Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#736
:smile1:
katev said:
I can't tell from the pictures, is the leather actually worn away along the edges (torn, ripped, holes, missing?) or is it just faded and discolored from wear.

It the leather is actually missing in spots, I believe that there are some macroacryllics that can be used to build up the area, but I am not sure about that - perhaps someone else has info?

If it is just worn, faded and discolored - don't do anything until after you wash it and condition the bag. Many times worn areas darken and look great again after treatment. Try that first and then let us know how it works.

The City Bag is a great bag, good luck!
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The leather is just worn not really torn or missing. I gave it a bath and conditioned it but those areas are still looking much lighter than the rest of the bag (the pictures I posted where before the bath). Will it get better with more conditioner or do I use acrylic paint or edge kote to fill in the faded areas?...I also read about using shoe dye to make the faded areas darker...do you suggest that?

another thing I noticed is that after I gave it a bath the bag started to smell....not really sure what it smells like but not the way it smelled before the bath... is that something you've ran into before?

thank you so much for your help in this project...I'm a newbie to the purse forum and am really impressed with how friendly and passionate everyone is about handbags and coach in particular:smile1:
 
#737
Catia625 said:
The leather is just worn not really torn or missing. I gave it a bath and conditioned it but those areas are still looking much lighter than the rest of the bag (the pictures I posted where before the bath). Will it get better with more conditioner or do I use acrylic paint or edge kote to fill in the faded areas?...I also read about using shoe dye to make the faded areas darker...do you suggest that?

another thing I noticed is that after I gave it a bath the bag started to smell....not really sure what it smells like but not the way it smelled before the bath... is that something you've ran into before?

thank you so much for your help in this project...I'm a newbie to the purse forum and am really impressed with how friendly and passionate everyone is about handbags and coach in particular
Click to expand...

It's probably the smell of the conditioner, some of them are rather unpleasant (Apple and Lexol) but the smell usually fades with time.

It's good that the leather isn't ripped or worn away. Adding more conditioner may help. NEVER use shoe polish! It can come off on your clothes and bleed if the bag ever gets wet!

When I have a bag with inconsistent, problem, coloration - after I have used my other conditioner product - I wait a few days to "let the leather rest" and then use a product called Black Rock Leather N Rich. Use it sparingly, work on small sections at a time (5 inches) and wipe off the excess. Let it absorb overnight before buffing.

If that still doesn't work I would attempt using acryllic paint to touch up the corners. That usually works pretty well with a black bag but it can be "iffy" to match colors on other bags.

Take a look at the edges along the sides of the strap and the hangtag. Vintage bags often lose coloration along the edges, especially after a bath. I use permanent acryllic paint to touch up the edges. Some TPFers recommend edgekote for this but I haven't tried it yet. Don't neglect the edging, it makes a big difference in the overall appearance of the bag.

I look forward to seeing your after photos, good luck!
 
#738
katev said:
It's probably the smell of the conditioner, some of them are rather unpleasant (Apple and Lexol) but the smell usually fades with time.

It's good that the leather isn't ripped or worn away. Adding more conditioner may help. NEVER use shoe polish! It can come off on your clothes and bleed if the bag ever gets wet!

When I have a bag with inconsistent, problem, coloration - after I have used my other conditioner product - I wait a few days to "let the leather rest" and then use a product called Black Rock Leather N Rich. Use it sparingly, work on small sections at a time (5 inches) and wipe off the excess. Let it absorb overnight before buffing.

If that still doesn't work I would attempt using acryllic paint to touch up the corners. That usually works pretty well with a black bag but it can be "iffy" to match colors on other bags.

Take a look at the edges along the sides of the strap and the hangtag. Vintage bags often lose coloration along the edges, especially after a bath. I use permanent acryllic paint to touch up the edges. Some TPFers recommend edgekote for this but I haven't tried it yet. Don't neglect the edging, it makes a big difference in the overall appearance of the bag.

I look forward to seeing your after photos, good luck!
Click to expand...

Thank you!!! I have ordered the Black Rock conditioner and am "letting the leather rest" until I get it. I will keep you posted on the outcome
:smile1:
 
#740
My one and only Coach is a couple of years old and I have had to clean it multiple times. I was told to use Ivory soap from one of the sales people at the main Coach store in my location. I also have heard Wool lite? Anyone know if one of these works better than the other?
 
#742
#743
Hello all! I wanted to post a proper introduction as I've just read all 50 pages of this thread, followed most of the links, etc. I somehow got it into my head to rehab Coaches and then found that there was a whole group of you guys who already knew how to do it, so I'm SO excited!

I have a few projects going on - the newest is a grey Bleecker tote (9303 I think) that's drying after its Woolite bath. Bought it for $24 today at Buffalo Exchange. Really excited about this one. :) I also have an ivory 9944 which has scuffs down to the leather through the ivory color that should be a good challenge - especially with the SERIOUS verdigris staining on the inside, even after the vinegar and baking soda trick. And this insanely silly pink and white pebbled leather thing (that I LOVE) that's again scuffed down to the leather color - I'm pretty sure this will be my first experiment in redying leather. :)

I like a challenge! I can't WAIT until this arrives:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/28075473501...NX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648#ht_500wt_1361

Call me crazy, but this is just way way too fun. So thankful for all your help already, look forward to chatting with you guys! :)
 
#744
jinmon said:
Hello all! I wanted to post a proper introduction as I've just read all 50 pages of this thread, followed most of the links, etc. I somehow got it into my head to rehab Coaches and then found that there was a whole group of you guys who already knew how to do it, so I'm SO excited!

