Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[katev]

Just when I thought I might be alone in my obsession, having collected Coach since 2002, I discovered all of you wonderful tPF-ers! WOW - what a wealth of useful (!) knowledge and details for implementation. After a couple of days of reading and learning, yesterday I joined up, bought my first bottle of Lexol at Walmart and started rehabbing! Whodathunkit?

I'm lucky to have the ability to spot a Coach in a thrift store from about 10 paces, and lucky to live in an area where deals are still to be had - like the $4.99 "as is" 9976 at GW. In fact, all that was needed was a little surface and interior cleaning and a LOT of conditioning, still in progress.

I'm thrilled to have all of you as a resource! Thanks and watch for future photos of my projects!

Welcome! Please post pics of your new rehab project! We love admiring each other's work and giving tips to fellow rehabbers!

One word of caution. I also live in an area with a rich supply of used Coach and other designer bags available for rehab and I have become very good at spotting them, too. But I have discovered that there are quite a few convincing fakes out there, and I have bought some, but I don't intend to waste my time and efforts on rehabbing a fake!

I always post photos of my finds in the "Authenticate This" thread, even when I am 99% sure that they are authentic, so that I can get confirmation from the experts before I start rehabbing.

I have bought a lot of bags and most of them are genuine; but even after all this time I still picked up a fake Coach Willis Bag 9927 and a fake Dior scarf the other day! Happily I got them at the Savers Thrift Store and they will let me do an exchange, unlike the GW - although for $5 I probably would've taken a chance on a bag too!

 

[JOODLZ]

Welcome! Please post pics of your new rehab project! We love admiring each other's work and giving tips to fellow rehabbers!

One word of caution. I also live in an area with a rich supply of used Coach and other designer bags available for rehab and I have become very good at spotting them, too. But I have discovered that there are quite a few convincing fakes out there, and I have bought some, but I don't intend to waste my time and efforts on rehabbing a fake!

I always post photos of my finds in the "Authenticate This" thread, even when I am 99% sure that they are authentic, so that I can get confirmation from the experts before I start rehabbing.

I have bought a lot of bags and most of them are genuine; but even after all this time I still picked up a fake Coach Willis Bag 9927 and a fake Dior scarf the other day! Happily I got them at the Savers Thrift Store and they will let me do an exchange, unlike the GW - although for $5 I probably would've taken a chance on a bag too!

Thanks so much for the warm welcome. I'll be reading the fake list (Hyacinth's) before I waste any time on authentication, and have many photos to shoot, but will eventually get started!

Thanks again!

 

[enigma97]

Well my green beauty came in and the markings are a LOT smaller then I expected. Even if they won't come iut .. A veryyyy small amount of paint wiuld cover them. A $328 bag that looks like thus for $40? I won't complain!

 

[Clovers]

Well my green beauty came in and the markings are a LOT smaller then I expected. Even if they won't come iut .. A veryyyy small amount of paint wiuld cover them. A $328 bag that looks like thus for $40? I won't complain!

Very nice!! Glad its better than expected

 

[Jessi319]

.

I have bought a lot of bags and most of them are genuine; but even after all this time I still picked up a fake Coach Willis Bag 9927 and a fake Dior scarf the other day! Happily I got them at the Savers Thrift Store and they will let me do an exchange, unlike the GW - although for $5 I probably would've taken a chance on a bag too!

Curious about the fake Willis. Did they actually go to the trouble to put the correct 9927 in it? I was fooled because it was the older pre 1994 creed #'ng but have assumed if it looks really good, and that # is right, then it's probably ok, so I just HAD to ask if they #'d right for you? And, what about it ended up revealing it as a fake?

 

[katev]

Curious about the fake Willis. Did they actually go to the trouble to put the correct 9927 in it? I was fooled because it was the older pre 1994 creed #'ng but have assumed if it looks really good, and that # is right, then it's probably ok, so I just HAD to ask if they #'d right for you? And, what about it ended up revealing it as a fake?

It is the pre-1994 style creed but the problem was that I couldn't read the creed patch in the store. I thought is was just lightly stamped and a bit damaged but it was probably obscurred deliberately.

The bag was in good condition except for a lot of little "dents" and some ink marks on the inside pocket and the creed. I just couldn't make it out especially under the fluorescent lights in the store. I guess that should have been a red flag but I have found genuine bags in the past that had faint, hard-to-read creeds.

The number is actually on the list of fakes and there is even a mis-spelling in the creed too! But I couldn't read it until I got it home and used eyeshadow and the macro lens on my camera. As I was posting the photos in the authentication thread I saw the misspelled word "marxings" and of course Hyacinth confirmed that is was a fake.

It had been marked $50 but they were having a 50% off president's day sale so I decided to take a chance - especially because it was so clean for a vintage british tan bag. Well, they say "if it is too good to be true, it probably isn't!" and that was the case here.

Savers lets you do an exchange within 7 days but I have been ill so I called and spoke with the manager. I told her it was a fake and she has agreed to give me extra time to get in there and make an exchange.

