Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Daelilly]

(I think I am writing this silly story to release stress. Both my parents passed away 3 months apart. I am the trustee and am having to go through, sort, give away, throw away, sell, and get the house ready to go on the market. It's very hard...so many memories.)

Anyway I just returned yesterday from working on their place again. They live out of town. So, I will release some more stress.

She just sat there drying out. The next morning her the young woman finished getting ready for the day and grabbed Maggie. She remembered the popcorn that had spilled in the bag and looked inside to make sure it was all cleaned out. The young lady was very disappointed when she grease spots all over the inside of her bag. It even smelled funny now. She held up Maggie and gave her a good look and then she saw the bottom of her once favorite bag. All water stained and soiled. She thought about where it sat last night a vaguely remembered someone behind her spilling their soda. It had ruined the smooth saffron finish. The color looked all blotchy, dark in spots and washed out in others. Oh, how could I be so careless thought the woman. I can't use it like this. She quickly changed her items into another bag. Maggie found herself being stuffed into a shopping bag; Lonely, isolated and empty. Later that day, Maggie heard another woman's voice. She listened and learned she was being placed in a second hand store. Oh Maggie thought how could this be? She heard discussions about eBay.

What's going on? A camera was busy taking pictures of her from all angles. Inside, outside, bottom, left side, right side, and even her "badge of honor". Maggie was carefully wrapped and placed in a box. All was quiet. Days went by then weeks. Maggie's box was being moved. Bumped, banged, and then she felt like she was flying. More bumps and bangs. All was quiet again. Stifling heat was drying her leather and she needed out of that box! Finally the box opened...

Maggie felt the touch of caring hands. She felt the slather of moisturizers. Her leather was soft and supple. Her lining was carefully being scrubbed and blotted dry. But her scars from her neglect remained... (The saga continues and remains unsolved)

'
Oh my! What has happened to my Maggie? Do we have Sherlock's out there?

 

[Daelilly]

(I think I am writing this silly story to release stress. Both my parents passed away 3 months apart. I am the trustee and am having to go through, sort, give away, throw away, sell, and get the house ready to go on the market. It's very hard...so many memories.)

Anyway I just returned yesterday from working on their place again. They live out of town. So, I will release some more stress.


'
Oh my! What has happened to my Maggie? Do we have Sherlock's out there?

Maggie sat helplessly waiting for the final strokes of the restorer's touch. Was this try going be successful. She remembered when her scars we delicately painted to match the rest of her. She knew her color was special and would be hard to match. Those scars were covered and the edges of the acrylics were blended into the rest of her body. Or were they? No, not quite, so the acrylics continued to lightly cover Maggie until she was uniquely new. She was carefully hung to dry. More moisturizers slathered her body. And she proudly made her debut.

Time went on, and restorer was not completely happy with her work. Little imperfections here and there began to bother her and the Saffron was tad darker than she would wanted. Maggie didn't mind her new color at all. She loved and beautiful. Eventually, Maggie found herself soaking in a sink of warm suds again! She loved the luxurious soak and then exfoliater sponge. It was the longest, hardest scrub Maggie would ever know. Every crack and crevice scrubbed until all the acrylic was gone. Maggie's scars of her former life of abuse neglect remained. Now Maggie wondered if she could be over cared for. Too much is too much! Is this another form of abuse? Maggie was stuffed with absorbent towels to retain her beautiful shape and left to dry. Days went by then weeks then months and Maggie waited. Everyday her friend would walk by and glance at her; most of the time without ever really seeing her. Was she forgotten?

Finally, inspiration struck. Rit dye might do the trick. The restorer wanted to keep the grain of the leather but knew something drastic needed to be done. A color change to something darker will be answer. Leather dyes are too dark and others are too opaque. Maggie was glad to be in hands of her friend again. A quick dip in the sink, and a soft sea sponge of deep red dye began take hold. Over and over strokes from the sponge continued. Another quick rinse and another coat of dye. Again stuffed and hung to dry. Will Maggie like her "makeover"? Will the restorer like her work?

The rest is an unfinished story...

 

[nawth21]

Snagged a us made station bag, doesn't look like it is in dire need of attention but I'm sure it needs a cleaning.

 

[Daelilly]

Though not the rehab success I had hoped for, this bone MFF Soho Pleated Hobo #F13730 was interesting nonetheless. What I thought was dirt, was actually worn-off surface areas of the leather, so I did a lot of “finger painting” with a mixture of Leather CPR and Linen acrylic. Before photos are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-197.html#post25010086.

