Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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Joodlz - beautiful job! I love that you took her out for happy hour - what fun! ;)

I have the same bag it was one of my earlier rehabs. remeber not being happy with the trim - still looked scuffed and dull so I put it away for another day....maybe I should dtouch it up with someLeatherCPR/acryllic paint mixture? I bought some pain a few months ago along with brushes and STILL haven't used them! I'm a big scaredy cat!

Thanks!...Did you finish your "unhappy" rehab with Blackrocks? If you did, you might want to re-wash it to remove the wax. Otherwise I think you'll have a problem applying any kind of conditioner/acrylic mix, as it won't sink in. And if you choose to use conditioner/acrylic mix, you might want to let it sit for a couple of days to make sure it's completely dry before using Blackrocks. I've experienced Blackrocks "lifting" the color applied like that, but maybe I applied it too soon. The piping on my Spectator bag was VERY dry, but lots and lots of Leather CPR and finishing with Blackrocks did the trick!

My dinky is dark green with tan trim.
Ooooooh...Aaaaaah! Sounds pretty!
 
This is a follow-up to rehab posts on 2-18 & 19.
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-540.html#post24020956
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-542.html#post24027927

After the washing machine ride, this poor suede pocket tote was improved, but still looked dirty and dingy, mostly on the bottom and edges of the front pockets. (Darn, I shoulda taken pics!)

I have seen many posts on different threads here singing the praises of a product called Soilove and bought a bottle online. (It’s available on the West Coast at 99 Cent stores, but we don’t have those in Florida (!) so I paid a lot more online.) I tested it on the bottom of my BT Multi-Compartment Brief with very good results. So the tan suede bag went back in the kitchen sink. Once it was good and wet all over, I generously applied Soilove all over the bottom and scrubbed with a toothbrush. Repeated the process all over the bag - TWICE! The good news is the water was kind of a honey color, so I’m thinking it removed some dirt or oil or whatever.

Soilove seems to be an ultra-soapy liquid so I made sure I rinsed really well. She’s been stuffed with towels and drying since yesterday afternoon. I’m happy to say I’m seeing good results...the suede is a little stiffer which I’m hoping means I’ve removed more oil, and brighter which I hope means she’s just cleaner. The before pics are a little deceiving color-wise as they were shot in early morning golden light. She’s really a sandy, taupe-y neutral shade of tan. The after photos here are pretty accurate color.

I’ve added another tool to my collection too. The suede brush I have with nylon bristles just wasn’t getting the job done. I found a small, not-so-stiff, wire brush in my MIL’s tool closet and it is working wonders in picking up the nap on the suede. Using light circular strokes, it’s making a significant improvement.

I really do love this bag...it's got lots of room, but doesn't really look big. And the front pockets are real handy. She'll get lots of use...now!

Wow, it looks like a different bag, congrats! What is the name of that style?
 
The Saga of the Briefcase

My daughter's boyfriend is graduating from law school this month. He likes to buy things made in America. So I came up with the idea that he would love a vintage Coach briefcase that was made in the US, although he isn't into brand names. I won one on ebay but the bag I received was made in Mexico, even though the listing had a picture of a US creed. I had to open a dispute with the seller, and he agreed to exchange the bag and he would pay my return postage. I returned the Mexican briefcase and he sent the US briefcase. (What are the chances that someone would have two identical briefcases?) I am probably going to have to escalate the case because he hasn't refunded my shipping.

I thought the briefcase I received was in excellent shape for a bag that is 14 years old. My daughter is worried that he won't like it if it looks used. I forgot to mention that they live across the country so she has to rely on pictures and my reports to decide if it is in good shape. My hubby says it looks used.

I washed it. I wrapped books in towels which I placed inside to get it to dry in a square shape. I touched up the corners with Lexol conditioner with a little black acrylic paint mixed in. The leather got 3 coats of Leather CPR and 2 of Blackrocks. I cleaned the brass with steel wool. I didn't shine it because I thought he might like it better if it wasn't too bright. I don't think there is anything else I can do. If it were for me, I would be happy with it. To me, the worst thing is the wrinkles in the outside pockets. I also have the new one from the factory store. This one is heavier. The new one also has a little wrinkling in the outside pockets, but not as bad as this.

I think it looks fantastic and the fact that you put so much work into makes it even nicer!
 
