Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[NCBDTeam]

Our Goodwill had a Vintage Coach STASH today and I raided it!!! I got 3 wonderfully old school Coach bags to rehab...Gosh I wish I had more sinks! LOL
I am having one "authenticated" now because I cant find any info on it...
the other two are:
Station bag style #5130
Bleeker Tote style #9310
ok so 1996 may not be THAT vintage but still cool finds LOL
Pics to come shortly...once I decide who to rehab first!!!

 

[katev]

Quick update on the Baxter.. (hellish day at work, so not very verbose today)

A bath, some oil, and that's it so far. I really need a horsehair brush for buffing..
(still in love with it!)
The hardware needs polishing, including the strap's.. but they're really not that bad.

Lighting really makes a difference. First pic seems washed out. I think the last shows the color best.. I wish I could've gotten a better shape, but where the leather has creased, I find it's hard to make the shape hold..

A quick question - do you ladies experience the edges of the piping curling? I've had it happen on at least 3 bags, and have no idea how to make them uncurl.. you can see the lighter curled up edges of the piping to the top of the baxter..

Absolutely gorgeous, I can't wait to see the final product!

Do you mean that the piping is puckering along the stitching? I have seen that I just rubbing it and stretching it and if that doesn't work - I live with it!

 

[NCBDTeam]

Our Goodwill had a Vintage Coach STASH today and I raided it!!! I got 3 wonderfully old school Coach bags to rehab...Gosh I wish I had more sinks! LOL
I am having one "authenticated" now because I cant find any info on it...
the other two are:
Station bag style #5130
Bleeker Tote style #9310
ok so 1996 may not be THAT vintage but still cool finds LOL
Pics to come shortly...once I decide who to rehab first!!!

Thanks to Hyacinth my "unknown" find was authenticated...Its a Court Bag from the late 80's! YAY Im so stoked!
First find in the bath is the Station bag... Here are the pics It ALREADY looks a million times better, Ill post after photos once it is dried and I touch up the hardware

 

[ledobe]

So I have been reading about y'alls problems with "painting" white bags, but my experience couldn't have gone smoother. I mentioned before that I was looking for a "guinea pig" white bag that I could play with before I tried doing anything with my "cashin & potential cashin" white bags.

So, Friday, I got this super ugly dirty Anderson zip in the mail. I impatiently snapped few pix, awhich unfortunately I didn't check, before I threw her in the washing machine. The pix do not accurately display how dirty she was...if it looks like a shadow, it truly was dirt. The edging all around was grey & dirty, it was grey & meh around all the seams, and the bottom of the bag especially was dirty.

When she was mostly dry, I mixed some of the "Linen" acrylic paint with Leather CPR. I didn't measure it, but it was easily more than 50% conditioner, probably at least 60/40. I rubbed in a couple light coats with a make up sponge and then hung her up to continue drying. After she was completely dry I rubbed in a couple more coats of leather CPR.

The end result, I thought, was fabulous. It doesn't feel like it's been painted, it just seems to have even out the color. It doesn't feel any different than I would expect a white bag to feel. I'm going to try to post the before and after pix together, please be patient with my photography, the pix are horrible!

Bottom before, out of focus so you can't see how dirty it is:

AFTER:

Top with piping:

After: I really just took this picture to show how the untreated and relatively inner pocket matches the outside of the bag, but you can also see how much better the piping looks. Obviously, the bath did some good too, and I have no after bath, before her makeover pix.

Front of the bag, I wasn't able to get all the dents out. Again, this doesn't show all the dirt either, unfortunately:

After:

I don't know how I didn't get a picture of the back of the bag before, but here is the after:

The sides were really bad too, in fact this bag was just grey and meh everywhere there were seams:

So...this experience made me feel better with doing the same thing to the older bags I was talking about earlier. I'm not 100% sure, but I'm leaning in that direction. I also feel like I would be able to get the paint off, I just really don't want to put these bags through a lot of scrubbing...ugh! Decisions!

 

[4213jen]

I would! If you won't use them as is, make them better. They don't look that bad in your pictures - I don't mind the off white/ aged look of them, especially your clutch (it is making me very envious!). That's my two cents worth anyhow

BTW, I only hung them on that pole to take pictures.

