Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#8,551
Hi there,

I just acquired a pre-owned Red Willis. While the seller stated it was in mint condition, I can see some dark spots here and there on the exterior flap and some discoloration on the bag corners. I would like to clean it up before use. Do you recommend Apple Care Conditioner? Should I be concerned that the conditioner will discolor the bag in any way? Also, can I use the conditioner on the unlined leather interior? The lining looks fairly new under the flap and in the main pocket, but when I opened up the zippered pocket, I noticed that the leather color was mainly whitish/light pink. Is that normal or has the leather molded? Also, the bag shape has somewhat relaxed. Is there any way to reshape the bag so that it looks more structured?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. This is my first time acquiring a older coach bag, and I can't wait to carry it (after it is cleaned!)
 
#8,552
LVaznGRL said:
Hi there,

I just acquired a pre-owned Red Willis. While the seller stated it was in mint condition, I can see some dark spots here and there on the exterior flap and some discoloration on the bag corners. I would like to clean it up before use. Do you recommend Apple Care Conditioner? Should I be concerned that the conditioner will discolor the bag in any way? Also, can I use the conditioner on the unlined leather interior? The lining looks fairly new under the flap and in the main pocket, but when I opened up the zippered pocket, I noticed that the leather color was mainly whitish/light pink. Is that normal or has the leather molded? Also, the bag shape has somewhat relaxed. Is there any way to reshape the bag so that it looks more structured?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. This is my first time acquiring a older coach bag, and I can't wait to carry it (after it is cleaned!)
Click to expand...
Don't use the conditioner on the suede interior. It is normal for the inside of the pocket to be a lighter color.

We recommend giving your bag a bath in the sink with warm water and Dawn or another soap. Soak for 1/2 hour or more. You can gently work on the dirt spots. Rinse thoroughly. Then stuff with towels to form the bag into the correct shape. When the bag is nearly dry, which might take a day or two, you can start to apply conditioner. The type of conditioner you should use depends on what shape the bag is in. If the leather is soft and supple, Apple might be all you need. Blackrock conditioner applied as the last step will hide the wear on the edges. You can also use a bit of acrylic paint mixed with conditioner on the corners for a more permanent solution.

There is a ton of advice sprinkled throughout this thread.
 
#8,553
socmoe said:
No, I didn't - was afraid to on a red bag because I was using it for the first time....on the front, there are light, black marks that I didn't notice before washing so I don't think they are ink...I'm thinking it is the grain of the leather that shows through after washing? just a guess. My daughter said you can barely notice them and mom is being too picky!;)
Click to expand...
I had some black marks appear on a bag after I applied Leather CPR to it. I never saw them there before. I used a bunch of cleaners on it and got most of it off, then I used Blackrocks. I think the black marks might have gone away on their own eventually because even the part that I didn't clean off looks better now after a few days. The Leather CPR may have just made them visible and they were there all along.
 
#8,554
socmoe said:
Don't you love when that works out - you can use that strap for another bag? Yay! I figured I wouldn't be able to find a strap for my Gracie but that's okay...love it, anyway....that will have to be rehabbed soon...will involve some touchup with paint....don't know why I'm so nervous to paint...:faint:
Click to expand...
Actually I was looking for a strap I could use and it turned out it was cheaper to buy a purse that had a strap than to look at the listings for just a strap. The color matches perfectly and the length and quality is great. If I ever finish rehabbing the purse, I'll post pictures of it.

I have a lot of trouble painting. It is very hard to get the color to match perfectly and to go on smoothly. I haven't painted any Italian leathers. I think it might be different with the glossy textured surface. Just keep paper towels handy so you can wipe it off quickly if it doesn't look right. Dab it on in tiny amounts and feather it out to blend it in.
 
#8,555
socmoe said:
AFTER:

IMG_6863 by Maureen122563, on Flickr


IMG_6867 by Maureen122563, on Flickr


IMG_6864 by Maureen122563, on Flickr


IMG_6861 by Maureen122563, on Flickr


IMG_6872 by Maureen122563, on Flickr
Click to expand...
Great Job on the Roswell! I have a blue one that needs rehabbing and you've given me inspiration.

