The leather used for some of my NYC-made bags seems thicker (and the hardware a bit heavier) then bags made later and elsewhere. But sometimes the leather is just more worn and feels more smooshy. Maybe you could post pics of both bags for comparison?
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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The leather used for some of my NYC-made bags seems thicker (and the hardware a bit heavier) then bags made later and elsewhere. But sometimes the leather is just more worn and feels more smooshy. Maybe you could post pics of both bags for comparison?
Cute bag, too bad it was damaged! You might want to take it to a cobbler and ask for a professional's opinion first.
I have heard the same things for removing grease, but I haven't tried them. I would probably pre-treat with something like Oxy-gel and then wash it in my washer with leather therapy laundry solutions and rinse. Don't know if that would help, good luck!
OK, I'm posting some, afterbath, before treatment, pix of my station bag:
Here is a picture of the back of the bag, you can see in the middle that there is a whitish "residue". Or at least I thought that's what it was before I gave it a bath. It turns out it's in the leather, I can't quite figure out an explanation. Best guess would be something like a splash with nail polish remover that took away some color, except there is an almost identical mark on the front, under the flap..
Also, here is the bottom edge. It's not as bad as it looks in the picture, it's not really worn, the leather is fully intact, but the color is gone and it's kind of dry:
So here is what I've done so far after the bath. I started off very conservatively touching up the black edging with Fiebings black leather dye. I didn't want to dye the entire bag, and I'm a little worried about color transfer, but I had decided that just conditioning and darkening those edges wasn't going to be enough.
The leather just sucked in the dye, it dried right away and looked much better. I got a little braver and touched up the "splash" area that's under the flap. Again, it sucked down the dye. Seeing how well it absorbed the color, I got even braver and did the little tabbed area with the twist lock. The area isn't particularly damaged, but it seemed a safe way to test the color and I figured it would enhance the image of the whole bag if it was nice and black. It took the color really well, so I did the back of the bag and the fingernail scratches that you can kind of see at the top around the handle.
With the "spot dying" I rubbed in lexol before the dye was fully dry and I can't see any lines-except in the back a little bit where it dried more than I would have liked it to. It will be interesting to see if it ages evenly, but for now it looks pretty good.
I added another layer of conditioner and put her to bed for the night. I know she is going to need more conditioning but I think with a little buffing she will be carryable as is. I am going to double check if I need to touch up any more of they dye tonight and maybe condition a couple more times before I post "after" pictures.
I should add that I didn't use the "swab" that came with the leather dry. I used an thickish eyeliner brush. I kind of laughed to myself as I perused my selection of brushes for something to use. I never use that brush but it came with a set that is roughly as old as the bag, probably even older.
Here is a picture of the back of the bag, you can see in the middle that there is a whitish "residue". Or at least I thought that's what it was before I gave it a bath. It turns out it's in the leather, I can't quite figure out an explanation. Best guess would be something like a splash with nail polish remover that took away some color, except there is an almost identical mark on the front, under the flap..
Also, here is the bottom edge. It's not as bad as it looks in the picture, it's not really worn, the leather is fully intact, but the color is gone and it's kind of dry:
So here is what I've done so far after the bath. I started off very conservatively touching up the black edging with Fiebings black leather dye. I didn't want to dye the entire bag, and I'm a little worried about color transfer, but I had decided that just conditioning and darkening those edges wasn't going to be enough.
The leather just sucked in the dye, it dried right away and looked much better. I got a little braver and touched up the "splash" area that's under the flap. Again, it sucked down the dye. Seeing how well it absorbed the color, I got even braver and did the little tabbed area with the twist lock. The area isn't particularly damaged, but it seemed a safe way to test the color and I figured it would enhance the image of the whole bag if it was nice and black. It took the color really well, so I did the back of the bag and the fingernail scratches that you can kind of see at the top around the handle.
With the "spot dying" I rubbed in lexol before the dye was fully dry and I can't see any lines-except in the back a little bit where it dried more than I would have liked it to. It will be interesting to see if it ages evenly, but for now it looks pretty good.
I added another layer of conditioner and put her to bed for the night. I know she is going to need more conditioning but I think with a little buffing she will be carryable as is. I am going to double check if I need to touch up any more of they dye tonight and maybe condition a couple more times before I post "after" pictures.
I should add that I didn't use the "swab" that came with the leather dry. I used an thickish eyeliner brush. I kind of laughed to myself as I perused my selection of brushes for something to use. I never use that brush but it came with a set that is roughly as old as the bag, probably even older.
