Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[NCBDTeam]

I am having a tough time rehabbing this old brief case...she was in horrible shape when I started her but doesn't seem to be getting any better
Here is what I started with.




















The big "galloping horse" stain is scary and then there is the hole... I found mildew on the sides and the bag was pancaked flat!
Here she is being pretreated










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Had some slight success on the horse stain but the bag darkened big time and just looks not so great












Now, above is pre-conditioned...current status coming shortly

 

[NCBDTeam]

Now, I have conditioned the bag um like 8 times...the color is uneven, and notice how when I put pressure on the inside you can see the color change on the outside...then HOW DO I GET THE SPOTS ON THE SIDE OUT?!!!!!
this bag is my first ever NYC bag and I love it but I'm sad I can't help her

 

[Jessi319]

I am having a tough time rehabbing this old brief case...she was in horrible shape when I started her but doesn't seem to be getting any better
Here is what I started with.


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The big "galloping horse" stain is scary and then there is the hole... I found mildew on the sides and the bag was pancaked flat!
Here she is being pretreated


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Had some slight success on the horse stain but the bag darkened big time and just looks not so great


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Now, above is pre-conditioned...current status coming shortly

but wow...she looks a gazillion times better!!!

 

[chowlover2]

She looks so much better! How about letting her sit for a few days to absorb the conditioner? Then maybe Blackrock?

 

[NCBDTeam]

She looks so much better! How about letting her sit for a few days to absorb the conditioner? Then maybe Blackrock?

Thanks!!!
It's been almost 2 weeks since the last conditioning treatment
I haven't used BlackRock yet because I'm afraid of "sealing" her and then not being able to change anything else... Booooo
No clue what to do about the mildew spots...they are like cheetah spots hahaha

 

[NCBDTeam]

but wow...she looks a gazillion times better!!!

Thanks Jessi!!! Any advise for the spots?

 

[katev]

Now, I have conditioned the bag um like 8 times...the color is uneven, and notice how when I put pressure on the inside you can see the color change on the outside...then HOW DO I GET THE SPOTS ON THE SIDE OUT?!!!!!
this bag is my first ever NYC bag and I love it but I'm sad I can't help her


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The bag is looking much, much better but she may need to be dyed to cover all the flaws. You might try having it dyed professionally or doing it yourself with the product at the link below (NMA) or something similar. It would be best to rewash it and let it dry to remove all the conditioner before trying to dye it. I don't have all the answers but these are the steps that I would consider next if it was my bag. Good luck!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/British-Tan...pt=US_Women_s_Accessories&hash=item2eb427a345

 

[ledobe]

I used the stuff katev recommended on my musette. I've been meaning to post pix all weekend long but haven't gotten to it. I'll try tomorrow. It might just save that bag!

 

[GoStanford]

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!

These are great ideas! I am not crafty at all so for the time being I have set this bag aside. I will let you know if I try any of these options out. Thank you for the ideas.

 

[whateve]

Now, I have conditioned the bag um like 8 times...the color is uneven, and notice how when I put pressure on the inside you can see the color change on the outside...then HOW DO I GET THE SPOTS ON THE SIDE OUT?!!!!!
this bag is my first ever NYC bag and I love it but I'm sad I can't help her


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She looks 100 times better.
I never can predict how well a rehab project will turn out. I have some that look like lost causes that come out beautifully after a bath and others that seem like they will be easy but I can never get to look good. Some bags develop a gorgeous patina and others just look like a mess. Personally, I don't mind the little mildew spots - I call them freckles. To make the spots less noticeable, you can use acrylic paint mixed with conditioner. If you want to make it look perfect, you could try Leather Refinish Color Restorer. If it were mine, I would patch the hole and then use Blackrocks.

 

[GoStanford]

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!

As an update - and a bittersweet one - I pulled out a Patricia bag in black that I bought from Eb@y and it was unused with original tissue still inside. I had been saving it as an easy cleanup and just applied Leather CPR without a bath since it looks unused. Well just as with the Stewardess some dye lifted off as I was cleaning it! Now I am so disappointed and I am wondering whether being unused makes these dyes fragile over time. Or whether Leather CPR just doesn't mix with certain dye lots. The loss is most obvious as I clean the inner pocket with the creed patch.

I feel like throwing out my tube of Leather CPR now. I am so disgusted at this experience!

