Using acrylic paint to camouflage damaged metallic leather – Pics!

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#46
I received a request for more information about the paint I used to camouflage the damage on my Copper Zoe. The brand was "DecoArt Dazzling Metallics" in the 2 oz size.

The color I used on Copper Zoe was Rich Expresso DA245, see link below. It is a little lighter and more golden than the true color of the bag, but it's not a bad match if you are just trying to minimize and obscure damage on the bag.
http://store.qualityart.biz/index.p...o&cPath=788_1122_1123_1124&products_id=103207

It appears that they have many more shades of metallics available than the ones I found at Joann's, see link below; so there may be an even better match to Copper Zoe than the color I used. And there are probably shades available to help with other damaged metallic colors - and you can also mix acrylic paints to get different shades.
http://store.qualityart.biz/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=788_1122_1123_1124&sort=20a&page=1

Again, I used the widest paint brush I had (about a quarter inch) but a wider brush would have been even better because I had to paint 2 coats over the entire damaged area. If I had to do it over I think I would just paint the entire back panel of the bag because of the slight color difference. But I am satisfied with the results of my efforts so I am going to leave well-enough alone!

Good luck to other TPFers with damaged metallic bags!
 
#47
Well, I know you mentioned not praising you for your rehab skills. But that's a tough request to comply with here! This was not just an act of courage but yet another stroke of talent you have with nursing bags back to health!!! I've done touch ups only twice using (of all things) a combo of acrylic paint and OPI nail polish -- and once using seche vite top coat But your results are much better than mine. Your work appears invisible and seamless!

I'm so glad you could fix this bag as I remember how much you loved it when you found it. Congrats on another successful project !!! I'm very impressed!!!!

(ps. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!)
 
#49
proffashionista said:
Well, I know you mentioned not praising you for your rehab skills. But that's a tough request to comply with here! This was not just an act of courage but yet another stroke of talent you have with nursing bags back to health!!! I've done touch ups only twice using (of all things) a combo of acrylic paint and OPI nail polish -- and once using seche vite top coat But your results are much better than mine. Your work appears invisible and seamless!

I'm so glad you could fix this bag as I remember how much you loved it when you found it. Congrats on another successful project !!! I'm very impressed!!!!

(ps. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!)
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Thanks and I hope that this is a great year for you as well! I wasn't eager to use the paint but like I said, I took it to the cobbler, the boutique, and sent it back to JAX and they all said that it couldn't be repaired. The bag looked great everywhere else except on the back. I had almost given up but I am glad that I didn't. I am surprised and thrilled that the paint actually worked and it came out looking so good!

I never thought of combining paint and nail polish but it's an interesting idea! Some of the goldtone finish has peeled off a small area on the back of a charm on my Coach PLT beach charm bracelet. I took it back to Coach and they offered a full refund but it is part of a set and I don't want to give it up. I also took it to a jeweler and he said that it couldn't be fixed.

The damage is small and I can still wear the bracelet but I don't want it to get any worse. I was thinking of trying gold nail polish (or paint) to cover and protect the area, but maybe I should try a mixture, thanks!
 
#51
katev said:
Acrylic paints are supposed to be permanent after they dry for 24 hours. I use them all the time to touch up the edging on vintage bag straps and I've never had any problems. I've even been able to put conditioner on bags that I've touched up without any issues. I think it should be okay, but if I find out differently I will post the information in TPF.
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Did you try and "seal" over the acrylic at all? Did you sponge on the paint (did not see notes, if you posted them I apologize for missing it)?

This is a good example of the color loss ANY BAG FROM COACH can suffer, be it vintage or non-vintage. Over time and with repetitive use ANY Coach bag can suffer loss of color at corners or anywhere the bag comes in constant and repeated contact with any object.
 
#52
bunnymasseuse said:
Did you try and "seal" over the acrylic at all? Did you sponge on the paint (did not see notes, if you posted them I apologize for missing it)?

This is a good example of the color loss ANY BAG FROM COACH can suffer, be it vintage or non-vintage. Over time and with repetitive use ANY Coach bag can suffer loss of color at corners or anywhere the bag comes in constant and repeated contact with any object.
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No! How do you seal over acrylic paints? I use an artist's paint brush to apply acrylic paints, is it better to use a sponge? Please advise, thanks!
 
