Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[iyaken]

I usually soak the bag in warm sudsy water for about 45 minutes. I use a cloth to rub it down inside and out while it is soaking to remove surface dirt. If the bag is very soiled I will rub it more vigorously to try and reduce the spots. If it has ink marks on the inside I definitely scrub them and also treat them with rubbing alcohol.

I am more gentle on the outside because I don't want to lose color but I will be more aggressive if the bag is really really dirty. Sometimes I wash them twice or I turn it inside out (if possible) while it is soaking. If there is a lot of lint and dust collected in the seams then I use a soft toothbrush to scrub them. Good luck!

Thanks! Actually, the one I'm working on (tan-ish 9019 bucket?) is fairly clean in terms of dirt and lint, just a little worn and smooshed up. The dunk was mainly for reshaping purposes, though I was also kind of hoping it would help with some of the scuffs/smudges and minor pen marks (for which alcohol didn't seem to help).. I think I'll try just dunking and turning with this one, but I'll definitely be more aggressive with the others, depending on how this turns out. This being my first, I'm being overly cautious and gentle

 

[katev]

I have a question about the Coach jacquard fabric cleaner. I was wondering if anyone has tried it on a non-coach bag?

I only have 2 sig Coach bags (one is jacquard and the other is sateen) but I have used the jacquard cleaner on both of them and it has worked well - but they weren't very soiled, and the sateen bag is black/black and doesn't show marks too much.

I've just picked up a white and floral Vera Bradley bag at the thrift store and it is in great condition but there are a few areas that show slight soiling. I have learned (thanks to a kind TPFer!) that it is a limited edition Nicole VB bag that is made of sateen. There are pics of the bag at the link below. I was thinking of using the Coach jacquard cleaner on this sateen VB bag but I don't want to make the soiling more noticable or damage the bag.

Does anyone have experience with using the jacquard cleaner on a non-Coach sateen bag? Thanks for your help!

http://forum.purseblog.com/handbags...cognize-this-vera-bradley-pattern-721975.html

 

[iyaken]

A question for our rehab experts.. When the leather of your bag has been folded where it shouldn't have - say, diagonally across a flap, or in my case, along the base of the bucket bag due to it having been stored flat - and an apparently permanent crease was left, how do you deal with it? The area of the crease on mine feels.. thinner? I stuffed while drying, so it seems to have gotten the shape mostly right, but because of that thin crease area, when stood on its base, it still kind of smooshes/bends down. Is there a solution to this, or will I end up with a bag with a limp?

 

[katev]

A question for our rehab experts.. When the leather of your bag has been folded where it shouldn't have - say, diagonally across a flap, or in my case, along the base of the bucket bag due to it having been stored flat - and an apparently permanent crease was left, how do you deal with it? The area of the crease on mine feels.. thinner? I stuffed while drying, so it seems to have gotten the shape mostly right, but because of that thin crease area, when stood on its base, it still kind of smooshes/bends down. Is there a solution to this, or will I end up with a bag with a limp?

I am not sure what you mean by thinner?

I have a Bonnie Cashin for Meyers bag from the 1970s that was stored folded and had a nasty crease across the middle. I don't know if it helped, but I massaged the area with my fingers when it was wet and while it was drying. I also kept it stuffed for several days while it was slowly drying (I changed the towels every day.) The worst of the crease came out but you can still see it faintly when the bag is empty - see the before and after pictures below.

Jessi did some research and found that it may be possible to steam marks out of leather by covering the area with a damp towel and pressing it with a slightly warm steam iron, but I haven't tried that yet and I think that the bottom of a bucket bag would be a difficult area to get at with an iron! Maybe you could stuff the bag and try the damp towel and iron approach? But be patient and don't let the iron get too hot!

I don't really have a good answer, but hopefully someone else will be able to help you. Perhaps if you could post pictures it would be easier to advise you? Good luck!

Cashin for Meyers Before:

After:

 

[iyaken]

I am not sure what you mean by thinner?

I have a Bonnie Cashin for Meyers bag from the 1970s that was stored folded and had a nasty crease across the middle. I don't know if it helped, but I massaged the area with my fingers when it was wet and while it was drying. I also kept it stuffed for several days while it was slowly drying (I changed the towels every day.) The worst of the crease came out but you can still see it faintly when the bag is empty - see the before and after pictures below.

