Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Esquared72]

hi again experts! this is my second question for this forum since i'm too shy to ask and well, my english isn't really good. before knowing tpf, i had been using Dove body moisturizer 24-hr deep care complex for my coach and non-coach bags. this product made my bags really soft and plump with a nice sheen. i am hoping you would try this also on some of your experimental bags and report back on the results please. problem now, may i know if there is a long-term side effect on using this substitute leather conditioner please? thanks in advance.

I've read that the oils and waxes in body lotions can actually harm leather over time and impact the finish and color. They can work in the immediate to make bags soft and shiny, but the buildup can be harmful. From what I've gathered in researching leather care, using water based conditioners without waxes or silicones (such as Apple or Cadillac Boot & Shoe) are best for the long haul life and maintenance of leather. While body moisturizers work great on our skin - our skin is also alive and has circulation and expelling abilities (we also clean our skin and remove moisturizer buildup a LOT more frequently than we clean the 'skin' on our bags!), but the dead leather on our handbags does not have those abilities.

Of course, this is just my two cents, based on what I've read. So, to be safe, I prefer to use conditioners expressly designed for the treatment of leather.

 

[thriftaholic]

I've read that the oils and waxes in body lotions can actually harm leather over time and impact the finish and color. They can work in the immediate to make bags soft and shiny, but the buildup can be harmful. From what I've gathered in researching leather care, using water based conditioners without waxes or silicones (such as Apple or Cadillac Boot & Shoe) are best for the long haul life and maintenance of leather. While body moisturizers work great on our skin - our skin is also alive and has circulation and expelling abilities (we also clean our skin and remove moisturizer buildup a LOT more frequently than we clean the 'skin' on our bags!), but the dead leather on our handbags does not have those abilities.

Of course, this is just my two cents, based on what I've read. So, to be safe, I prefer to use conditioners expressly designed for the treatment of leather.

wow, you have a point there eehlers! leather on bags don't have circulation and expelling abilities because they are dead animal skins. thank goodness i could wash older coach bags but for my other designer bags, i honestly don't know what to do next (yikes!)

my sincerest thanks eehlers. good night/good day.

 

[Jessi319]

I've read that the oils and waxes in body lotions can actually harm leather over time and impact the finish and color. They can work in the immediate to make bags soft and shiny, but the buildup can be harmful. From what I've gathered in researching leather care, using water based conditioners without waxes or silicones (such as Apple or Cadillac Boot & Shoe) are best for the long haul life and maintenance of leather. While body moisturizers work great on our skin - our skin is also alive and has circulation and expelling abilities (we also clean our skin and remove moisturizer buildup a LOT more frequently than we clean the 'skin' on our bags!), but the dead leather on our handbags does not have those abilities.

Of course, this is just my two cents, based on what I've read. So, to be safe, I prefer to use conditioners expressly designed for the treatment of leather.

I agree with this. I have tried to stick with really leather-friendly products. I don't even like to use any commercial soaps in the dunking process unless it's hopeless without aggressive measures. But for an already good looking bag that just needs a basic dunk and reshape, I stick with Leather Therapy soap, which isn't cheap- but I use the smallest container of water possible to fit the bag in (bowl, for small purse, etc) so that less soap is needed, etc. And for conditioning definitely I start with Apple or Lexol and work up from that depending on the bag.

 

[thriftaholic]

I agree with this. I have tried to stick with really leather-friendly products. I don't even like to use any commercial soaps in the dunking process unless it's hopeless without aggressive measures. But for an already good looking bag that just needs a basic dunk and reshape, I stick with Leather Therapy soap, which isn't cheap- but I use the smallest container of water possible to fit the bag in (bowl, for small purse, etc) so that less soap is needed, etc. And for conditioning definitely I start with Apple or Lexol and work up from that depending on the bag.

wow, THANK YOU Jessi319 for the additional input. poor babies, i have been doing all the wrong methods of rehabbing on my older coach bags - mink oil paste, harsh laundry soaps, and body lotion just to name a few. obviously i have so much to learn. i would stick with tried and tested leather care products then. thank you fab ladies for sharing your expertise. this forum is really fun.

good night/good day everyone.

 

[thriftaholic]

i knew it now. i think harsh laundry detergents caused the fading on some of my post-dunked black bags. thanks everyone. i'll be more careful and knowledgeable next time.

 

[oachcay]

Hello! I am not a rehabber, but I love to see the magic you ladies work on vintage bags!

I was looking for some advice. I purchased a black gathered bag on the bay that was nwt. Everything looked good at first but I just noticed on the front on one of the gathers is a little spot where it looks like the leather was scratched on the surface. The area where this is looks a little fuzzy, since it's not protected by the finished surface.