I found this one on the LAST purse rack at my local Goodwill, buried in a sea of junk bags. I saw huge potential for rehabbing her despite what looked like mildew (or exploded make-up powder) and a sticky, melted candy substance on the inside pocket! The outside had surface scratches and the piping was very dry, but intact. For $6.99 for Coach Leatherware (and likely the original hangtag), I’m in!

Hyacinth authenticated her as a Spectator City Bag #6790 from 1989-91. Before photos are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-640.html#post24506451

I brushed away the mildew/powder with a dry toothbrush. I didn’t detect a typical mildew odor, so I’m opting for some kind of powder instead. Who knows! Gave her a very warm soak and scrub with Dawn (removed of the melted candy right away), very long, very warm rinse and stuffed with towels to restore her shape. I used lots and lots of Leather CPR over several days, particularly on the piping which was very dry on the bottom edges. Polished the brass with Brasso and a polishing cloth. I finished the leather with Blackrocks, which virtually obliterated the surface scratches and worked wonders on the piping. A good buffing with a microfiber cloth brought back that deep, lustrous sheen that we all love!

Though some rehabs are more successful than others, a success like THIS is why I rehab!

LOLOL...couldn’t resist documenting her first happy hour at my favorite pub...best looking purse in the joint!

Great job, what an unusual and gorgeous bag! Is it navy and british tan? I'm not sure about the colors.
 
Does anyone have tips on cleaning striped Legacy lining? My 65th anniversary collection doubled and I now have a small top handled pouch too. The lining is a bit dingy. I soaked the entire bag, and it helped a bit, but I would like to brighten it up more if possible. I got this pouch for $23 shipped, with the idea of making it my test case before I tried anything on my 65th shoulder bag.

Thanks!

I've used baby wipes to brighten up striped lining.
 
Hi ladies whats difference in leather CPR and blackrocks ? Also have u ever tried that stuff "leather refinisher/cole restorer? Dying to know about that product! It comes in multiple colors and they say that their colors match coach colors....hmmm
 
Hi ladies whats difference in leather CPR and blackrocks ? Also have u ever tried that stuff "leather refinisher/cole restorer? Dying to know about that product! It comes in multiple colors and they say that their colors match coach colors....hmmm
There are many discussions of all three in this thread. You can use the search function. Leather CPR is more of a deep moisturizer and Blackrocks is more of a wax and sealer. Some people have used the leather refinisher with good results. I believe it is an acrylic product. It doesn't soak in like leather dye but it goes on more even. As far as their colors matching Coach colors, I don't know how that is possible because Coach changed their colors all the time. I have several navy bags that are all different colors. Same with red.
 
There are many discussions of all three in this thread. You can use the search function. Leather CPR is more of a deep moisturizer and Blackrocks is more of a wax and sealer. Some people have used the leather refinisher with good results. I believe it is an acrylic product. It doesn't soak in like leather dye but it goes on more even. As far as their colors matching Coach colors, I don't know how that is possible because Coach changed their colors all the time. I have several navy bags that are all different colors. Same with red.

Scameron- just in case you're using the app, you need to open the thread in safari to search a thread. You can't do this (to my knowledge) from the app.
 
This thread motivated me to try my own rehab project. BTW, the ladies here rock at rehab, and I'd greatly welcome some help. I followed the rehab suggestions offered in this thread but my Legacy(9966) remains some what stiff. A play of what I did - I first washed with dawn, soaked 40 minutes, rinsed, and soaked again for 15 minutes to get the soap out. Next, I drained the wet bag with towels. Let it dry in the evening sun for 3 hours. Brought her in, changed the towels, and let her dry overnight. Next day, while still wet, I put a coat of leather CPR, changed towels and let her dry again. Towards the end of the day, I removed the towels and put a generous coat of CPR and let her stay overnight. The next three days I applied one coat of CPR each and let the bag dry. I was expecting a nice chewy texture after conditioning , but the bag still feels stiff. What did I miss or do wrong, I'd greatly appreciate some help please to rescue her. The bag was in excellent vintage condition albeit dirty. It wasn't stiff or dry when I bought it.
 
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Thanks and the leather is so thin but you know what, I think the older ones with the metal tag are really thin, but surprisingly I like it, it feels like lamb....., the buckles are not that heavy but yes full brass. I keep touching this bag. I am totally in love with it! And I don't even like flap bags typically! Good idea about the inside pocket, I just don't want to ruin any part of her. :p
I have a black Courer with the metal black tag as well, and I agree, the leather is thinner than my Courier's with creed imprints. Your new Courier is gorgeous! I would think Leather CPR would be safe, but you could always start with Apple and see if that is enough.
 
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