Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[katev]

Hi everyone.

I'm going to try and do my first Coach Rehab on a Black Station bag.

I have a couple of questions before I start to tackle this:

- Can i just use Black Rocks as the conditioner? It seems a lot of people here add a different type of conditioner then apply Black Rocks. Do you know why?

- How can I get rid or make less noticeable the faded areas of the leather?

- Do you know how to get the front "tag" or "flap" from curling?

- Do you know how to fix the "raw" looking edges?

Thanks.

Here are the before pictures in an imgur album: http://imgur.com/a/uvNEs

I think that bag will clean up beautifully. On glove-tanned bags like this one, I use a cream conditioner like leather cpr or apple to deep condition the leather, then I use black rocks to finish it off and restore the color and minimize the flaws. The black rock contains wax and I don't think you should "overdo" it, so start with a thinner, cream conditioner first.

Besides that, Leather CPR is really pretty cheap in my area at the Tuesday Morning stores, so I would rather use it first and save the higher-priced products for later.

Although I recently read that Blackrocks has changed the product and it is not as "sticky" anymore. So I don't know about the new formula because I stocked up on it awhile back.

When you wash it and shape it and stuff it with towels to dry, you should be able to get rid of the "curling" problem.

The faded areas will darken with washing and conditioning and the blackrocks will deepen the color more evenly consistent.

If there is edging loss on the edges of the straps you can use edgekote or acrylic hobby paint to restore the edges.

See the steps listed at the link below for restoring a bag like your station bag, good luck!

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-330.html#post22518598

 

[katev]

I have been reading this thread long time already and have always what great job you are doing. Now I am ready for my first rehab project. It is Coach Whitney Satchel and was authenticated by Hyacinth (thank you!) Original post with more pictures is here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-445.html#post24068807

I found it from Salvos and just could not leave it there. I tried to find some history of the bag style but didnt have much luck with it. I would be very happy if anyone could tell me more.

It does not have any holes or stains, but color is rubbed off in some places. The main problem is that it is out of shape, how do I correct it? First I was thinking making it wet and then reshaping it, but it has fabric lining inside, so I am not very sure any more. Any suggestions?
Thank you!

Nice bag! I would basically follow the steps below but after removing the towels, to let the bag continue drying, I would pull the lining out as much as possible to help it dry.

You will probably need to use some glossy black acrylic hobby paint to touch up the faded areas and lost edging. But wait until you are done cleaning and conditioning to see how it looks and decide which areas need touch-ups.

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-330.html#post22518598

Is your bag missing the hangtag? The one at the link below (NMA) appears to have a silver hangtag. Call Coach Customer Service and give them the style number (9182) and ask for a free replacement hangtag. They will probably send you a generic silver tag but that's okay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-Whitn...317?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item25781d3e1d

 

[katev]

Thanks Katev - I read through the site and it looks like good stuff - a few questions: Have you used it to totally dye the whole bag or for touchups here and there or both? I also have a white/ivory city bag that I have rehabed as well but still am not happy with - dingy and marks still on it (I did soften the leather with several applications of Leather Restorer & conditioner which helped a lot though). I am thinking of dying the white bag red? What do you think - how that would go? any advice/suggestions is appreciated!

I would probably try to dye the white bag white, I have never tried to make a white bag into a red bag so I don't know how it will work. If you decide to try it, let us know what happens.

You should rewash bags to remove conditioners before attempting to dye the entire bag.

I haven't dyed many bags, it is usually a last resort, but I believe you can use the dye for touch ups.

good luck!

 

[Tuuli35]

Nice bag! I would basically follow the steps below but after removing the towels, to let the bag continue drying, I would pull the lining out as much as possible to help it dry.

You will probably need to use some glossy black acrylic hobby paint to touch up the faded areas and lost edging. But wait until you are done cleaning and conditioning to see how it looks and decide which areas need touch-ups.

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-330.html#post22518598

Is your bag missing the hangtag? The one at the link below (NMA) appears to have a silver hangtag. Call Coach Customer Service and give them the style number (9182) and ask for a free replacement hangtag. They will probably send you a generic silver tag but that's okay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-Whitn...317?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item25781d3e1d

Thank you!
I will follow your step and let know when its done!