I wish I could! I don't have the other Court bag I bought as a rehab project because I didn't like the strap, so I sold it on E-Bay a while ago! And the original one was taken in my divorce! I am documenting the differences and posting them on my blog though, and I will see if I can find a newer Court bag to rehab and compare it to. The Court bags have big handles on the top surrounded by rough edges, and on the "newer" - (1996) version, those edges require a lot of retouching, on this bag that I am working on now, the edges are smooth, and they don't need any kind of treatment to look good. The strap also required lot of retouching on the edges on my last Court bag, and this one requires none, the edges are again smooth. All the stitching on this bag is nearly perfect, totally uniform, the leather is cut with a precision definitely not seen on later bags, it is amazing the difference! I will do my best to figure out a way to document it, as I think it is significant, especially to anyone who wants to collect the older ones!
Ok, if this were my bag, here is what I would try first:
I would definitely give the bag a good long bath, and let it soak. I would let it dry, then start experimenting:
I would try baby powder on one of the spots, to see if I could get it to lighten. If that works, I would do that on all the dark spots... if not:
I would try an oil on the bag, I have used olive oil before , and it darkens the leather, and in this case it might blend this bag so it could look uniform. Try it just on a small non-visible area first and let it thoroughly soak in to see if it might come out the same color. Google olive oil in leather repair, and you can read the pros and cons, I have used it on a bag and I liked the result, I also have used it to darken the handles on a new Louis Vuitton so they would look more aged, and it has been over ten years, those handles are still amazing.. If that didn't work:
I would probably try to re-create the situation that happened to this bag. I would probably be crazy enough to warm the olive oil in one of those butter warmers for Lobster butter, over a candle, and try rubbing some in that way to see if I could get it to match. I would go really carefully, and not-re-cover the already affected areas until I thoroughly tested it and let it dry, I might use q-tips to place the warmed oil all around the stains, without re-covering them.
If none of that stuff worked, I would probably take the bag in to a cobbler and have it dyed, or try to dye it myself. But, since this is grease that has permeated the leather, I would be concerned that dye might not even take evenly, which is why I would consider taking it in.
And, as a LAST resort, if the cobbler gave me no hope, or the dye didn't work, I would get myself a deep fryer, and dip this bag completely, lol!
Oh, and I have a tip for everyone...
For loose strings or threads on a leather bag, and only on leather, please don't do this on fabric!!
While the bag is drying and still a little damp, use a lighter to melt the string off. This will seal the end of the string so it won't fray anymore or come unsewn!
Do it carefully!! Please don't burn the leather or yourself!
We used to do this to each other's uniforms in formation in the military. Nothing like having one of your coworkers holding a lighter to the back of your uniform at 4:30 in the morning without your knowledge, lol!
For loose strings or threads on a leather bag, and only on leather, please don't do this on fabric!!
While the bag is drying and still a little damp, use a lighter to melt the string off. This will seal the end of the string so it won't fray anymore or come unsewn!
Do it carefully!! Please don't burn the leather or yourself!
We used to do this to each other's uniforms in formation in the military. Nothing like having one of your coworkers holding a lighter to the back of your uniform at 4:30 in the morning without your knowledge, lol!
The court bags I"ve had were all that amazing, thick leather. Made IN USA if I remember right. I just sold one a couple weeks ago and it was hard to part with her but I just have way too many bags!!! I have found this particular bag's leather to be great ...heavy and thick!!
OK, and I have another question. Has anyone sent one of these vintage bags to Coach for repairs? I have an absolutely beautiful NYC large duffle that I got on eBay. It's close to perfect, there is really nothing visibly wrong with the outside, the inside has a few ink stains on the bottom of the bag but that doesn't bother me at all. However, the rivets that loop and attach the buckle are broken. The bag is fully usable as is, you can run the loop through the buckle-hard to explain but it works fine. I've carried the bag through the winter a bit but now that it's spring it's time to give it a break and fix it (it's the darker brown leather) The loops need to be sewn and riveted.
If I send the bag in for repair, and they decide they can't fix it, they will return it right? They won't just decide it's unfixable and send me a coupon. I'll deal with the bag if it can't be fixed, it's too nice to give up. Has anyone had this sort of repair done?