You might consider using either an iron-on hem tape or bonding tape to close up that vertical slit so it doesn't grow. Clean up the fraying, cut a piece of tape a tad longer than your slit and slide behind the hole (adhesive side up) & secure at top & bottom (use a straight pin). Carefully pull the fabric together and use your iron to finish the job.
 
#8,556
LVaznGRL said:
Hi there,

I just acquired a pre-owned Red Willis. While the seller stated it was in mint condition, I can see some dark spots here and there on the exterior flap and some discoloration on the bag corners. I would like to clean it up before use. Do you recommend Apple Care Conditioner? Should I be concerned that the conditioner will discolor the bag in any way? Also, can I use the conditioner on the unlined leather interior? The lining looks fairly new under the flap and in the main pocket, but when I opened up the zippered pocket, I noticed that the leather color was mainly whitish/light pink. Is that normal or has the leather molded? Also, the bag shape has somewhat relaxed. Is there any way to reshape the bag so that it looks more structured?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. This is my first time acquiring a older coach bag, and I can't wait to carry it (after it is cleaned!)
Click to expand...

Since it's red, and since I'm a bit of a "nervous Nellie" with red coloring, definitely soak it in some water but I personally would keep the water temp. on the cooler side, -"tepid". There will be a little dye released but that's normal. And just use a small amount of Dawn or I would maybe even go with something like woolite if the spots aren't too bad. Scrub gently. I've learned that an area where you've done aggressive scrubbing will sometimes result in a "swirl" pattern where extra bag dye has been released or "rearranged". I soak my bags for a minimum of 15 minutes for bags in decent shape, to up to 45 minutes in the soapy water, then I drain the water and rinse under the faucet a bit, and then soak it in a bit of clean water about 10 or 15 minutes. Once bag is done, I gently pat the whole bag down quickly to prevent any rivulets of water from leaving any streak patterns. Then stuff the interior of the bag with towels, (I use small washcloths inserted into pockets, etc. Don't stretch the bag too much while doing this tho'. You want it to be easily reshaped. Then I wrap the bag in another big towel like it's a "present" and let water absorb into the towels for a while, sometimes even over night. Then I unwrap the bag, place it in an area of good air circulation and let it dry a while with just enough towels to hold it's proper shape inside-important! Then remove all towels as the bag is ready for a thorough drying. I usually hang my bag up using the brass rings or whatever to hang up by. Sorry to write a mini novel here. There is no one, right way to do this, this is just what I do. You can't go wrong as long as you rinse all soap completely, and carefully reshape with towels til it's proper shape returns,. Once the bag is almost 100% dry, apply your first coat of conditioner (apple or Leather CPR, etc) Have fun. I want a red Willis!!!
 
#8,557
whateve said:
I had some black marks appear on a bag after I applied Leather CPR to it. I never saw them there before. I used a bunch of cleaners on it and got most of it off, then I used Blackrocks. I think the black marks might have gone away on their own eventually because even the part that I didn't clean off looks better now after a few days. The Leather CPR may have just made them visible and they were there all along.
Click to expand...

I have had that happen quite a bit. Once everything absorbs those spots will often diminish. NOt sure why that happens!
 
#8,558
#8,559
whateve said:
I had some black marks appear on a bag after I applied Leather CPR to it. I never saw them there before. I used a bunch of cleaners on it and got most of it off, then I used Blackrocks. I think the black marks might have gone away on their own eventually because even the part that I didn't clean off looks better now after a few days. The Leather CPR may have just made them visible and they were there all along.
Click to expand...
That makes sense because I know I didn't see them before...I'll let time do its work and hopefully they will just disappear.
 
#8,560
Jessi319 said:
BEAUTIFUL! I am glad it held up with the warmer/hot water!! I've mostly had success with red bags, but have had a couple that lost a bit of dye and vibrancy and have been scared to use anything too warm after that!!! Good job, and GREAT bag!!
Click to expand...
I know - I was hesitant about the warm/hot water (vs warm/lukewarm) but this bag was pretty dingy and inky so I figured I needed to....there was a lot of red in the water....but it came back when it dried and then the conditioners and Blackrocks deepened the color.
 
