Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[netlawyer]

My burgundy convertible clutch is nearly dry and I just applied a second coat of Leather CPR. I'm giving it another 24 hours to dry completely, then I think I will do an application of Lexol, which I really like.

This purse is in fantastic condition. No marks inside or out, no stains, loose threads, etc. It really was quite a deal.

I am wondering something, however. I have noticed that when I wash, reshape, and condition a vintage leather Coach, the leather can end up kind of stiff (though soft), if that makes sense. It becomes very structured and not as supple as it was pre-wash. Does it just need more conditioning, or does it almost need to be "broken in" again through wear and movement?

I've only had this happen a couple of times. I thought I might have used a different kind of soap those times or didn't rinse it out completely.

I try to avoid using soap or detergent on leather bags when I can for just that reason. I will usually just soak the bag under water for an hour or so and then will clean the surface with saddle soap using a soft toothbrush or microfiber cloth. That way I am not stripping out any oil the leather already has.

If the bag is actually grimy, I will go "tough love" and wipe down the surface with acetone before it goes in the bath. The acetone removes any finishes like wax or polish and takes the grimy layer with it. I will condition after the bath with mink oil and finish with Fiebing's leather balm with atom wax and a good buff with a shoe shine brush to get a mellow finish.

If the bag has an odor, I will add a splash of Febreze to the water (the kind that comes in a spray bottle). The odor will almost alway disappear once the bag is dry.

 

[AggieK]

My burgundy convertible clutch is nearly dry and I just applied a second coat of Leather CPR. I'm giving it another 24 hours to dry completely, then I think I will do an application of Lexol, which I really like.

This purse is in fantastic condition. No marks inside or out, no stains, loose threads, etc. It really was quite a deal.

I am wondering something, however. I have noticed that when I wash, reshape, and condition a vintage leather Coach, the leather can end up kind of stiff (though soft), if that makes sense. It becomes very structured and not as supple as it was pre-wash. Does it just need more conditioning, or does it almost need to be "broken in" again through wear and movement?

I like to give a vintage bag some Lexol before it's completely dry. I worry that it might get too dry (and crack!) otherwise. I might be paranoid since I live in a very low humidity area.

Oh I just saw that you've already put on some conditioner!

 

[accessorygirl2]

I just received a Madison Isabelle in mahogany that was used but a good deal. I washed it and have applied apple leather conditioner. There is one spot on the shoulder strap that is missing the edge painting, exposing the leather's edge. Can I restore that myself?

ETA: just ordered Tandy Leather Edge Paint in black from ebay. Hoping this product will do the trick.

 

[coach943]

After NurseAnn posted pictures not too long ago of her rehabbed Willis, I went looking for one. whateve kindly helped with authentication. It was in pretty good shape when I started, so it was a pretty quick rehab. I gave her a bath, followed by two coats of Lexol, two coats of Skidmore's then two coats of Blackrocks to finish. I polished the brass and gave her a scarf to dress her up. Can't wait to carry her today. Here is a before and after.

 

[jailnurse93]

I try to avoid using soap or detergent on leather bags when I can for just that reason. I will usually just soak the bag under water for an hour or so and then will clean the surface with saddle soap using a soft toothbrush or microfiber cloth. That way I am not stripping out any oil the leather already has.

If the bag is actually grimy, I will go "tough love" and wipe down the surface with acetone before it goes in the bath. The acetone removes any finishes like wax or polish and takes the grimy layer with it. I will condition after the bath with mink oil and finish with Fiebing's leather balm with atom wax and a good buff with a shoe shine brush to get a mellow finish.

If the bag has an odor, I will add a splash of Febreze to the water (the kind that comes in a spray bottle). The odor will almost alway disappear once the bag is dry.

Thank you for this info! Especially the possibility of oil being stripped from over-washing. I've also been wondering what kind of brush people were using when they spoke of brushing the leather; now I know! Thanks, all great tips.

 

[katev]

After NurseAnn posted pictures not too long ago of her rehabbed Willis, I went looking for one. whateve kindly helped with authentication. It was in pretty good shape when I started, so it was a pretty quick rehab. I gave her a bath, followed by two coats of Lexol, two coats of Skidmore's then two coats of Blackrocks to finish. I polished the brass and gave her a scarf to dress her up. Can't wait to carry her today. Here is a before and after.

Wow, what an amazing difference, congratulations!

 

[katev]

I just received a Madison Isabelle in mahogany that was used but a good deal. I washed it and have applied apple leather conditioner. There is one spot on the shoulder strap that is missing the edge painting, exposing the leather's edge. Can I restore that myself?

ETA: just ordered Tandy Leather Edge Paint in black from ebay. Hoping this product will do the trick.

Edge Kote, Edge Paint, or just permanent acrylic hobby paint should take care of it, please post pics!