It's a pretty small mark, and I'd already left positive feedback before I noticed, so at this point I'm just looking for advice on whether I should put something on it to make sure it doesn't discolor differently and stick out more, or to make sure it doesn't get bigger.

Please tell me there's some sort of magic salve I can apply and not worry about it again? Kind of along the lines of putting clear nail polish on a run in a stocking? Sorry, bad analogy, but it did come to mind for me to put a dab of clear nail polish on it! I'll hold off on doing anything for a bit in case anyone here has any advice. TIA!

 

[GoStanford]

I agree with this. I have tried to stick with really leather-friendly products. I don't even like to use any commercial soaps in the dunking process unless it's hopeless without aggressive measures. But for an already good looking bag that just needs a basic dunk and reshape, I stick with Leather Therapy soap, which isn't cheap- but I use the smallest container of water possible to fit the bag in (bowl, for small purse, etc) so that less soap is needed, etc. And for conditioning definitely I start with Apple or Lexol and work up from that depending on the bag.

This is really good to know - I didn't even think about leather-specific soap when I did my two rehabs thus far. I used Nordstrom delicate wash, a Woolite-like product but supposedly even milder.

Now my question: do any of you have experience with Leather CPR or Blackrock's on purses from Marc Jacobs or J.W. Hulme? The Marc Jacobs forum doesn't have as specific a Rehab thread, and there is no J.W. Hulme forum that I can see.

 

[GoStanford]

Here are the ingredients: Valencia Orange: Limonene (the clear liquid from the peel of the orange, food grade), C10-16 Pareth-1 (plant derived surfactant), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil.
Are you referring to C10-16 Pareth-1, the name does sound kind of scary!
I only plan on using it when all other methods have failed.

A late reply...I think it's the limonene that is the same as CitriSolv lab solvent. Here is a link to the MSDS (material safety data sheet, what chemists use to describe substances): https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/91547.htm

Given all the industrial solvents out there that we are exposed to, I agree with you that a focused use of this chemical could be OK, with adequate ventilation and awareness. You might also consider using a mask from the hardware store. Honestly, the smell that's present in some plastic packaging is probably worse, and I don't actually know if this substance is the same as the one I had prior experience with. Good luck!

 

[chowlover2]

This is really good to know - I didn't even think about leather-specific soap when I did my two rehabs thus far. I used Nordstrom delicate wash, a Woolite-like product but supposedly even milder.

Now my question: do any of you have experience with Leather CPR or Blackrock's on purses from Marc Jacobs or J.W. Hulme? The Marc Jacobs forum doesn't have as specific a Rehab thread, and there is no J.W. Hulme forum that I can see.

I got turned onto the Blackrock from the Hermes thread, I figured if it was good enough for them, it was good for Coach. That said, you really can't use it on a light colored bag, it was darken slightly ( am thinking white and ivory ) I think the Emu oil might be good, does anyone any ideas here?

 

[GoStanford]

I got turned onto the Blackrock from the Hermes thread, I figured if it was good enough for them, it was good for Coach. That said, you really can't use it on a light colored bag, it was darken slightly ( am thinking white and ivory ) I think the Emu oil might be good, does anyone any ideas here?

Good to know...my only prior experience with Blackrock was on a navy Coach bag so darkening was not really an issue. The Marc Jacobs black is light green and supposedly has scuffs on the bottom, so I am getting mentally prepared to do a little rehab on it.

 

[chowlover2]

Good to know...my only prior experience with Blackrock was on a navy Coach bag so darkening was not really an issue. The Marc Jacobs black is light green and supposedly has scuffs on the bottom, so I am getting mentally prepared to do a little rehab on it.

The girls here rave about the Emu oik, I haven't tried it, cause I haven't needed too. Sit tight till some of the other girls chime in. Is the leather smooth or textured, that determines alot too.

 

[whateve]

Here are my three top handle satchels. The red one is called either a compact slim satchel or handle clutch #9425. I don't know the names or numbers for the others. The large BT one is 17 by 11, the burgundy one is 13 by 9 3/4 and the red one is 13 by 7 1/2.

 

[glazebrookgirl]

Here are my three top handle satchels. The red one is called either a compact slim satchel or handle clutch #9425. I don't know the names or numbers for the others. The large BT one is 17 by 11, the burgundy one is 13 by 9 3/4 and the red one is 13 by 7 1/2.

Oh wow, I love them all, but the red is stunning!

 

[whateve]

Oh wow, I love them all, but the red is stunning!

Thank you. The red one does tend to steal the spotlight!

 

[AggieK]

Here are my three top handle satchels. The red one is called either a compact slim satchel or handle clutch #9425. I don't know the names or numbers for the others. The large BT one is 17 by 11, the burgundy one is 13 by 9 3/4 and the red one is 13 by 7 1/2.

Love love love

The big one is a briefcase. I have one that I need to rehab. I bought it in the 80s and took it to work.