Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#15,301
Katherine2020 said:
That's Bruno. He passed away three years ago, and we've yet to get another, he was a tough act to follow. I did take a peek at petfinder last week though...

I'll bet two are adorable together!
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We have a Boston too! Best dog we've ever had. @Katherine2020 I understand about the "tough act to follow" we've had Jack ten years- can't imagine our home without him.
 
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#15,302
kdtexas said:
View attachment 3853544 View attachment 3853545 View attachment 3853547 View attachment 3853548 Here's the red vintage Willis y'all helped me with along with it's "purse strap from hell" View attachment 3853546 I did finally give in and punch the holes where the ice pick-like slashes had been. As you can see, the altered hole measurement was off but it disguises really well when the strap is buckled. I also borrowed the wonderful trick that someone shared here about using the leather I punched out to glue into the hole. There is one outlier ice pick slash (third from last picture) that I just glued and painted because it seemed like it would look really odd so far away from the rest of the holes. This is certainly nowhere near perfect and I think the bag may need more conditioning but that strap looks better than I ever thought it would and I have my red Willis at last. Thanks for all the help and encouragement!
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Great job on a creative solution to a difficult problem! :tup:
 
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#15,303
trayc_w said:
Thank you for the link - the charcoal filters are a great idea! Per someone in this group's suggestion, I added febreeze to the wash water and also used vinegar in the clear water rinse at the end. I also put dryer sheets in it and left it in the sun for short periods of time while drying. It definitely smells a lot better, but I have sensitive nose and can tell that it's not totally gone yet. I think I will pick up some charcoal filters later today.

And I just contacted the seller to request at least a partial refund. Not only did the bag wreak of smoke, but the Creed says it's made in China, not the USA as she claimed in her listing. We'll see what happens...in any event I do love the bag! The Creed says that it's made to "withstand the rigors of travel" - I just like the images that phrase evokes. Hopefully it won't mind the job of just travelling with me back and forth to work.
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You can add to your complaint that it isn't vintage since it was made in 1998 (almost vintage) and against etsy listing rules for vintage.
 
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#15,305
Hi All...this is my first post in this thread. I bought an Edie in Saddle that has some corner wear. What would you recommend I do? Should I condition it and then try Melatonian shoe polish? Also any idea what color I should use? Looks like they have a Saddle color. Here are the pics. Thanks! [emoji4]IMG_1508182319.498185.jpgIMG_1508182337.268960.jpg
 
#15,308
kdtexas said:
View attachment 3853544 View attachment 3853545 View attachment 3853547 View attachment 3853548 Here's the red vintage Willis y'all helped me with along with it's "purse strap from hell" View attachment 3853546 I did finally give in and punch the holes where the ice pick-like slashes had been. As you can see, the altered hole measurement was off but it disguises really well when the strap is buckled. I also borrowed the wonderful trick that someone shared here about using the leather I punched out to glue into the hole. There is one outlier ice pick slash (third from last picture) that I just glued and painted because it seemed like it would look really odd so far away from the rest of the holes. This is certainly nowhere near perfect and I think the bag may need more conditioning but that strap looks better than I ever thought it would and I have my red Willis at last. Thanks for all the help and encouragement!
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Looks great!!!
 
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#15,309
trayc_w said:
Hi everyone! New here, but have been rescuing classic Coach for about 20 years. I came across your group last week after I found a mint 2005 Willis in British Tan w/nickel hardware at Savers for $24.99. It smelled a bit musty so I was searching to get tips on cleaning. I literally couldn't believe that there was a whole group of like-minded Coach rescuers! I've read many of the posts here and love seeing all of the gorgeous bags :heart: The first Coach bag that I fell in love with was a chocolate brown backpack that belonged to my coworker - that was in 1997. All of your beautiful work has inspired me. I decided to search out my own brown backpack. I found one on Etsy that was a bit rough but appeared to be in good shape overall. And the price was right at $60. I received it yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by the overall condition. However the overwhelming smell of stale cigarettes was unexpected and I had to be dunk it immediately :sick: After a long bath and its first coat of Lexol tonight, I think it's going to turn out lovely! The leather is soft, the lining and hardware all perfect and the Creed is the best one I've read. Please share a pic if you have a backpack like my new friend :wave:
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Welcome!
 
