Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[JOODLZ]

I stalked this bag at Salvation Army for over a month until it was 50% OFF day! It probably went un-noticed because of the lack of a hangtag. Authenticated by Hyacinth as a 1996 Worth Bag #4143 (http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-156.html#post22879414), it was in good overall condition, just needed a little love.

There were a couple of small scuffs on one bottom corner and the zipper pull needed some attention. But when I got her home and started pre-bath cleaning the inside...I think she was previously owned by the Cookie Monster! Crumbs, crumbs and more crumbs. This is the first time I turned a bag inside out to clean all the nooks and crannies with a toothbrush. (By the way, turning a dry bag is much harder than a wet one IMO.)

She got a good, warm soak and scrub with Dawn. Rinsed, reshaped and stuffed, as usual. Minimal color in the bath water (more about this later). Two rounds of Leather CPR brought back the squoosh we all love. When I started Blackrocks, especially on the strap, I picked up a LOT of black when I wiped it off. Does anyone else experience this? The second application, after a rest day, did the same thing, but a little less. After a couple of days of sitting, I buffed with a microfiber cloth and got very little color. Any explanations for this?

The Leather CPR and Blackrocks did well on the scuffs, but the zipper pull needed some attention, as the “lining” material had separated from the leather and wasn’t pretty at all. I used Acrylic Gel Medium applied with a toothpick, carefully separating the leather from the lining and inserting the gel. See my Courier Pouch rehab for more about this stuff. The photo shows it wet - kind of translucent white, but it dries clear. Worked like a charm! Painted over with black acrylic and we’re good to go.

Polished the brass and she looks brand new! If we haven’t said it enough on this thread...BLACK bags are ideal rehabs for beginners. They’re usually very forgiving and easy and a good “first” experience in rehabbing. I wish they were all this easy! Maybe I'll finally call Coach for some hangtags!

 

[Esquared72]

Now this one was a CHALLENGE! A mid-80’s Courier Pouch #8920, I purchased her in 2005 probably at a Goodwill here in Florida for $19.99. Gave her to my sister who maybe only used her a few times...before she relocated to Washington state! In September she offered to send her back to me and of course I said yes! I remembered her being much larger, but now is a good size for me.

This bag had always had a rather distressed look about her, but I figured a bath and lots of conditioner would help. YIKES! There was damage to the piping on the strap and other areas as well. These are the “befores” on the AT thread: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-164.html#post22904281

I started with a paste of vinegar and baking soda on the brass to try to eliminate verdigris. Scrubbed it with a toothbrush and mproved it, but still a little hint of green showing.

Gave her a good warm soak and scrub with Dawn Extra, even turned her inside out! Rinsed and stuffed with towels to dry. The drier she got, the more she felt like, uh, cardboard, so I started Leather CPR. LOTS of Leather CPR and massaging. In all, she got four rounds (I usually go around twice)! Aahh, starting to feel like leather again. Two rounds of Blackrocks, buffing with microfiber cloth and she’s really looking good.

Now for the piping problems...My hubby has this stuff called butyl rubber, often used as caulk and sometimes in chewing gum (!). As it remains flexible after drying, he thought it might be good for patching the strap, so he rolled some up and filled in the V-shaped cut. We let it cure for a couple of days and seemed to stay in place.

Then I remembered a tube of Acrylic Gel Medium in my paint box since college (amazingly still usable...college was a LOOOONG time ago LOL). It’s used with acrylic pigments to produce a variety of effects (http://www.ehow.com/about_4680995_what-gel-medium.html). In essence, it’s transparent acrylic paint! It worked very well in patching the other piping. It adhered well and remains flexible. (There’s a photo of it with my Worth Bag rehab...I used it to fix the zipper pull.) I also painted over the butyl rubber on the strap with it to seal it and make sure it was paint-able. I let the patches sit a couple of days before I painted. I used a mixture of brown, black and red acrylics to cover the patches and I’m pretty satisfied with the outcome.

I used Brasso to finish off the buckles and I’m done! Phew...what a labor of love. Can’t wait to send the “after” pics to my sister...she may just want her back!

