Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[katev]

Just received my latest rehab in the mail -- a $25 navy blue NYC convertible clutch. Came with a bobby pin and a paper clip, lol. Inside was filthtastic so I just gave it a bubble bath. In fact when I opened the box I was convinced I had a black bag and it was mislisted, but decided to just bathe it and let it dry then hold it up to my black city bag and hope for a difference. Don't need another black bag!

Hi, I just bought a convertible clutch that is also in less common color, mine is burgundy. I was wondering how your navy rehab came out and if you have any advice? My bag is in terrible shape and the hardware is afflicted with verdigris! I swore that I would NEVER buy another bag with verdigris but here I am again! But it was wine-colored and made in NYC so I just had to try and save it!

You can see pics of my poor bag at the links below, suggestions from everybody would be appreciated – this one is going to be tough! I don’t normally care to wash red bags but this poor baby really needs a bath – maybe two baths!

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...s-coach-694619-post20717628.html#post20717628

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...s-coach-694619-post20717638.html#post20717638

 

[nepheliad]

Hi ladies! I'm not new to the forum or the love for vintage coach bags, but I am definitely new to rehabbing! I've read all 61 pages of his thread and I quite enjoyed every minute of it!
Okay, so I've been considering purchasing this beautiful British Tan Stewardess bag that was authenticated and I'm told it's from the mid 70's to mid 80's which is super exciting. I'm hoping to get some advice if possible. It looks to be in decent shape, but I'm considering maybe giving it a bath anyway. I also want to put a conditioner on it, and see if the little scratches can be minimized somewhat. Does that seem like a good idea? I was thinking of using the Apple care, but I'm not sure. I've also heard of people using the Kiwi scuff remover. They make one that is for all colors and I'm curious if it will work. I'm hesitant because I know the lighter colours are more difficult to rehab.
I'm exciting to hear your thoughts

 

[iyaken]

What a find!! Im jealous. Im off to do my thrift store run. My goal: Willis.

I really am proud of how this Willis is turning out! Will have to hit the craft store later today to get acrylic paint, then the tack store for Blackrock to try on my BT bags (and see what else they have), then the goodwill to see if they have any Stewardess bags. I'm excited about it all! Good luck with your search

You asked about removing the hardware and I said that I have never done that, but I just posted a bag (with verdigris!) for authentication and DemRam said that she always removes both parts of the turnlock for cleaning, see the link below:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-694619-376.html#post20717890

That gives me confidence to try it, then! I had my little screwdriver to attempt to get a D-ring off yesterday morning, but changed my mind. I didn't even think of removing the turnlocks, because I thought it'd be more iffy and that I might actually break prongs.

Hi ladies! I'm not new to the forum or the love for vintage coach bags, but I am definitely new to rehabbing! I've read all 61 pages of his thread and I quite enjoyed every minute of it!
Okay, so I've been considering purchasing this beautiful British Tan Stewardess bag that was authenticated and I'm told it's from the mid 70's to mid 80's which is super exciting. I'm hoping to get some advice if possible. It looks to be in decent shape, but I'm considering maybe giving it a bath anyway. I also want to put a conditioner on it, and see if the little scratches can be minimized somewhat. Does that seem like a good idea? I was thinking of using the Apple care, but I'm not sure. I've also heard of people using the Kiwi scuff remover. They make one that is for all colors and I'm curious if it will work. I'm hesitant because I know the lighter colours are more difficult to rehab.
I'm exciting to hear your thoughts

I've also just started with rehabbing, and started with a lighter color bag. I must say, everyone was right - darker colors are much easier. I still get lighter bags though - not a lot, but some. They just have their own appeal! And I think those BT Stewardess bags are amazing. It's on my to-get list!

The first time I gave a bath, I was worried.. but now, I just bathe all of them I would recommend doing a cheaper bag as your first rehab... I might have cracked the leather strap on my first one, and who knows what other booboos I've done, and it wouldn't have hurt as much if it were a mite less expensive. I only used Leather CPR (because I couldn't find Apple locally, and just haven't been in the mood to order online) and it's been great so far. Anyhow, good luck! This thread and katev have been great sources of information and inspiration. Let us know how it goes!

 

[katev]

I really am proud of how this Willis is turning out! Will have to hit the craft store later today to get acrylic paint, then the tack store for Blackrock to try on my BT bags (and see what else they have), then the goodwill to see if they have any Stewardess bags. I'm excited about it all! Good luck with your search

Just want to emphasize that my current project is a british tan city bag and the black rocks conditioner didn't work well on it - it made it kind of gray-tan and made a bad scratch more noticeable. I rewashed the bag and started over just using leather cpr and I am much happier with the results.

