Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[JOODLZ]

So after yesterday's panic using Blackrocks for the first time...I'm a believer now! Just when I thought I understood what squooshy was...now this! This product is simply amazing...after 2 light coats, drying in between and a good buff with a horsehair brush this morning...Wow! No rub-off and the sheen is wonderful. It makes me think there are a few recent rehabs that I could revisit...and probably improve.

Considering she's from the mid to late 70s, she looks fabulous! They just don't make bags like this any more...I'm consider myself very lucky to have this one,
and know how to take care of her. The only drawback is that the hardware appears to be plated

Thanks everyone for the tips and tricks that helped me make this happen!

 

[JOODLZ]

This is the little Pocket Purse from yesterday that was rubbing off green! After the second round of Blackrocks and an overnight rest...nothing! Just a buff with the brush and she just glows and is just crazy soft. I've never seen a bag with this thickness on the suede side...it's almost shaggy.

I'm very, very pleased...thanks everyone for the knowledge and encouragement!

 

[Nekolassa]

So after yesterday's panic using Blackrocks for the first time...I'm a believer now! Just when I thought I understood what squooshy was...now this! This product is simply amazing...after 2 light coats, drying in between and a good buff with a horsehair brush this morning...Wow! No rub-off and the sheen is wonderful. It makes me think there are a few recent rehabs that I could revisit...and probably improve.

Considering she's from the mid to late 70s, she looks fabulous! They just don't make bags like this any more...I'm consider myself very lucky to have this one,
and know how to take care of her. The only drawback is that the hardware appears to be plated

Thanks everyone for the tips and tricks that helped me make this happen!

This bag is amazing. In a few minutes, I'll be shipping my bags to you and Katev with a check and note for your help!

This bag is lovely, congrats!

 

[whateve]

My two cents worth...I think you will continue to have uneven color, because of the age of the leather, and it's current color variation, even by coloring with Minwax. But I think it might be an overall improvement. How are you applying the stain? I used a t-shirt scrap (with gloves on!) and rubbed it in. I used several coats as well, letting it dry thoroughly in between.

The hangtag may have been a replacement. And I think the older Coach Leatherware tags were single-sided, not smooth leather on both sides.

Hope this helps...Good Luck!

Thanks. I think you are right. The color will still be uneven but hopefully it will be less. The darker I go, the less variation there will be. I imagine if I put more coats on, it will even out more. I am not a fan of how it looks now, although it looks worse in photos than IRL, so I am motivated to do something. If all else fails, I can go black but I would hate to do that. I used a paper towel for the test but I also have sponge brushes and t-shirt scraps I can use. It soaks in so much more quickly on leather than it does on wood. I don't think it is possible to do a light coat.

I thought the older hangtags were two sided but they were made of two hangtags glued together so when you find one that is one-sided and has suede on one side it is because the original tag came unglued. This one doesn't look like any hangtag I have ever seen.

 

[Nekolassa]

Hey ladies, I just won this lovely babe on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/160798998713?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I haven't seen this bag lower than $200 and I just happened to ask the seller for buy it now and she agreed!!! So, this will be my summer tote.

Now, I need your help. How do I clean the canvas (if needed), and how do I clean the handles (I am assuming it's vachetta leather). I am thinking, washcloth with saddle soap for both - your advice?

I don't even know if it needs cleaning, but just in case. I haven't received it yet, but if you need pictures, I can post when I get it. The title is supposed to read "Bleecker" not "Blaacker" - multitasking....

Lovely day to you!

 

[JOODLZ]

Thanks. I think you are right. The color will still be uneven but hopefully it will be less. The darker I go, the less variation there will be. I imagine if I put more coats on, it will even out more. I am not a fan of how it looks now, although it looks worse in photos than IRL, so I am motivated to do something. If all else fails, I can go black but I would hate to do that. I used a paper towel for the test but I also have sponge brushes and t-shirt scraps I can use. It soaks in so much more quickly on leather than it does on wood. I don't think it is possible to do a light coat.

I thought the older hangtags were two sided but they were made of two hangtags glued together so when you find one that is one-sided and has suede on one side it is because the original tag came unglued. This one doesn't look like any hangtag I have ever seen.

I think you will (hopefully) be pleasantly surprised with multiple coats, rubbed in with t-shirt scraps. It does soak in well, but I would suggest you wipe off any excess then let dry per the instructions on the can between coats.

By the way, I just checked my closet and 7 out of 7 Coach Leatherware hangtags are single sided, one side smooth, one side suede, but are the thickness of the more modern 2 smooth sided tags. Seems unlikely to me that they all split. Maybe I'll ask the authenticators...

Good luck, I think you'll do well!

Added later: I posted on the AT thread...Hyacinth answered:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-694619-705.html#post21876212

 

[JOODLZ]

This bag is amazing. In a few minutes, I'll be shipping my bags to you and Katev with a check and note for your help!

This bag is lovely, congrats!

Thanks...and LOLOLOLOLOL!!!

 

[angelaira]

I think you will (hopefully) be pleasantly surprised with multiple coats, rubbed in with t-shirt scraps. It does soak in well, but I would suggest you wipe off any excess then let dry per the instructions on the can between coats.

By the way, I just checked my closet and 7 out of 7 Coach Leatherware hangtags are single sided, one side smooth, one side suede, but are the thickness of the more modern 2 smooth sided tags. Seems unlikely to me that they all split. Maybe I'll ask the authenticators...

Good luck, I think you'll do well!

Added later: I posted on the AT thread...Hyacinth answered:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-694619-705.html#post21876212

The Coach leather ware tags are one sided, the double sided tags that split are from the late 80s or 90s, after they took the word leather ware off the tag.