A definite labor of love and it soooo paid off! Beautiful!! I am finishing my Courier Pouch up today and that rehab was a cake walk in comparison! Perserverance paid off - congrats on making her a stunning beauty, ready to be used and loved for years to come.

 

[2Blessed]

Now this one was a CHALLENGE! A mid-80’s Courier Pouch #8920, I purchased her in 2005 probably at a Goodwill here in Florida for $19.99. Gave her to my sister who maybe only used her a few times...before she relocated to Washington state! In September she offered to send her back to me and of course I said yes! I remembered her being much larger, but now is a good size for me.

This bag had always had a rather distressed look about her, but I figured a bath and lots of conditioner would help. YIKES! There was damage to the piping on the strap and other areas as well. These are the “befores” on the AT thread: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-164.html#post22904281

I started with a paste of vinegar and baking soda on the brass to try to eliminate verdigris. Scrubbed it with a toothbrush and mproved it, but still a little hint of green showing.

Gave her a good warm soak and scrub with Dawn Extra, even turned her inside out! Rinsed and stuffed with towels to dry. The drier she got, the more she felt like, uh, cardboard, so I started Leather CPR. LOTS of Leather CPR and massaging. In all, she got four rounds (I usually go around twice)! Aahh, starting to feel like leather again. Two rounds of Blackrocks, buffing with microfiber cloth and she’s really looking good.

Now for the piping problems...My hubby has this stuff called butyl rubber, often used as caulk and sometimes in chewing gum (!). As it remains flexible after drying, he thought it might be good for patching the strap, so he rolled some up and filled in the V-shaped cut. We let it cure for a couple of days and seemed to stay in place.

Then I remembered a tube of Acrylic Gel Medium in my paint box since college (amazingly still usable...college was a LOOOONG time ago LOL). It’s used with acrylic pigments to produce a variety of effects (http://www.ehow.com/about_4680995_what-gel-medium.html). In essence, it’s transparent acrylic paint! It worked very well in patching the other piping. It adhered well and remains flexible. (There’s a photo of it with my Worth Bag rehab...I used it to fix the zipper pull.) I also painted over the butyl rubber on the strap with it to seal it and make sure it was paint-able. I let the patches sit a couple of days before I painted. I used a mixture of brown, black and red acrylics to cover the patches and I’m pretty satisfied with the outcome.

I used Brasso to finish off the buckles and I’m done! Phew...what a labor of love. Can’t wait to send the “after” pics to my sister...she may just want her back!

Oh that is a beautiful bag! You did an excellent job! That was a great idea about the gel medium. I'll have to remember that!

 

[Esquared72]

My Courier Pouch is done, and I am a major smitten kitten over this bag.

I scored it off the 'bay after a rather heated auction. It is the one of the HGs of vintage styles for me, so I was thrilled to find it in this color. Here's how she looked when she arrived. Whoever owned this took great care of it - no scuffs or scrapes on the piping and just a small ink spot inside the zip pocket. Her only issue? Flat as a pancake:


Hyacinth authenticated her - probably from the 80s, though as we all know - an exact year is near impossible. She thinks the color MAY be Putty - it's hard to capture in pictures, but it's a mix between Camel and Taupe...a great neutral that will go with everything.

I did a dunk in Dawn Extra and stuffed and shaped. She plumped right up like a Ball Park Frank. This is one roomy bag!

While still damp, I did an application of Leather Therapy Restorer. Once fully dry, an application of Leather CPR and then two applications of Cadillac Boot & Shoe, which really softened up her leather - this bag has the 'butteriest' leather I've ever felt in any of my rehabs.

One application of Black Rocks and here she is!





One of my easier rehabs, but also one of my favorites!

 

[bagfan77]

My Courier Pouch is done, and I am a major smitten kitten over this bag.

