MarenNinni Report post Posted Wednesday at 08:36 PM So, I took apart a handbag for a friend and it needed cleaning. I used fiebings saddle soap and it turned out sticky. How can I save this?!? Pretty freaked out right now, since I am doing this for a friend. Has never happened before. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted Wednesday at 10:16 PM Fill us in a bit more. Is it sticky on the outside, inside, or both on the handbag? It seems like I had this happen to me once on a old leather recliner. But I am trying to remember how I remedy it. How long has it dried since cleaning it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarenNinni Report post Posted Thursday at 06:39 AM 8 hours ago, DieselTech said: Fill us in a bit more. Is it sticky on the outside, inside, or both on the handbag? It seems like I had this happen to me once on a old leather recliner. But I am trying to remember how I remedy it. How long has it dried since cleaning it? Sticky on the outside. Tried dishsoap, vinegar, and finally alcohol, nothing worked. Alchohol left it rubbery as well. Tried on small area. Tried conditioning it, seems perhaps buffing works slow. I am so stressed out, have offered to sew a new one, but she loves this handbag and I have probably ruined it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted Thursday at 06:47 AM You've nowt to loose now; try cleaning it down with lacquer thinners, aka cellulose thinners. This may, probably, remove some of the colouring as well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarenNinni Report post Posted Thursday at 07:32 AM (edited) 2 hours ago, fredk said: You've nowt to loose now; try cleaning it down with lacquer thinners, aka cellulose thinners. This may, probably, remove some of the colouring as well I am afraid to ruin it completely. When using isopropanol alcohol, it rubbed off some sticky residue and left black spots in the top layer. Maybe it's some rubber paint on top gone sticky? Edited Thursday at 08:53 AM by MarenNinni Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toxo Report post Posted Thursday at 12:56 PM I've never molly coddled my leather. I've even put it through the washing machine. I'll try white spirit, thinners, acetone, even I think the most potent, brake disc cleaner before I give up on it. Obviously try on a small area first. If it dries the oils out, replace with neatsfoot oil.(don't saturate) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlZilla Report post Posted Thursday at 01:24 PM (edited) Or, let it sit a few days and see if it dries back out. Maybe in the sunshine. Edit: thinking about this, I wonder if there's something in the leather that your efforts brought to the surface? Can cigarette smoke accumulate over a number of years? I can tell you for sure, it accumulates all over ancient domestic sewing machines. And I seem to recall threads on another forum about gun holsters that were hell to clean up. Edited Thursday at 01:53 PM by AlZilla Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarenNinni Report post Posted Thursday at 06:22 PM I found out this is "genuine leather".... Rubber coat on top. Oh well. Solution: thin layer of saddle lack! Worked as a charm. I tried it all. From resolene to tan kote. From gum tragacant to tokonole. Alcohil, dish soap, leather balm. Now I have my fingers crossed for no cracking in the saddle lack... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
