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[spirangle]

What other styles and color vintage bags have you dyed before that was successful? I’m thinking about trying it once I find a good candidate bag, but someone advised me that the cream/bone colored bags don’t dye evenly, and I am wondering if it’s what you say about it being pigmented dye (though I don’t know what that means, will have to look it up )

Also, congrats on finding a saddlery... it’s one of my fave styles!

Hah! funny that you mention bone. I just did a Willis rehab. Converted bone to dark purple. What a nightmare! Took forever to remove the bone as best as I could. They must have airbrushed paint in very thin layers, as I can't see leather being dyed that light. I'll post pics later this week.

I never knew what pigmented leather was either until I encountered those Frye boots and the local place I buy told me about pigmented leather. I think it's mainly used in furniture. I did get the boots black eventually, but relied on black leather cream and polish. Not possible on a handbag due to the potential to rub off.

When I look at the British tan Weston now, I can see that the leather is 'different.' The colour is too solid. I'm hoping to remove the brown that did stick, condition it, and maybe sell it for something. I really do not want to throw a bag like that out.

 

[spirangle]

I've used RIT on leather even though it isn't made for it. It doesn't dye, just enhances the color, like painting with watercolor. I've hated the results I got with Fiebings.

I took a Coach feather/lightweight bag that was a natural colour and tried to dye it pink/magenta with Angelus's dark rose. It wound up what I'd call a true red. The piping was in bad shape, so I wound up dyeing that black. Most bags are dark with light trim, so this is the opposite and might look odd to some, but I'm ok with it. If I'm feeling brave, I'll try to post the end result in the rehab thread, too.

 

[spirangle]

I really hope you try all things before attempting to dye. The burgundy is a beautiful color and patinas beautifully. When new, it was extremely dark. As it ages, it lightens some. This is one color that I appreciate with patina. If you ever want to sell it, it is more desirable to a collector undyed.

Yes, I'm hoping to not need to dye it also. If nothing else, it's a lot of work and the novelty of dyeing leather is getting old. The finish is really quite beat up, though, so I'm preparing myself for the worst case scenario.

 

[CPSE]

Hah! funny that you mention bone. I just did a Willis rehab. Converted bone to dark purple. What a nightmare! Took forever to remove the bone as best as I could. They must have airbrushed paint in very thin layers, as I can't see leather being dyed that light. I'll post pics later this week.

I never knew what pigmented leather was either until I encountered those Frye boots and the local place I buy told me about pigmented leather. I think it's mainly used in furniture. I did get the boots black eventually, but relied on black leather cream and polish. Not possible on a handbag due to the potential to rub off.

When I look at the British tan Weston now, I can see that the leather is 'different.' The colour is too solid. I'm hoping to remove the brown that did stick, condition it, and maybe sell it for something. I really do not want to throw a bag like that out.

Please do share some photos of your results! Though the novelty of dying bags might be getting old for you, I’m just starting out looking to find a good cheap and cannot be salvaged bag to dye to a color that I might like for the first time I’ll have to do a search on the rehab thread also for tips there as well.

 

[Catbird9]

Your bag looks great! Did you do anything to it other than a wash and condition?

Thank you! I did my usual procedure: dunked about 20 minutes in lukewarm water and Dawn; rinsed well in cool water with a little vinegar added; stuffed and dried about 12-18 hrs, then started conditioning with CPR. I used several coats if I recall, buffing with a horsehair brush between coats. Then finished with Blackrock, brushing when dry.

 

[spirangle]

Thank you! I did my usual procedure: dunked about 20 minutes in lukewarm water and Dawn; rinsed well in cool water with a little vinegar added; stuffed and dried about 12-18 hrs, then started conditioning with CPR. I used several coats if I recall, buffing with a horsehair brush between coats. Then finished with Blackrock, brushing when dry.

Thanks for sharing that! What is the purpose of the vinegar? (in fabric, it would be stop the colour from running, I think, but not sure at all about leather)

 

[Catbird9]

Thanks for sharing that! What is the purpose of the vinegar? (in fabric, it would be stop the colour from running, I think, but not sure at all about leather)

I think the acidic pH of vinegar helps neutralize the alkaline (soap, hard water), helping remove soap residue and softening the leather a little. I'm not sure if it has any effect on the color.

 

[ecf2xtreme]

I took a Coach feather/lightweight bag that was a natural colour and tried to dye it pink/magenta with Angelus's dark rose. It wound up what I'd call a true red. The piping was in bad shape, so I wound up dyeing that black. Most bags are dark with light trim, so this is the opposite and might look odd to some, but I'm ok with it. If I'm feeling brave, I'll try to post the end result in the rehab thread, too.

You should try Terrago color dye. It's outstanding. You can actually dye black leather white. (Although it tales a lot of time.) If you're just doing a rehab or touch up, 1-2 applications is all you need. And they have a lot, LOT, of colors.

 

[spirangle]

You should try Terrago color dye. It's outstanding. You can actually dye black leather white. (Although it tales a lot of time.) If you're just doing a rehab or touch up, 1-2 applications is all you need. And they have a lot, LOT, of colors.

Thanks for the suggestion! I buy their shoe creams, so know they're a good company.

I took a look at their dyes just now. What you're describing is more of a paint than dye, and my research states this is true. They only have 3 'true' dyes that penetrate, which is my preference. Otherwise, items are subject to nicks, chips, etc. I've used Angelus leather paint, which seems equivalent to Tarrago's self-shine colour 'dye,' and wouldn't do so again due to it chipping over time. Good idea for recessed areas, though, but I wouldn't use it on a handbag or even another pair of Birkenstocks.

 

[WishingonaCoach]

NM

 

[BeenBurned]

I think your 'after' pics are actually quite nice. As for the dye, isn't RIT for fabric only? I use either Fiebing's or Angelus dyes on leather, preferably Fiebing's. On fabric, I buy Procion MX dyes from Dharma Trading in CA.

Thanks. I think the pictures look better than in real life. And there was a difference between the color that was absorbed by the leash vs. how the collar came out.

I ended up selling them with full disclosure. I hope the new owner is a better rehabber than I was!

 

[ecf2xtreme]

Can anyone ID this? I bought it a million years ago and I've never seen another one. I know it's Bonnie Cashin, mid-sixties, but any scraps of information would be welcome! It's 8x8x4 with a 15" drop. Thanks!

 

[whateve]

Can anyone ID this? I bought it a million years ago and I've never seen another one. I know it's Bonnie Cashin, mid-sixties, but any scraps of information would be welcome! It's 8x8x4 with a 15" drop. Thanks!

I don't know much more than that. I've seen this style a few times. It's from the late 60s. I think it is a variation on the swing bag. In case you didn't know, the B on the hinge has nothing to do with Bonnie Cashin; it's the symbol of the brand that made the hinges.

 

[houseof999]

Can anyone ID this please?
https://posh.mk/5GecTTmnV5

 

[BeenBurned]

Can anyone ID this please?
https://posh.mk/5GecTTmnV5

Style 8212, palm pilot PDA zip around case.


Odd thing is that I also have pictures of 2 tags from items I had in my possession but no longer own. Tags to be missing the style numbers. (They are/were authentic items. Not sure what's up with the tags but FWIW, here are the pictures.)