I scored it off the 'bay after a rather heated auction. It is the one of the HGs of vintage styles for me, so I was thrilled to find it in this color. Here's how she looked when she arrived. Whoever owned this took great care of it - no scuffs or scrapes on the piping and just a small ink spot inside the zip pocket. Her only issue? Flat as a pancake:
View attachment 1902781
View attachment 1902802
Hyacinth authenticated her - probably from the 80s, though as we all know - an exact year is near impossible. She thinks the color MAY be Putty - it's hard to capture in pictures, but it's a mix between Camel and Taupe...a great neutral that will go with everything.

I did a dunk in Dawn Extra and stuffed and shaped. She plumped right up like a Ball Park Frank. This is one roomy bag!
View attachment 1902784
While still damp, I did an application of Leather Therapy Restorer. Once fully dry, an application of Leather CPR and then two applications of Cadillac Boot & Shoe, which really softened up her leather - this bag has the 'butteriest' leather I've ever felt in any of my rehabs.

One application of Black Rocks and here she is!
View attachment 1902796
View attachment 1902797
View attachment 1902798
View attachment 1902799
View attachment 1902800
One of my easier rehabs, but also one of my favorites!

Wow, that looks amazing! Great job and that's a really nice bag.

 

[ElizabethB]

Beautiful. I LOVE that bag. The perfect size and depth for my taste. I believe the "putty" color is accurate. In the late 80's I purchased a new Willis in putty......same color. Caveat, the color easily picks up body oils and wants to darken in those areas.

 

[ladyraven65]

Now this one was a CHALLENGE! A mid-80’s Courier Pouch #8920, I purchased her in 2005 probably at a Goodwill here in Florida for $19.99. Gave her to my sister who maybe only used her a few times...before she relocated to Washington state! In September she offered to send her back to me and of course I said yes! I remembered her being much larger, but now is a good size for me.

This bag had always had a rather distressed look about her, but I figured a bath and lots of conditioner would help. YIKES! There was damage to the piping on the strap and other areas as well. These are the “befores” on the AT thread: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-164.html#post22904281

I started with a paste of vinegar and baking soda on the brass to try to eliminate verdigris. Scrubbed it with a toothbrush and mproved it, but still a little hint of green showing.

Gave her a good warm soak and scrub with Dawn Extra, even turned her inside out! Rinsed and stuffed with towels to dry. The drier she got, the more she felt like, uh, cardboard, so I started Leather CPR. LOTS of Leather CPR and massaging. In all, she got four rounds (I usually go around twice)! Aahh, starting to feel like leather again. Two rounds of Blackrocks, buffing with microfiber cloth and she’s really looking good.

Now for the piping problems...My hubby has this stuff called butyl rubber, often used as caulk and sometimes in chewing gum (!). As it remains flexible after drying, he thought it might be good for patching the strap, so he rolled some up and filled in the V-shaped cut. We let it cure for a couple of days and seemed to stay in place.

Then I remembered a tube of Acrylic Gel Medium in my paint box since college (amazingly still usable...college was a LOOOONG time ago LOL). It’s used with acrylic pigments to produce a variety of effects (http://www.ehow.com/about_4680995_what-gel-medium.html). In essence, it’s transparent acrylic paint! It worked very well in patching the other piping. It adhered well and remains flexible. (There’s a photo of it with my Worth Bag rehab...I used it to fix the zipper pull.) I also painted over the butyl rubber on the strap with it to seal it and make sure it was paint-able. I let the patches sit a couple of days before I painted. I used a mixture of brown, black and red acrylics to cover the patches and I’m pretty satisfied with the outcome.

I used Brasso to finish off the buckles and I’m done! Phew...what a labor of love. Can’t wait to send the “after” pics to my sister...she may just want her back!

LOVE this bag! Wonderful job on bringing her back to life--the color/patina is gorgeous!

 

[ladyraven65]

I stalked this bag at Salvation Army for over a month until it was 50% OFF day! It probably went un-noticed because of the lack of a hangtag. Authenticated by Hyacinth as a 1996 Worth Bag #4143 (http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-156.html#post22879414), it was in good overall condition, just needed a little love.