#8,562
Jessi319 said:
Since it's red, and since I'm a bit of a "nervous Nellie" with red coloring, definitely soak it in some water but I personally would keep the water temp. on the cooler side, -"tepid". There will be a little dye released but that's normal. And just use a small amount of Dawn or I would maybe even go with something like woolite if the spots aren't too bad. Scrub gently. I've learned that an area where you've done aggressive scrubbing will sometimes result in a "swirl" pattern where extra bag dye has been released or "rearranged". I soak my bags for a minimum of 15 minutes for bags in decent shape, to up to 45 minutes in the soapy water, then I drain the water and rinse under the faucet a bit, and then soak it in a bit of clean water about 10 or 15 minutes. Once bag is done, I gently pat the whole bag down quickly to prevent any rivulets of water from leaving any streak patterns. Then stuff the interior of the bag with towels, (I use small washcloths inserted into pockets, etc. Don't stretch the bag too much while doing this tho'. You want it to be easily reshaped. Then I wrap the bag in another big towel like it's a "present" and let water absorb into the towels for a while, sometimes even over night. Then I unwrap the bag, place it in an area of good air circulation and let it dry a while with just enough towels to hold it's proper shape inside-important! Then remove all towels as the bag is ready for a thorough drying. I usually hang my bag up using the brass rings or whatever to hang up by. Sorry to write a mini novel here. There is no one, right way to do this, this is just what I do. You can't go wrong as long as you rinse all soap completely, and carefully reshape with towels til it's proper shape returns,. Once the bag is almost 100% dry, apply your first coat of conditioner (apple or Leather CPR, etc) Have fun. I want a red Willis!!!
Click to expand...
Tx for the details, Jessi....I like the idea of patting dry to prevent streaking - I will try that. I have seen some streaking on a few bags while drying.
 
#8,563
ElizabethB said:
Great Job on the Roswell! I have a blue one that needs rehabbing and you've given me inspiration.

You might consider using either an iron-on hem tape or bonding tape to close up that vertical slit so it doesn't grow. Clean up the fraying, cut a piece of tape a tad longer than your slit and slide behind the hole (adhesive side up) & secure at top & bottom (use a straight pin). Carefully pull the fabric together and use your iron to finish the job.
Click to expand...
You make it sound so easy - you're talking to a gal who is all thumbs! :p

But, it is a good idea...I need to get some acrylic paints so I'll look for that as well. thanks! You gals all have the BESt ideas!
 
#8,564
whateve said:
Actually I was looking for a strap I could use and it turned out it was cheaper to buy a purse that had a strap than to look at the listings for just a strap. The color matches perfectly and the length and quality is great. If I ever finish rehabbing the purse, I'll post pictures of it.

I have a lot of trouble painting. It is very hard to get the color to match perfectly and to go on smoothly. I haven't painted any Italian leathers. I think it might be different with the glossy textured surface. Just keep paper towels handy so you can wipe it off quickly if it doesn't look right. Dab it on in tiny amounts and feather it out to blend it in.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the encouragement, Whateve - I need it!
 
#8,565
whateve said:
Don't use the conditioner on the suede interior. It is normal for the inside of the pocket to be a lighter color.

We recommend giving your bag a bath in the sink with warm water and Dawn or another soap. Soak for 1/2 hour or more. You can gently work on the dirt spots. Rinse thoroughly. Then stuff with towels to form the bag into the correct shape. When the bag is nearly dry, which might take a day or two, you can start to apply conditioner. The type of conditioner you should use depends on what shape the bag is in. If the leather is soft and supple, Apple might be all you need. Blackrock conditioner applied as the last step will hide the wear on the edges. You can also use a bit of acrylic paint mixed with conditioner on the corners for a more permanent solution.

There is a ton of advice sprinkled throughout this thread.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your advice! As I am soaking the bag in soapy water, would it be okay to take a toothbrush to scrub the suede interior, or is that not necessary if it looks fairly new and untouched? I want to feel comfortable using it and not worrying if there are any lingering germs in there. Also, would you recommend that I use a microfiber cloth to scrub the exterior light black markings?
 
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