While she was still a little damp, after a warm bath in Dawn and a little scrubbing with Soilove, I started conditioning with a mixure of Leather CPR and Linen acrylic...I had used Linen acrylic for several earlier restorations and it is a perfect match for this color bag! I made 2 mixtures, one with more conditioner for overall use, and one with more paint for touching up the more worn areas. As when I used this technique before, the issue is working quickly enough while the surface is wet, otherwise applying the heavier paint mixture, sometimes refuses to stay put and actually refuses to stick. It’s certainly not perfect, but a marked improvement and has given me a bag I will be happy to carry. I also made use of an old-school typewriter eraser. (this one’s been around for years...do they even make them - or typewriters - anymore?) on a couple of ink marks Soilove failed to remove. By gently using the eraser with a circular, uplifting motion, I was able to make a great improvement in the marks. I would NOT recommend using this on a dark colored bag, but here it worked pretty well. Last of all I touched up the dark brown edging with Raw Umber tube-style acrylic paint.

I have learned a couple of important lessons through all this. First, I would NEVER buy a brand-new bag this color. It would kill me to take her out of the house, fearing that first spot or splatter. I have no worries with this one...I’ll just have fun with her and, if I have to do her over down the road, I will! And second, I am much happier rehabbing older Coach bags...the leather is much more forgiving and IMHO more age-defying and beautiful!

Wow! That looks great! I have used acrylics on bags lots of times, but never combined with Leather Therapy. Did this change the way it dried? Did it take longer? I have had lots of fun rehabbing bags I bought off Goodwill.com but then the shipping charges made it very impractical. I'm working on a newer bag I paid about $55 for with the intent to restore her. I'm learning a lot from all you.

 

[whateve]

She's turning out to be a much bigger problem than I once thought. She has soilove on her in the picture but it was taking her color off. It's for my mother so she said it would be okay to dye it. Does anyone have any advice?
I gave her a bath...idk what to do
View attachment 2267936

Oh, that's sad! I think I would use the leather refinisher by Wood n stuff. But first I would repair those corners.

 

[whateve]

I was going to go home to dunk this bag, but I figured I'd get any pointers beforehand if anyone's worked on a lighter color blue. It's not navy - more like a slate blue. Any products I should/shouldn't use on a lighter color?

It's a photo of the creed since it's closer to the true color of the bag. Thanks!

I think this is part of the Lightweights collection. I have had more trouble rehabbing these bags. The color tends to be very uneven. A bath won't hurt it. I have 2 blue Lightweights bags. On one, the outside looks gray because it has faded so much. On the other, the trim is darker blue and the body is lighter blue, but I think they originally were the same color. I think the dyes Coach used on them wasn't as good. I'm going to work on the faded one first to figure out what works before I tackle the other one. I can't think of any products that would hurt it. Even Blackrocks, which tends to darken, only darkens it temporarily.

 

[whateve]

I need some pointers for nubuck. I finally got my first nubuck bag but it isn't Coach - it's Dooney and it's lined. I don't think I want to dunk it since I don't know if Dooney can take it. The nubuck has wear marks. What can I do to restore the color? Can you sand or paint nubuck?

 

[erin323]

picked this up today... super old! and weirdly discolored...

 

[coach943]

View attachment 2273353View attachment 2273354View attachment 2273355

picked this up today... super old! and weirdly discolored...

What a great find. Those types of bags have become my favorites. It looks like the leather is dry. I've had a couple bags discolored similarly that came back to life after a bath followed by multiple coats of Leather Therapy. It will be interesting to see what color it is when it is finished. It may be a bag that changes colors as you get the oils restored in the leather.

 

[erin323]

What a great find. Those types of bags have become my favorites. It looks like the leather is dry. I've had a couple bags discolored similarly that came back to life after a bath followed by multiple coats of Leather Therapy. It will be interesting to see what color it is when it is finished. It may be a bag that changes colors as you get the oils restored in the leather.

thanks! the water from the bath was brown! gross, haha.

not too shabby for $3.80!

 

[netlawyer]

I need some pointers for nubuck. I finally got my first nubuck bag but it isn't Coach - it's Dooney and it's lined. I don't think I want to dunk it since I don't know if Dooney can take it. The nubuck has wear marks. What can I do to restore the color? Can you sand or paint nubuck?

You might try just giving it a good brushing to see if that addresses the surface soil. Then a bath if it needs more work.

Go over it with a brass brush paying extra attention to the worn parts. Brass brushes are best for restoring worn suede and nubuc - steel brushes are too hard and will scratch the leather and nylon brushes aren't quite scratchy enough. I don't know if they still make them this way but the Coach suede brushes were made with a brass center surrounded by nylon bristles. You can use it but it takes a long time. I've attached a photo showing the brass bristles.