There were a couple of small scuffs on one bottom corner and the zipper pull needed some attention. But when I got her home and started pre-bath cleaning the inside...I think she was previously owned by the Cookie Monster! Crumbs, crumbs and more crumbs. This is the first time I turned a bag inside out to clean all the nooks and crannies with a toothbrush. (By the way, turning a dry bag is much harder than a wet one IMO.)

She got a good, warm soak and scrub with Dawn. Rinsed, reshaped and stuffed, as usual. Minimal color in the bath water (more about this later). Two rounds of Leather CPR brought back the squoosh we all love. When I started Blackrocks, especially on the strap, I picked up a LOT of black when I wiped it off. Does anyone else experience this? The second application, after a rest day, did the same thing, but a little less. After a couple of days of sitting, I buffed with a microfiber cloth and got very little color. Any explanations for this?

The Leather CPR and Blackrocks did well on the scuffs, but the zipper pull needed some attention, as the “lining” material had separated from the leather and wasn’t pretty at all. I used Acrylic Gel Medium applied with a toothpick, carefully separating the leather from the lining and inserting the gel. See my Courier Pouch rehab for more about this stuff. The photo shows it wet - kind of translucent white, but it dries clear. Worked like a charm! Painted over with black acrylic and we’re good to go.

Polished the brass and she looks brand new! If we haven’t said it enough on this thread...BLACK bags are ideal rehabs for beginners. They’re usually very forgiving and easy and a good “first” experience in rehabbing. I wish they were all this easy! Maybe I'll finally call Coach for some hangtags!

Another job well done! Very pretty bag!

 

[ladyraven65]

My Courier Pouch is done, and I am a major smitten kitten over this bag.

I scored it off the 'bay after a rather heated auction. It is the one of the HGs of vintage styles for me, so I was thrilled to find it in this color. Here's how she looked when she arrived. Whoever owned this took great care of it - no scuffs or scrapes on the piping and just a small ink spot inside the zip pocket. Her only issue? Flat as a pancake:
View attachment 1902781
View attachment 1902802
Hyacinth authenticated her - probably from the 80s, though as we all know - an exact year is near impossible. She thinks the color MAY be Putty - it's hard to capture in pictures, but it's a mix between Camel and Taupe...a great neutral that will go with everything.

I did a dunk in Dawn Extra and stuffed and shaped. She plumped right up like a Ball Park Frank. This is one roomy bag!
View attachment 1902784
While still damp, I did an application of Leather Therapy Restorer. Once fully dry, an application of Leather CPR and then two applications of Cadillac Boot & Shoe, which really softened up her leather - this bag has the 'butteriest' leather I've ever felt in any of my rehabs.

One application of Black Rocks and here she is!
View attachment 1902796
View attachment 1902797
View attachment 1902798
View attachment 1902799
View attachment 1902800
One of my easier rehabs, but also one of my favorites!

Beautiful!! It always amazes me how the leather plumps back up again after a bath. She really came out lovely--congrats!

 

[katev]

Bummed about dye transfer from my rehabbed black Stewardess to my new beige perforated wallet. I really don't think I want to use the bag anymore because I don't want to risk transfer onto anything else I may put in there against the sueded surfaces.

I also hesitate to consign this because I don't think it would be fair to the buyer. What should I do?



View attachment 1898891

I know it doesn't look bad in this lighting but I hate that it is there.

I have never experienced color-transfer from the inside surface of a bag, I wonder if someone applied shoe polish to the inside for some reason - to cover ink spots or something? Or maybe a bad dye job that leaked through to the inside of the bag?

You could try tying it in a pillowcase and cycling it through the wash machine. Another option is to buy a purse insert (like Purse to Go) to protect the contents of the bag.

Or if you are willing to alter the bag then you might try creating a lining for it!

I got this suggestion from Bebepurse. Take a dark-colored dustbag that is a little larger than the inside volume of the bag. Use a brown coach dustbag if you have one that you are willing to sacrifice, but any dustbag with do.

Remove the drawstrings and turn it so that the finished side will appear inside your bag. Use a glue gun to affix the top edges of the dustbag to the top, upper rim of the bag. Give the glue time to dry before using your bag!

Good luck!

