Can you help me rehab this basic vintage Coach bag?
- Thread starter zowye
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OOH, let's get some pics of it's "In action" shots 
Help us help you feel better It's only a bath, it'll be much cleaner trust us!
Help us help you feel better
It's only a bath, it'll be much cleaner trust us!
Yes, it was veteran TPFers like bunny, i
handbags, dstalksalot, and zippy14u that gave me the courage to rehab my first vintage bag.
I wouldn't give a bath to a lined bag but all of my unlined vintage bags have been greatly improved by a good soaking. And I feel much better carrying them because I know that they are clean!
handbags, dstalksalot, and zippy14u that gave me the courage to rehab my first vintage bag. I wouldn't give a bath to a lined bag but all of my unlined vintage bags have been greatly improved by a good soaking. And I feel much better carrying them because I know that they are clean!
What a workload it was and will be again turn it from the inside out then again turn the inside in. The water came out like a reddish brown. I should take pics of the soak. Lol. I am laughing now with my mother she scream at me asking what was I doing and when she found out that I was soaking the leather she thought I was crazy. I am not cleaning the straps they are way too damage as in snipped or the like. I think I will get replacements for them. Tomorrow I will be searching for the leather conditioner and maybe the sealer. The other one I got today is sort of like a tan color. One for summer and spring and the other for Autumn and winter.
I've done lined wallets, but I do have one lined pebbled bag I am going to risk the cleaning dive, but will be sure to take pictures of course!Yes, it was veteran TPFers like bunny, i
I wouldn't give a bath to a lined bag but all of my unlined vintage bags have been greatly improved by a good soaking. And I feel much better carrying them because I know that they are clean!
Yeah the water will turn colors (should have warned ya, OOPS!), no fear, most of the color remains.
I'd just condition first, but wait to decide on the sealant till last. Conditioning will NOT ruin the chance to seal it later.
Semi related:
In the original line of Longaberger baskets (cira 1979 and up till 1985) the reps' used to suggest that people soak their baskets in a inch or 2 of water in a tub if the wood slats dried out. Now a days I just put mine in the bathroom and after a week the older wood re-absorbs the water/moisture and they are nice and flexible again
I've given baths to 2 lined wallets and they came out great. But they weren't coach wallets, they were nice "made in korea" wallets with silk lining that I picked up at SA for about $2 each, so I figured "what the heck, go for it!"
Good luck with the pebbled bag and let us know how it turns out!
(Nods. Water often gets colored for me too. Not a problem. By the time the conditioning is done, that bag will probably be even darker brown than it is now. If it's the same "official" color as my NYC Basic brown, it'll probably be a rich chocolate or mahogany.)
And I just thought I should add this pic to the thread ....
This is **bunny's** pic from many months back.
Pics of her entire before/soaking/drying can be found here, and in consecutive posts within the following thread:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...-an-outlet-fiend-393463-158.html#post15610313
(Go to that link. That's within one of bunny's threads.)
Her pic is this one:
Steps:
See the picture.
Feel the fear.
Acknowledge the fear.
Breathe deeply.
Then just work through the feeling.
.
This is **bunny's** pic from many months back.
Pics of her entire before/soaking/drying can be found here, and in consecutive posts within the following thread:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...-an-outlet-fiend-393463-158.html#post15610313
(Go to that link. That's within one of bunny's threads.)
Her pic is this one:
Steps:
See the picture.
Feel the fear.
Acknowledge the fear.
Breathe deeply.
Then just work through the feeling.
.
Sorry to jump in, but I'm going to be receiving a vintage lined bag pretty soon and am curious to know what would happen if I gave it a bath? Would the lining shrink? TIA!
Ok the leather is still a bit humid. I found lexol conditioner in spray. I had other options but they all have wax and claim that are natural. The spot is a bit clearer. It has taken this shade of deep chocolaty brown. I am wondering what I am going to do with that unusual spot.
I would leave the spot alone for now, give it time to fully dry (stuff with paper towels in the inner corners or pockets where you feel it's most damp).
I would stay away from wax (you can sometimes find the lexol in shoe shops that sell to say, construction workers or repair shoe soles) but if you can't find the rub on conditioner smaller container of it you can substitute with Apple but for sure Lexol would be the one to try to get first of course.
I would stay away from wax (you can sometimes find the lexol in shoe shops that sell to say, construction workers or repair shoe soles) but if you can't find the rub on conditioner smaller container of it you can substitute with Apple but for sure Lexol would be the one to try to get first of course.
I agree that rub in conditioner would be better than spray. (I didn't even know conditoner came in spray form. I know water/stain protectant comes in spray, but I'd never heard of spray conditioner. ... The standard "cream" conditioners penetrate the leather because you physically rub it in. Would a spray version really penetrate?)
bunny, is there any place she could get lexol on line? I'd shown her leatherstuff.com for Apple, but I have no idea of an online site for Lexol. Note that she's in Puerto Rico, and I don't know if they have the same store-chains. (Excuse my ignorance.)
bunny, is there any place she could get lexol on line? I'd shown her leatherstuff.com for Apple, but I have no idea of an online site for Lexol. Note that she's in Puerto Rico, and I don't know if they have the same store-chains. (Excuse my ignorance.)
I have seen lexol at shoe repair shops and also at equestrian supply shops for horseback riders.
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