I have a few projects going on - the newest is a grey Bleecker tote (9303 I think) that's drying after its Woolite bath. Bought it for $24 today at Buffalo Exchange. Really excited about this one. :) I also have an ivory 9944 which has scuffs down to the leather through the ivory color that should be a good challenge - especially with the SERIOUS verdigris staining on the inside, even after the vinegar and baking soda trick. And this insanely silly pink and white pebbled leather thing (that I LOVE) that's again scuffed down to the leather color - I'm pretty sure this will be my first experiment in redying leather. :)

I like a challenge! I can't WAIT until this arrives:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/28075473501...NX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648#ht_500wt_1361

Call me crazy, but this is just way way too fun. So thankful for all your help already, look forward to chatting with you guys! :)
Click to expand...

Great minds think alike!! Welcome to the world of Rehabbing Coach. IT is LOTS of fun, and we just LOVE beautifying these bags....so it's now a bit of an addiction. I wish I had MORE time to do MORE projects, but I'm keeping at it , one at a time. Look forward to your photos!
 
#745
Thanks for the welcome! Couldn't sleep this morning (I work nights) so I went shopping... didn't buy a thing, but ALMOST bought three purses at one thrift shop - got too angry at them for stabbing them through the leather with an ink security pin though... grrrr. The one I wanted most was a really beat up tan leather flap bag with a brass clasp in the shape of a button that you pull on to release the catch inside... hard to explain, but I'd never seen it before. Really pretty bag, but a ripped bit of suede lining on the inside (glued to cover the back of the clasp base) and, you know, a BIG HOLE stabbed through it. Creed was even cool, 552-5522 I think. :)

Pics soon! I only have before pics so far! This does require patience, and I have very little of that. It's a lot of waiting - right now I'm waiting on 3 bags to dry. Not sure what the balance is between drying too fast and spotting and drying too slowly and growing mold... grrr. :)
 
#746
jinmon said:
Creed was even cool, 552-5522 I think. :)
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Er, disturbing post on my part, as I purchased a purse lot on Ebay that contains a coach with this exact creed number - so either I misremembered it while shopping earlier today, one is a fake, or I'm insane. I WAS extremely sleep-deprived this morning...

Anyway, as far as rehab and rescue goes - worked on the lining of a tweed purse today that came out really well, pix soon. Am also embarking upon a test of conditioners for the benefit of all - and possibly to the detriment of my boots. :)
 
#747
jinmon said:
Er, disturbing post on my part, as I purchased a purse lot on Ebay that contains a coach with this exact creed number - so either I misremembered it while shopping earlier today, one is a fake, or I'm insane. I WAS extremely sleep-deprived this morning...

Anyway, as far as rehab and rescue goes - worked on the lining of a tweed purse today that came out really well, pix soon. Am also embarking upon a test of conditioners for the benefit of all - and possibly to the detriment of my boots. :)
Click to expand...

You may want to put that purse with the 552-5522 number aside, and maybe post photos at the Authenticate thread. I don't remember seeing it before, but fakes makers often used that kind of repetative number in classic fakes. Meanwhile I'll keep it on my Watch list.
 
#748
jinmon said:
Hello all! I wanted to post a proper introduction as I've just read all 50 pages of this thread, followed most of the links, etc. I somehow got it into my head to rehab Coaches and then found that there was a whole group of you guys who already knew how to do it, so I'm SO excited!

I have a few projects going on - the newest is a grey Bleecker tote (9303 I think) that's drying after its Woolite bath. Bought it for $24 today at Buffalo Exchange. Really excited about this one. :) I also have an ivory 9944 which has scuffs down to the leather through the ivory color that should be a good challenge - especially with the SERIOUS verdigris staining on the inside, even after the vinegar and baking soda trick. And this insanely silly pink and white pebbled leather thing (that I LOVE) that's again scuffed down to the leather color - I'm pretty sure this will be my first experiment in redying leather. :)

I like a challenge! I can't WAIT until this arrives:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/28075473501...NX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648#ht_500wt_1361

Call me crazy, but this is just way way too fun. So thankful for all your help already, look forward to chatting with you guys! :)
Click to expand...

Your exuberance made me laugh this morning! And then made me want to go work on my projects again. :D I LOVE that color red! I bought one purse for my MIL in that color, and couldn't resist a change purse and wallet in it for me. Good luck and don't forget to post photos.

KateV, was wondering: How MANY times do you condition a bag to get them looking like yours? One or two times looks like it isn't enough for some of my more abused "friends." But I also don't want to over saturate. Looks like I"m going to have to buy some BlackRock too. My Honey Leather is doing a good job, but I either have some super distressed/dried out bags, or I'm doing it wrong. :p Either is very possible.
 
#749
Mizz_Sunshine85 said:
My one and only Coach is a couple of years old and I have had to clean it multiple times. I was told to use Ivory soap from one of the sales people at the main Coach store in my location. I also have heard Wool lite? Anyone know if one of these works better than the other?
Click to expand...

Both seem to get the job done, but wait for KateV. I prefer the Woolite, mostly because of the smell though. :smile1:
 
#750
x UHOH X said:
Your exuberance made me laugh this morning! And then made me want to go work on my projects again. :D I LOVE that color red! I bought one purse for my MIL in that color, and couldn't resist a change purse and wallet in it for me. Good luck and don't forget to post photos.

KateV, was wondering: How MANY times do you condition a bag to get them looking like yours? One or two times looks like it isn't enough for some of my more abused "friends." But I also don't want to over saturate. Looks like I"m going to have to buy some BlackRock too. My Honey Leather is doing a good job, but I either have some super distressed/dried out bags, or I'm doing it wrong. :p Either is very possible.
Click to expand...

It depends, I tend to be heavy-handed with the conditioner so I am trying to be more sparing and leave time in-between applications "to let the leather rest". Some bags require several applications with buffing in between. I just experiment until I am satisfied, sorry I can't give a better answer.
 
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