They're in pretty good shape, there are a couple of spots on the frame of the swinger bag where the leather is a little damaged and you can see the metal, but I'm not sure how much I'm going to worry about it. Here is the real problem with them now:

So you can see how dingy they look next to my also pretty darn vintage lightweights flap bag. That was the bag that also exactly matched the "Linen" acrylic paint that JOODLZ found, so it's not as pure white as it looks in the picture. That bag is also late 80's, the rest of the bag is cleaned and conditioned, but I only touched up the color on one little spot on the bottom. That bag is NOT pure white, it's pretty much ivory at best.

So the older bags look obviously greyish and over all..meh. I mentioned earlier that I wanted an older white bag that I "didn't love" to experiment on, and I am almost finished cleaning up a pretty dirty white Anderson Zip...she's not completely done and I will post before & afters, but that's not my point (I really am getting there). I wanted to try to do a "color wash" a white bag (paint with conditioner) before I messed with these two. I'm really happy with how the Anderson looks and I think I can get good results on these two.

But should I mess with the color on these two? As is, I'm not sure I'd carry them, and I want to-especially the little clutch which quite frankly is freaking awesome. (it's pictured in the UCLA Cashin pix, but I haven't saved it yet}.

I doubt I'll ruin them, but I hesitate to mess with anything this potentially collectible. Probably more so the clutch than the swinger...not sure how to date all the different versions of the swinger, this one has a coach lozenge stamped inside the kisslock. I don't know if anyone has figured out the timeline for those bags...

So, should I mess with them?

 

[ledobe]

This is obviously a newer bag, but it was quite dirty and actually going to be thrown out when I found it at a thrift store. I've spent some time just cleaning it with soap and water and just a dash of bleach, but it's got some brownish stains here and there. I'm not sure how to get rid of them and I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions. I'll certainly use it the way it is as they aren't that bad, but would like to do better. Thanks in advance!
http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj500/carriem72/885beecoach6.jpg
http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj500/carriem72/885beecoach2.jpg

Shh...I mixed in a little bleach when I washed my "Cashin for Meyers" foldover and the white swinger bag. I was afraid they were smokey, but now I think it could have been the packing, and I also wanted to get as much of the white back as I could, they were, and still are, a little yellowed.

I can't say it made much difference either way, to be honest, but the leather itself on these bags is still very nice.

 

[whateve]

So I have been reading about y'alls problems with "painting" white bags, but my experience couldn't have gone smoother. I mentioned before that I was looking for a "guinea pig" white bag that I could play with before I tried doing anything with my "cashin & potential cashin" white bags.

So, Friday, I got this super ugly dirty Anderson zip in the mail. I impatiently snapped few pix, awhich unfortunately I didn't check, before I threw her in the washing machine. The pix do not accurately display how dirty she was...if it looks like a shadow, it truly was dirt. The edging all around was grey & dirty, it was grey & meh around all the seams, and the bottom of the bag especially was dirty.

When she was mostly dry, I mixed some of the "Linen" acrylic paint with Leather CPR. I didn't measure it, but it was easily more than 50% conditioner, probably at least 60/40. I rubbed in a couple light coats with a make up sponge and then hung her up to continue drying. After she was completely dry I rubbed in a couple more coats of leather CPR.

The end result, I thought, was fabulous. It doesn't feel like it's been painted, it just seems to have even out the color. It doesn't feel any different than I would expect a white bag to feel. I'm going to try to post the before and after pix together, please be patient with my photography, the pix are horrible!

Bottom before, out of focus so you can't see how dirty it is:

AFTER:

Top with piping:

After: I really just took this picture to show how the untreated and relatively inner pocket matches the outside of the bag, but you can also see how much better the piping looks. Obviously, the bath did some good too, and I have no after bath, before her makeover pix.

Front of the bag, I wasn't able to get all the dents out. Again, this doesn't show all the dirt either, unfortunately:

After:

I don't know how I didn't get a picture of the back of the bag before, but here is the after:

The sides were really bad too, in fact this bag was just grey and meh everywhere there were seams:

So...this experience made me feel better with doing the same thing to the older bags I was talking about earlier. I'm not 100% sure, but I'm leaning in that direction. I also feel like I would be able to get the paint off, I just really don't want to put these bags through a lot of scrubbing...ugh! Decisions!

Wow, she looks great. You do wonders with paint!