I still think that black rocks is a good choice with uneven coloration and faded or spotty bags but I will be more cautious using it in the future.

 

[iyaken]

Just want to emphasize that my current project is a british tan city bag and the black rocks conditioner didn't work well on it - it made it kind of gray-tan and made a bad scratch more noticeable. I rewashed the bag and started over just using leather cpr and I am much happier with the results.

I still think that black rocks is a good choice with uneven coloration and faded or spotty bags but I will be more cautious using it in the future.

I made a note for myself regarding this I do have a couple of areas I want to try the blackrock on on my black bags, but I guess I mentioned the BT ones because they're the ones with the most obvious unevenness in coloring. The mahogany and black bags just seem to carry their battle scars better. Thank you for that heads up!

 

[katev]

Hi ladies! I'm not new to the forum or the love for vintage coach bags, but I am definitely new to rehabbing! I've read all 61 pages of his thread and I quite enjoyed every minute of it!
Okay, so I've been considering purchasing this beautiful British Tan Stewardess bag that was authenticated and I'm told it's from the mid 70's to mid 80's which is super exciting. I'm hoping to get some advice if possible. It looks to be in decent shape, but I'm considering maybe giving it a bath anyway. I also want to put a conditioner on it, and see if the little scratches can be minimized somewhat. Does that seem like a good idea? I was thinking of using the Apple care, but I'm not sure. I've also heard of people using the Kiwi scuff remover. They make one that is for all colors and I'm curious if it will work. I'm hesitant because I know the lighter colours are more difficult to rehab.
I'm exciting to hear your thoughts

It’s a gorgeous bag and great rehab opportunity but it would be quite a challenge. I have had both successes and failures with rehabbing British Tan bags. In general lighter colors are more difficult and less forgiving. Also bags that are pretty old are more likely to show lots of wear (although that is not always true.) I usually advise TPFers to select inexpensive black bags for their first projects, you will learn a lot and have a better chance of success.

Good luck with whatever project you select, and let us know how it comes out! If you decide to go for the BT stewardess, I would definitely give it a bath!

 

[katev]

I made a note for myself regarding this I do have a couple of areas I want to try the blackrock on on my black bags, but I guess I mentioned the BT ones because they're the ones with the most obvious unevenness in coloring. The mahogany and black bags just seem to carry their battle scars better. Thank you for that heads up!

One time I did use black rocks successfully on a BT bag that was faded and spotty. It darkened the bag and made the color more even and that was a good thing. But my BT City bag was in good shape and the BR didn't enhance the beauty - I think it took away from the beauty. You just have to try stuff and see what works in the specific situation!

 

[katev]

Attention rehabbers!

http://www.ebay.com/sch/closet-cris...351&pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&_trksid=p4340.l2562

The ebay vendor at the link above has listed twelve sets of "4 pc mixed lot" vintage Coach bags and accessories. There are some very interesting bags in the mix but some of them seem to be in pretty rough shape so look carefully and ask questions.

I asked Hyacinth to take a look at one of the lots (see below) and give me her opinion. She said that they looked genuine as far as she could see but she doubted that any were truly Cashin-era bags.

Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know in case anyone is interested.

COACH 4PC AUTH ASST VTG BONNIE CASHIN PURSE HANDBAG + WALLET~US & NYC LOT #7
CLEARING OUT HUGE COLLECTION OF DESIGNER & VTG HANDBAGS
Seller: closet-crisis
Item number: 160713577351
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-4PC-A...351?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item256b469387

BTW, the tan Italian bag on the left in this lot (a Royalton?) seems to have a broken turnlock - or the plate around the turnlock is missing? I would suggesting asking about that!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-4PC-A...091?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item484384a253

 

[iyaken]

Attention rehabbers!

Oh. My. Goodness.

The hair on my arms stood on end! I so so so want some of these. I took a quick look at the lots, and since I don't have to start the bidding war just yet, I figured I'd take much closer looks when I'm back home.

I gave my hubby the link, and all he said was that the username was appropriate...

 

[YokelMel]

I just bought this http://www.ebay.com/itm/280789748923?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 as my next rehab project (pending authentication). It looks quite soiled but I couldn't resist, I have been more and more drawn to the bleecker bags. The one and only fabric/leather bag I have rehabbed thus far I bought for $15 at the SA and it was so cheap I just threw the whole thing in the washing machine, it came out pretty good. Not so sure about doing that with this one though...any thoughts?

