Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[JOODLZ]

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 don't think Leather CPR is the culprit here...without having washed the bag, I'm not sure you really know what's on the surface. And depending on her age and how she was stored by previous owner (despite being unused), it might just be a little surface dirt that the CPR is picking up. Maybe bathing the bag is a good solution. Try to not be discouraged. Every bag is different, so every rehab is too...and it does take a little practice. Keep at it and let us know your progress...we're here to help if we can.

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.

Since I started rehabbing back in February, I've seen bags lose LOTS of color in the bath, and others hardly any at all. Same goes for conditioning. I agree that the dye is likely the issue, and stick with my suggestion that a bath is in order.

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!

Well said. I've had similar experiences. I've always used Leather CPR after a bath, while the leather is still damp. Usually 2 rounds with a day in between. Then Blackrocks, also twice with a day in between. The Leather CPR makes the leather fat and happy and the Blackrocks makes a nice, lustrous finish.

Good Luck GoStanford...I hope this helps!

 

[NCBDTeam]

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

Thanks Katev! I think this may be an easy dye learning experiance because of the shape of the bag...I love what WHATEVE said about the spot being "freckles" so true huh! I actually love the darker color she turned EXCEPT when the lighter color shows through its just weird...Oh and the dramatic difference in the HANG TAG (look m3rm4id! i did it lol)
Maybe I will order some dye and just see how I like it....I kinda feel like "i cant make it any worse"

 

[ladyraven65]

Thanks Katev! I think this may be an easy dye learning experiance because of the shape of the bag...I love what WHATEVE said about the spot being "freckles" so true huh! I actually love the darker color she turned EXCEPT when the lighter color shows through its just weird...Oh and the dramatic difference in the HANG TAG (look m3rm4id! i did it lol)
Maybe I will order some dye and just see how I like it....I kinda feel like "i cant make it any worse"

I think she definitely looks much, much better! It's a great bag (her freckles add to her character). I have had the lighter spots showing through when pressure is applied on a couple of old bags that came to me super dry and in need of heavy duty TLC. One of them was a Stewardess that arrived an extremely pale brownish tan and rehabbed into a delicious dark chocolate bag with one of the most gorgeous patinas I have seen. It took many, many rounds of conditioning to permeate all of those dry layers and get through the fibers. Once this happened the lighter spots didn't appear when pressure was applied on the other side of the leather. Hope that makes sense!
Anyway, I think your bag has improved dramatically. I think she looks interesting and I would probably wear her as is after some more conditioning/buffing!

 

[ladyraven65]

I don't think Leather CPR is the culprit here...without having washed the bag, I'm not sure you really know what's on the surface. And depending on her age and how she was stored by previous owner (despite being unused), it might just be a little surface dirt that the CPR is picking up. Maybe bathing the bag is a good solution. Try to not be discouraged. Every bag is different, so every rehab is too...and it does take a little practice. Keep at it and let us know your progress...we're here to help if we can.



Since I started rehabbing back in February, I've seen bags lose LOTS of color in the bath, and others hardly any at all. Same goes for conditioning. I agree that the dye is likely the issue, and stick with my suggestion that a bath is in order.



Well said. I've had similar experiences. I've always used Leather CPR after a bath, while the leather is still damp. Usually 2 rounds with a day in between. Then Blackrocks, also twice with a day in between. The Leather CPR makes the leather fat and happy and the Blackrocks makes a nice, lustrous finish.

Good Luck GoStanford...I hope this helps!

Haha...I love the "Leather CPR makes the leather fat and happy" comment! I think I need to get some for my rehab projects!

 

[NCBDTeam]

I think she definitely looks much, much better! It's a great bag (her freckles add to her character). I have had the lighter spots showing through when pressure is applied on a couple of old bags that came to me super dry and in need of heavy duty TLC. One of them was a Stewardess that arrived an extremely pale brownish tan and rehabbed into a delicious dark chocolate bag with one of the most gorgeous patinas I have seen. It took many, many rounds of conditioning to permeate all of those dry layers and get through the fibers. Once this happened the lighter spots didn't appear when pressure was applied on the other side of the leather. Hope that makes sense!
Anyway, I think your bag has improved dramatically. I think she looks interesting and I would probably wear her as is after some more conditioning/buffing!

