Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Esquared72]

I am happy that the red dye in this particular bag didn't bleed out and make the bag lose it's depth. She's still not perfect (I might touch her up with a little acrylic) But I'd wear her as is. The thing that most made he happy was that scratch line area is greatly diminished in appearance.

BEFORE

By jessi319 at 2012-09-17
AFTER

By jessi319 at 2012-09-17

and before/after shots of bag in general: (there wasn't much wrong with her before overall)

By jessi319 at 2012-09-17

By jessi319 at 2012-09-17

Also, a little tip that I'm using that others have mentioned also. I LOVE Glad Press n Seal plastic wrap for protecting the leather while shining the brass. The slightly stick side of the wrap holds the plastic onto the leather, and for me at least, it's easier to work with than other types of plastic wrap.

By jessi319 at 2012-09-17

Oooh...so pretty! I love this one, and so glad you were able to get that line to diminish without sacrificing that gorgeous red!

And, yes, I now have Press & Seal on my grocery list. Brilliant!

 

[katev]

I am rehabbing a beautiful black Station bag and have hit a potential snag. The bag was dunked and 2 coats of Leather CPR have been applied. She's still damp, but white lines have thickened at the seams. They were there when I first dunked the bag and I assumed that the dye hadn't originally reached the seam I'm not sure if it's my imagination but it seems like they've thickened. The bag didn't originally have an odor and it still smells like wet leather - could this be mildew ? If so, is there anything I can do about it? The bag is otherwise in wonderful shape.

No, mildew smells bad! like towels that have been left to sit in the washer too long! Are the white lines on the inside near the seams? I have seen those too in older rehabs. They may just look bigger because the bath made the leather stand up and now they are more visible?

 

[katev]

I am happy that the red dye in this particular bag didn't bleed out and make the bag lose it's depth. She's still not perfect (I might touch her up with a little acrylic) But I'd wear her as is. The thing that most made he happy was that scratch line area is greatly diminished in appearance.

BEFORE

By jessi319 at 2012-09-17
AFTER

By jessi319 at 2012-09-17

and before/after shots of bag in general: (there wasn't much wrong with her before overall)

By jessi319 at 2012-09-17

By jessi319 at 2012-09-17

Also, a little tip that I'm using that others have mentioned also. I LOVE Glad Press n Seal plastic wrap for protecting the leather while shining the brass. The slightly stick side of the wrap holds the plastic onto the leather, and for me at least, it's easier to work with than other types of plastic wrap.

By jessi319 at 2012-09-17

Stunning! And thanks for the press and seal tip!

 

[Esquared72]

Yeah Press 'n Seal - great idea! Thanks for the tip.

My Coach fundraiser for my robotics team has gotten off to a great start - one teacher said "I'm not going to buy a raffle ticket because I have a closet full of Coach bags already. I need to clean my closet - can I donate a couple more for you to raffle?" UM, YES! Can't wait to see what she brings me. This is a super fun way to help my kids.

So awesome! And such a great idea.

I just donated some bags I never use anymore to Dress for Success. I'm not much for selling online, so being able to have my unused bags get use from ladies that really need them is way better than having them sit in my spare room collecting dust.

 

[whateve]

I'm afraid to dunk it because it's so light, and my last attempt at rehabbing a light bag (a stewardess) left it dehydrated and stripped-feeling no matter how much I conditioned. I figured some conditioner would hide the spots on the briefcase, but after it sunk in they are still just as visible. If it IS mildew, should I dunk it with a capful of bleach or mildew killer? Thanks for your help.

I don't know. I think someone else has done this but I can't remember what they used - maybe vinegar? You should scrub it a bit. If it is mildew, I don't have much hope the spots will disappear. I don't think the color has any bearing on whether it will become dehydrated. I only have one bag that is incredibly dry and that one is pre-creed and red. Emu oil is supposed to help with that. Blackrocks might camouflage the spots a bit more than regular conditioner. Other than that, the only two things I can think to do are to use paint or leather dye to hide them, or to dye the bag a darker color.

 

[chowlover2]

If it is mildew, spray with plain or vanilla vodka. It should get rid of mildew & smell and evaporate.

 

[gege vintagelvr]

I have now officially read every post in this thread. What an incredible resource!
Thank you to everyone who has experimented and shared all that you have learned so we can extend the lives of our great handbags.
You ladies are great.

 

[gingerpeach]

No, mildew smells bad! like towels that have been left to sit in the washer too long! Are the white lines on the inside near the seams? I have seen those too in older rehabs. They may just look bigger because the bath made the leather stand up and now they are more visible?

Thanks, I hope that's the case! Yes, the white lines are on the inside seams - nowhere else on the bag. It's also pretty uniform in thickness so maybe that's another reason to think it's ok. I've attached a picture for reference.

 

[chowlover2]

Thanks, I hope that's the case! Yes, the white lines are on the inside seams - nowhere else on the bag. It's also pretty uniform in thickness so maybe that's another reason to think it's ok. I've attached a picture for reference.

So they aren't on the outside of the bag? I wouldn't worry about them then.

 

[whateve]

Thanks, I hope that's the case! Yes, the white lines are on the inside seams - nowhere else on the bag. It's also pretty uniform in thickness so maybe that's another reason to think it's ok. I've attached a picture for reference.

I have seen this on other bags. It looks like they dyed the bag after it was constructed rather than dying the leather before assembling.

 

[whateve]

The leather on this bag was worn a whole lot more than I expected. I used acrylic paint to make it look new again. The first two pictures are the before and the last two are the after.

 

[ledobe]

I have seen this on other bags. It looks like they dyed the bag after it was constructed rather than dying the leather before assembling.

My fake Ramblers Legacy has the white at the seams.

 

[ledobe]

The leather on this bag was worn a whole lot more than I expected. I used acrylic paint to make it look new again. The first two pictures are the before and the last two are the after.

Ooh! Can we see the whole bag?

 

[Rambler]

I have seen this on other bags. It looks like they dyed the bag after it was constructed rather than dying the leather before assembling.

This.

 

[Esquared72]

The leather on this bag was worn a whole lot more than I expected. I used acrylic paint to make it look new again. The first two pictures are the before and the last two are the after.

Looks great!