Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[ledobe]

Yesterday I stopped at Savers, I know that I should stay away and concentrate on my rehab pile but at least I am trying to be more selective about the items I buy!

They had several nice Coach bags there but they were all pretty pricey or else they were in really bad shape, including a dirty, marked-up, putty city bag and a navy convertible clutch that was coated inside and out with shoe polish. What a shame, I left them there!

I picked up 3 non-coach small items for a total of $12 and I would appreciate input on them from my fellow coachie rehabbers. I have posted photos in the appropriate TPF threads, see the links below.

I've just noticed that all 3 of these items have crystal accents. I must have been in the mood for some bling yesterday!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Pink metalic MICHAEL Michael Kors large wristlet with crystal stud accents ($6). It is pretty clean but there is one dirty (or rubbed) spot on the metalic leather and a couple of small, dark marks on the inside metal tag:
http://forum.purseblog.com/michael-kors/authenticate-this-michael-kors-622659-25.html#post22019320

Lovcat "Gems" Camel Trifold Wallet ($5). Very cute but dirty and ink-marked, including one ink mark on the outside. This one is going to need a bath, anyone know anything about rehabbing items from Lovcat Paris?
http://forum.purseblog.com/handbags...e-lovcat-gems-wallet-754177.html#post22019419

No-name jungle print (faux?) fur kisslock coin purse with crystal accents ($1) It's really cute, any ideas on a possible brand name?
http://forum.purseblog.com/general-...-cheap-treasures-531824-593.html#post22019498

You always find such cool stuff! However, it almost makes me glad I don't live near any good thrift stores because my resistance is low for this cute stuff!

 

[ledobe]

That's good. I think you have the right idea about using chains. I hope you'll post pictures.

Salearea took such good "before" pictures I'm sure there's nothing I could capture that she hasn't already. But I'm going to try to remember to take pix of the rehab process.

I am probably going to hold my breath and snip off the straps tonight, then dunk those and see how much the leather bleeds. I'd really like to dunk that baby...even if it's just a brief dip in the pool. It's really not that dirty, but I think it would benefit the leather and I'd like to at least rinse off the lining. I can pull the lining out of the main part of the bag, but there's no way to protect the inside of the kiss locks.

Then I will need to decide if I can get away with just conditioning it to even out the color, it's faded. I'm not adverse to mixing a little dye in with the conditioner if I feel it needs it. It goes back to the rehab or not question, there's little chance of me finding the original straps, so it's going to be "messed with" so I might as well make it look as nice as possible.

 

[whateve]

Yesterday I stopped at Savers, I know that I should stay away and concentrate on my rehab pile but at least I am trying to be more selective about the items I buy!

They had several nice Coach bags there but they were all pretty pricey or else they were in really bad shape, including a dirty, marked-up, putty city bag and a navy convertible clutch that was coated inside and out with shoe polish. What a shame, I left them there!

I picked up 3 non-coach small items for a total of $12 and I would appreciate input on them from my fellow coachie rehabbers. I have posted photos in the appropriate TPF threads, see the links below.

I've just noticed that all 3 of these items have crystal accents. I must have been in the mood for some bling yesterday!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Pink metalic MICHAEL Michael Kors large wristlet with crystal stud accents ($6). It is pretty clean but there is one dirty (or rubbed) spot on the metalic leather and a couple of small, dark marks on the inside metal tag:
http://forum.purseblog.com/michael-kors/authenticate-this-michael-kors-622659-25.html#post22019320

Lovcat "Gems" Camel Trifold Wallet ($5). Very cute but dirty and ink-marked, including one ink mark on the outside. This one is going to need a bath, anyone know anything about rehabbing items from Lovcat Paris?
http://forum.purseblog.com/handbags...e-lovcat-gems-wallet-754177.html#post22019419

No-name jungle print (faux?) fur kisslock coin purse with crystal accents ($1) It's really cute, any ideas on a possible brand name?
http://forum.purseblog.com/general-...-cheap-treasures-531824-593.html#post22019498

I love that coin purse! So cute! It makes me feel like starting a coin purse collection.