 

[whateve]

I think you will (hopefully) be pleasantly surprised with multiple coats, rubbed in with t-shirt scraps. It does soak in well, but I would suggest you wipe off any excess then let dry per the instructions on the can between coats.

By the way, I just checked my closet and 7 out of 7 Coach Leatherware hangtags are single sided, one side smooth, one side suede, but are the thickness of the more modern 2 smooth sided tags. Seems unlikely to me that they all split. Maybe I'll ask the authenticators...

Good luck, I think you'll do well!

Added later: I posted on the AT thread...Hyacinth answered:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-694619-705.html#post21876212

I am both excited and terrified about staining the leather. I thought I would get better results at rehab than I have so far.

That is interesting about the hangtags. Most of my bags are from the nineties and all of those have double sided hangtags with just the word "coach". I only have one that has suede on the reverse and that one says "coach leatherware". This slim tote from 1980 says "coach leatherware" and it is impossible to see if there was any writing on the reverse at one time. I am wondering if someone did something to it to make it so dark on the reverse.

 

[whateve]

Hey ladies, I just won this lovely babe on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/160798998713?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I haven't seen this bag lower than $200 and I just happened to ask the seller for buy it now and she agreed!!! So, this will be my summer tote.

Now, I need your help. How do I clean the canvas (if needed), and how do I clean the handles (I am assuming it's vachetta leather). I am thinking, washcloth with saddle soap for both - your advice?

I don't even know if it needs cleaning, but just in case. I haven't received it yet, but if you need pictures, I can post when I get it. The title is supposed to read "Bleecker" not "Blaacker" - multitasking....

Lovely day to you!

Hopefully, it won't need much work since the description states it is in excellent condition. The canvas can be cleaned easily with any mild spray cleaner. If more aggressive cleaning is needed you can use dish soap and water. However, generally it is better to leave vachetta leather alone. I don't know of any way to clean it without making it worse. I don't know if this purse has vachetta leather though. It looks a little darker. If it isn't vachetta, then you can clean it with any leather cleaner like Lexol leather wipes.

On a side note, I had a wristlet with that lining once and I had trouble cleaning it. It seemed like as soon as I cleaned one spot another one would appear.

 

[chowlover2]

So after yesterday's panic using Blackrocks for the first time...I'm a believer now! Just when I thought I understood what squooshy was...now this! This product is simply amazing...after 2 light coats, drying in between and a good buff with a horsehair brush this morning...Wow! No rub-off and the sheen is wonderful. It makes me think there are a few recent rehabs that I could revisit...and probably improve.

Considering she's from the mid to late 70s, she looks fabulous! They just don't make bags like this any more...I'm consider myself very lucky to have this one,
and know how to take care of her. The only drawback is that the hardware appears to be plated

Thanks everyone for the tips and tricks that helped me make this happen!

I know, the Blackrocks is awesome. I'm still working on my first bag, but actually glad I waited. I have 2 coats of Blackrocks on, will let dry overnight and then do 2 of the Obenauf's and a last of Blackrock. per Docride. I have 7 acres, so lawn and garden care come first this time of year. The good thing with the bags is you can do so much, put it aside and start again whenevr you have time

 

[ladyraven65]

So after yesterday's panic using Blackrocks for the first time...I'm a believer now! Just when I thought I understood what squooshy was...now this! This product is simply amazing...after 2 light coats, drying in between and a good buff with a horsehair brush this morning...Wow! No rub-off and the sheen is wonderful. It makes me think there are a few recent rehabs that I could revisit...and probably improve.

Considering she's from the mid to late 70s, she looks fabulous! They just don't make bags like this any more...I'm consider myself very lucky to have this one,
and know how to take care of her. The only drawback is that the hardware appears to be plated

Thanks everyone for the tips and tricks that helped me make this happen!

Gorgeous!! The sheen on her is just beautiful-excellent work!

 

[bbqluvr63]

I successfully rehabbed the bag at the link below and all the seams and crevices were loaded with animal hair! I mostly just kept working on it with the vacuum and a old toothbrush to get rid of the hair.
http://forum.purseblog.com/search.php?searchid=25401525

The bag you are interested in doesn't look hard to rehab at all. My only concern is that they don't show a close-up photo of the creed patch so that it could be authenticated.

Katev: That link won't work for me...

 

[katev]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Coa...363?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item43afade67b

OK...I'm about ready to dive in to my first rehab...can anyone tell me if this bag is a hard one to rehab? I'm kinda worried about the "encrusted with pet hair" blurb! LOL

They have no additional pictures with the inside shown. I was reluctant to bid on it for fear of the term "encrusted", but I would assume that anything stuck on or caked on would dissolve in the washing machine? I have been wanting this bag for a long long time and the outer appearance seems pretty nice. It has the cowhide lining, so I would assume that it's the easiest to give a good machine washing. I truly appreciate all the tips and photos that get posted by everyone.

BTW...can I move into your closet? I promise to return any "borrowed" bags!!!

Katev: That link won't work for me...

Sorry, try this link:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/forget-lexol-apple-desperate-situations-use-leather-cpr-693808.html

 

[katev]

And, just in case you really do not wish to do the above, Katev recommends Armorall leather wipes. I think she said earlier in the thread that she gets them at Walmart or at an auto store. I have not used these, so I cannot give my opinion of them, but they might be an alternative if you really think washing the bag is not something you want to do.

You know I think I will try this first!!

Thanks again!!!

It must be someone else that recommends the Armorall wipes, I have never used them (but they sound interesting!) I use Lexol wipes (cleaning wipes and conditioning wipes) and I get them at a tack shop.

I have read that non-alcohol baby wipes are good for cleaning lots of surfaces, but I would want something with alcohol if I was trying to get rid of shoe polish.