My only other minor gripe is the leather seems a little dry and stiff. For some reason I want to dunk it before I condition it, it just seems like absorbing some h2o and then conditioning it would work better-but it really doesn't need cleaning. (advice?) Either way I'm not even going to condition the leather till I after I send it in, or take it to a cobbler.
If I send the bag in for repair, and they decide they can't fix it, they will return it right? They won't just decide it's unfixable and send me a coupon. I'll deal with the bag if it can't be fixed, it's too nice to give up. Has anyone had this sort of repair done?
My only other minor gripe is the leather seems a little dry and stiff. For some reason I want to dunk it before I condition it, it just seems like absorbing some h2o and then conditioning it would work better-but it really doesn't need cleaning. (advice?) Either way I'm not even going to condition the leather till I after I send it in, or take it to a cobbler.
Thanks for the tips! I spent a little time today massaging Orange Clean into the strap. It's almost like the strap got "cooked!" It did remove some of the darkness on the strap, and made it much more flexible. It contains aloe, glycerin, lanolin and jojoba, so I figured it wouldn't hurt the leather. We'll see if there is really any improvement after it dries!
I agree that a good soak can't hurt either...and will try your tips accordingly. And I'm thinking making the bath a little warmer than usual to see if it will budge the grease.
Thanks again...will keep everyone posted!
How about using Dawn when you soak the bag? I use it for everything grease related, is mild and helps alot.
Quick question - my apologies if I should try in another thread, but I figure that you ladies know better than anyone. My red Bleecker satchel is my favorite bag ever. I wear it most of the time. However, when I wear it with my offwhite wool coat in the winter, the handles turn my coat pink at the shoulder!!
1. What would YOU do to stop the color ruboff from the bag - some sort of sealant?
2. Any thoughts on getting the coat clean? I'll dry clean if I have to, but I hate to dry clean things if I can DIY it.
1. What would YOU do to stop the color ruboff from the bag - some sort of sealant?
2. Any thoughts on getting the coat clean? I'll dry clean if I have to, but I hate to dry clean things if I can DIY it.
Quick question - my apologies if I should try in another thread, but I figure that you ladies know better than anyone. My red Bleecker satchel is my favorite bag ever. I wear it most of the time. However, when I wear it with my offwhite wool coat in the winter, the handles turn my coat pink at the shoulder!!
1. What would YOU do to stop the color ruboff from the bag - some sort of sealant?
2. Any thoughts on getting the coat clean? I'll dry clean if I have to, but I hate to dry clean things if I can DIY it.
I wouldn't do anything permanent to the bag, so no sealant. What I would probably do is find a cute fabric cover to put over the handles. Maybe wrapping in a silk scarf like they do in the Hermes thread once in a while? Or maybe one of those seatbelt covers with the velcro to wrap around the handles where it would come into contact with the coat? I imagine if you look there has to be some kind of thing that would go around that handle that would be both cute and functional, and would protect both your coat and the bag!
Edited to add, you might try one of those at home dry cleaning kits for cleaning the dye off the coat, I would be careful and test it first, but it comes with a small bottle of dry cleaning solution, and it works wonders on most things I ever tried it on, I want to say the brand name of it was Dryel, but I am not really sure. And, if that doesn't work, check those little fliers that come in the mailbox once in a while for a dry cleaning one, they usually have good deals on coat cleaning this time of year.
Quick question - my apologies if I should try in another thread, but I figure that you ladies know better than anyone. My red Bleecker satchel is my favorite bag ever. I wear it most of the time. However, when I wear it with my offwhite wool coat in the winter, the handles turn my coat pink at the shoulder!!
1. What would YOU do to stop the color ruboff from the bag - some sort of sealant?
2. Any thoughts on getting the coat clean? I'll dry clean if I have to, but I hate to dry clean things if I can DIY it.
I don't know if this would help or not, but you could try spraying it with a protectant spray, like Apple Rain Garde, to see if that also provides protection from color transfer. Just an idea.
How do you clean a Coach leather purse and the interior lining? The bottom of the leather has a lot of stains and the interior lining of the purse is pretty dirty. I'm afraid to ruin the leather since it's a light colored bag.
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Interesting! I usually do not attempt any "touch ups" until after I have conditioned the bag, because the leather may darken naturally and doesn't need a touch-up. But I have never tried Fieblings so I wil be interested in seeing how it comes out. Sorry, I don't know what to do about the white patches, maybe they were caused by a splash of bleach? I hope the Fieblings does the trick, good luck!
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