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#15,313
trayc_w said:
Hi everyone! New here, but have been rescuing classic Coach for about 20 years. I came across your group last week after I found a mint 2005 Willis in British Tan w/nickel hardware at Savers for $24.99. It smelled a bit musty so I was searching to get tips on cleaning. I literally couldn't believe that there was a whole group of like-minded Coach rescuers! I've read many of the posts here and love seeing all of the gorgeous bags :heart: The first Coach bag that I fell in love with was a chocolate brown backpack that belonged to my coworker - that was in 1997. All of your beautiful work has inspired me. I decided to search out my own brown backpack. I found one on Etsy that was a bit rough but appeared to be in good shape overall. And the price was right at $60. I received it yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by the overall condition. However the overwhelming smell of stale cigarettes was unexpected and I had to be dunk it immediately :sick: After a long bath and its first coat of Lexol tonight, I think it's going to turn out lovely! The leather is soft, the lining and hardware all perfect and the Creed is the best one I've read. Please share a pic if you have a backpack like my new friend :wave:
Click to expand...

I have one of these backpacks, in the same color. It's lovely and soft. I rescued it from Goodwill. I will see if I have a photo. I took it to the zoo and as an overnight bag in summer since it's so big!
 
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#15,314
trayc_w said:
Hi everyone! New here, but have been rescuing classic Coach for about 20 years. I came across your group last week after I found a mint 2005 Willis in British Tan w/nickel hardware at Savers for $24.99. It smelled a bit musty so I was searching to get tips on cleaning. I literally couldn't believe that there was a whole group of like-minded Coach rescuers! I've read many of the posts here and love seeing all of the gorgeous bags :heart: The first Coach bag that I fell in love with was a chocolate brown backpack that belonged to my coworker - that was in 1997. All of your beautiful work has inspired me. I decided to search out my own brown backpack. I found one on Etsy that was a bit rough but appeared to be in good shape overall. And the price was right at $60. I received it yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by the overall condition. However the overwhelming smell of stale cigarettes was unexpected and I had to be dunk it immediately :sick: After a long bath and its first coat of Lexol tonight, I think it's going to turn out lovely! The leather is soft, the lining and hardware all perfect and the Creed is the best one I've read. Please share a pic if you have a backpack like my new friend :wave:
Click to expand...

There's a few things you can do to help reduce the smell. Put vinegar in the bath. Air it for a while.. or alternatively put it it a airtight tote or plastic bag along with baking soda or activated charcoal for a few weeks which will hopefully soak up some stink. It's tough because leather really soaks up odors deep into its pores.

I think I only put leather cpr on my bag after its wash and it came up great, all scratches and color loss on corners disappeared.
 
#15,315
Belicious said:
There's a few things you can do to help reduce the smell. Put vinegar in the bath. Air it for a while.. or alternatively put it it a airtight tote or plastic bag along with baking soda or activated charcoal for a few weeks which will hopefully soak up some stink. It's tough because leather really soaks up odors deep into its pores.

I think I only put leather cpr on my bag after its wash and it came up great, all scratches and color loss on corners disappeared.
Click to expand...

That's great that you rescued yours from Goodwill! I had never seen one in all my years of looking. It is a very nice size - fits my laptop, cord, mouse, etc. no problem. And thank you for the tips - I did add vinegar to the rinse water and have been airing it outside. Smells fine now, thank goodness! The leather was very dry and scratched - I did 3 applications of Lexol and it is now a rich, dark brown and super soft :yahoo:still has a few scratches, but I think it's a cool, weathered look. I'd love to see yours, if you can find a photo.IMG_3814.jpg Also, the hangtag is missing so I sent an email to Coach regarding a replacement...they replied the same day to say they are sending me a new one!
 
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