Thank You Ladyraven! Your advise is uplifting! I do love this bag!!! And I normally love bags that have a little "character"...I just was not expecting the spots since they surfaced after she was bathed. And I feel like I failed somehow...
I'll keep conditioning letting her dry longer in between and keep dying on the back burner

 

[katev]

Thanks Katev! I think this may be an easy dye learning experiance because of the shape of the bag...I love what WHATEVE said about the spot being "freckles" so true huh! I actually love the darker color she turned EXCEPT when the lighter color shows through its just weird...Oh and the dramatic difference in the HANG TAG (look m3rm4id! i did it lol)
Maybe I will order some dye and just see how I like it....I kinda feel like "i cant make it any worse"

If I feel that I wouldn't be comfortable carrying the bag in the current condition, it makes it easier for me to try more extreme measures - like dying the bag, good luck!

 

[loag]

Hi, even though this bag isn't from Coach, I know I'll get better opinions here, I hope you ladies don't mind. I know it's been asked hundreds of times, but has anyone here tried to rehab water stained vachetta? How did it turn out? And is there really no hope in restoring this unless I replace the whole piece of leather? Thanks in advance!

 

[ledobe]

Hi, even though this bag isn't from Coach, I know I'll get better opinions here, I hope you ladies don't mind. I know it's been asked hundreds of times, but has anyone here tried to rehab water stained vachetta? How did it turn out? And is there really no hope in restoring this unless I replace the whole piece of leather? Thanks in advance!

You know this is water?

If so, and if you're not using it anyway, I would soak the whole thing. It would probably come out darker, but if you're not using the bag, you really don't have anything to lose.

 

[katev]

Hi, even though this bag isn't from Coach, I know I'll get better opinions here, I hope you ladies don't mind. I know it's been asked hundreds of times, but has anyone here tried to rehab water stained vachetta? How did it turn out? And is there really no hope in restoring this unless I replace the whole piece of leather? Thanks in advance!

I don't have any experience rehabbing an LV, but the link below gives information about successfully rehabbing a light-colored Coach Legacy Gigi that is made of vachetta leather and was badly water-stained, good luck!
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/gigi-needs-rehab-can-you-help-672290.html#post18470305

 

[loag]

Ledobe - Thanks for the suggestion, if everything I try fails, I will probably try this.


Katev - Thanks so much for the link! I will most likely try that method, it sounds like it would work great.

 

[chowlover2]

Hi, even though this bag isn't from Coach, I know I'll get better opinions here, I hope you ladies don't mind. I know it's been asked hundreds of times, but has anyone here tried to rehab water stained vachetta? How did it turn out? And is there really no hope in restoring this unless I replace the whole piece of leather? Thanks in advance!

I have that bag, but no rehab was necessary. As far as the cachet a leather is once rend, I would dunk it. It should Ben the water stains out somewhat. See how it dries, condition, then use Blackrock to seal and protect.

 

[ladyraven65]

Hi, even though this bag isn't from Coach, I know I'll get better opinions here, I hope you ladies don't mind. I know it's been asked hundreds of times, but has anyone here tried to rehab water stained vachetta? How did it turn out? And is there really no hope in restoring this unless I replace the whole piece of leather? Thanks in advance!

LV Noe's are notorious for having water stained bottoms. I have had good luck with mine using Blackrocks and Obenaufs to make it water resistant. Since she is already damaged your options are to get the vache replaced at the boutique (which costs quite a bit) but might be worth it because new they are about $1200 or to try and wet the whole bottom to even the stain out somewhat. But don't be too aggressive with it because it is such delicate unfinished leather. I have successfully gotten out small water stains and/or dirt with a Magic Eraser used sparingly and lots of conditioner. It's really a last resort though as the Magic eraser takes the top layer of leather off and dries it out.
Good luck with her!

