Yeah I checked out the zipper fabric and it looks black... still wet though. I'm going to wait a few days and rehab/condition it anyway. I contacted the seller about it, I'll decide what to do when it's dry. This isn't my first problem with this transaction -- he accidentally sent me a completely different bag the first time! Scatterbrained...
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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The photo looks navy, but photos arent always accurate unless you are shooting in natural light. Flash "cools" photos down sometimes, and settings on the camera can be changed from cool to warm. I"ve seen photos of black bags shot in tungsten (deep yellow) light with no flash and I'd swear they are brown, when the title says black. so annoying.
I took it out in the sun and gotta admit it does look dark blue. VERY DARK blue. But, lovely. This bag is actually in tip-top condition post-bath. Leather is soft and clean and pretty free of scratches. Wish I'd noticed the lack of hang tag but that can be fixed. I think it's going to be AWESOME. Yay!
Poor little Gracie! You didn't mention the interior, is it pretty clean on the inside? I have never given a bath to an Italian leather bag, but if I ever find one that is really dirty I would probably give it a try. I successfully gave a bath to a lined, pebbled leather Sheridan Sonoma bag and it came out just fine.
This is what I would try for the exterior of that bag. I would wipe it down with a soft cloth and clean water to remove surface dirt. If it is still dirty I would try Lexol cleaning wipes. (They come in an orange and white container, the conditioning wipes come in a brown and white container.)
The Lexol cleaner is a bit "sudsy" but it is not a thick, opaque liquid like many cleaners and conditioners. You definitely want to avoid using any thick, opaque products on a pebbled leather bag. After the Lexol cleaner, wipe the bag down again with water to get rid of soap residue.
I really like using Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner (link below) on my pebbled leather bags.
http://www.leathertherapy.com/categories/Equestrian-Products
After I clean the bag, I rub the therapy oil onto the surface and leave it sit for a few hours or overnight. The next day I gently buff the bag with a soft cloth. It brings back the shine and hides a lot of scratches and worn areas. That's what I did to the black Italian Carlyle bag at the link below. As you will see, the bag was was pretty beat up, but she came out looking nice.
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/another-sister-has-arrived-from-italy-687100.html
What color is your Gracie, is that Beechnut - sort of a golden, honey brown? My Gracie is Beechnut and it is a gorgeous, rich color! Did your Gracie come with a long strap, the strap was missing on mine.
Good luck and let us know how it comes out!
When I picked up the Tribecca Clutch (link below) I thought it was black (but possible charcoal gray or navy). After cleaning her up the bag was definitely navy, a very dark navy blue.
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/forget-lexol-apple-desperate-situations-use-leather-cpr-693808.html
Hey, thanks for the advice. I bought her on eBay. She looks to be an orange brown or tangerine, but not sure. Remarkably the interior is clean. She has the strap. I was surprised that she was in the condition that she is in. If feel like the seller misrepresented it but I think I am going to keep her. I love your idea about giving them as gifts. I may keep her for myself.
Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140587091399
I bought the Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner after the last time we talked. Just waiting on it to arrive. I also bought lexol but not the wipes.
Me again. Any thoughts on cleaning suede? I bought glycerine soap, Lexol conditioner, and Leather Honey conditioner today (and Apple products enroute) on your variety of advice, but I'm still trying to find something for suede...I have a pink bag coming with dirty suede bottom/corners. Hmmm....
And for the record, if it hadn't been for this being the purse perfect as a gift for a friend...Don't think I really want to dabble in suede!!
And for the record, if it hadn't been for this being the purse perfect as a gift for a friend...Don't think I really want to dabble in suede!!
I have not had much experience with suede but KatK said that she used an Ugg boot cleaning kit to clean up the pink suede trim on a bag, see below:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/ne...-post18767137.html?highlight=ugg#post18767137
You always have good answers. Thanks!
Posting this for Katev...
I'm thinking of bidding on this gracie because I want an italian made bag BADLY
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/COACH-4417-G...895?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item4cf9380e0f
I don't think the scuffing is a big deal for me but the bent out of shape and stains are. How structured are these bags? If I stuffed it would I be able to get the shape back? Are stains easy to clean up on the pebbled leather bags?
Has anyone had any luck getting replacement straps for these kind of bags?
I really don't need anymore bags especially black but I have been dying for one of these bags forever at a decent price.
I'm thinking of bidding on this gracie because I want an italian made bag BADLY
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/COACH-4417-G...895?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item4cf9380e0f
I don't think the scuffing is a big deal for me but the bent out of shape and stains are. How structured are these bags? If I stuffed it would I be able to get the shape back? Are stains easy to clean up on the pebbled leather bags?
Has anyone had any luck getting replacement straps for these kind of bags?
I really don't need anymore bags especially black but I have been dying for one of these bags forever at a decent price.
I have never purchased from Salearea but she has a good reputation as an honest vendor, and she posts loads of pictures so at least you know what you are buying.
I think that the stains, scuff marks and wear will probably not be a big problem, my black Carlyle was badly stained and scuffed but she cleaned up well.
I'm not sure about the shape though. This bag is very structured and the only way that I have been able to reshape the less structured, glove-tanned bags is by dunking them and then stuffing with towels. I haven't tried dunking an italian leather bag yet, so I don't know how that will work out.
Also the FS stamp means "Final Sale" or "As Is" so it may have some serious problems that will be difficult to fix.
I was unsuccessful in trying to replace the the missing long strap on my beechnut gracie and the cobbler advised against it. He said that it would be impossible to match the color and caviar pattern and I that I "could spend a lot of money and not be satisfied with the results." But it might be easier to do something for a black bag?
I have thought of getting a brushed gold chain strap but I am worried that it will wear along the edges at the top of the bag.
Just a word of advice, I love my sweet little Gracie but this is a very tiny bag! You might prefer something larger like a royalton.
My advice, if you can get the bag really cheap (like $10) it would be worth the gamble, but if the price goes up, I would wait for a better option to show up, JMO! Good luck!
Another problem, the black Gracie appears to be missing the hangtag and the hangtags on the italian leather bags are made of a matching caviar, pebbled leather. I doubt if you could find a good match for that. You could try a gold metal hangtag, but Gracie's hardware is brushed gold and it may be hard to find a good match for that, too!
Sorry! She is a sweet little bag and I hate to see her abandoned, but I would be cautious about buying that bag.
Sorry! She is a sweet little bag and I hate to see her abandoned, but I would be cautious about buying that bag.
I may pass and wait for something better. I have bought from salearea before and when I got my bag I couldn't find a thing wrong with it even though she mentioned scuffing and stains in the listing LOL! It did have some nail polish on it but I scratched that off with my fingernail and it's perfect! I love the style of the Gracie...I just want one for the shape and style if anything else. I may hold out for a chestnut colour or something since I have two black bags already.
I chain would look awesome as a strap! I don't know about wear though but it might rub since the straps are through the inside of the bag
Please let me know how you like the Leather Honey. I just can't get the hang of using it. It is very sticky, like honey. Maybe I am doing something wrong.
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