 

[katev]

Has anyone used or can you offer any comments on this product? Stumbled onto this site and it almost sounds too good to be true. Comments welcome. Thanks!

http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Recolouring_Balm.php

I have never heard of it but it sounds like it's worth a try; let us know how it works!

 

[katev]

Thank you. Some people have been raving about emu oil but it is so expensive that I haven't tried it. I have a really dry bag that I used mink oil on. It worked pretty good but there is wax in it and it left a white waxy buildup that I have had to scrape off. This sounds like it might be just what I am looking for. Does it have an odor?

I saw the price of Emu oil! very expensive! The Neatsfoot oil does have a slight odor but it isn't offensive. I just smelled the bag I put it on and all I can smell is leather! I am thinking that any conditioner or maybe even black rocks will cover any scent it may have? The odor may go away too, but I don't find the odor to be either noticeable or offensive. You might get a smaller bottle and see what you think. Sure wish I could give you some to try! But from what I'm seeing now, I really like what it's doing. I think for bags that aren't so dry, I may still mix a little of the Neatsfoot with apple conditioner. I'm working on my first goodwill find so I'll be able to try it out really soon - like tomorrow. Lol! I'll let you know how it works.

I haven't tried neatsfoot but it sounds promising! You can by small 3 oz bottles of emu oil just to try it out. I look for sales and use ebay buck to buy emu oil; it's great stuff!

 

[katev]

Is this salvageable? I tried some brasso but didn't let it sit for too long but it didn't do much. I have already hit the leather part a smidge so am being a scardey cat The really bad parts are these side fittings and the hooks on the straps. May dunk the bag tomorrow then give it another try.

It's a 9755, not sure of the name.

That's called a pocket purse. I haven't had much luck with Brasso either. I have soaked the clips on the straps in vinegar overnight. It helps some. I don't have a dremel but that is supposed to work much better than polishing by hand.

I have much better luck with Wenol metal polish in the red tube than I have had with Brasso. Dstalksalot designs, makes, and sells jewelry and she told me about Wenol. I buy it on ebay like the auction below (NMA). You only use a small amount at a time and it lasts a long time. You can also use it to shine up any type of metal, not just brass, without harm - unless it is an antique, blackened gold, and then any polish will remove the patina.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Wenol-M...093?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae95592bd

Someone here recommended BarKeeper's Friend (or some name like that?) and it sounds promising. It is supposed to be readily available and not too expensive so I would like to try it.

Somebody (Jessi?) recommended using Press and Seal to protect the leather around the hardware while you are polishing and that is a great idea!

Sometimes you can't help but get some metal polish on the leather but this has never been a big problem for me, anyway. I keep a clean, soft rag and a small dish of water handy while I am polishing. If I get some on the leather, I immediately wipe it off with water and dry it. After I am done polishing I wipe it with water again, let it dry, and apply some conditioner.

It is also pretty easy to remove the turnlock hardware and then you can really work on getting all the parts clean without any chance of damaging the leather.

As a last resort, you can take the bag to a jeweler and ask his opinion Good luck!

 

[katev]

An eBay purchase. Hyacinth authenticated it for me. It was in decent shape but pretty dry. I bathed, conditioned and still dry. I used Black Rocks, still dry. I used Neatsfoot oil and it's looking much better. Here are before and after pictures.

Your green city bag is absolutely stunning, great work!

 

[katev]

Hi,


I just purchased a used blue woven sage and some parts of the leather look a little yellow. The hardware also has scratches. The seller did not tell me all these and I was a little disappointed but she is still a gorgeous beauty.

I would like to know, is there any way for me to recolor it or how can I restore the light denim color? Any remedy on the hardware that has scratches?

I am sorry, but I have no experience with this type of bag at all. I have successfully washed some woven items, but I don't think that I would attempt that with such an expensive bag.

You could try Wenol metal polish to minimize the metal scratches, or take it to a jeweler for an opinion.

Honestly, if it was my bag, I would contact the seller and tell him/her that the bag is "significantly not as described" and ask to return and a full refund.

If the vendor doesn't cooperate, file a SNAD claim with ebay and paypal, good luck!