 

[Clovers]

I just bought this http://www.ebay.com/itm/280789748923?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 as my next rehab project (pending authentication). It looks quite soiled but I couldn't resist, I have been more and more drawn to the bleecker bags. The one and only fabric/leather bag I have rehabbed thus far I bought for $15 at the SA and it was so cheap I just threw the whole thing in the washing machine, it came out pretty good. Not so sure about doing that with this one though...any thoughts?

Wow, I looked at the seller's feedback and someone actually returned it and left bad feedback on Nov. 15th.
I can't tell from the pictures but is the white part of the purse suede or fabric? Or is the whole bag completely leather? If you can clean it up that'd be great. A lot of women here clean up the bags with a good leather cleaner and then seal up the edges with acrylic.

 

[katev]

I just bought this http://www.ebay.com/itm/280789748923?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 as my next rehab project (pending authentication). It looks quite soiled but I couldn't resist, I have been more and more drawn to the bleecker bags. The one and only fabric/leather bag I have rehabbed thus far I bought for $15 at the SA and it was so cheap I just threw the whole thing in the washing machine, it came out pretty good. Not so sure about doing that with this one though...any thoughts?

What a gorgeous bag, what a shame it has been so abused!

I have used Coach jaquard fabric cleaner to spot-clean fabric bags and it has always done a very nice job, including a light-colored bag, but I have never tried it on such a badly soiled bag.

I recently washed a british tan city bag in the washer and it came out beautifully - but it was all leather. I used the leather therapy laundry solution and rinse/dressing below. The products say that they say that they can be used on leather, fabric, and sheepskin, but I haven't tried them on anything but leather so far.

I had used the laundry solution previously and I was happy with the results but this was the first time I added the rinse and dressing and I couldn't believe how good the bag looks!

I put the bag in a net laundry bag but I am sure that a pillow would also work well.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do, and let us know how it comes out!

http://www.leathertherapy.com/products/LEATHER-LAUNDRY-SOLUTION.html

http://www.leathertherapy.com/products/LAUNDRY-RINSE-%26-DRESSING.html

 

[YokelMel]

Wow, I looked at the seller's feedback and someone actually returned it and left bad feedback on Nov. 15th.
I can't tell from the pictures but is the white part of the purse suede or fabric? Or is the whole bag completely leather? If you can clean it up that'd be great. A lot of women here clean up the bags with a good leather cleaner and then seal up the edges with acrylic.

I saw that too, she did mention the larger stain in the description but I think she downplayed the extent of the soiling. S/he revised the description and added some pics I think. I'm definitely going into this thinking I may have just thrown away $40 However, if I can fix her up I think she will be stunning! The white part looks to be cream-on-cream signature fabric. I'm contemplating loading her up with spray-n-wash and tossing her in the washing machine...but with all of that beautiful leather I am scared!

 

[YokelMel]

What a gorgeous bag, what a shame it has been so abused!

I have used Coach jaquard fabric cleaner to spot-clean fabric bags and it has always done a very nice job, including a light-colored bag, but I have never tried it on such a badly soiled bag.

I recently washed a british tan city bag in the washer and it came out beautifully - but it was all leather. I used the leather therapy laundry solution and rinse/dressing below. The products say that they say that they can be used on leather, fabric, and sheepskin, but I haven't tried them on anything but leather so far.

I had used the laundry solution previously and I was happy with the results but this was the first time I added the rinse and dressing and I couldn't believe how good the bag looks!

I put the bag in a net laundry bag but I am sure that a pillow would also work well.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do, and let us know how it comes out!

http://www.leathertherapy.com/products/LEATHER-LAUNDRY-SOLUTION.html

http://www.leathertherapy.com/products/LAUNDRY-RINSE-%26-DRESSING.html

Thanks for the info Katev! I haven't tried those products yet...did you buy them in-store or online? I just used plain old laundry stain remover the last time I did the washing machine bit, and it got out almost all of the stains on a canvas bag with white leather trim. I'm nervous about all of the beautiful leather trim and the lacing though...I don't want to ruin any of that beautiful detail!

 

[katev]

Thanks for the info Katev! I haven't tried those products yet...did you buy them in-store or online? I just used plain old laundry stain remover the last time I did the washing machine bit, and it got out almost all of the stains on a canvas bag with white leather trim. I'm nervous about all of the beautiful leather trim and the lacing though...I don't want to ruin any of that beautiful detail!

I bought them at the horseback riding store but I think it works out about the same. They were priced higher at the store but I didn't have to pay shipping.

You could try hand cleaning it first and resort to the laundry later if it doesn't come out well.