Two 70s/80s made-in-NYC bags, going through baths, documentins pics, as was requested
- Thread starter momtok
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I just got a vintage station bag and it needs some TLC. This is great. Do you always need to do a bath?
Also, how to you make the brass shiny again and less green?
Thanks.. such a detailed thread. You did an awesome job.
Also, how to you make the brass shiny again and less green?
Thanks.. such a detailed thread. You did an awesome job.
Thank you.
No, doesn't always need a bath. Many times I feel like there's a "film" of old grime on them though (what an unattractive way to say it, but sometimes you just can't be sure). And also, there are many times where the outside might not seem dirty, but then I look inside and find hair or "films" ... just things you look at and think "ick, I'm not quite sure what that might be".
I guess what I'm saying is that while I almost always bathe them, in many cases it's because of something inside the bag, rather than outside dirt.
And you know ... if it really doesn't look like there's a lot of dirt, either inside or outside, you could even just rinse it out with plain water. I did that once just to get rid of what looked like tissue lint inside the bag ... that was my black Quincy ... it looked very clean, with the exception of what I swear looked like tissue lint. I just gave it a good rinse with running water, swishing well with my hand. Sorry for the ramble.
The brass ... a lot of women here recommend Brasso. I've used it a couple times and it works great.
Thank you.
No, doesn't always need a bath. Many times I feel like there's a "film" of old grime on them though (what an unattractive way to say it, but sometimes you just can't be sure). And also, there are many times where the outside might not seem dirty, but then I look inside and find hair or "films" ... just things you look at and think "ick, I'm not quite sure what that might be".
I guess what I'm saying is that while I almost always bathe them, in many cases it's because of something inside the bag, rather than outside dirt.
And you know ... if it really doesn't look like there's a lot of dirt, either inside or outside, you could even just rinse it out with plain water. I did that once just to get rid of what looked like tissue lint inside the bag ... that was my black Quincy ... it looked very clean, with the exception of what I swear looked like tissue lint. I just gave it a good rinse with running water, swishing well with my hand. Sorry for the ramble.
The brass ... a lot of women here recommend Brasso. I've used it a couple times and it works great.
Thank you so much! I appreciate it. Ramble away please! What should I use to condition the leather on it? I would love to bring it back to life with a little pep!
My personal favorites are Lexol conditioner and CPR. I apply both with my fingers and massage it into the handbag. Some bags take 3 or 4 conditionings before they are supple and back to their original or near original beauty.
My personal favorites are Lexol conditioner and CPR. I apply both with my fingers and massage it into the handbag. Some bags take 3 or 4 conditionings before they are supple and back to their original or near original beauty.
Thank you I will check it out!
My personal favorites are Lexol conditioner and CPR. I apply both with my fingers and massage it into the handbag. Some bags take 3 or 4 conditionings before they are supple and back to their original or near original beauty.
Apple is excellent too, and is often easier to find (especially because of the online supplier below ...). Apple is also supposed to work on any type of leather (and I can personally vouch that it works on eel as well.
I recently conditioned up an eel bag from some years ago, and it's soooo soft and silky and smooth. Yum! 
http://leatherstuff.com/shop/index.php?id=290
If you follow that link, it's the leather *care* you want ..... not the leather "cleaner".
"Leather care" is the conditioner.
They're reliable suppliers, and many tpf members (at least within the USA) have ordered it through this company.
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Also, should have added to my post just above ..
There used to be a code that people used to use, found in the deals and steals subform. It's this .... purseforum ... (that's the "promotional code"). It *used* to work, not sure if it still does anymore. But if it does, it's 20% off the order. (A perk that has prompted many tpfer's to get their Apple from leatherstuff.com I think ... not just people in Coach, but people in other subforums as well over the years. And if you're on their mailing list, they often send out other codes for discounts, all applicable to the Apple products.)
.
Apple is excellent too, and is often easier to find (especially because of the online supplier below ...). Apple is also supposed to work on any type of leather (and I can personally vouch that it works on eel as well.
http://leatherstuff.com/shop/index.php?id=290
If you follow that link, it's the leather *care* you want ..... not the leather "cleaner".
"Leather care" is the conditioner.
They're reliable suppliers, and many tpf members (at least within the USA) have ordered it through this company.
.
Thank you! Looking right now.
This thread is amazing! Thank you so much motok for posting your journey! I do have a question...At one point when you were conditioning your bags you mentioned to "only condition the finished leather" on the bag...What do you do about the unlined suede leather inside the bag? Just not worry about it and don't condition it?
Well the "suede side" is just the opposite side of the same sheet of leather. Know what I mean? For any "sheet" of leather in these old bags, one side of the leather is usually finished, and the other side is left as suede texture. Right? The suede is just the opposite side of the leather.
So what I mean is to always rub the conditioner in through the finished side. The conditioner will still soak into / work its way through the entire thickness of the leather. You don't have to worry about that ... the conditioner will still reach the depths of the leather. It's just that you should always rub it in from the finished side, not the suede side, simply because rubbing conditioner in from the suede side will ruin the texture of the "napp".
The reason I was emphasizing it so much, is because some of the older bags have multiple dividers inside (not to mention zippered pockets), and each one of those dividers usually has one finished side and one suede side. .... Condition those too, just always rub it in through the finished side of the leather.
(I really hope that makes sense.
I'm not trying to over-explain, I just want to make sure it's clear. )
Well the "suede side" is just the opposite side of the same sheet of leather. Know what I mean? For any "sheet" of leather in these old bags, one side of the leather is usually finished, and the other side is left as suede texture. Right? The suede is just the opposite side of the leather.
So what I mean is to always rub the conditioner in through the finished side. The conditioner will still soak into / work its way through the entire thickness of the leather. You don't have to worry about that ... the conditioner will still reach the depths of the leather. It's just that you should always rub it in from the finished side, not the suede side, simply because rubbing conditioner in from the suede side will ruin the texture of the "napp".
The reason I was emphasizing it so much, is because some of the older bags have multiple dividers inside (not to mention zippered pockets), and each one of those dividers usually has one finished side and one suede side. .... Condition those too, just always rub it in through the finished side of the leather.
(I really hope that makes sense.
That makes complete sense! Thank you so much for explaining in such detail!!!
Hope to start my first rehab project soon--a bag that I will be listing for our local Humane Society thrift shop.
For those of you looking for NYC bags at a reasonable price, be sure to check goodshepherddoggieshop listings on eBay.
For those of you looking for NYC bags at a reasonable price, be sure to check goodshepherddoggieshop listings on eBay.