 

[whateve]

I have this red NYC bag that has this weird problem. One side looks brand new and the other looks all misshapen, wrinkled and darkened. A bath didn't improve her. Any suggestions? I already did one coat of leather CPR on the bad side.

 

[4213jen]

That's so cool. I love the drawings Bonnie did, and the little note about wearing the bag under her coat to foil purse snatchers. Such a great, usable and thoughful design

Nope! There are quite a few images of the Coach Body Bag in the archives, you should check it out.

Guess what? Cashin also called my "Bonnie Cashin for Meyers" hobo The Body Bag!

 

[4213jen]

Looks great!

So I have been reading about y'alls problems with "painting" white bags, but my experience couldn't have gone smoother. I mentioned before that I was looking for a "guinea pig" white bag that I could play with before I tried doing anything with my "cashin & potential cashin" white bags.

So, Friday, I got this super ugly dirty Anderson zip in the mail. I impatiently snapped few pix, awhich unfortunately I didn't check, before I threw her in the washing machine. The pix do not accurately display how dirty she was...if it looks like a shadow, it truly was dirt. The edging all around was grey & dirty, it was grey & meh around all the seams, and the bottom of the bag especially was dirty.

When she was mostly dry, I mixed some of the "Linen" acrylic paint with Leather CPR. I didn't measure it, but it was easily more than 50% conditioner, probably at least 60/40. I rubbed in a couple light coats with a make up sponge and then hung her up to continue drying. After she was completely dry I rubbed in a couple more coats of leather CPR.

The end result, I thought, was fabulous. It doesn't feel like it's been painted, it just seems to have even out the color. It doesn't feel any different than I would expect a white bag to feel. I'm going to try to post the before and after pix together, please be patient with my photography, the pix are horrible!

Bottom before, out of focus so you can't see how dirty it is:

AFTER:

Top with piping:

After: I really just took this picture to show how the untreated and relatively inner pocket matches the outside of the bag, but you can also see how much better the piping looks. Obviously, the bath did some good too, and I have no after bath, before her makeover pix.

Front of the bag, I wasn't able to get all the dents out. Again, this doesn't show all the dirt either, unfortunately:

After:

I don't know how I didn't get a picture of the back of the bag before, but here is the after:

The sides were really bad too, in fact this bag was just grey and meh everywhere there were seams:

So...this experience made me feel better with doing the same thing to the older bags I was talking about earlier. I'm not 100% sure, but I'm leaning in that direction. I also feel like I would be able to get the paint off, I just really don't want to put these bags through a lot of scrubbing...ugh! Decisions!

 

[ledobe]

a little vintage-esque purple for you gals (from miss Enabler) I haven't studied these bags, just a quick peek/copy and paste as I was trolling the bay. So, not sure what age or authenticity they might be, etc.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271005106644?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260937441208?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300730288730?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261054354603?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Last night I was searching the authenticate thread for Willis, and came across a picture of HYACINTH'S AUBERGINE WILLIS> (which I can't find today to save my life) and this reference to the elusive, rare aubergine City Bag.

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/classic-coach-willis-601039.html#post15761537

Someon needs to snatch that baby up!

 

[ledobe]

I have the legacy Gigi bag in clay color but now it doesn't look grey at all. Those who aren't familiar with the bag say it looks "vintage" but to me it looks dirty!! Any ideas on how I can clean it?

I'd love to see pix too. I'm beginning to think that as the colored legacy bags age, the "brown" of the leather is beginning to show through, which could be a cool thing.


I saw a clay shoulderbag on eBay that I think probably looks like yours sounds like it looks...and I thought it looked interesting.

 

[ledobe]

Ok - so, I attempted to dye my (Non-Coach - but I think you guys are the most hands-on rehabbers, so I felt it relevant), with the Oil-based Fiebing's dye. The bag is a very soft (felt completely unglazed) white/cream leather, and I started using the Fiebing's deglazer, just to help the dye take more evenly. I then began with the dye. A few comments - I think the leather on this bag was definitely different - softer rather than the sturdy feel of vintage coach bags, but just as thick. It's almost more - pourous? I guess that's the best way to describe it. This bag soaked up the dye, and didn't take it evenly, but after a few coats, I'm happy with it. I then used the Fiebings bag kote, and, honestly, wouldn't do that again without diluting it (which I think you can do). It felt almost like I was lacquring the bag, although the next day, it seems to have only imparted a sheen and absorbed in. I would say that with a smoother leather, the dyeing is probably easier, and the color will go on more evenly. But, I would definitely use a dauber (I used a sponge brush instead), and then buff off excess dye as you go. And, buy more dye than you think you will need.