I wish I could pass these on as a redo rehab project! They are going to the Hold pile for now. I thought it couldn't get simpler than an all black essentially new bag and it just isn't working.

 

[whateve]

As an update - and a bittersweet one - I pulled out a Patricia bag in black that I bought from Eb@y and it was unused with original tissue still inside. I had been saving it as an easy cleanup and just applied Leather CPR without a bath since it looks unused. Well just as with the Stewardess some dye lifted off as I was cleaning it! Now I am so disappointed and I am wondering whether being unused makes these dyes fragile over time. Or whether Leather CPR just doesn't mix with certain dye lots. The loss is most obvious as I clean the inner pocket with the creed patch.

I feel like throwing out my tube of Leather CPR now. I am so disgusted at this experience!

I wish I could pass these on as a redo rehab project! They are going to the Hold pile for now. I thought it couldn't get simpler than an all black essentially new bag and it just isn't working.

I'm sorry to hear you are still having trouble. I hope you have some luck with waterproofing your bags to prevent color transfer.

I don't think it is the Leather CPR that is lifting the dye. Don't you think that it would happen with any conditioner or any liquid for that matter? The dyes themselves are the culprits, and it is impossible to predict which ones aren't colorfast.

 

[ladyraven65]

As an update - and a bittersweet one - I pulled out a Patricia bag in black that I bought from Eb@y and it was unused with original tissue still inside. I had been saving it as an easy cleanup and just applied Leather CPR without a bath since it looks unused. Well just as with the Stewardess some dye lifted off as I was cleaning it! Now I am so disappointed and I am wondering whether being unused makes these dyes fragile over time. Or whether Leather CPR just doesn't mix with certain dye lots. The loss is most obvious as I clean the inner pocket with the creed patch.

I feel like throwing out my tube of Leather CPR now. I am so disgusted at this experience!

I wish I could pass these on as a redo rehab project! They are going to the Hold pile for now. I thought it couldn't get simpler than an all black essentially new bag and it just isn't working.

Sorry you are having a hard time of it! Please don't get discouraged though. I have rehabbed quite a few bags (many NYC) and always use Blackrocks. The dye always seems to lift in varying degrees no matter what the color of the bag. I have a gorgeous burgandy Stewardess that left a good amount of color on the towel that I buffed her out with and she still looks amazing with great depth of color. I have also rehabbed black vintage bags with almost no color transfer on my buffing towel.
I have never had a problem with color transfer from any of them on my wallet, cosmetic bag etc (which are also Coach vintage leather). Again, I think it's normal to lose some color when conditioning a piece, just as when bathing it. For the most part after conditioning/moisturizing the color usually deepens and intensifies after regaining the needed moisture. Although I am certainly not an expert I don't think the dyes are becoming fragile over time. Vintage Coach glove tanned leather has to be one of the most durable leathers I have ever seen. I am stumped as to why you are losing a great deal of color on your projects. I have never tried Leather CPR but I know many of our fellow rehabbers swear by it. Maybe someone else can chime in with an opinion as well. Let us know how it's going!

 

[JOODLZ]

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.

Thanks...I have carried her for several days now and very happy!

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!

Thanks, and yes to gel medium! It may just be the HG of piping fixes. So far, so good.

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

I LOVE THE COLOR! Great job. But hey, check out the difference in the buckles, and yours has grommets. Wonder if yours is "younger" than mine!

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

Thank you...yes there's a lot of life left for this one!

Another job well done! Very pretty bag!

Thanks...I'm glad the Cookie Monster was done with this one

Beautiful job, you saved that lovely bag and made it useful again!

Thanks...very useful indeed...this is a very roomy bag with much happier leather now.

Beautiful job and I so agree about black and other dark bags like navy. They are so much easier and more rewarding to rehab! Beginnier often want to start with a gorgeous british tan or other light bag but that can be so disappointing. Personally I am trying to stay away from light bags unless they are in excellent shape!

Yeah, I love light colored bags, but what a pain (in most cases) ...Thanks!

 

[JOODLZ]

I have always liked this style but was hesitant to pick one up because of the closure. After seeing so many pretty rehabs on this style I might take the plunge. Do you find it is troublesome to get in and out of at all?

It's just different...a little tricky to get used to, but slides in and out easily. I'm sure it will get easier as the leather gets softer.