I have taken a chance on a few convincing fakes at Savers because I knew I will be able to exchange them. And I have passed on some questionable bags at Goodwill and Salvation Army just because I knew that I would be stuck with them if they turned out to be fakes.

Here are some pics of this disappointing BT Willis:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-694619-502.html#post21134743

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-694619-502.html#post21134743

 

[peggyo]

I have never rehabbed a vintage bag before, though I own four. All of them came to me either new or in very good/excellent used condition.

That said, I am about to purchase a vintage bag in British Tan and I really don't care for the color. I wanted a darker brown, like Walnut or Chocolate brown since I have a lot of leathegoods in that color palette. Also, the British Tan is not forgiving at all with existing stains and marks. So I'm wondering if anyone in the rehab clubhouse has some experience darkening a Tan bag by using some sort of conditioners, etc. I seem to remember linseed oil darkening tan leather a lot, but I'm not sure that it would be good to use it on a handbag. Does anyone have any experience in intentionally darkening a bag (NOT with shoe polish or dying)? Thanks in advance...you rehabbers are amazing, I'm way too scared to bathe a bag the way you guys do so kudos to you guys!

 

[Jprojectrunway]

Hi ladies!

Love all the jobs you have done on your bags - it has inspired me to dye an old leather gucci clutch that I have. It is beige in colour, and is in horrible condition.

I was wondering what I need to re-dye this bag?

For sure the Tandy leather dye colour, but do I also need the "leather stripper" for taking off the existing colour, and the "sealer" after I have dyed?

Is there a certain process for doing this?

Thank you!!

 

[katev]

I have never rehabbed a vintage bag before, though I own four. All of them came to me either new or in very good/excellent used condition.

That said, I am about to purchase a vintage bag in British Tan and I really don't care for the color. I wanted a darker brown, like Walnut or Chocolate brown since I have a lot of leathegoods in that color palette. Also, the British Tan is not forgiving at all with existing stains and marks. So I'm wondering if anyone in the rehab clubhouse has some experience darkening a Tan bag by using some sort of conditioners, etc. I seem to remember linseed oil darkening tan leather a lot, but I'm not sure that it would be good to use it on a handbag. Does anyone have any experience in intentionally darkening a bag (NOT with shoe polish or dying)? Thanks in advance...you rehabbers are amazing, I'm way too scared to bathe a bag the way you guys do so kudos to you guys!

That's a beautiful bag! Often just giving it a bath and applying conditioner darkens the leather a little. When I am intentionally trying to darken a light-colored bag because it has spots or uneven coloration, I apply Black Rocks Leather N Rich. It's not a dye and it doesn't darken it much. I recently rehabbed 5 tan bags and I used black rocks on 3 of the bags, see before and after pics at the links below. Good luck!

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/good-bad-ugly-5-tan-bags-rehab-reveal-729945.html#post20967014

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/good-bad-ugly-5-tan-bags-rehab-reveal-729945.html#post20967067

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/good-bad-ugly-5-tan-bags-rehab-reveal-729945.html#post20967125

 

[katev]

Hi ladies!

Love all the jobs you have done on your bags - it has inspired me to dye an old leather gucci clutch that I have. It is beige in colour, and is in horrible condition.

I was wondering what I need to re-dye this bag?

For sure the Tandy leather dye colour, but do I also need the "leather stripper" for taking off the existing colour, and the "sealer" after I have dyed?

Is there a certain process for doing this?

Thank you!!

The only time I dyed a bag I took it to the cobbler and had it done professionally, but I am sure that if you search TPF you will find useful information about the process. Good luck!

 

[x UHOH X]

Hi ladies!

Love all the jobs you have done on your bags - it has inspired me to dye an old leather gucci clutch that I have. It is beige in colour, and is in horrible condition.

I was wondering what I need to re-dye this bag?

For sure the Tandy leather dye colour, but do I also need the "leather stripper" for taking off the existing colour, and the "sealer" after I have dyed?

Is there a certain process for doing this?

Thank you!!

Are you sure you don't want to try and just rehab it first? You might fall back into love with it.

 

[peggyo]

That's a beautiful bag! Often just giving it a bath and applying conditioner darkens the leather a little. When I am intentionally trying to darken a light-colored bag because it has spots or uneven coloration, I apply Black Rocks Leather N Rich. It's not a dye and it doesn't darken it much. I recently rehabbed 5 tan bags and I used black rocks on 3 of the bags, see before and after pics at the links below. Good luck!

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/good-bad-ugly-5-tan-bags-rehab-reveal-729945.html#post20967014

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/good-bad-ugly-5-tan-bags-rehab-reveal-729945.html#post20967067

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/good-bad-ugly-5-tan-bags-rehab-reveal-729945.html#post20967125

Hey Katev, you have mad rehabbing skills! As someone else in that thread said, I too would love to see you do a You Tube video on a step-by-step for vintage Coach rehabbers, you know, for those of us who are squeamish to actually submerge a leather bag under water and bathe it.