But now, my concern is this - I started conditioning today, as the bag has been drying for 24 hours, and am conditioning with Leather CPR and a shoe polishing brush (I wanted to be a little more vigorous than a soft cloth). I'm getting a bit of color bleed off - do you think that is just excess color that will eventually stop coming off? I can spray it with Apple afterwards, will that help? Or, am I just being impatient, and should give the bag another day to recover from the dye?

Thanks!

Definitely give it more time. I would say at least a couple days after your last coat of conditioner to make sure everything has soaked in. It's hard to tell without looking at it but I would expect at least that long, and then maybe test it by rubbing with a soft cloth.

 

[katev]

So I have been reading about y'alls problems with "painting" white bags, but my experience couldn't have gone smoother. I mentioned before that I was looking for a "guinea pig" white bag that I could play with before I tried doing anything with my "cashin & potential cashin" white bags.

So, Friday, I got this super ugly dirty Anderson zip in the mail. I impatiently snapped few pix, awhich unfortunately I didn't check, before I threw her in the washing machine. The pix do not accurately display how dirty she was...if it looks like a shadow, it truly was dirt. The edging all around was grey & dirty, it was grey & meh around all the seams, and the bottom of the bag especially was dirty.

When she was mostly dry, I mixed some of the "Linen" acrylic paint with Leather CPR. I didn't measure it, but it was easily more than 50% conditioner, probably at least 60/40. I rubbed in a couple light coats with a make up sponge and then hung her up to continue drying. After she was completely dry I rubbed in a couple more coats of leather CPR.

The end result, I thought, was fabulous. It doesn't feel like it's been painted, it just seems to have even out the color. It doesn't feel any different than I would expect a white bag to feel. I'm going to try to post the before and after pix together, please be patient with my photography, the pix are horrible!

Bottom before, out of focus so you can't see how dirty it is:

AFTER:

Top with piping:

After: I really just took this picture to show how the untreated and relatively inner pocket matches the outside of the bag, but you can also see how much better the piping looks. Obviously, the bath did some good too, and I have no after bath, before her makeover pix.

Front of the bag, I wasn't able to get all the dents out. Again, this doesn't show all the dirt either, unfortunately:

After:

I don't know how I didn't get a picture of the back of the bag before, but here is the after:

The sides were really bad too, in fact this bag was just grey and meh everywhere there were seams:

So...this experience made me feel better with doing the same thing to the older bags I was talking about earlier. I'm not 100% sure, but I'm leaning in that direction. I also feel like I would be able to get the paint off, I just really don't want to put these bags through a lot of scrubbing...ugh! Decisions!

Wow, you have got some talent with paint!

 

[ledobe]

I would! If you won't use them as is, make them better. They don't look that bad in your pictures - I don't mind the off white/ aged look of them, especially your clutch (it is making me very envious!). That's my two cents worth anyhow

The clutch is my fave of the two, I think, maybe because I hadn't seen the style before. It's something I could easily see myself carrying regularly. In fact, I have that coral/pink Bonnie convertible from a few years ago, I want to take their pictures together.

I think that between us girls, they look OK as is, but if you saw someone carrying either one of those bags, they would just looked dirty. I want to use them, they are so cool!

Wow, she looks great. You do wonders with paint!

This is truly my first paint job! I just touched up a barely visible spot on the other white bag, she was clean, and probably six or seven years older than the anderson zip!

I think the reason this worked so well is I was very conservative and just mixed a little paint in with a lot of conditioner. It's been so dry here that I was able to do several light coats in one sitting. I was expecting to have to do at least one more when the bag was completely dry, but I like her as is. If you know where it was dirty, you can still kind of see it, but it's just more even. The leather is still soft. I think I'm talking myself into doing the older bags. I will probably use my empty lexol bottle and mix up a bunch of conditioner plus paint though, to make sure I get a smooth application.

Either way, I'm not touching them till this weekend so I can observe the whole process.