Hi there, thanks to everyone who had always provided very good methods for my DIY stuff.
This time, I have a messenger bag that needed saving.
It is a CK bag I still love very much. But the leather linings are made with very poor bonded leather and already started peeling within a year of use.
The current state is so bad I can’t even bring it out. However, despite the peeling leather, the bag is otherwise in a good condition.
When the peel wasn’t that bad, I used shoe polish to cover up the peel. However, now it is so bad I can’t cover it anymore.
Is there any quick way to remove all the peel? I am thinking of then painting the exposed parts black.
Otherwise, any other suggestions? The bag is still hardy - it’s just the peeling leather - which is just a small section that ruined it.
Picture speaks a thousand words. here it is: Imgur: The magic of the Internet
I honestly don’t think it looks that bad the way it is. If I didn’t know it was a “flaw”, I would have assumed the texture and wear were designed that way in the first place because cracked leather is a fairly popular design.
That said, it is possible to deglaze and refinish leather with commercially available products. Most of the products are designed for furniture and car interiors but will also work on leather jackets and bags. However, it does take care and skill (that I have never mastered personally). You may end up with an even worse mess if you don’t get it right the first time.
Here is a thread with a similar question from a leather specialty forum. Your challenge will be avoiding damaging the surrounding fabric as you deglaze and refinish the leather band.
I’d send it to a dry cleaner that specializes in leather. I sent in a leather jacket that had a distressed look to it, which is what it was supposed to look like, and they did something to it so it looked like a new jacket and the distressed appearance was gone.
I don’t think you can fix the peeling leather, but you could try gluing or sewing something over it. But don’t try unless you’re desperate, it may look worse!
No ideas on how to remove it the rest of the way - it’s not really any kind of leather to speak of the bonding is so bad. But if you’re amenable to making it a color stripe or pattern, may I suggest the easiest solution is to Duck it: http://duckbrand.com/products/duck-tape/prints/standard-rolls/zebra-188-in-x-10-yd