The color will likely come back once you restore the nap.

If you wash a Dooney, if it has a bottom panel, you want to have something heavy sitting on the bottom of the bag when it dries - like cans of vegetables or something. The bottom is a heavy cardboard, but if you dry it flat it is fine. Don't put one in the washer - I learned that the hard way - poor thing.

I've attached a current photo of the nubuc pieces I am working on along with the before pic. The wallet and wristlet were worn smooth from use and the sueded finish on them is completely restored now. You can see my brush - from Home Depot - in the photo. I have a Dooney Florentine Double Strap Tassel Satchel in taupe nubuc that I carry a lot. I give it a light brushing with the brass brush whenever I put it away to remove any surface dirt and to address any wear on the nap.

 

[whateve]

You might try just giving it a good brushing to see if that addresses the surface soil. Then a bath if it needs more work.

Go over it with a brass brush paying extra attention to the worn parts. Brass brushes are best for restoring worn suede and nubuc - steel brushes are too hard and will scratch the leather and nylon brushes aren't quite scratchy enough. I don't know if they still make them this way but the Coach suede brushes were made with a brass center surrounded by nylon bristles. You can use it but it takes a long time. I've attached a photo showing the brass bristles.

The color will likely come back once you restore the nap.

If you wash a Dooney, if it has a bottom panel, you want to have something heavy sitting on the bottom of the bag when it dries - like cans of vegetables or something. The bottom is a heavy cardboard, but if you dry it flat it is fine. Don't put one in the washer - I learned that the hard way - poor thing.

I've attached a current photo of the nubuc pieces I am working on along with the before pic. The wallet and wristlet were worn smooth from use and the sueded finish on them is completely restored now. You can see my brush - from Home Depot - in the photo. I have a Dooney Florentine Double Strap Tassel Satchel in taupe nubuc that I carry a lot. I give it a light brushing with the brass brush whenever I put it away to remove any surface dirt and to address any wear on the nap.

Thanks. That's amazing that you were able to get the sueded finish back on the worn parts. I have a suede Coach that has a smooth area that I've never been able to fix. I'll have to get a brass brush. I've already gotten it a lot cleaner using a pumice stone but I'm afraid I'll lose the pebbling.

I think I am going to need to dunk the Dooney in order to reshape it. It has the traditional Dooney lining that looks like beige linen. I'm worried that the lining will shrink or get stained by the dark brown leather. The inside is very clean so I would only wash it to reshape it, unless you know another way to reshape it. It even smells clean. The lining is attached to the bottom so it can't be pulled out. It's only the nubuck part that is out of shape. The base is firm.

If I can get this bag clean and reshaped, I think I will really like it. It is a very cute style.

 

[CoachCatcher45]

Oh, that's sad! I think I would use the leather refinisher by Wood n stuff. But first I would repair those corners.

I found out that it just looked bad wet, it's fine now that's it dried.

 

[netlawyer]

Thanks. That's amazing that you were able to get the sueded finish back on the worn parts. I have a suede Coach that has a smooth area that I've never been able to fix. I'll have to get a brass brush. I've already gotten it a lot cleaner using a pumice stone but I'm afraid I'll lose the pebbling.

I think I am going to need to dunk the Dooney in order to reshape it. It has the traditional Dooney lining that looks like beige linen. I'm worried that the lining will shrink or get stained by the dark brown leather. The inside is very clean so I would only wash it to reshape it, unless you know another way to reshape it. It even smells clean. The lining is attached to the bottom so it can't be pulled out. It's only the nubuck part that is out of shape. The base is firm.

If I can get this bag clean and reshaped, I think I will really like it. It is a very cute style.

I know this isn't the Dooney rehab thread, but I would be very interested in any photos of your progress and results!

 

[mzmir]

Your dad's a funny one, for sure. I feel you on the bleeding bag. I decided to shoot the moon and give a teal nubuc purse, wristlet and wallet baths yesterday. I was stained blue above the wrists! Things are taking a long time to dry because it is so humid here, but will start some brushing to raise the nap later today to see how they turned out.

In the photo you can see my current set - two purses, wristlet and wallet. The clean purse on top I've had for about ten years and have taken good care of. I bought the wallet at the same time but really moved into it so it got dirty and shiny from use. The other purse and wristlet are new to me and are comparable to the wallet. Will post more when I have results.

ETA: Even after all these years I think this teal (which was called peacock on some bags) combined with the chartreuse lining is my favorite color combination that I've ever seen from Coach.

Wow! I love the color!!!