 

[katev]

The more I look at this clutch, the more I think it's actually MAHOGANY, not burgundy and definitely not purple. I wonder if the seller had vision problems or just bad lighting, lol.

Fortunately I am a huge fan of Coach mahogany browns.

Funny you should say that. I once bought one that the seller described as brown and it turned out to be burgundy! The burgundy is very dark and subtle. You can tell it is burgundy more by looking at the inside.

I have also had bags change color from a bath. I had an orange bag turn red. I guess that was the original color and it only looked orange because it was so dry.

I have had that experience too. I once rehabbed a court bag that I thought was burgandy but Hyacinth said that they never came in burgandy. It was mahogany brown after a bath and conditioner. Very pretty!

 

[coach943]

Thank you for this info! Especially the possibility of oil being stripped from over-washing. I've also been wondering what kind of brush people were using when they spoke of brushing the leather; now I know! Thanks, all great tips.

I bought a Kiwi horse hair shoe shine brush. I love it. They come in a couple sizes. I have both the smaller one and the larger one. I like the larger one the best.

I think this is the one that I like best: http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-100%-Hor...47&sr=8-1&keywords=large+kiwi+horsehair+brush

 

[Jessi319]

After NurseAnn posted pictures not too long ago of her rehabbed Willis, I went looking for one. whateve kindly helped with authentication. It was in pretty good shape when I started, so it was a pretty quick rehab. I gave her a bath, followed by two coats of Lexol, two coats of Skidmore's then two coats of Blackrocks to finish. I polished the brass and gave her a scarf to dress her up. Can't wait to carry her today. Here is a before and after.

Gorgeous.!! She looks really cute with a scarf!

 

[Jessi319]

Here is my latest rehab, a dark brown Large Hippie Flap 9134 that was made in the USA in 1999 and retailed for $198 (that's $277 in 2013 currency). I got it at Savers for $28 (it was marked $40 but I had a coupon.)

It was dirty and scuffed but in pretty good shape except for a nasty ink stain on the inside but happily it hadn't bled to the outside of the bag. It was also missing the hangtag. For some reason the strap appears short in the pics but it is quite long. It is 47" long and it is a true crossbody strap.

You can see the before pics at the link below:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-23.html#post22475873

That bags looks GREAT!! This is such a cute style!

Finished with the first bag I've ever had to dunk!

Before (flat like a pancake when I got it)
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During
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After
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View attachment 2240029

This is truly beautiful!! great job. !!

The more I look at this clutch, the more I think it's actually MAHOGANY, not burgundy and definitely not purple. I wonder if the seller had vision problems or just bad lighting, lol.

Fortunately I am a huge fan of Coach mahogany browns.

I have one of the old coach Leather hangtag color swatch samples of the 10 original coach colors and the burgundy and Mahogany can look so SIMILAR til you look at the suede backing. But time, dirt, patina, will further affect their look and color tones.

I just received a Madison Isabelle in mahogany that was used but a good deal. I washed it and have applied apple leather conditioner. There is one spot on the shoulder strap that is missing the edge painting, exposing the leather's edge. Can I restore that myself?

ETA: just ordered Tandy Leather Edge Paint in black from ebay. Hoping this product will do the trick.

yes the edge kote works well, as well as matching the bags color with acrylic, etc like KateV said. . Tandy also makes an edge kote in mahogany that I use on my brown bags.

 

[Rarity]

After NurseAnn posted pictures not too long ago of her rehabbed Willis, I went looking for one. whateve kindly helped with authentication. It was in pretty good shape when I started, so it was a pretty quick rehab. I gave her a bath, followed by two coats of Lexol, two coats of Skidmore's then two coats of Blackrocks to finish. I polished the brass and gave her a scarf to dress her up. Can't wait to carry her today. Here is a before and after.

That came out fantastic! Great job.

 

[whateve]

After NurseAnn posted pictures not too long ago of her rehabbed Willis, I went looking for one. whateve kindly helped with authentication. It was in pretty good shape when I started, so it was a pretty quick rehab. I gave her a bath, followed by two coats of Lexol, two coats of Skidmore's then two coats of Blackrocks to finish. I polished the brass and gave her a scarf to dress her up. Can't wait to carry her today. Here is a before and after.

She looks fantastic, all plumped up! Twins on the scarf! That looks really pretty on her.

 

[jane]

Ok finally got pictures taken, in full sun. This is after bath, stuffing, one application of Leather CPR, and two apps of Lexol. It's super soft and shiny right now because I did the second coat of Lexol this morning!

Anyway, in the full sunlight, I am back to thinking burgundy, but I want to know if you all agree!

Presenting, vintage Coach Convertible Clutch!

 

[jane]

For comparison, some before pics from the listing.