Jessi did some research and found that it may be possible to steam marks out of leather by covering the area with a damp towel and pressing it with a slightly warm steam iron, but I haven't tried that yet and I think that the bottom of a bucket bag would be a difficult area to get at with an iron! Maybe you could stuff the bag and try the damp towel and iron approach? But be patient and don't let the iron get too hot!

I don't really have a good answer, but hopefully someone else will be able to help you. Perhaps if you could post pictures it would be easier to advise you? Good luck!

Oh my, that looked amazing afterwards! I guess there's still hope for my bucket, then! Would it be safe to do another dunking so soon after the bag is dried and conditioned?

I guess I thought the creased area felt thinner because it was softer? It also felt a little bit stretched.. I feel that the previous owner really used this bag, as it's pretty scuffed. The sides are way more worn than the bottom, which other than being stretched due to carrying the weight of the contents, looks pretty thick and sturdy still. I will definitely take more pictures when I get home!

I really regret not taking a before pic.. the color has changed a lot! I thought it was more of a light brown paper bag kind of tan, but is turning into a deeper brown, more british tan, I suppose?

My heartfelt thanks, katev.. Your rehabs inspired me, and you're keeping me going with all the help!

 

[katev]

Oh my, that looked amazing afterwards! I guess there's still hope for my bucket, then! Would it be safe to do another dunking so soon after the bag is dried and conditioned?

I guess I thought the creased area felt thinner because it was softer? It also felt a little bit stretched.. I feel that the previous owner really used this bag, as it's pretty scuffed. The sides are way more worn than the bottom, which other than being stretched due to carrying the weight of the contents, looks pretty thick and sturdy still. I will definitely take more pictures when I get home!

I really regret not taking a before pic.. the color has changed a lot! I thought it was more of a light brown paper bag kind of tan, but is turning into a deeper brown, more british tan, I suppose?

My heartfelt thanks, katev.. Your rehabs inspired me, and you're keeping me going with all the help!

My pleasure!

I have rewashed bags without problems in cases when I was unhappy with the results of the first bath. I have even put bags through the washing machine (in a bag and on the delicate cycle) when I couldn't get them clean with a sink bath!

Lighter color bags like British Tan can be a bit trickier than dark bags and there is always the risk of some color loss when you wash a bag, but the color of your bag improved after washing and conditioning so it will probably be fine to rewash it. My bags frequently get darker after washing and conditioning because the leather was so dried out and faded before I began working on it.

You didn't say what your bucket bag is made of? If it is pebbled leather then you need to treat it more gently, but if it is glove-tanned leather it would probably hold up fine with a second washing. But I can't guarantee that rewashing will remove the crease!

Are the sides still showing scuff marks and wear after washing and conditioning? If it is glove-tanned leather than it may help to give it several applications of conditioner and buffing. Use the conditioner sparingly during each application and immediately wipe off the excess. Let the leather rest for several hours (or days!) between applications.

When I still have problems with persistant scuff marks or uneven coloration I use a product called Black Rock Leather N Rich. It will darken the leather a little but it usually helps even out the color and minimize the flaws. You really have to use the Black Rocks sparingly, wipe off the excess, and let it rest before buffing.

You didn't say how much you paid for your bucket bag? I get pretty aggressive with my rehabs because I try not to spend too much on my project bags - so if they are a failure I haven't lost much. But my bottom line is "do I feel comfortable carrying the bag in this condition?" and if the answer is "not really!" then I usually keep going and trying to make it look better. I am not always successful. Good luck!

 

[katev]

Oh my, that looked amazing afterwards! I guess there's still hope for my bucket, then! Would it be safe to do another dunking so soon after the bag is dried and conditioned?...

I forgot to mention that with my creased Bonnie Cashin for Meyers bag, I even turned it inside out and stuffed it with towels and massaged the crease from the inside. Again I don't know if that did any good and I don't know if you are able to turn your bucket bag inside out?

 

[iyaken]

The color definitely improved after washing and a little conditioning.. some of the marks went away, but definitely not all of them. I worry that I used too much conditioner (I found Leather CPR), though! I didn't really wipe off excess, just kind of rubbed it in.. It only took a couple of minutes, but the conditioner did get absorbed in - does that mean the bag was really thirsty? Or did I just damage the leather by putting in so much during round 1?

