Using acrylic paint to camouflage damaged metallic leather – Pics!

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#79
Your Zoe looks fantastic! Just wondering how she is this fall! :smile1:
I want to try to fix several small areas on my Metallic Platinum Lily.

katev said:
Here's an update on the Copper Zoe I repaired using metallic acrylic paints. I waited a week or so after applying the paint and then put leather conditioner on the bag, including over the painted areas. I think I used Leather CPR but may have been Apple Conditioner. The conditioner didn't hurt the bag or the paint.

I then put it in the dustbag and stored it in my closet for a few weeks and I just took it out and looked at it and the bag still looks fine, no obvious change.

I did some research on preparing the leather surface and sealing the paint and perhaps I should have done those things, but I have also read that they changed the appearance of the final product and right now my Zoe is looking pretty darn good so I am going to leave her alone.

My plan is to take her out next fall and if she still looks good I will carry her on special occassions - but not as an everyday bag. I will just be happy if I can still carry her sometimes. I will let you know if I have any problems with the paint or if the repair doesn't hold up.

When I was researching sealing (or finishing) the paint, I traded PMs with dstalksalot. She is an artist and she painted a beautiful still life to hide the damage on a vintage bag. Here is what she had to say about acrylics and sealing/finishing:

"There are paint sealers for leather that you can use for large area paintings. There are a ton of different ones at Tandy Leather. It depends on the gloss finish you want. From the research that I have done, the paint holds up very well when many thinned layers are used during the application. The water in the acrylic paint helps the paint absorb into the pores of the leather. This is what I did in my one painting excursion. I have been meaning to apply the finish, but just have not gotten around to it. The bag has been sitting waiting for me to finish it. One thing to note is that once you add your finish, the leather will not be able to breathe....but adding paint kind of does that too....it you are adding paint, it is kind of a last resort as we have discussed in the past.

I am not sure if I would apply finish to a metalic. I would think the metalic look of the bag may be compromised if you added a clear paint finish over it. could be wrong though."
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#81
I am saving your instructions on the repair....I have been looking at metallic Zoe's and was just too scared to take the plunge, after a search here on TPF I found this thread and so today I made an offer on a bronze Zoe on eBay and it was accepted ....perfect condition med bronze for $75.... So excited and now I know I can fix any rub spots if they occur.
Thanks :smile1:
 
#83
You can't even tell! You do fantastic work. I know what you mean when you say, its on the back of the bag and no one will see it, but YOU know it's there. Glad you were able to give Zoe new life, it's such a great bag and color!
 
#84
Britexmom said:
I am saving your instructions on the repair....I have been looking at metallic Zoe's and was just too scared to take the plunge, after a search here on TPF I found this thread and so today I made an offer on a bronze Zoe on eBay and it was accepted ....perfect condition med bronze for $75.... So excited and now I know I can fix any rub spots if they occur.
Thanks :smile1:
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It's a great bag, I hope you love her, congratulations!
 
#85
2TsK said:
Great job on the repairs! I really can't even tell where you did the repair.
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Crazy for Bags said:
You can't even tell! You do fantastic work. I know what you mean when you say, its on the back of the bag and no one will see it, but YOU know it's there. Glad you were able to give Zoe new life, it's such a great bag and color!
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Thanks, I was going to carry her today, but it is raining so I decided to wear black patent instead.
 
#88
katev said:
I'm thinking of spraying mine with Apple Rain Garde, it might add a little protection, but I will spot check first in an obscure spot.
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I ordered some apple rain garde for eBay this morning so I can use that before wearing her, I also ordered a strap extender...I think that if there is a little extra space so the bag isn't so close to underarm that might help too. So excited to start using her with fall colors :smile1:
 
#90
Thanks for this thread. I have a metallic bag from another designer that I need to fix. I was concerned that I need to buy acrylic paints that were designed for leather like angelus paints, but I am going to just go the craft store instead.
 
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