Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#8,566
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!!!
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Thank you for your advice! I really appreciate and need the step-by-step detailed instructions = ) I am a new mother, and I was hoping that I could use the bag straight after purchase with just some light wiping, but it looks like this bag needs a tiny bit of cleaning up. Or should I even touch it? Is there a chance I could mess it up completely?

I am trying to read as many pages in this thread when the baby is napping = ). Right now this rehab project seems like a large undertaking! I had pondered whether to give this willis a bath after reading some of the comments by other posters. I know some people are hesitant to bathe a red colored bag. Right now the coloring of the bag is this gorgeous, saturated red. I hope that the bath water won't fade the coloring too much. Looking at all the before and after pictures gives me hope that the willis can look even prettier!

On the exterior flap of the bag, I noticed a little knick, cut in the leather about 10mm long, maybe. If I submerge the bag in water, will the area around the slit release more dye? At present, the flaw is not too noticeable. I also thought I read somewhere that the process of placing the bag in water will darker up the leather a bit so maybe the discoloration on the corners will go away when the bag is dry. Is that true?
 
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#8,567
LVaznGRL said:
Thank you for your advice! I really appreciate and need the step-by-step detailed instructions = ) I am a new mother, and I was hoping that I could use the bag straight after purchase with just some light wiping, but it looks like this bag needs a tiny bit of cleaning up. Or should I even touch it? Is there a chance I could mess it up completely?

I am trying to read as many pages in this thread when the baby is napping = ). Right now this rehab project seems like a large undertaking! I had pondered whether to give this willis a bath after reading some of the comments by other posters. I know some people are hesitant to bathe a red colored bag. Right now the coloring of the bag is this gorgeous, saturated red. I hope that the bath water won't fade the coloring too much. Looking at all the before and after pictures gives me hope that the willis can look even prettier!

On the exterior flap of the bag, I noticed a little knick, cut in the leather about 10mm long, maybe. If I submerge the bag in water, will the area around the slit release more dye? At present, the flaw is not too noticeable. I also thought I read somewhere that the process of placing the bag in water will darker up the leather a bit so maybe the discoloration on the corners will go away when the bag is dry. Is that true?
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Every bag is a little different. I have bathed a red Station bag and it did well. It is true that water is actually truly helpful when it comes to reshaping the leather "fibers" and restoring some deep moisture, which is then furthered by using good quality conditioners, etc. I think bathing the bag will really be fine!! It seems complicated until you ACTUALLY DO it for yourself, and it is overall so worth it!! I think if you take some good photos for us to look at, maybe we can advise you more. My opinion is, I don't actually wash bags that are in great condition, (and aren't too "smooshed" and mis-shapen.) It's all about your level of expectation: are you cool with VINTAGE? meaning patina, and a little "history" on your bags? I actually don't want my vintage bags to look "new". they often end up looking truly amazing, but I don't nit-pic little areas at all. I"d love to see some photos before you proceed if you can show us its quirky little areas needing attention. As far as any flaws, Water will also help shrink and reshape spots like that sometimes. I've had loosened torn piping that reshaped itself to the purse and was more easily able to be patched up and/or re-inforced, etc. The dye won't be affected regardless. Old Coach bags are solid leather inside and out, no "fillers" or cardboard lining, etc.
 
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#8,568
LVaznGRL said:
Thank you for your advice! I really appreciate and need the step-by-step detailed instructions = ) I am a new mother, and I was hoping that I could use the bag straight after purchase with just some light wiping, but it looks like this bag needs a tiny bit of cleaning up. Or should I even touch it? Is there a chance I could mess it up completely?

I am trying to read as many pages in this thread when the baby is napping = ). Right now this rehab project seems like a large undertaking! I had pondered whether to give this willis a bath after reading some of the comments by other posters. I know some people are hesitant to bathe a red colored bag. Right now the coloring of the bag is this gorgeous, saturated red. I hope that the bath water won't fade the coloring too much. Looking at all the before and after pictures gives me hope that the willis can look even prettier!

On the exterior flap of the bag, I noticed a little knick, cut in the leather about 10mm long, maybe. If I submerge the bag in water, will the area around the slit release more dye? At present, the flaw is not too noticeable. I also thought I read somewhere that the process of placing the bag in water will darker up the leather a bit so maybe the discoloration on the corners will go away when the bag is dry. Is that true?
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I have bathed several red bags and not had a problem. I have switched to using a little Lexol cleaner in the water when I bathe my bags. I have a red Willis in line for rehab right now and plan on bathing it. Depending on how small the nick is, you may choose to do nothing about it. I don't think it is a reason not to bathe the bag. Sometimes I "secure" nicks with the tiniest bit of leather filler. I use a small paint brush to kind of push into the nick, then blend with my finger. When used lightly, it dries clear for me and I don't do anything further.

