leave it to OCD Girl...

monalethalfan

monalethalfan

Member
Jul 20, 2009
98
0
#1
...to get a little overzealous. With good intentions, of course.

I wanted a mandarin minilisa. It didn't work out. So I decided to give my one-and-only Tano some TLC. And what did I do, despite my best efforts to follow directions and be gentle with the Lexol? I stripped some of the color off my mona lethal. Boo.

So. Because I love her so much and because I saw some amazing post-dye pics here, I decided to order some Tarrago and try my hand at it. Might be a mistake considering how my cleaning/conditioning went (!), but I'm gonna try.

I have a few questions, for those of you who've done this before:

- have you had trouble with color transfer?
- how does a Tarrago-dyed Tano wear over time? does it break down nice and supple?

Thanks ladies, as always!

While I wait for my Tarrago shipment, I will get huge amounts of vicarious satisfaction watching you reveal your gorgeous fall bags....
 
#3
Well, I think I just overdid it in the places that were dirty - around the top opening and the zippers. Those spots are now slightly darkened and faded at the same time. Weird. I thought I was being gentle, but maybe not?

But...the good news - for all you non-OCD girl Tanoites out there - the rest of the bag that I cleaned and conditioned turned out beautifully. Supple and soft, with the color nice and rich again. The shine didn't come back, but it looks good.

Honestly, I think I didn't maintain my bag well. I think if I had sent in a pre-Lexol pic you all would have cried Tano Abuse! I used it every day for six months without doing a thing, and those high traffic areas suffered. If only I'd learned from you ladies sooner, I'd have Lexol'd or Lubriderm'd her all along!
 
#5
LuvAllBags said:
Did you use the Lexol cleaner or conditioner, or both? I have only used the conditioner, not the cleaner.
Click to expand...

LAB, I'd recommend you stay with that regimen!

I see now that MHB carries just the conditioner. I bet it works all by itself, and I bet the cleaner is too harsh for Tano. But my cute little old man cobbler in Brooklyn said I needed both, so...ah well, I guess I'll have the fun of dyeing a bag for the first time.

Would love to know how a Tarrago-dyed bag holds up over time, if anyone can tell me!
 
#6
Oh no!!! I'm so sorry to hear this! This is seriously something I have nightmares about :lol: The dye, from what I understand cos I've never done it, is supposed to last....Please keep us posted!
 
#8
Accordingly to Stormy Heart, the regimen for a used bag is clean, condition then protect. If you condition a bag without cleaning first, it sets the dirt - which you don't want to do.
 
#9
Sybaryte said:
Accordingly to Stormy Heart, the regimen for a used bag is clean, condition then protect. If you condition a bag without cleaning first, it sets the dirt - which you don't want to do.
Click to expand...

Thanks! That's what my cobbler told me (and what the Lexol instructions told me) so that's what I did. The few spots that are discolored aren't really that obvious. But I wanted to restore her, not make it worse!

Ah, maybe it's the contrast of seeing all these brandy new gorgeous fall 09 reveals....maybe I just need to let go a bit and let mona be her beautiful broken-in well-used self!
 
#10
^^ I think I may do the same with some of my babies.

I conditioned my Berry Blue Minilisa this week, and at first I was really upset that all of the awesomeness was gone; when that color breaks in it looks like light reflecting in a pool. :tender:

Most of it came back when it dried, but I think now I know to leave her alone & let her age naturally!
 
#12
True! On some of my bags (well, most) I like them to break in naturally, but on a few (say, my Black Boogie) I like them better all lubed up and new looking.

I don't really like the DRY look though, so even if they're properly smooshy/broken in for me sometimes I condition them to make them look more intentionally worn, and less abused. :P

I guess that the color is the main factor for me more than the style when determining how much "wear" I prefer, because I like my Berry Blue Minilisa as she is, but when I saw my Truffle Minilisa in pics tonight I felt she looked a hot mess. That could also have something to do with the way the Minilisa has those bits of hidden leather on the sides though, so who knows? :shrugs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top
Back