 

[NCBDTeam]

Hi, even though this bag isn't from Coach, I know I'll get better opinions here, I hope you ladies don't mind. I know it's been asked hundreds of times, but has anyone here tried to rehab water stained vachetta? How did it turn out? And is there really no hope in restoring this unless I replace the whole piece of leather? Thanks in advance!

I had this happen on one of my LVs and they are a PAIN to rehab!!! If it were MY bag I would fill a tub or large sink with warm water and MILD dish soap and submerge the base of the bag without getting the coated canvas wet. Let it soak until the water turned cool then rinse with warm water. I would wipe dry with a lint free rag best I could and let it air dry...rinse it WELL and when drying I only wipe in 1 direction.
This is what I would do if it were my LV
Then call customer service and see if the recommend a conditioner (they will probably tell you we don't recommend using anything) but its worth a try
Good Luck!!!!!
Ps this method has worked for me with some bags and has not for others, seemed to depend on how old the stain was

 

[Jessi319]

Thanks Jessi!!! Any advise for the spots?

Wellll....... something tells me it's camouflage time. And that can be tough!! I might even say, that product M3rmaid used on the crescent bag!!?

 

[ledobe]

Well, maybe this will help, here is my Musette, fresh out of the package:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-252.html#post22152745

I didn't take a lot of before pix. The spots on her seemed to be some sort of oil, but they were all over the bag, front, back inside. It looked like it had splashed, but there is no natural way I can think of that it would have splashed on the flap, under the flap, inside...so who knows what happened. Other than that, the leather was smooshy soft, not at all dry.

I can't tell you how many times I soaked, washed, ran through the washing machine, conditioned...but the spots actually seemed to get darker. I actually carried it this way, I like the idea of this bag being sort of weathered, but not if it looks dirty...so I've been asking m3rm about the leather refinisher and finally took the plunge last week. I actually ran the bag, without the strap, through the washer one more time, because I know she at least had a coat of Black Rocks on her, though I can't remember exactly what else I used at this point. I didn't notice any darkening of the leather at all with BR, as the leather was in soft condition, not at all dry.

So, anyway, I took some real quick shots before I started again:


This is the bottom back corner, the picture is blurry, there is actually a pretty big spot right here:

and here is a horrible close up shot.

I put the bag in the washing machine with just a little soap, warm water, in a pillow case and with a bunch of towels. With a big bag like this I actrually feel like it's hard on the leather to pull on it a lot when it's heavy and wet.

Then I let it dry for a few hours, and started with the leather refinisher when it was damp. I was actually trying to keep some of the burnished look to the leather. I put two light coats several hours apart. I could have put another coat on to cover everything. I also skipped putting it on the strap. I tested it on the piping and I didn't really cover all of it very well, but there are no visible lines where the coverage ends. I didn't bother with the crease between the pockets and it was such a good match that you really can't tell.

I actually let it dry for a couple of days and then carefully tested out using Black Rocks over it. Some of the color lifted but not much. It was something I just wanted to try to see if I can bring up some of the shine in the leather. Anyway, I think I'm done:

I think the dark on the left of this picture is either my phone's camera, or some sort of shadow. The color is even. Note the spots are not visible

Here's the bottom, which actually had the worst big spot. Again, the darker part is from my phone, I think (I flipped the other picture, so the dark spot is on the same side of the "camera")

Here you can compare the strap, which I didn't treat, with the rest of the bag. You can't tell:

You can't tell from the picture but you can still see the spots if you know they are there, there is a difference in the texture of the leather. I think another coat might have covered it. However, like I've said, I kind of want this bag to look a little burnished, and I didn't want to stiffen it. I'm quite happy as is. I also didn't put the refinisher on the handle on the top, and you can't tell. It was a little burnished anyway so it looks normal, and I didn't want to mess around with the additional stitching and other details.