The bag will darken when wet, but the lightened corners will likely return as drying. Conditioner, and especially Blackrocks, will help to bring back color on the corners. I'm sure the bag is going to be beautiful when you get done! I can't wait to get to mine and clean her up :D
 
#8,569
This thread has so many pages and I only got part way through but wasn't able to find a specific answer. I am trying to rehab several vintage coach bags and was wondering if anyone had a suggestion to fix the faded edges/piping of the bag where the color has worn out? Is there a way to revive it? Thank you!
 
#8,570
singas0ng said:
This thread has so many pages and I only got part way through but wasn't able to find a specific answer. I am trying to rehab several vintage coach bags and was wondering if anyone had a suggestion to fix the faded edges/piping of the bag where the color has worn out? Is there a way to revive it? Thank you!
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Blackrocks conditioner to temporarily disguise the fading or acrylic paint mixed with conditioner blended into the faded spots for a more permanent fix.
 
#8,571
LVaznGRL said:
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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You can scrub the suede interior if you want. A microfiber cloth would be fine on the exterior. The important thing is not to scrub too hard.

In my experience, the dye is more likely to be colorfast in newer bags than in really old bags. How old is your Willis? Even if the water turns red, there is usually plenty of dye left in the bag so don't panic.
 
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#8,573
In my very limited experience, I've only done 3 bags so far, it's definitely a GOOD idea not to overscrub with microfiber, sponges or cloths of any kind. I did a black Cashin (styled) lol slim satchel. It is black, it had shoe polish I believe 'cos it was really shiny. Well there was one teensie little spot, that I in my ignorance was trying to fix, and I rubbed away with a microfiber, (I thought I was being gentle) and you can definitely tell. From a teeny spot, that most likely would have been minimized with the Blackrocks, I have a smudge, that looks like a different texture, thats a lot bigger than the original spot. I did use the Blackrocks on it, and you can tell in certain angles when the light hits it. But guess what? I'm not messing with it anymore, less is definitely better when rehabbing. I love that bag, it doesn't look fake shiny anymore, the leather looks beautiful (except for that one spot) that no one that I've pointed it out too can discern.
 
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#8,575
Sorry for asking this, 'cos I'm sure it's been asked before, but exactly what buttons do I press to quote something previous? Everytime I try to do it, it doesn't work for me. I can never get the previous quote in it's entirety
 
#8,576
latetotheparty said:
Sorry for asking this, 'cos I'm sure it's been asked before, but exactly what buttons do I press to quote something previous? Everytime I try to do it, it doesn't work for me. I can never get the previous quote in it's entirety
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If you just want to quote a single message, select "Quote" at the bottom that message, type your response and click "Submit Reply".

If you want to multi-quote multiple messages, you start with the first message that you want to select. Don't click on the "Quote" button, click on the empty circle/button next to it and it will turn blue.

Repeat the process with the next messages until you reach the last message in the group. Click the "Quote" button on that message and it, along with all of the posts you've selected, will appear in the message box.

Then just type in your response click "Submit Reply"
 
#8,577
whateve said:
You can scrub the suede interior if you want. A microfiber cloth would be fine on the exterior. The important thing is not to scrub too hard.

In my experience, the dye is more likely to be colorfast in newer bags than in really old bags. How old is your Willis? Even if the water turns red, there is usually plenty of dye left in the bag so don't panic.
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My red willis is dated 1996. I will try to post some pictures up so you experts can let me know what you think of it.
 
#8,579
katev said:
If you just want to quote a single message, select "Quote" at the bottom that message, type your response and click "Submit Reply".

If you want to multi-quote multiple messages, you start with the first message that you want to select. Don't click on the "Quote" button, click on the empty circle/button next to it and it will turn blue.

Repeat the process with the next messages until you reach the last message in the group. Click the "Quote" button on that message and it, along with all of the posts you've selected, will appear in the message box.

Then just type in your response click "Submit Reply"
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Tx, Katev - I wondered how to do that..
 
#8,580
Well, I was brave and bought a bunch of permanent acryllic paints today (Americana) for touch ups of various bags. I also bought the iron on hem binding that Elizabeth B suggested for the lining of the Roswell Satchel (thanks!)....I'll just go slow and have plenty of paper towels on hand..:sweatdrop:
 
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