Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#9,256
coach943 said:
After reading through much of this thread and being inspired by all of the rehab pictures and stories, I decided to try my hand a my first rehab project. Overall, I am thrilled with how it turned out. I found a small leather briefcase in pretty sad shape. It's the perfect size to carry to work periodically that will fit my daily essentials plus my iPad. It was authenticated as probably being made sometime in the 70s.

When I received it, it was very dirty and the leather was very dried out. The piping on one corner was split, and it was broken on another corner. I wasn't quite sure what to do with the piping and figured since this was my first project, I'd just wing it a little bit. I sewed the piping with needle and thread before I dunked it.

After dunking, I ended up using three applications of Leather Therapy, two applications of Blackrock, followed by two additional applications of Obenauf's. Between the applications, I brushed the bag to really help open the pores of the leather. The leather is amazing. It is now a dark chocolate brown and very soft and supple. It's the soft chewy leather you expect from a good, old Coach bag.

The piping looks passable. I covered it with a couple coats of EdgeKote and then use a sealer over it. For my purposes, it is good enough. You can't notice the damage unless you are really looking for it. For future projects, I'll try something else (or just look for bags where the piping is not damaged).

My next project is a Musette. It was super dried out when I got it. So much so that I thought it was British Tan. Now, I'm pretty sure it's the tobacco color, but after three applications of Leather Therapy it's still very, very dry. I think I now have the rehab bug.
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The briefcase looks amazing!! Great job! I did a Musette/Carrier bag that was so dry it looked tan also. It turned out to be a beautiful Mahogany. And it took a lot of coats of Leather Therapy restorer/conditioner, done very patiently spread over a few weeks to get her back to her normal color.
Post # 7683 http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-513.html
 
#9,258
Dear experts, first time posting in this thread. Sorry it's not related to rehab but I'd dead sure you guys are the ones that can best answer my questions!

I've got 10+ brand new bags from FOS I want to use Apple conditioner and Apple Garde on, before sending out to my beloved mom, MIL, stepmom, sisters, SILs everywhere.

1.) Hope it's not crazy for me to consider buying the Apple conditioner by the gallon? (Sure I'll use the current 20% off code "returncustomer"). I also plan to use it on the leather seat of my Impala that starts to crack, oh and my boots.

2.) Would I need more than 2 bottles of the 5.5 oz Apple Garde to give each of the 10 leather and siggy bags 3 coatings?

3.) Can I use Coach cleaner from FOS to treat stains on my legacy duffle, before using Apple conditioner and Apple Garde, or should I stick with Apple cleaner?

4.) Can I treat the leather portion (straps, top rim, and bottom) of this bag with Apple conditioner, then, spray the whole bag with Apple Grade?

I check out this tread often. It's magic how you can revive bags! Definitely will not overlook used handbags in the stores again. Thanks in advance!:smile1:
 
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#9,259
Hi Ladies~

I recently found a Classic Coach Hobo at my local Goodwill, and I had a question before I dunk it and bring it back to life; it's black with brown trim, so I'm a little hesitant to dunk since I've never rehabbed a two tone bag before.
Is there anything I can do to keep any color transfer possibility to a minimum? Do I surface wash only, or should I just go for it and hope for the best?
My worry is that the brown trim might end up black? I'd like to keep it its original color if possible.

Thank you!
 
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#9,260
Akim015 said:
Hi Ladies~

I recently found a Classic Coach Hobo at my local Goodwill, and I had a question before I dunk it and bring it back to life; it's black with brown trim, so I'm a little hesitant to dunk since I've never rehabbed a two tone bag before.
Is there anything I can do to keep any color transfer possibility to a minimum? Do I surface wash only, or should I just go for it and hope for the best?
My worry is that the brown trim might end up black? I'd like to keep it its original color if possible.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
I've dunked two tone bags and haven't had a problem with color transfer.
 
#9,261
CoachCatcher45 said:
Here she is after the blackrocks! I got the color wrong for my tag but it doesn't bother me
View attachment 2194102View attachment 2194103 one is with flash and one is without
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She looks beautiful. Is that a navy hangtag? I like it - it sort of looks like the Legacy colorblock colors. I got a casino bag that I couldn't figure out what color it was. In the store it looked gray, then near the cash register it looked green, then once I got outside, it looked black. At home, next to my other black bags, it looked a little lighter, but I am pretty sure it is black. I put a black hangtag on it but the hangtag is a little darker than the bag.
 
