Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Tetondeb]

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!

I love these too!!! I had a British Tan one that I traveled with all over the world. It took a beating but cleaned up well after each knock down!

 

[whateve]

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

It is likely that the Coach leather will react differently to rehab than the Fossil. I've never used Sharpie or shoe polish on leather bags. Conditioner usually helps even out the color. In bad cases, I will mix a little acrylic craft paint with the conditioner. It is important not to use too much paint as it will change the texture.

 

[whateve]

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

I'm looking forward to seeing the results. I have one bag that feels stiff like a saddle.

 

[Tetondeb]

I'm looking forward to seeing the results. I have one bag that feels stiff like a saddle.

I have a saddlery bag like that that I've had soaking in this overnight. I ... As usual. .. forgot before pics, but it's already very very soft. We'll see when it dries of it stays that way. This stuff is pricey but it didn't take a lot for one bag.

 

[Tetondeb]

I have a saddlery bag like that that I've had soaking in this overnight. I ... As usual. .. forgot before pics, but it's already very very soft. We'll see when it dries of it stays that way. This stuff is pricey but it didn't take a lot for one bag.

Burgundy saddlery

 

[whateve]

I have a saddlery bag like that that I've had soaking in this overnight. I ... As usual. .. forgot before pics, but it's already very very soft. We'll see when it dries of it stays that way. This stuff is pricey but it didn't take a lot for one bag.

I also have a skinny tote (the one with the kisslock pocket on the outside) that is very stiff. I'm wondering if it is supposed to be that way since it is a more structured style?

 

[Tetondeb]

I also have a skinny tote (the one with the kisslock pocket on the outside) that is very stiff. I'm wondering if it is supposed to be that way since it is a more structured style?

I have 6? I think of those and they can all stand up on their own! One, a tabac is a little squishier but it's the most used of them all. I have a new old stock putty one that is like cardboard but the leather is supple and not dry at all

 

[Want Real Purse]

I think I'm scared silly of using paint. But I never thought of using it with the conditioner. Hmmm.
What percent acrylic to what percent conditioner?
W


Originally Posted by Want Real Purse View Post
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
It is likely that the Coach leather will react differently to rehab than the Fossil. I've never used Sharpie or shoe polish on leather bags. Conditioner usually helps even out the color. In bad cases, I will mix a little acrylic craft paint with the conditioner. It is important not to use too much paint as it will change the texture.

 

[JaimeY]

Ugh I have a tan Soho Hampton bag that had ink on the front flap. I used rubbing alcohol on a q tip and got most of the ink off, but now there's a lot less color where I rubbed to get the pen out. It looked better before I messed with it. Is there any way I can fix this?

 

[whateve]

Ugh I have a tan Soho Hampton bag that had ink on the front flap. I used rubbing alcohol on a q tip and got most of the ink off, but now there's a lot less color where I rubbed to get the pen out. It looked better before I messed with it. Is there any way I can fix this?

If you can find a matching acrylic craft paint, you can mix it with conditioner and apply it in thin coats until the color is blended in.

 

[coach943]

If you can find a matching acrylic craft paint, you can mix it with conditioner and apply it in thin coats until the color is blended in.

I have also had success with just reconditioning the bag over time without the need for the acrylic paint added to it. I think it depends on the color and condition of the leather. Condition every day (waiting 12-24 hours between applications). Blackrocks and Skidmore's are both very helpful.

 

[Tetondeb]

I think I'm scared silly of using paint. But I never thought of using it with the conditioner. Hmmm.
What percent acrylic to what percent conditioner?
W


Originally Posted by Want Real Purse View Post
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
It is likely that the Coach leather will react differently to rehab than the Fossil. I've never used Sharpie or shoe polish on leather bags. Conditioner usually helps even out the color. In bad cases, I will mix a little acrylic craft paint with the conditioner. It is important not to use too much paint as it will change the texture.

If you chose to use paint. ..PLEASE claim so if you ever decide to resale

 

[nathalia004]

I have a question for all of you Coach Rehabers out there. I generally don't try to clean any of the Coach purses I buy and if I decide to sell them when I'm done, I sell them as is because I don't want to damage them.

But I have the Coach Kristin Round Satchel in Raspberry that I got brand new from eBay last year at an awesome price on auction. I love it and I miss using it. Unfortunately, a mouse got into it over the winter because I had accidentally left it unzipped and it now smells like an animal was in it.

So needless to say, the interior needs a good scrub and/or the lining needs to be replaced. I'm scared that I might wreck the bag. But I don't want to just throw it away because the bag is no longer manufactured.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get it fixed? The bag is just sitting unused and I would like to fix it or at least sell it to someone who can and use any money I can get towards purchasing another.

Thanks!

 

[whateve]

I have a question for all of you Coach Rehabers out there. I generally don't try to clean any of the Coach purses I buy and if I decide to sell them when I'm done, I sell them as is because I don't want to damage them.

But I have the Coach Kristin Round Satchel in Raspberry that I got brand new from eBay last year at an awesome price on auction. I love it and I miss using it. Unfortunately, a mouse got into it over the winter because I had accidentally left it unzipped and it now smells like an animal was in it.

So needless to say, the interior needs a good scrub and/or the lining needs to be replaced. I'm scared that I might wreck the bag. But I don't want to just throw it away because the bag is no longer manufactured.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get it fixed? The bag is just sitting unused and I would like to fix it or at least sell it to someone who can and use any money I can get towards purchasing another.

Thanks!

What a shame! The lining on these bags is very easy to clean. Isn't that a patent leather bag? If so, that makes it even easier. You can pull the lining out and wash it in the sink with dishwashing soap and water. Don't be afraid to scrub. Rinse thoroughly, wring out, then place on a towel to dry. I've washed many bags. Any time I buy a used bag on ebay, I always wash the lining this way. They always come out great.

 

[netlawyer]

Ugh I have a tan Soho Hampton bag that had ink on the front flap. I used rubbing alcohol on a q tip and got most of the ink off, but now there's a lot less color where I rubbed to get the pen out. It looked better before I messed with it. Is there any way I can fix this?

Oh no! So sorry to hear about the color loss. It doesn't help with this bag but in the future be careful never to rub when you are using a solvent like alcohol. Since the ink isn't sitting up on top of the leather, rubbing will definitely take the color off if you rub hard enough to remove the ink. I'm also guessing that some ink is still there right in the middle of the light patch.

With any solvent like alcohol the key is to saturate the spot and then blot it out without rubbing. You can keep soaking and blotting until no more ink shows up on your cloth. Make sure you keep using clean parts of your cloth so you don't put any ink back on. If you find that your solvent isn't working after saturating the mark then it probably isn't going to take the ink out and you should try something else.