That said, I wanted to get some clarification from you on the bag I'm asking about above. Based on the photos in my above post, do you think this bag would come out well if cleaned up and conditioned and does it look like the sort of color that one could darken up? When you say "bathe" do you mean you submerged all those tan bags under water and soaked them to clean them, or do you sometimes just use a leather cleaning lotion? I could handle a cleaning lotion but I don't think I have the stomach for the actual submerge underwater bath type thing.

Also, you mentioned several products in your threads. Are there leather cleaning lotions you recommend more than others and if so why? And what's the best conditioner to intentionally darken tan leather? You mentioned Black Rock, is that the best option for that? It would be really cool if we could get a sticky thread with all the different potions and lotions folks use on their vintage Coach bags, and notations on who likes what for specific reasons.

It would also be good to know if once someone cleans up and conditions a bag, can you still have it professionally dyed darker if you're still not happy with the color?

Lastly, has anyone had experience professionally dying a lighter tan bag to a darker brown color and if so, could you please post about your experiences with pro dying and the results you got (were you happy with the results, how does the bag look today, etc.)?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[katev]

Hey Katev, you have mad rehabbing skills! As someone else in that thread said, I too would love to see you do a You Tube video on a step-by-step for vintage Coach rehabbers, you know, for those of us who are squeamish to actually submerge a leather bag under water and bathe it.

That said, I wanted to get some clarification from you on the bag I'm asking about above. Based on the photos in my above post, do you think this bag would come out well if cleaned up and conditioned and does it look like the sort of color that one could darken up? When you say "bathe" do you mean you submerged all those tan bags under water and soaked them to clean them, or do you sometimes just use a leather cleaning lotion? I could handle a cleaning lotion but I don't think I have the stomach for the actual submerge underwater bath type thing.

Also, you mentioned several products in your threads. Are there leather cleaning lotions you recommend more than others and if so why? And what's the best conditioner to intentionally darken tan leather? You mentioned Black Rock, is that the best option for that? It would be really cool if we could get a sticky thread with all the different potions and lotions folks use on their vintage Coach bags, and notations on who likes what for specific reasons.

It would also be good to know if once someone cleans up and conditions a bag, can you still have it professionally dyed darker if you're still not happy with the color?

Lastly, has anyone had experience professionally dying a lighter tan bag to a darker brown color and if so, could you please post about your experiences with pro dying and the results you got (were you happy with the results, how does the bag look today, etc.)?

Many thanks in advance!

I washed (submerged) all 5 of those tan bags in the sink and I also sent some of them through the washing machine!

I think that your bag will come out looking much better and it will darken but it may not look as nice as you wish. It's hard to tell, the light-colored bags are challenging and sometimes don't rehab as well as you could wish - but sometimes they look fabulous!

I tried rehabbing a putty bag and finally took it to a cobbler to have it dyed black. You can find info and pics at the link below:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/dying-a-vintage-coach-bag-before-after-pics-717873.html

"One thing I did learn from the cobbler. If it is likely that you are going to dye a bag, it's okay to clean it but it is better if you don't condition it - especially not with waxy or oily conditioners - because they make it harder for the leather to absorb the dye. He had to strip and dye my bag 2 times."

Black rocks will darken leather a little and I have become a fan of it. Here is information about the products I use frequently and how I use them:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/calling-all-rehabbers-need-conditioner-opinions-please-697350.html#post19580337

Good luck!

 

[katev]

...I wanted to get some clarification from you on the bag I'm asking about above. Based on the photos in my above post, do you think this bag would come out well if cleaned up and conditioned and does it look like the sort of color that one could darken up?...

Honestly, if you think you are going to want a dark brown bag anyway, I suggest going straight to the cobbler and asking to have it dyed and skip trying to rehab it. Light-colored bags are often a challenge and I usually recommend that rehabbers start with an inexpensive black bag as their first project. Sometimes they come out great (like LadyRaven's BT Stewardess Bag at the link below) and sometimes they are a disappointment.

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-62.html#post20766569

You might want to wash/submerge (but not condition) the bag first for a few reasons:
- To make sure it is clean
- To get rid of any musty/dusty smells
- To reshape the bag while it is drying, if needed

If those issues don't apply to your bag then skip the bath. If the bag is stained on the inside then be sure to ask the cobbler to dye the interior too. And don't forget to ask him to dye the hangtag. You may need to polish up the hardware when you get it back from the dye job.

Good luck and let us know what you decide and how it comes out!

 

[missjay7]

Is there a good way to darken/even out what appears to be fading in the leather of a bag? I have some fading on the pipping of a bag that I suppose is mostly due to scuffing or just general wear. Would just a simple leather conditioner take care of that problem? Sorry, I'm a newbie at this and this forum. I would appreciate any recommended posts that go over the basics of restoring leather.

I can post pictures of the bag in question. They won't be the best quality since my real camera isn't working and I'm left with my cellphone camera.


Edit: I just found this post: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-8.html#post18465269 which is very useful! If there's any other recommendations I would appreciate that as well. Would Apple conditioner be the best recommendation for a newbie like me? Or should I try the therapy oil?