It is glove-tanned leather, and I paid $17.50 for it at GW. I almost didn't get it because I thought it was a little steep for something I wasn't sure I could rescue, but I gave in because I figured, even if it doesn't end up perfect afterwards, I could still use it as a lunch bag I've yet to luck out with finding really inexpensive bags.. I think 10 was the lowest I got and it was pretty beat up. Someone beat me to a $5 Willis (I think) the other day.. I stalked her until she checked out, just in case she changes her mind

I think I'll let it sit while stuffed for now (it dried pretty fast..) and condition again tomorrow. Play with it a little, and see how it goes. If the crease remains stubborn, then I'll give it a more vigorous bath and hope for the best!

I have looked into finding that Black Rocks, and it seems a couple of not-too-far tack shops have it. I just haven't gotten any due to their being closed when I was out shopping, and my lack of guts.. I'm hoping just Leather CPR will be enough for what I need, and that I can get the other stuff for if/when I get serious about rehabbing. Admittedly, with 8 bags queued up (I think I just bumped it up to 10 via ebay a while ago) I should consider myself committed to becoming serious!

My pleasure!

I have rewashed bags without problems in cases when I was unhappy with the results of the first bath. I have even put bags through the washing machine (in a bag and on the delicate cycle) when I couldn't get them clean with a sink bath!

Lighter color bags like British Tan can be a bit trickier than dark bags and there is always the risk of some color loss when you wash a bag, but the color of your bag improved after washing and conditioning so it will probably be fine to rewash it. My bags frequently get darker after washing and conditioning because the leather was so dried out and faded before I began working on it.

You didn't say what your bucket bag is made of? If it is pebbled leather then you need to treat it more gently, but if it is glove-tanned leather it would probably hold up fine with a second washing. But I can't guarantee that rewashing will remove the crease!

Are the sides still showing scuff marks and wear after washing and conditioning? If it is glove-tanned leather than it may help to give it several applications of conditioner and buffing. Use the conditioner sparingly during each application and immediately wipe off the excess. Let the leather rest for several hours (or days!) between applications.

When I still have problems with persistant scuff marks or uneven coloration I use a product called Black Rock Leather N Rich. It will darken the leather a little but it usually helps even out the color and minimize the flaws. You really have to use the Black Rocks sparingly, wipe off the excess, and let it rest before buffing.

You didn't say how much you paid for your bucket bag? I get pretty aggressive with my rehabs because I try not to spend too much on my project bags - so if they are a failure I haven't lost much. But my bottom line is "do I feel comfortable carrying the bag in this condition?" and if the answer is "not really!" then I usually keep going and trying to make it look better. I am not always successful. Good luck!

 

[iyaken]

I forgot to mention that with my creased Bonnie Cashin for Meyers bag, I even turned it inside out and stuffed it with towels and massaged the crease from the inside. Again I don't know if that did any good and I don't know if you are able to turn your bucket bag inside out?

I didn't try, but I think it would be possible. The leather got pretty soft, and flipping the creed flap wasn't difficult at all. If I do end up dunking again, I'll try. If it's too difficult, then I'll just have to work with it right side out.

 

[katev]

The color definitely improved after washing and a little conditioning.. some of the marks went away, but definitely not all of them. I worry that I used too much conditioner (I found Leather CPR), though! I didn't really wipe off excess, just kind of rubbed it in.. It only took a couple of minutes, but the conditioner did get absorbed in - does that mean the bag was really thirsty? Or did I just damage the leather by putting in so much during round 1?

It is glove-tanned leather, and I paid $17.50 for it at GW. I almost didn't get it because I thought it was a little steep for something I wasn't sure I could rescue, but I gave in because I figured, even if it doesn't end up perfect afterwards, I could still use it as a lunch bag I've yet to luck out with finding really inexpensive bags.. I think 10 was the lowest I got and it was pretty beat up. Someone beat me to a $5 Willis (I think) the other day.. I stalked her until she checked out, just in case she changes her mind

I think I'll let it sit while stuffed for now (it dried pretty fast..) and condition again tomorrow. Play with it a little, and see how it goes. If the crease remains stubborn, then I'll give it a more vigorous bath and hope for the best!