 

[whateve]

Thanks Katev - I read through the site and it looks like good stuff - a few questions: Have you used it to totally dye the whole bag or for touchups here and there or both? I also have a white/ivory city bag that I have rehabed as well but still am not happy with - dingy and marks still on it (I did soften the leather with several applications of Leather Restorer & conditioner which helped a lot though). I am thinking of dying the white bag red? What do you think - how that would go? any advice/suggestions is appreciated!

I think you can dye a white bag red. You may have to dye it an intermediate color first. The only thing that is weird is that most dyes only dye the outside so the inside would still be white. I think that if I ever dyed a bag, I would dip dye the entire bag with Rit dye first so the inside was dyed too and then use the leather dye on all the smooth leather parts.

 

[GoStanford]

I posted this in the "Deals/Rare Finds" sticky but thought you all might to look at this pretty bag (not my auction):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281048501996?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

The closest I've found is a pearlized nappa leather bag that was authenticated on TPF some time ago. That one had a suede lining. This one has a cloth lining. It reminds me of the little nylon bags that used to be sold as accessories for prom dresses or cocktail gowns. This is just so pretty!

 

[7ch5]

Beautiful bag, it that a Gracie bag? I love the Italian-made Coach Madison and Gramercy bags!

I have restored 4 of these bags. If the bag was not very dirty or misshapen, I've just surface-cleaned it with a damp, soft cloth or a little ivory dish soap as needed. You can use non-alcohol baby wipes on the lining. If there are pen marks on the lining then it's okay to use alcohol on them.

To condition the bags (and give them back their shine and camoflage the scuffs) I use Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner (link below) and it has worked great.

http://www.leathertherapy.com/equestrian-restorer-conditioner/

But I have also given baths to some of the Italian-made, lined Coach bags when it was needed and they came out just fine. I also gave a bath to a Glenwood Sheridan bag that has similar construction, with the same kind of lining as the Italian Madison bags, and it also turned out well.

If I ever get lucky and find another Italian Coach bag, and I feel that it would benefit from a bath, I wouldn't hesitate to give it one. These bags are tougher than they look!

Below are the rehab threads for my 4 Italian bags so that you can see the before and after pics. I am sure that I gave a bath to the Gramercy Zip and I'm pretty certain that I also dunked the Carlyle. I only did surface cleaning on the Gracie and the Royalton.

I used Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner on all 4 bags.

When I wash a lined bag, I stuff it with towels to dry for the first 20 to 24 hours to shape it. Then I remove the towels and try to maintain the shape but pull the lining out as far as possible to help it dry. If the lining can't be pulled out, then I just leave it alone and let it continue air-drying.

Good luck!

Gracie:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/meet-little-gracie-from-italy-an-unusual-rehab-664111.html

Royalton:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/omg-what-are-the-odds-of-finding-bag-683521.html

Carlyle:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/another-sister-has-arrived-from-italy-687100.html

Gramercy Zip:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/now-cousin-has-come-over-italy-join-family-717893.html

Thanks katev

I believe it's a Madison Copley - a little big bigger than the Gracie.

I was mostly concerned about the three prominent scuffs on the face of the bag. I looked through your rehabs, and it seems you were able to find quite a few bags that just needed a little bit of TLC - except the Carlyle, which seemed to be evenly "beat up" if you know what I mean. In my situation, I think the bag is generally in an okay condition overall, except for the scuffs and a bit of sagging.

Given your experience, what's your opinion on how the scuffs would look after I use the Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner?

 

[katev]

Thanks katev

I believe it's a Madison Copley - a little big bigger than the Gracie.

I was mostly concerned about the three prominent scuffs on the face of the bag. I looked through your rehabs, and it seems you were able to find quite a few bags that just needed a little bit of TLC - except the Carlyle, which seemed to be evenly "beat up" if you know what I mean. In my situation, I think the bag is generally in an okay condition overall, except for the scuffs and a bit of sagging.

Given your experience, what's your opinion on how the scuffs would look after I use the Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner?

A copley, how nice! I think that wiping it down and then using the Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner will really make it shine and hide the scuffs.

You mentioned that it is misshaped but I can't see how bad from the pictures. The only way I know how to reshape a bag is to dunk it, but if the shape isn't bad maybe just store it stuffed to restore it a little. Nice find!

 

[GoStanford]

A copley, how nice! I think that wiping it down and then using the Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner will really make it shine and hide the scuffs.

