Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Esquared72]

Hi everyone! I just bought a bag off of ebay that I want to rehab - I received it last week and at first glance does not need much rehabbing, (lucky for me because this is my first time!), but I have a few questions because I don't want to ruin it! The bag is a black lula's legacy drawstring 9952 and my plan at the moment is just to give it a bath (from reading this thread, I've heard dish soap works well?) and then condition with apple conditioner and polish the brass if needed. But my question is, how long should I keep it in the water? Can I let it soak or is it best to get it in and out? Sorry - that might be a stupid question, but basically I'm wondering how long is too long so that I don't damage the leather? I haven't noticed any smells or stains, I just want to give it a good cleaning since I don't really know where it's been.

Also - do you guys have a preference as to whether Woolite or dish soap works better? And how long should I wait before I apply the conditioner? If I should wait until it dries, in your experience is a day usually enough for a smaller bag to completely dry?

Any tips on things to avoid or lessons learned would be appreciated - I know they are all in this thread and I've been trying to copy them as I've found them, but anything off the top of your head, like first-timer mistakes, would be great!

Thanks in advance! I'll be sure to post some pics when I'm done, I'm trying to do this before Thanksgiving, but I have a feeling these three days are going to go fast (at least I hope they do!!) Hope you all have a great holiday!

I actually rehabbed a black Lula's Legacy this past summer. It's probably my favorite rehabbed bag style and I use the bag a lot. I believe I dunked mine using Woolite, used a sponge to 'rub her down' inside and out and then let her soak for about 30-40 minutes. Then I rinsed and let her soak in just water for about another 30 minutes. Once she was out and stuffed with towels she took just about a day or a little over to dry, if I remember correctly.

The only thing that was kind of a pain from a conditioning standpoint was the drawstring - it needed extra conditioning since it's such a high traffic piece of the bag and it was pretty dry. The kicker was getting to all the parts of the drawstring between the folds of the bag. Aside from that, a few coats of Leather CPR and some Black Rocks and she was good to go. (well...she did have some perfume/cologne issues going on, but that's another story for another day)

 

[AggieK]

Hi everyone! I just bought a bag off of ebay that I want to rehab - I received it last week and at first glance does not need much rehabbing, (lucky for me because this is my first time!), but I have a few questions because I don't want to ruin it! The bag is a black lula's legacy drawstring 9952 and my plan at the moment is just to give it a bath (from reading this thread, I've heard dish soap works well?) and then condition with apple conditioner and polish the brass if needed. But my question is, how long should I keep it in the water? Can I let it soak or is it best to get it in and out? Sorry - that might be a stupid question, but basically I'm wondering how long is too long so that I don't damage the leather? I haven't noticed any smells or stains, I just want to give it a good cleaning since I don't really know where it's been.

Also - do you guys have a preference as to whether Woolite or dish soap works better? And how long should I wait before I apply the conditioner? If I should wait until it dries, in your experience is a day usually enough for a smaller bag to completely dry?

Any tips on things to avoid or lessons learned would be appreciated - I know they are all in this thread and I've been trying to copy them as I've found them, but anything off the top of your head, like first-timer mistakes, would be great!

Thanks in advance! I'll be sure to post some pics when I'm done, I'm trying to do this before Thanksgiving, but I have a feeling these three days are going to go fast (at least I hope they do!!) Hope you all have a great holiday!

I'm working on one right now. It's in British Tan, and as eehlers has said, the drawstring is a pain. Mine also had a giant dark ink mark on the front and a possible grease stain (size of a pencil eraser). I got the ink out with an eraser, but may have wrecked the finish and color. The grease stain remains. I put it up against the giant duffle (also British Tan) and although I thought it was big, it's a lot smaller than the duffle.

 

[AggieK]

I also wanted to post a few pictures of a Coach bag that I bought a month or two ago. It was not immediately apparent to me that it was even a Coach bag, but the double strap looked like my basic bags that I bought years and years ago. I couldn't find anything on this unusual bag, but then the next day, Katev posted pictures of her identical bag. Let me tell you, it seemed pretty eerie to me!

Katev's story:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/i-need-tpf-help-to-identify-mystery-bag-779681.html#post23074729

As you can see, mine isn't in as good condition as Katev's. It had a circular ring on one side that I thought someone had put a can of coke on it, and it ate through the finish. Even so, I think it's pretty cute. The leather on this bag is absolutely luscious.

 

[Beccabaglady]

I'm working on one right now. It's in British Tan, and as eehlers has said, the drawstring is a pain. Mine also had a giant dark ink mark on the front and a possible grease stain (size of a pencil eraser). I got the ink out with an eraser, but may have wrecked the finish and color. The grease stain remains. I put it up against the giant duffle (also British Tan) and although I thought it was big, it's a lot smaller than the duffle.

They're so cute together! Looks great so far!

 

[Beccabaglady]

Okay, I have a question - should an NYC Basic bag be dunked? I tried to search the thread, but couldn't find a yes or no - but I'm terrible at searching!

It went from vintage Coach wasteland to vintage Coach overload here the last few weeks. I now have my rehab projects for the winter I think - the Basic bag I just mentioned, a Winnie which doesn't look that bad, and mini ergo hobo that has seen better days! They all happen to be navy.

Has anyone here tried the Meltonian shoe creme to restore color, or is that a big no-no?

 

[Beccabaglady]

I also wanted to post a few pictures of a Coach bag that I bought a month or two ago. It was not immediately apparent to me that it was even a Coach bag, but the double strap looked like my basic bags that I bought years and years ago. I couldn't find anything on this unusual bag, but then the next day, Katev posted pictures of her identical bag. Let me tell you, it seemed pretty eerie to me!

