Lightening natural veg tan?

[toxo]

I have a nice bag that someone wants to look at. It's been sitting for a while and the veg tan isn't as bright as it once was. IIRC I put resolene on it. Can it be brightened up? Obviously it can't be dunked. I've also noticed darkening on leather that's laid flat on the parts that are not covered by the piece on top despite not being in direct sunlight.

 

[HandyDave]

There isnt no way i know of to lighten the veg tan back up in color but its still a great looking bag. If youve done put resolene on it i dont know how well any conditoner or restore product would get to the leather. I would break out a piece of lambs wool and buff it really good and let it ride.

[toxo]

1 hour ago, HandyDave said:

There isnt no way i know of to lighten the veg tan back up in color but its still a great looking bag. If youve done put resolene on it i dont know how well any conditoner or restore product would get to the leather. I would break out a piece of lambs wool and buff it really good and let it ride.

Thanks Dave. I'm inclined to agree with you. Apparently Oxalic acid is quite common for bleaching leather but I certainly wouldn't experiment on a finished piece.

[billybopp]

I don't know of any way to lighten it.  But dang!  That's a nice design!

- Bill

[chuck123wapati]

10 hours ago, toxo said:

Thanks Dave. I'm inclined to agree with you. Apparently Oxalic acid is quite common for bleaching leather but I certainly wouldn't experiment on a finished piece.

i would explain to the person looking how the leather gets that beautiful patina and how to make it even out. After all if they buy one it will darken also. it would be easier to darken the light than to lighten the dark.

Edited November 8, 2021 by chuck123wapati

[Samalan]

4 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

it would be easier to darken the light than to lighten the dark

I once heard a minister say something very close to that . LOL

[toxo]

6 hours ago, billybopp said:

I don't know of any way to lighten it.  But dang!  That's a nice design!

- Bill

Thanks Bill. Wish I could take the credit but it's one of Tony See's (Dieselpunk.Ro) designs. I do have a slight affinity though. When he brought out the design he asked his following to name it. I said "It's got to be the "Monte Carlo" to carry the winnings out of the casino". I won a free pattern.

[Bert03241]

Its perfect just as is and will only get more beautiful over time.

[battlemunky]

I don't have any words to help lighten the leather but I've noticed leather darkening in my shop out of direct sunlight as well. It must be ambient lighting and time. *shrug*

That is a great looking bag and the sunburst works reeeeally well. If you don't tell the buyer they likely won't even know the leather started out lighter than it did.

Edited November 12, 2021 by battlemunky