Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[whateve]

This 1998 Daypack #9791 was my Holy Grail when I found her at Goodwill back in 2007 for $24.99. She was always my go-to bag for trips to Disney - big enough to tote 2 rain ponchos, all my other purse stuff and lots of band-aids Before photos are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-123.html#post24892105

I did things a little differently with this one. I used Tarni-shield on the brass before and during her bath. This works better for me because I don’t have to worry about making a mess on the leather. Normal bath with Dawn and good long rinse. It took 2 big bath towels to stuff this one. Conditioned with Leather CPR 2X and finished with Blackrocks 2X. I used black acrylic and gloss enamel to spruce up the strap edges. The gloss finish really makes them look new.

This bag has always had a 2-tone look, with the body being almost brown, while the piping and straps are black. Even the suede side of the flap looks more brown than black. I’m guessing maybe just not a thorough dye job on the leather but they used it anyway. Anyway, she’s unique and kinda cool!

Gorgeous! I've been trolling ebay for months trying to find one of these reasonably priced. They always end up too high for me.

 

[Jessi319]

This 1998 Daypack #9791 was my Holy Grail when I found her at Goodwill back in 2007 for $24.99. She was always my go-to bag for trips to Disney - big enough to tote 2 rain ponchos, all my other purse stuff and lots of band-aids Before photos are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-123.html#post24892105

I did things a little differently with this one. I used Tarni-shield on the brass before and during her bath. This works better for me because I don’t have to worry about making a mess on the leather. Normal bath with Dawn and good long rinse. It took 2 big bath towels to stuff this one. Conditioned with Leather CPR 2X and finished with Blackrocks 2X. I used black acrylic and gloss enamel to spruce up the strap edges. The gloss finish really makes them look new.

This bag has always had a 2-tone look, with the body being almost brown, while the piping and straps are black. Even the suede side of the flap looks more brown than black. I’m guessing maybe just not a thorough dye job on the leather but they used it anyway. Anyway, she’s unique and kinda cool!

that color tone is really cool!!! love it!

 

[mikweis]

I recently rehabbed a Rose Legacy Leather Shoulder Bag. The reveal with a link to "before" pics is here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-628.html#post24815090

Only you can decide how you want to proceed with your bag. I tend to be a little more aggressive than other folks here, but I'm happy with my results. Hopefully others will share some of their tips. Good Luck!

Thanks for your advice!
What would you recommend as an alternative to Leather CPR? I don't think it's available in my country, and neither Amazon nor eBay ships Leather CPR to Malaysia .
I can, however, try to get Blackrocks from Amazon.

 

[JOODLZ]

Gorgeous! I've been trolling ebay for months trying to find one of these reasonably priced. They always end up too high for me.

Thanks...and good luck with your quest!

that color tone is really cool!!! love it!

Thanks...now I just need a road trip, or maybe a hands-free shopping spree!

Thanks for your advice!
What would you recommend as an alternative to Leather CPR? I don't think it's available in my country, and neither Amazon nor eBay ships Leather CPR to Malaysia .
I can, however, try to get Blackrocks from Amazon.

You're welcome. I'm sorry you can't get Leather CPR...there are certainly alternatives that others here use like Apple, Lexol, Leather Therapy among others. Maybe you could check with a local cobbler or a leather goods shop. Avoid products that contain silicone, as I believe it's not good for Coach leather. Good Luck!

 

[swhynacht]

This isn't really a rehab or rescue question, but I just got this beautiful Madison pleated leather Sophia and was wondering if anyone knows if I should put Coach leather cleaner or moisturizer on it? It's a shiny, sparkly leather that seems more delicate somehow and don't want to ruin the bag. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[whateve]

This isn't really a rehab or rescue question, but I just got this beautiful Madison pleated leather Sophia and was wondering if anyone knows if I should put Coach leather cleaner or moisturizer on it? It's a shiny, sparkly leather that seems more delicate somehow and don't want to ruin the bag. Any help would be greatly appreciated! View attachment 2294223View attachment 2294224

I don't know but usually the care cards for the delicate leathers say not to use Coach cleaners or conditioners. I have a sparkle leather Poppy bag and it is really soft, almost like suede. I wouldn't use any conditioner on it.

 

[swhynacht]

I don't know but usually the care cards for the delicate leathers say not to use Coach cleaners or conditioners. I have a sparkle leather Poppy bag and it is really soft, almost like suede. I wouldn't use any conditioner on it.

I got this one from eBay and it didn't come with a care card, but it sounds like the same leather that you have, sparkly and soft like suede. Do you put anything on to protect it? I'm terrified of ruining it, I love it SO much.

 

[whateve]

I got this one from eBay and it didn't come with a care card, but it sounds like the same leather that you have, sparkly and soft like suede. Do you put anything on to protect it? I'm terrified of ruining it, I love it SO much.

It is very delicate. I sprayed mine with Scotchguard. I think it helped.

 

[mzmir]

Thank goodness this thread popped up. I just realized it's been days since I gave my bags a bath!

They need conditioning

I'm soooo ready for my favorite bag to go to wash! I'm definitely going to need some help!

 

[skeptik]

Woof. Got a bag today and the smoke smell is BEASTLY. I used to smoke and I swear, it's like they smoked inside the bag. For years.