Katev's story:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/i-need-tpf-help-to-identify-mystery-bag-779681.html#post23074729

As you can see, mine isn't in as good condition as Katev's. It had a circular ring on one side that I thought someone had put a can of coke on it, and it ate through the finish. Even so, I think it's pretty cute. The leather on this bag is absolutely luscious.

ooooo, pretty!

 

[ledobe]

Okay, I have a question - should an NYC Basic bag be dunked? I tried to search the thread, but couldn't find a yes or no - but I'm terrible at searching!

It went from vintage Coach wasteland to vintage Coach overload here the last few weeks. I now have my rehab projects for the winter I think - the Basic bag I just mentioned, a Winnie which doesn't look that bad, and mini ergo hobo that has seen better days! They all happen to be navy.

Has anyone here tried the Meltonian shoe creme to restore color, or is that a big no-no?

Oh man, those Basic bags are made of iron, dunk away! Does it have any other issues?

No experience with Meltonian shoe creme-except on shoes, and it didn't seem to do a lot with the color-it's been awhile so I'm a little fuzzy.

I also wanted to post a few pictures of a Coach bag that I bought a month or two ago. It was not immediately apparent to me that it was even a Coach bag, but the double strap looked like my basic bags that I bought years and years ago. I couldn't find anything on this unusual bag, but then the next day, Katev posted pictures of her identical bag. Let me tell you, it seemed pretty eerie to me!

Katev's story:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/i-need-tpf-help-to-identify-mystery-bag-779681.html#post23074729

As you can see, mine isn't in as good condition as Katev's. It had a circular ring on one side that I thought someone had put a can of coke on it, and it ate through the finish. Even so, I think it's pretty cute. The leather on this bag is absolutely luscious.

Soo cute! I'd overlook the circle too. Is it a yellowish color?

I'm working on one right now. It's in British Tan, and as eehlers has said, the drawstring is a pain. Mine also had a giant dark ink mark on the front and a possible grease stain (size of a pencil eraser). I got the ink out with an eraser, but may have wrecked the finish and color. The grease stain remains. I put it up against the giant duffle (also British Tan) and although I thought it was big, it's a lot smaller than the duffle.

I need to post a picture of my drawstring "lightweights" bag. It was BT also and had some issues. I had some of the "Wood N Stuff" BT refinisher and it came out really well. It's not quite finished so I hadn't posted pix, but I'll try to get some soon to show you so you can decide if you want to go that route. Your bag looks OK in the pix though.

 

[AggieK]

Oh man, those Basic bags are made of iron, dunk away! Does it have any other issues?

No experience with Meltonian shoe creme-except on shoes, and it didn't seem to do a lot with the color-it's been awhile so I'm a little fuzzy.



Soo cute! I'd overlook the circle too. Is it a yellowish color?



I need to post a picture of my drawstring "lightweights" bag. It was BT also and had some issues. I had some of the "Wood N Stuff" BT refinisher and it came out really well. It's not quite finished so I hadn't posted pix, but I'll try to get some soon to show you so you can decide if you want to go that route. Your bag looks OK in the pix though.

The drawstring bag - that picture is pretty much an "after". It's still a little goopy from the Black Rocks, but I may need to put more on the drawstring, which was in really bad shape, really dry. I'm just going to keep putting BR on until it doesn't sink in anymore.

The other bag, with the kiss lock closure I would describe as mustard colored, like Grey Poupon. It is identical to Katev's except its condition isn't as good. It is such a darling little bag. I think it will be perfect for going out to dinner or the movies, etc. I like earth tones so it already goes with most of my clothes.

 

[AggieK]

They're so cute together! Looks great so far!

Thanks!

 

[AggieK]

Oh BTW, I was at Macy's today for another reason, and looked at their Coach section. I was pretty blown away by the prices. You get pretty spoiled paying $25 or so for a vintage Coach. I saw one that was pretty cute - a Willis colorblock in red, white and blue, for $300. Yikes!

 

[Beccabaglady]

Oh man, those Basic bags are made of iron, dunk away! Does it have any other issues?

No experience with Meltonian shoe creme-except on shoes, and it didn't seem to do a lot with the color-it's been awhile so I'm a little fuzzy.

It's just a little scuffed & scratched. The main issue is that it's missing the strap

 

[Beccabaglady]

Oh BTW, I was at Macy's today for another reason, and looked at their Coach section. I was pretty blown away by the prices. You get pretty spoiled paying $25 or so for a vintage Coach. I saw one that was pretty cute - a Willis colorblock in red, white and blue, for $300. Yikes!

I'm afraid to even go and look! I remember going to the Coach outlet in Chattanooga in 1994 and paying $98 for a bag!

 

[whateve]

It's just a little scuffed & scratched. The main issue is that it's missing the strap

I had one that I thought was missing the strap until I realized that it wasn't a basic bag, after all! It didn't have the rings for the straps. It is called a slim clutch standard.

When I first started going to thrift stores, I found a non-Coach purse that looked exactly like a pocket purse. I considered buying it just for the strap but I didn't. Now I kind of wish I had.

 

[Shortthiing_Jen]

my Legacy bag is a tad icky and I could use some expert advice on how to clean her. She doesn't have to be perfectly new just cleaner. she has that green stuff on the metal and its rubbing on the leather now. I would like the brass to look a little nicer and the white to be a bit cleaner.

 

[Shortthiing_Jen]

The pics are bad but all i have at the moment is my phone