Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Esquared72]

AND-while we are talking about suede, I've been meaning to take pix of this and post. There are no before pictures because the bag was just a little dirty. You may have noticed I love suede bags and the problem with buying an expensive suede bag is you aren't going to be able to wipe it clean and condition it like smooth leather, it's harder to get it out when it is dirty.

Anyway, I paid $99 for this Flint Suede Editorial Zoe and it was just a little dirty. I debated for a few days whether or not to wash her, because it wasn't that noticeable, and I held my breath when I finally broke down and did so. This is the bag I put in a net bag, btw. There's not much to see, except that she came out just fine.

OMG...this is gorgeous!! I love suede. I actually had a burgundy suede Gallery Tote and stupidly sold it. I still miss it...to the point of almost buying the exact bag off of ebay. Regardless, I need to find a suede bag - so soft and lustrous. *sigh*

 

[whateve]

Lenox is all done! She didn't need much work...just some reshaping, so a quick dunk with a dash of Woolite. This is a roomy bag! The only real challenge was the flap - unlike other vintage flap bags, this one is leather on both sides so getting the two layers to dry without any warps was a bit of a challenge, but I think it turned out okay. No scuffs or scratches anywhere - I think this bag was rarely used. Just a couple of coats of Leather CPR and a coat of Cadillac to bring out the shine. Even the edging is in great shape - one coat of Edge Kote and voila...complete!

These are all after pics as there's not much contrast - just not as flat and she's now more shiny.

She looks beautiful. Where did you use the Edge Kote? Just on the strap or on the corners too?

 

[katev]

Lenox is all done! She didn't need much work...just some reshaping, so a quick dunk with a dash of Woolite. This is a roomy bag! The only real challenge was the flap - unlike other vintage flap bags, this one is leather on both sides so getting the two layers to dry without any warps was a bit of a challenge, but I think it turned out okay. No scuffs or scratches anywhere - I think this bag was rarely used. Just a couple of coats of Leather CPR and a coat of Cadillac to bring out the shine. Even the edging is in great shape - one coat of Edge Kote and voila...complete!

These are all after pics as there's not much contrast - just not as flat and she's now more shiny.

she looks wonderful, congratulations!

 

[katev]

What a strange thing to have the stain shown up after you washed her. I can't offer any advice since I'm such a newbie. However, I can see why you were attracted to her. She is a lovely color and a great style. Good luck with resolving the weird stain. She already looks so much better with everything you've done.

Give it some time. I have seen light bags look worse after I wash and condition them. All of the flaws show up and are more prominent. But after a week or so they fade again.

 

[Esquared72]

She looks beautiful. Where did you use the Edge Kote? Just on the strap or on the corners too?

Thanks! I just used the Edge Kote on the edging of the strap. If she'd had any corner scuffs, I'd have put some there as well...I'll see how the piping wears as I start carrying her and see if I want to put any on the corners just to help protect.

I gotta admit that I'm considering a leather punch to shorten the strap. Sacrligeous, I know, but the size of this one will work better for me as a true shoulder bag and the strap is a skosh too long.

 

[whateve]

Thanks! I just used the Edge Kote on the edging of the strap. If she'd had any corner scuffs, I'd have put some there as well...I'll see how the piping wears as I start carrying her and see if I want to put any on the corners just to help protect.

I gotta admit that I'm considering a leather punch to shorten the strap. Sacrligeous, I know, but the size of this one will work better for me as a true shoulder bag and the strap is a skosh too long.

Horrors! JK! I have a newer bag that has a crossbody strap that is permanently attached to one side and it is ugly! I am trying to get up the nerve to cut it off! I feel like I might be cursed by the Coach gods if I do it!

 

[Esquared72]

Horrors! JK! I have a newer bag that has a crossbody strap that is permanently attached to one side and it is ugly! I am trying to get up the nerve to cut it off! I feel like I might be cursed by the Coach gods if I do it!