You mentioned that it is misshaped but I can't see how bad from the pictures. The only way I know how to reshape a bag is to dunk it, but if the shape isn't bad maybe just store it stuffed to restore it a little. Nice find!

I'm going to post this in the Deals/Rare Finds thread (late night eBay searching) - this is not my auction but I have purchased from this seller and the customer service was excellent. It is a Madison Copley in the best condition I have seen advertised on eBay (though I am far from an expert, and I recommend getting this authenticated). Just beautiful!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VINTAGE...609?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item51a8a8dbe9

 

[socmoe]

I think you can dye a white bag red. You may have to dye it an intermediate color first. The only thing that is weird is that most dyes only dye the outside so the inside would still be white. I think that if I ever dyed a bag, I would dip dye the entire bag with Rit dye first so the inside was dyed too and then use the leather dye on all the smooth leather parts.

That makes sense, Whatev - I think I'm going to go for it - the bag was only 12 dollars so if it doesn't work, not a huge loss.....I'll let you all know how it goes!

 

[socmoe]

I would probably try to dye the white bag white, I have never tried to make a white bag into a red bag so I don't know how it will work. If you decide to try it, let us know what happens.

You should rewash bags to remove conditioners before attempting to dye the entire bag.

I haven't dyed many bags, it is usually a last resort, but I believe you can use the dye for touch ups.

good luck!

Thanks Katev - I already rewashed it to get off all of the conditioners and it is almost dry now with nothing on it. I think I will go for dying it red and see how it turns out! I can be the guinea pig. ...will let you know how it turns out!

 

[JOODLZ]

I think that bag will clean up beautifully. On glove-tanned bags like this one, I use a cream conditioner like leather cpr or apple to deep condition the leather, then I use black rocks to finish it off and restore the color and minimize the flaws. The black rock contains wax and I don't think you should "overdo" it, so start with a thinner, cream conditioner first.

Besides that, Leather CPR is really pretty cheap in my area at the Tuesday Morning stores, so I would rather use it first and save the higher-priced products for later.

Although I recently read that Blackrocks has changed the product and it is not as "sticky" anymore. So I don't know about the new formula because I stocked up on it awhile back.

When you wash it and shape it and stuff it with towels to dry, you should be able to get rid of the "curling" problem.

The faded areas will darken with washing and conditioning and the blackrocks will deepen the color more evenly consistent.

If there is edging loss on the edges of the straps you can use edgekote or acrylic hobby paint to restore the edges.

See the steps listed at the link below for restoring a bag like your station bag, good luck!

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-330.html#post22518598

I am the one that posted about the "new-and-improved" Blackrocks. I used it on my recent Monroe Brief rehab. (http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-537.html#post24011895) It seemed to apply easier and soak in more quickly than the older product I had. Also, it worked wonders for faded piping, restoring the old glow.

 

[cll3287]

Thanks Katev - I already rewashed it to get off all of the conditioners and it is almost dry now with nothing on it. I think I will go for dying it red and see how it turns out! I can be the guinea pig. ...will let you know how it turns out!

Yes update us on how it goes! I have accumulated two cream colored City Bags that I've been wanting to dye red or burgundy. I always wanted to get a red City Bag, but they're bid up so much on the auction sites. So if I can't buy one, why not make my own?

Good luck!

 

[socmoe]

Yes update us on how it goes! I have accumulated two cream colored City Bags that I've been wanting to dye red or burgundy. I always wanted to get a red City Bag, but they're bid up so much on the auction sites. So if I can't buy one, why not make my own?

Good luck!

will let you know...I researched this forum and google and it looks like Feibings Pro Oil Dye is recommended so I ordered the deglazer and the dye today...should be in a few days. But...with shipping it cost me 18 dollars so I hope it comes out well..........I ended up going with Mahogany - I love that color and I thought the red was "too" red, for me anyway....I'm crossing my fingers (and my toes!!!)

 

[ledobe]

I am the one that posted about the "new-and-improved" Blackrocks. I used it on my recent Monroe Brief rehab. (http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-537.html#post24011895) It seemed to apply easier and soak in more quickly than the older product I had. Also, it worked wonders for faded piping, restoring the old glow.

And when you posted that, it clarified some things for me. I have been using Blackrocks quite awhile and never understood why katev kept saying it was hard to work with, as I had always found it relatively easy. I must have been one of the first to get the new batch.