 

[cmvspony]

Hi ladies,
I was hoping making you can help me. I have a dark brown leather satchel, sorry I forgot the name of it. The corners of my bag have started to turn orange and also areas in the back of the bag. Any ideas of how I could fix the orange areas. I was thinking brown shoe polish but am to scared to try it. What do you recommend? Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Jessi319]

Ok, I've never done a rehab is my life but got intrigued by this thread. I also fell for the City Bag, SO I went to the bay and found one for $45, which seemed like a good price to me as they're selling for $278 at Coach right now (and those are remakes, not the nice vintage like I got). I was so excited that I forgot to take before pics : / It was in ok condition to begin with (wasn't sure of my rehab abilities) but had some scratches, was a bit dirty and dull... And to my surprise, SMELLED! Cigarettes and must. Ew. It reminded me why I don't like buying used - I get the heebie jeebies.

So it went into a warm Dawn dish detergent bath for 45 minutes. Cool rinse. Second bath! I let this one sit while I went out shopping. When I got home, I rinsed again... Then dried and stuffed with paper towels. I hung it out side to air dry. Brought it in for the night and hung it indoors. I changed out the paper towels in the morning. The next day, when it was dry, I rubbed it down with diluted alcohol to try to get the smell out. By this point the bag looked so CLEAN and pretty... just smelly. Let it dry... Another alcohol rub down... And another. I think I did that 3 times. Then I left it open and hanging inside for 2 days.

The smoke is GONE!!! It still smells a little... vintagey... But I think that's the raw leather inside. It doesn't smell bad at all and I'll be comfortable putting my stuff inside. Last night I conditioned it with Apple leather conditioner and viola! It's beautiful! Even my mother (who thought I was insane buying a project bag) is impressed and thinks it came out beautiful. These pictures don't do it justice.

View attachment 1741193

View attachment 1741194

View attachment 1741196

View attachment 1741197

View attachment 1741198

View attachment 1741199

View attachment 1741200

Thanks to everyone in this thread because I couldn't have done it without the existence of the Coach rehab subforum!

Congrats on a nice bag and GREAT JOB on your first refurb bath and condition!! Beautiful bag! it is such a nice feeling to have a vintage quality bag that you've saved BIG MONEY on and made it beautiful and your OWN.

 

[MRSBWS]

Salearea took such good "before" pictures I'm sure there's nothing I could capture that she hasn't already. But I'm going to try to remember to take pix of the rehab process.

I am probably going to hold my breath and snip off the straps tonight, then dunk those and see how much the leather bleeds. I'd really like to dunk that baby...even if it's just a brief dip in the pool. It's really not that dirty, but I think it would benefit the leather and I'd like to at least rinse off the lining. I can pull the lining out of the main part of the bag, but there's no way to protect the inside of the kiss locks.

Then I will need to decide if I can get away with just conditioning it to even out the color, it's faded. I'm not adverse to mixing a little dye in with the conditioner if I feel it needs it. It goes back to the rehab or not question, there's little chance of me finding the original straps, so it's going to be "messed with" so I might as well make it look as nice as possible.

Did you see the one that had the straps cut and tied in a knot? Yikes!

 

[whateve]

Hi ladies,
I was hoping making you can help me. I have a dark brown leather satchel, sorry I forgot the name of it. The corners of my bag have started to turn orange and also areas in the back of the bag. Any ideas of how I could fix the orange areas. I was thinking brown shoe polish but am to scared to try it. What do you recommend? Thanks for your help in advance.

Pictures would help. I don't know anyone who would recommend shoe polish. You might be able to touch it up with acrylic paint. I don't know why it would turn orange. If it is just mild scuffing, then leather conditioner might be all you need.

 

[cmvspony]

Pictures would help. I don't know anyone who would recommend shoe polish. You might be able to touch it up with acrylic paint. I don't know why it would turn orange. If it is just mild scuffing, then leather conditioner might be all you need.

Thanks for your help, I'll take a pic this weekend. What type of leather conditioner? Think it would turn it back to brown?

 

[ledobe]

Did you see the one that had the straps cut and tied in a knot? Yikes!

I missed that one!

