Leather Briefcase

Hey Roger,

I got this bag the other day. Used it twice and saw that it was starting to turn a darker colour and had a few black dots on it. I decided to use Prep4.4 on the black dots and then Cleaner3.8 followed with Rinse3.0. After, I found that the colour still remained the same and the parts where I used Prep4.4 looked like they were scratched. I left the Prep4.4 for no more than 10 minutes. I want to rid the bag of the darkened colour, black dots, then apply LeatherScentB.


#1
The part where I used Prep4.4 and also where the bag started to darken
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...9/DSC03936.jpg


#2
Another part where I used Prep4.4
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...9/DSC03937.jpg


#3
Wrinkled part where I used hydrator3.3 and then Fatliquor5.0
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...9/DSC03938.jpg


#4
Again, wrinkled part where I used hydrator3.3 and then Fatliquor5.0
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...9/DSC03943.jpg


#5
Complete picture of the above, wrinkled parts and parts where I used Prep4.4
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...9/DSC03939.jpg


#6
Where the bag started to darken noticeably and on the right are some lines.
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...9/DSC03940.jpg


#7
Black dots
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...9/DSC03942.jpg


#8
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...9/DSC03941.jpg

-Alex

Picture #1
The dark mark could be soiling residue, the below is topcoat missing.
It is recommended to do a complete refinishing with the Topcoat-79G that you have, first by removing the dark mark.
The dark mark could be removed by the leather Eraser-4 in combination with the horsehair detail Brush-1 for in between the grains. Excess erasing may remove the existing topcoat to reach the cleaner scratch areas, which should be OK; thereafter with topcoat touch up using a cotton swab for detailing and you may want to extent it to the entire panel.
Note: Darkening effect may not necessary be soiling particulates that has been lodged in between the grains. It may be a little micro shrinkage that needs to be stretch-out to lighten it – It’s best done from the reverse side using the smooth end of a spoon.

Picture #2
The two dots seem to be missing its topcoat too. Clean it up with the horsehair brush, then repair with the Topcoat-79G with the help of the tip of a bamboo skewer or tooth prick.

Picture #3, #4 & #5
These handle is structural that carries the weight and stress of flexing. Quite natural for such occurrences in these areas just like the toes of our shoes. Periodic localize hydration and fatliquor will keep is strong, soft and supple – preventing from cracking

Picture #6
Is the leather absorbent? If it is body contact will cause it to darken up as it picks up sweat and body oils.
The left top creases are due to flexing. The bottom is the natural marking of the leather – like belly wrinkles or near to the legs. The right lines are natural – a give from nature – not that perfect – but at least its authentically leather.

Picture #7
These are dark depression possible inherent with the leather – you could use a dental prick to clean them up and Topcoat-79G repair it.

Picture #8
Its leather not vinyl - to be perfect it would be either very expensive for leather or cheap for vinyl.

Roger Koh
[email protected]

Thanks Roger.

Note to Picture #1 – the lower finish damages.
I am assuming that the leather is aniline (transparent dye through), for second thought it could be semi-aniline (micro-pigmented coating over aniline leather).
However prior to topcoat it – apply Hydrator-3.3 to bring the dye to the surface if possible.
Test out an isolate spot if the color bounces back, otherwise matching micro-pigment may be necessary to bring the color back – prior to topcoat it.