#9,262
whateve said:
She looks beautiful. Is that a navy hangtag? I like it - it sort of looks like the Legacy colorblock colors. I got a casino bag that I couldn't figure out what color it was. In the store it looked gray, then near the cash register it looked green, then once I got outside, it looked black. At home, next to my other black bags, it looked a little lighter, but I am pretty sure it is black. I put a black hangtag on it but the hangtag is a little darker than the bag.
Click to expand...

Yeah I thought it was navy when I got it, while rehabbing it, the dye was blackish blue, then when the tag came it was black but I love it. It's unique and it's mine.
 
#9,263
Jessi319 said:
The briefcase looks amazing!! Great job! I did a Musette/Carrier bag that was so dry it looked tan also. It turned out to be a beautiful Mahogany. And it took a lot of coats of Leather Therapy restorer/conditioner, done very patiently spread over a few weeks to get her back to her normal color.
Post # 7683 http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-513.html
Click to expand...

I love that Musette! The one you posted pictures of in the reference library was what made me decide to get this one to rehab. I'll post pictures when I finish. I'm thinking it may be the tabac color, but I'm still not sure. It seems to be a tobacco color after it sets for 24 hours, but it is more of a Mahogany right after the application, so we will see. It is still just drinking in the Leather Therapy, especially the flap on the front. I think it still needs several more applications.
 
#9,266
whateve said:
That is the one I got. I got it on ebay. I really like it. It softens the leather and doesn't feel sticky, like can happen if you use too much Blackrocks. I don't see why you couldn't use Blackrocks on top of Skidmore's.
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Whateve, was curious on how you apply the skidmore cream? Can it be applied with fingers? It says it can be left on for a while before wiping off excess. Was wondering if that's recommended. Thanks.
 
#9,267
Hello, all!
I got this bag at Goodwill (authenticated by whateve and BeenBurned).
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-13.html#post24670709
I love it---but the lining has ink stains (of course on the white stripe the most). Any advice on how to remove ink from the gorgeous lining?

Also, should I be treating the leather? I normally dunk my classics but from what I'm finding, I'm not supposed to be doing much to this leather. Could I do a quick clean up with Leather CPR? Or just leave it alone?
 
#9,268
katev said:
Since it is in the same spot on both sides I would guess that it is wear from the long strap that threads under the flap. It may have gotten a bit frayed from rubbing and that's why it seems a little fuzzy.

It is hard to tell from the pics but it doesn't really look mold to me. Does it smell bad? Mold usually has a rather noticeable odor (like wet towels that have been allowed to sit around too long.)

Perhaps it would work to use a nail scissors to trim any frayed bits and then touch it up with black acrylic paint.

Cute bag, good luck!
Click to expand...

You make absolute sense to me. The bag doesn't smell bad, it sure does look like fuzzy fraying. This bag must have got a whole lotta love.


whateve said:
Have you tried scraping it off? I think you could wipe it with vinegar without hurting the leather.
Click to expand...

Thank you both for your suggestions. I'll use your suggestions to make her look pretty.
 
#9,269
shun said:
Whateve, was curious on how you apply the skidmore cream? Can it be applied with fingers? It says it can be left on for a while before wiping off excess. Was wondering if that's recommended. Thanks.
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I've just been using my fingers. You don't have to worry about putting it on too thick like you do with Blackrocks. I have left it on for awhile before wiping off and buffing.
 
#9,270
cheerrabbit said:
Hello, all!
I got this bag at Goodwill (authenticated by whateve and BeenBurned).
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-13.html#post24670709
I love it---but the lining has ink stains (of course on the white stripe the most). Any advice on how to remove ink from the gorgeous lining?

Also, should I be treating the leather? I normally dunk my classics but from what I'm finding, I'm not supposed to be doing much to this leather. Could I do a quick clean up with Leather CPR? Or just leave it alone?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't dunk it unless it was in horrible shape. You can clean it with Leather CPR and you can use conditioner and Blackrocks on it.

I've had good luck with Amodex on ink stains on lining, but it may only work if you haven't use any other products on it first. Others have used baby wipes, alcohol and Soilove.
 
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