other suggestions? Thanks y’all!

View attachment 4230697 View attachment 4230698

I'd wet a Q-tip with white vinegar and gently scrub the spotted areas. Let dry for several hours, then apply a light coat of Blackrock, wipe off excess with paper towel, let dry overnight, buff with microfiber cloth. If you don't have Blackrock, use Leather CPR instead. (But I highly recommend keeping a jar of Blackrock on hand!)

 

[India Null]

Leather CPR cleans and conditions, so that's what I would use on the smooth leather trim. The handles will probably remain dark though.

I'd use a very light coat of CPR on the All Weather Leather, and wipe off any excess with a clean microfiber cloth.

You can finish the smooth trim with a light application of Blackrock Leather 'n Rich, wipe off excess with paper towel, let dry, then buff. I don't think it's necessary to use Blackrock on the AWL.

Thank you!

 

[LaughingPlace]

I bought this beautiful red pre-tag zip top recently. I used Leather CPR on the trim and noticed it soaked in within a few minutes. Then when I went to wipe it down, the leather was sticky!? When I touch it, a sticky residue comes off on my fingers. I've cleaned 4 other vintage Dooneys (including a black pre tag in the same style) and never had this problem. Anyone know what it could be?

 

[Catbird9]

I bought this beautiful red pre-tag zip top recently. I used Leather CPR on the trim and noticed it soaked in within a few minutes. Then when I went to wipe it down, the leather was sticky!? When I touch it, a sticky residue comes off on my fingers. I've cleaned 4 other vintage Dooneys (including a black pre tag in the same style) and never had this problem. Anyone know what it could be?

That's weird, I don't know what would cause that. Possibly some product was used on it before, and it reacted with the Leather CPR.

I would wait a day or two, and if it's still sticky, try cleaning it with white vinegar on a clean, soft, lint-free cloth.

 

[LaughingPlace]

That's weird, I don't know what would cause that. Possibly some product was used on it before, and it reacted with the Leather CPR.

I would wait a day or two, and if it's still sticky, try cleaning it with white vinegar on a clean, soft, lint-free cloth.

Good idea! I might try that. It's less sticky now that it's drying, but still has a few sticky patches. I had a mini heart attack there. ‍♀️

 

[VintageViv]

Hi! Sorry if this has been addressed on the thread prior, but I have a question for anyone who has used Fiebing's Edge Kote to touch up edging on a British Tan trimmed AWL: should I get Brown or Dark Brown? I also saw someone on Coach Rehab thread who liked Tandy Leather Eco-Flo Edgeflex better --any thoughts? Thx in advance!