I've started conditioning the bag, it's a Willis, with lots and lots of saddle soap lather. Before, with 60's-70's era vintage bags, I have locked them away with baking soda and a dryer sheet for a few months. These were vintage beaded or cloth bags, though. I have never had to deal with a full leather bag with this depth of stank. I worry that process would dry out a leather bag. This bag is in very good shape, other than the fact that it is unbelievably smoky.

Have any tips or experience? This one is new to me. I had to defunk a leather coat once, it was a swanky 70's number. I couldn't get the smoke out fully so I stated that in the listing and priced it accordingly.

.... a happy swanky smoker bought it. That may be in this little guy's future.

 

[whateve]

Woof. Got a bag today and the smoke smell is BEASTLY. I used to smoke and I swear, it's like they smoked inside the bag. For years.


I've started conditioning the bag, it's a Willis, with lots and lots of saddle soap lather. Before, with 60's-70's era vintage bags, I have locked them away with baking soda and a dryer sheet for a few months. These were vintage beaded or cloth bags, though. I have never had to deal with a full leather bag with this depth of stank. I worry that process would dry out a leather bag. This bag is in very good shape, other than the fact that it is unbelievably smoky.

Have any tips or experience? This one is new to me. I had to defunk a leather coat once, it was a swanky 70's number. I couldn't get the smoke out fully so I stated that in the listing and priced it accordingly.

.... a happy swanky smoker bought it. That may be in this little guy's future.

This issue is discussed plenty in this thread. Some people have had luck with charcoal (the kind for fish tanks). I bought this spray from Big Lots called Zero Odor which is pretty good. I wouldn't even condition the bag until I got rid of the smell. I have used a combination of sitting the bag outside for weeks, sealed in a plastic bag with bath salts, wiping with alcohol, and baths. It may take months but I've gotten rid of the strongest smoke smells.

 

[netlawyer]

Woof. Got a bag today and the smoke smell is BEASTLY. I used to smoke and I swear, it's like they smoked inside the bag. For years.


I've started conditioning the bag, it's a Willis, with lots and lots of saddle soap lather. Before, with 60's-70's era vintage bags, I have locked them away with baking soda and a dryer sheet for a few months. These were vintage beaded or cloth bags, though. I have never had to deal with a full leather bag with this depth of stank. I worry that process would dry out a leather bag. This bag is in very good shape, other than the fact that it is unbelievably smoky.

Have any tips or experience? This one is new to me. I had to defunk a leather coat once, it was a swanky 70's number. I couldn't get the smoke out fully so I stated that in the listing and priced it accordingly.

.... a happy swanky smoker bought it. That may be in this little guy's future.

Give it a bath in the sink with dish soap to take off any conditioner which will just seal in the smell. Rinse with a sink of clean water and add a cup or two of Febreze (comes in a spray bottle) to the rinse water. Put something on it to keep the whole bag under water (including the strap) and let it soak for 30 mins to an hour so that the leather is completely saturated. Let it dry for a day or two unstuffed depending on how humid your climate is and stuff it with clean towels after that and change the towels every day until it is just damp. You can start conditioning it and rehabbing as usual after that. Smell should be gone when it dries out.

The last bag I had that got that treatment was a Patricia - the seller emailed after I bought it and asked me "are you sure you want this bag?" It's nickname was "The Stink Bomb". Febreze treatment took care of it.

 

[DalGal]

Good Morning All,

I have two questions that I am hoping someone out there can help me with. First, I have an amethyst Garcia pilot. It is in beautiful condition except that the area of leather that are not exposed are a darker color. Is this normal for this bag, and is there anything I can do to even the color out?

My second question is concerning a 65th aniversary Ali. I just got it and am in LOVE, the suede is so lush, and in wonderful condition, but the metallic on the leather has worn off in places. Has anyone had any experience with the Leather Refinisher and Color Restorer in the metallic colors? Or any other suggestions on how to bring it back would be greatly appreciated. TIA

 

[Want Real Purse]

I have a rehab question. I'd post pictures, but I've had trouble with that. Anyway I'm in the process of rehabbing 2 tan bags. The Coach is a NY 70s flap. I also am working on a British Tan colored Fossil. This is my guinea pig, because the two bags are almost the same color. If I botch up the Fossil, oh well I've learned and hopefully won't ruin the Coach the same way.

I can't seem to rescue the Fossil. It came covered in dark unknown spots. I wouldn't be sad if I got it all a medium brown color. It's nice either the spot or the tan color, but not both. I washed it in Woolite, and let it towel dry for a few days. Then I tried my tan sharpie. Didn''t change much. Now I tried Peak brown shoe polish. It goes on very dark brown, but after it dries it seems to have no difference. Now what? The purse is too big to use the dark/medium brown sharpie all over.

My last trial Fossil was dark brown and it turned out great. The medium sharpie was a great match and the Apple helped immensely. I don't want to condition this until the color is even. It's about as even as a leopard.
W

 

[Tetondeb]

New Product Trial...new for me at least!!!! I'm currently trying Preservation Solutions Leather Rejuvenator on a courier as recommended by a fellow TPF'er. Should be a true testament to the stuff if it works! I'll update the blog as I go along.

http://sacsmagnifiques.blogspot.com/2013/08/restoration-vintage-coach-courier-black.html