Lol! We better be careful...Coach Karma could be a b!tch...our fate to include never having a decent or authentic thrift store find ever again!!

 

[gege vintagelvr]

I'm working on my first real rehab right now. Today, I've cleaned a few bags with non-bleach Lysol wipes. Also, used the wipes, Lexol cleaner, and Lexol conditioner (the items I've been able to locate so far) on my Hampton's Business Carryall. It looks so much better, I can hardly believe that such a small intervention had such a big result.

However, right now, my dark green Sonoma Flap Nubuc (Hyacinth authenticated her for me), is hanging to dry stuffed with towels after a trip through the washing machine. Although the photos don't show it, she was so dirty, I knew I wouldn't use her. I haven't used her and we found her in May 2011. She already looks so much better; I think she will be just fine after she dries with some good brushing.

Here is the link to her before photos:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-150.html

I thought I would post the after photos. The difference isn't dramatic in the photos, but she looks much better than she did. At least she is clean now. I haven't put her tag back on because I need to find leather glue and put the two parts back together.

After:

 

[RitaMarie]

Here is the black crossbody companion I picked up (post 2068):

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-138.html

And the reveal - my first rehab! The white spot on the back is an artifact of the camera and not actually on the bag. I'll be raffling this at school (6-12) to raise funds for my robotics team. Almost all the little girls, some of the boys, and more than a few staff members want a chance at a nice vintage Coach bag

 

[katev]

Here is the black crossbody companion I picked up (post 2068):

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-138.html

And the reveal - my first rehab! The white spot on the back is an artifact of the camera and not actually on the bag. I'll be raffling this at school (6-12) to raise funds for my robotics team. Almost all the little girls, some of the boys, and more than a few staff members want a chance at a nice vintage Coach bag

Just gorgeous and what a nice thing to do!
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-138.html#post22819794

 

[AggieK]

Here is the black crossbody companion I picked up (post 2068):

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-138.html

And the reveal - my first rehab! The white spot on the back is an artifact of the camera and not actually on the bag. I'll be raffling this at school (6-12) to raise funds for my robotics team. Almost all the little girls, some of the boys, and more than a few staff members want a chance at a nice vintage Coach bag

Nicely done. I jope you make a lot of money for your team!

 

[whateve]

Here is the black crossbody companion I picked up (post 2068):

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-138.html

And the reveal - my first rehab! The white spot on the back is an artifact of the camera and not actually on the bag. I'll be raffling this at school (6-12) to raise funds for my robotics team. Almost all the little girls, some of the boys, and more than a few staff members want a chance at a nice vintage Coach bag

Great job! Make sure you come back and tell us how much money you raised.

 

[gege vintagelvr]

Here is the black crossbody companion I picked up (post 2068):

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-138.html

And the reveal - my first rehab! The white spot on the back is an artifact of the camera and not actually on the bag. I'll be raffling this at school (6-12) to raise funds for my robotics team. Almost all the little girls, some of the boys, and more than a few staff members want a chance at a nice vintage Coach bag

Beautiful job. And what a nice thing to do.

 

[RitaMarie]

Great job! Make sure you come back and tell us how much money you raised.

I will and I'll tell you about the lucky winner, too. I work for a low income college prep charter school, and we are selling tickets on this $2 each, 3/$5. Someone who would not otherwise have access to something like this will be very happy.

I'm not sure who I'm most rooting for - the little 7th grade girl who has heard about this and can't wait to buy a ticket, the pink-haired high school senior who spent the summer on scholarship in Morrocco and has a taste for lovely things, or the senior high school boy, elegant and openly gay, who wants to buy ALL the tickets because he MUST have a Coach bag.

If we do well with this, I'll be seeking out other rehab projects to use for fundraising. This was pretty easy and fun.

 

[m3rma1d]

Coupla new "before & after" pics
First is a British Tan City Bag, easy rehab because mostly she was just flaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!
Second is a Black Dinky Bag, she had a coupla dents & really tarnished hardware, but overall pretty good shape & rehabbed easily.