I have looked into finding that Black Rocks, and it seems a couple of not-too-far tack shops have it. I just haven't gotten any due to their being closed when I was out shopping, and my lack of guts.. I'm hoping just Leather CPR will be enough for what I need, and that I can get the other stuff for if/when I get serious about rehabbing. Admittedly, with 8 bags queued up (I think I just bumped it up to 10 via ebay a while ago) I should consider myself committed to becoming serious!

10 bags sounds like a serious rehabber to me! I've learned new things with each rehab, just by doing it and trying to solve various problems that arise. And especially by asking other TPFers for advice.

I always advise inexpensive, glove-tanned, black bags for a first rehab project because they are usually pretty easy (unless the previous owner used shoe polish and magic marker ink on the bag!)

Thrift store bags are getting more and more expensive and I have walked away from several because of the price, or the possibility that it may be fake, or because the condition is poor and the rehab may fail.

It sounds like your bag was really dried out and could easily take additonal applications of Leather CPR and/or a Black Rocks treatment. After using the Black Rocks and buffing, the color and surface appearance of my bags usually has improved, but the bag may not gleam as much as I would like. I usually put on a final very light application of Apple or Leather CPR, let it rest, and then buff to make it shine!

 

[iyaken]

Well, here is the picture of the crease on the bag..
Can you see where between the crease and the piping, the leather's smooshed out? That area feels particularly soft, as though stretched..

I am excited to say, I have bag#6 in my possession! Authenticated by hyacinth, she says it's probably a Pocket Bag style 9875 from around 1989. It's just like the seller described on http://www.ebay.com/itm/260922170774.. Because it's my lightest bag so far, it probably won't get touched for a long time..

 

[katev]

Well, here is the picture of the crease on the bag..
Can you see where between the crease and the piping, the leather's smooshed out? That area feels particularly soft, as though stretched..

I am excited to say, I have bag#6 in my possession! Authenticated by hyacinth, she says it's probably a Pocket Bag style 9875 from around 1989. It's just like the seller described on http://www.ebay.com/itm/260922170774.. Because it's my lightest bag so far, it probably won't get touched for a long time..

Jeez, I don't know. I once rehabbed a navy Becket Zip and one of the upper corners of the bag was sort of wrinkled, puckered, and smooshed. I always figured that it was water damage but I don't really know. I managed to make that area look a little better but I was never able to completely get rid of those wrinkles. Maybe I should get it out and try the steam iron technique?

There are before and after pics at the link below and I think you can see the wrinkles in the upper left corner of the bag. Let me know if you come up with a solution, I would like to try it on my navy Becket!

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-becket-zip-9920-rehab-pics-614548.html

 

[iyaken]

Jeez, I don't know. I once rehabbed a navy Becket Zip and one of the upper corners of the bag was sort of wrinkled, puckered, and smooshed. I always figured that it was water damage but I don't really know. I managed to make that area look a little better but I was never able to completely get rid of those wrinkles. Maybe I should get it out and try the steam iron technique?

There are before and after pics at the link below and I think you can see the wrinkles in the upper left corner of the bag. Let me know if you come up with a solution, I would like to try it on my navy Becket!

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-becket-zip-9920-rehab-pics-614548.html

Oh my. You really do inspire me! I see the wrinkles you were referring to, and it does look much better in the afters. I might try steaming, too, if all else fails... It seems like a great idea, and one will never know until one tries. But, one step at a time! Thank you again, katev

 

[millgirl70]

Just a question which I thought of last night - sometimes when I get a bag I change the placement of the buckle and sometimes the strap curls at the ends - does anyone have a solution on how to make the strap lay flatter? I just thought about it last night and thought I would ask to see if anyone has come up with a solution. Happy New Year to everyone!

 

[katev]

Oh my. You really do inspire me! I see the wrinkles you were referring to, and it does look much better in the afters. I might try steaming, too, if all else fails... It seems like a great idea, and one will never know until one tries. But, one step at a time! Thank you again, katev

I might try steaming too. Be careful, Jessi said that she got impatient and made the iron too hot and it actually damaged the leather!