I do remember at one point in time it was "a thing" to tie the straps on some bags with skinny straps. I know I had a little fossil (I think?) crossbody that came with a long strap with a little knot on the top. Maybe they were trying to update their bag-lol.

Now that I've started talking about rehabbing that bag I'm getting anxious to get home from work!

 

[Jessi319]

It depends on what is done, IMO. If you find something in nice condition that just needs cleaning and conditioning, fine. I also think it's ok to touch up the dye a little.

A lot of collectibles have been through this debate, as you noted. Lots of great old furniture stripped and refinished and devalued. I've been (quietly) arguing with my husband about his car, which has the potential to be a collectible. I want him to keep it all stock, he likes to work on things for the sake of doing it and customizing. Fortunately he doesn't have the money to invest in it now so I'm winning by default.

On the other hand, I bought that beat up "Tubby" (so that's what they're called?) that Salearea was selling, I'm sure many of you saw it. The bag itself is in ok condition, the straps are trashed! I'll probably replace them with a chain. I'm even thinking about investing in the ball chains that Silver-Coach sells. I am not making any decisions till I rehab the body of the bag. I will try to clean and condition the leather, and might touch up the dye depending on how it looks. It's dry, but I have a feeling if I can dunk it without spoiling the striped lining, the leather will perk back up.

If none of that works, I'll do what it takes to make her pretty and use her as a display on my antique vanity, maybe display some jewelry tumbling out of her or somesuch.

So IMO, if it can't be restored to stock, then changing things is OK. I doubt I will be able to find leather straps to replace the originals, so I may do something to make it obviously "changed". We'll see. I think I will start on this one over the weekend. My biggest worry is that working on the leather will ruin the lining.

I don't think Tubby is the proper name. I think it's a "double entry" bag. DemRam calls it that in her Coach Vintage reference photos and she has quite an awesome collection and has had contact with the Cashin Foundation directly on her bags.

 

[whateve]

Thanks for your help, I'll take a pic this weekend. What type of leather conditioner? Think it would turn it back to brown?

There are several brands of leather conditioner on the market. I like Leather CPR but you can use Lexol or Apple, or almost any brand. Whether or not it turns it back to brown is dependent on what made it orange. The conditioner just fills in the cracks and hides scratches. There is also a more intense treatment called Blackrocks that darkens leather so that might be an option but it depends on what kind of leather was used on your bag.

 

[MRSBWS]

I missed that one!

I do remember at one point in time it was "a thing" to tie the straps on some bags with skinny straps. I know I had a little fossil (I think?) crossbody that came with a long strap with a little knot on the top. Maybe they were trying to update their bag-lol.

Now that I've started talking about rehabbing that bag I'm getting anxious to get home from work!

Another heartbreaker. And, there's one posted that has straps that have been chewed on by the family pet!

 

[ledobe]

I don't think Tubby is the proper name. I think it's a "double entry" bag. DemRam calls it that in her Coach Vintage reference photos and she has quite an awesome collection and has had contact with the Cashin Foundation directly on her bags.

lol-tubby kind of fits though...


I keep meaning to check if DemRam has ever posted photos of her collection. I would love to see what she's got!

 

[chowlover2]

Thanks for your help, I'll take a pic this weekend. What type of leather conditioner? Think it would turn it back to brown?

No shoe polish, I just rehabbed a bag that looked great when she came to me, but was a bear to get out of the leather. How about Tarrago cream? I know Docride recommends it for Hermes bag corner repairs. They sell it on EBay and Amzon, relatively inexpensive too.

 

[4213jen]

You start with the first message that you want to select. Don't click on the "Quote" button, click on the button next to it that looks like 2 sheets of paper. The little green dot will turn red.

Repeat the process with the next messages until you reach the last message in the group. Click the "Quote" button on that message and all of the posts will appear in the message box.

The just reply in the normal manner and click "Submit Reply"

On the bottom right of each post next to the quote button is a button with a green plus sign (it's the symbol in the middle). Click on that button for each post you want to quote. Then for the last one you want to quote, click on the quote button. They will all show up in the reply box.

Thank you!!