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Help me distress/vintagize a new leather suitcase

post #1 of 23
11/28/10 at 7:41pm
Thread Starter 
I bought a new leather suitcase for cheap just for fun. As a pet project, I'd like to distress the leather in a way that makes it look as if the suitcase is vintage. What is the best way to scuff/fade the leather without going overboard? I am assuming that there are documented ways to do this. Perhaps something used to distress a leather jacket can also be used on a leather suitcase?

I'll also gather a few vintage luggage labels and use those to enhance the effect. Thanks for any tips.

This is not a picture of the exact suitcase I have, but it gives you an idea of the leather as it looks now:


I would like to get it to look like this (different color notwithstanding):
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post #2 of 23
11/28/10 at 7:42pm
Drag it behind a mountain bike and chuck it in the river.
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post #3 of 23
11/28/10 at 7:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arms_Akimbo View Post
Drag it behind a mountain bike and chuck it in the river.

Here's the thing. The suitcase I bought is pretty cheap. It isn't that sturdy. Doing anything like that would defeat the purpose as the suitcase would be broken afterward, although I'm sure the distressing would be excellent.
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post #4 of 23
11/28/10 at 7:59pm
Maybe just gash it with something a bit, to get the lines. And then maybe try some fine sandpaper?
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post #5 of 23
11/28/10 at 8:27pm
Right, right. Get it wet and rub with gravel?
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post #6 of 23
11/28/10 at 8:59pm
The shoe guys use different colors of polish to mess with their leathers. Maybe something like that might work?
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post #7 of 23
11/28/10 at 10:47pm
You're going to distress bicast leather?
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post #8 of 23
11/28/10 at 10:49pm
whip it with bicycle chains.
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post #9 of 23
11/28/10 at 10:55pm
Show us aN actual pic and we can offer better suggestions.
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post #10 of 23
11/28/10 at 11:00pm
In the meantime I would suggest alternating leather conditioner, cream polish and light sandpaper and steel wool. You want to build up oils and break down wear areas for contrast. You can get authentic vintage labels on bay.
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post #11 of 23
11/29/10 at 1:06pm
The hard leather (I believe it is called Chrome tanning) of your new bag is very different than the more porous leather used in the vintage bag. It will be very difficult if not impossible to match the look. Sorry buddy.
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post #12 of 23
11/29/10 at 1:32pm
^Yup. One scuffs while the other scratches.
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post #13 of 23
11/30/10 at 1:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy View Post
In the meantime I would suggest alternating leather conditioner, cream polish and light sandpaper and steel wool. You want to build up oils and break down wear areas for contrast. You can get authentic vintage labels on bay.

I would suggest something like this but I would not use steel wool or sandpaper, I would use some hemp cloth or something that feels like burlap. If you want it done like right now then just get an electric buffer and go to town.
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post #14 of 23
12/3/10 at 12:41am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HgaleK View Post
^Yup. One scuffs while the other scratches.

Bullshit. This will be the best vintage suitcase EVER. I'll show all of yous!
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post #15 of 23
12/4/10 at 10:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroStyles View Post
I bought a new leather suitcase for cheap just for fun. As a pet project, I'd like to distress the leather in a way that makes it look as if the suitcase is vintage. What is the best way to scuff/fade the leather without going overboard? I am assuming that there are documented ways to do this. Perhaps something used to distress a leather jacket can also be used on a leather suitcase?

I'll also gather a few vintage luggage labels and use those to enhance the effect. Thanks for any tips.

This is not a picture of the exact suitcase I have, but it gives you an idea of the leather as it looks now:


I would like to get it to look like this (different color notwithstanding):

Personally I think artificially distressing things is stupd. I don't want a pair of jeans to look worn when I buy it. I want them pristine, new looking and perfect. Let them age on their own. And if you want a leather suitcase that looks aged and has been around the world numerous times, why not just ask one of your old relatives to give you one of their old suitcases that look like crap and they'll probably throw in the garbage. Normal people don't like their good leather suitcases to get banged up. I don't even carry a suitcase but have it sent in a box by UPS to where I'm going.
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