#53
katev said:
No! How do you seal over acrylic paints? I use an artist's paint brush to apply acrylic paints, is it better to use a sponge? Please advise, thanks!
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An artists brush is fine for acrylic, I didn't know if you prepped the area before you painted or not. I was not sure if a sponge would give a better controlled method of laying down the color, but your job looks well done for what you used nonetheless.

When doing art, I used to use a spray product (Golden Archival Spray Varnish for example) to seal the acrylic paint after I was done working on it. Now granted we weren't painting on leather, but maybe some of the folks who sell painted Coach bags on Etsy or similar sites could advise if they use this method to finalize their work?

Just an idea, looks like you made this work well for the time and investment you made into it.
 
#54
bunnymasseuse said:
An artists brush is fine for acrylic, I didn't know if you prepped the area before you painted or not. I was not sure if a sponge would give a better controlled method of laying down the color, but your job looks well done for what you used nonetheless.

When doing art, I used to use a spray product (Golden Archival Spray Varnish for example) to seal the acrylic paint after I was done working on it. Now granted we weren't painting on leather, but maybe some of the folks who sell painted Coach bags on Etsy or similar sites could advise if they use this method to finalize their work?

Just an idea, looks like you made this work well for the time and investment you made into it.
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Thank you! This is new area for me and I appreciate your expert advice! I just did a search on TPF and found this thread by dstalksalot about painting a floral design onto a bag to hide extensive ink marks. She used a sealer made by Tandy - I will look into it and also the product you mentioned, thanks again!
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/artsy-reveal-red-coach-rambler-703118.html
 
#55
katev said:
Thank you! This is new area for me and I appreciate your expert advice! I just did a search on TPF and found this thread by dstalksalot about painting a floral design onto a bag to hide extensive ink marks. She used a sealer made by Tandy - I will look into it and also the product you mentioned, thanks again!
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/artsy-reveal-red-coach-rambler-703118.html
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That sounds like a good place to start, the only thing to keep in mind that whether it's a sealer or varnish if you only treat the areas you worked on it might be more noticable that you modified it if the leather has a matte finish and the varnish or sealer has a glossy or satin look. You may feel the need to cover a larger area to help blend the touched up areas into the non-affected areas.
 
#56
bunnymasseuse said:
That sounds like a good place to start, the only thing to keep in mind that whether it's a sealer or varnish if you only treat the areas you worked on it might be more noticable that you modified it if the leather has a matte finish and the varnish or sealer has a glossy or satin look. You may feel the need to cover a larger area to help blend the touched up areas into the non-affected areas.
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Good to know, thanks! What is likely to happen if you don't seal acrylics?
 
#57
Katev~~

You have a great talent for fixing and rehabbing "lifeless" hand bags.
You did a great job on the Zoe!! She looks brand new!!!
I know you will enjoy her!! Congrats~

Lynne :D
 
#58
katev said:
Good to know, thanks! What is likely to happen if you don't seal acrylics?
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Well, acrylics are more water based where as oil paints are obvious :) but I would worry over time that if exposed to water or such it might absorb them into the color or the material? We'd always seal a painting on canvas using acrylics with a paint on varnish or the spray I mentioned, it would keep off dirt/dust/etc and any other elements that might work it's way into the art medium.

If you didn't seal it, I might be worried that if you treat it with conditioner how it would accept or reject the moisturizer?
 
#59
I have read an read on TPF about metallic leathers and peeling or rubbing off. I am starting to realize that it is just about inevitable :( My question is what do you ladies do once your bag or in my case a wallet rubs off? I am having surgery next week and will not be shopping anytime soon so my husband surprised me this evening with a beautiful Madison bronze metallic leather zip around wallet. Instant love!! Upon a closer look I saw the bottom corners already starting to rub off. He did get it at the outlet but it is not a MFF wallet and it was the last one they had. Thank you ladies for any of your ideas I really appreciate your time. Sorry if I put this in the wrong thread I am new to the forum.
 
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