>>> it has areas where it has been painted and stains. The leather is calfskin, but is missing areas where the grain lines show due to poor paint job. I would hope to find a way to remove the old finish, which was done poorly for the grain to show through.
I believe those pictures #1, #2 & #5 are the unwanted paints mentioned - yes they should be removed as this leather is referred as “wet-white” (or natural white) similar with some “Prada” bag which I have worked on. Solution is first work with Prep-4.4 and when completely removed follows with Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 (use a nylon StrippingBrush-9 for an effective agitation). When the paint is tough to remove you may used Stripper-2.3 but have to adjust with distilled water just to get the matching strength enough to remove the paint without damaging the finishes.
>>> where the grain lines show
These grain lines from picture #5 are accumulated soiling that will be remove beautifully using Prep-4.4 system mentioned above with horsehair leatherBrush-1 instead (gentle to the leather grain).
>>> Also, there is a large patent leather cc on the front, which has stains.
Refer to picture #3, the stain have somehow migrate beneath surface like you see on a mirror not on its surface anymore. Trying to get it out has to sacrifice its surface integrity and not worth the trouble.
>>> I would like to know which kit to buy to dye the bag black (leather and patent leather).
Refinishing to Black is with Kit-A7.cl - Aniline Leather Dye Refinishing Kit (that provides a beauty of depth like varnishing on musical instrument over the cheap opaque paint).
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http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-a7-cl-aniline-leather-dye-refinishing-kit/
For removal of the paint as the first attempt use the Prep-4.4 > Clean-3.8 > Rinse.3.0 system with StrippingBrush-9 http://www.leatherdoctor.com/strippingbrush-9/
When considering to refinish then Stripper-2.3 http://www.leatherdoctor.com/stripper-2-3/ is appropriate to completely removed the unwanted paints.
Here is the care Kit-A3 - Aniline Leather Care Kit (see the cycle of care instruction to keep your leather at the highest level of appearance at all time) that you need to have . . .
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http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-a3-aniline-leather-care-kit/
Learn the science and logic behind the cleaning and you will be very smart when comes to the care of leather.
Roger Koh
Leather Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor
web: www.leatherdoctor.com
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
email:
[email protected]