Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[whateve]

Hi all,
I've finished my second rehab. This is a convertible clutch that I would have passed up at the thrift because it looked faded and worn, and the inside was pretty dirty. However my daughter insisted and I'm glad because while getting it authenticated over on the other thread I discovered it is actually gray not faded navy! I don't see many of the flannel gray bags.

Anyway, I bathed her and after Apple Leather Care didn't do much, I bought Leather CPR (love that product!) and did 2 or 3 treatments of that, finishing with one coat of Blackrocks.

She looks so much better, but I find if I even lightly scratch the surface it leaves a mark (you can see one or two on the front). Maybe that is because of the quality of that soft leather?

My bigger question is the sides. See how it collapses in? I stuffed the bag when drying but it is still soft.

Also, the edges aren't terribly worn but do you think it is enough that I should use something to improve the look (there is a worn spot by the clip loop, too), like edge coat or acrylic paint?

TIA for your advice!

She looks beautiful!
All convertible clutches have that same shape. They are supposed to collapse in at the sides and bottom. I think it is supposed to fill out the more stuff you carry. The leather on these older bags scratches super easily. You can get obsessive if you worry about it. Every time I carry a vintage bag, I end up scratching it and recondition it as soon as I get home. I find that a little acrylic paint mixed with conditioner does wonder on the corners. It might be tricky getting an exact match for the gray.

 

[shannonmarie]

Welcome! Every bag is different. Please post some pics so someone can advise on the best approach.

Thank you for the welcome I do not have the actual bag yet, I will post more pics when I get it. It is a 9579 like this one but it is the blue grey. I do not know a lot about it besides it is from 2003 and has minor marks, I figure I will need at least a suede cleaner for upkeep but I am not sure which is best for this type of bag.

 

[vintageb1]

She looks beautiful!
All convertible clutches have that same shape. They are supposed to collapse in at the sides and bottom. I think it is supposed to fill out the more stuff you carry. The leather on these older bags scratches super easily. You can get obsessive if you worry about it. Every time I carry a vintage bag, I end up scratching it and recondition it as soon as I get home. I find that a little acrylic paint mixed with conditioner does wonder on the corners. It might be tricky getting an exact match for the gray.

Thank you Whateve! That makes me feel much better about my rehab job.
I'll look for the acrylic paint next time I'm near a craft store.

 

[whateve]

Thank you for the welcome I do not have the actual bag yet, I will post more pics when I get it. It is a 9579 like this one but it is the blue grey. I do not know a lot about it besides it is from 2003 and has minor marks, I figure I will need at least a suede cleaner for upkeep but I am not sure which is best for this type of bag.

I've never found a commercial suede cleaner that works well. What works best is usually a bath and a suede brush. There are suede erasers too. You can lightly sand or use steel wool on marks that don't clean off in the bath.

 

[AggieK]

This is my 1998 Soho Buckle Bag #4157 from Goodwill for $17.49 with a coupon...in very good condition, just needing some re-shaping. Befor pics are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-855067-27.html#post26261809

Nothing out of the ordinary rehab-wise: Warm bath with Dawn, rinse and stuff. Leather CPR 2X a day apart, then Blackrocks 2X, also a day apart. Brushed to a glow with a horsehair blend brush.

Then to fix the slouch...I figured I could fashion a nice, fairly stiff placemat into a liner. Bought 4 of these (with Pier 1 stickers still on them) at Goodwill Bargain Barn for $.25 each. I made a paper pattern and started cutting and piecing it together...notice the stripes running different directions. This is still a work-in-progress, as I don’t think it’s quite long enough. The idea is for it to fit behind the pocket and tuck up under the tiny flap on the front of the bag. Problem is, it keeps popping out on the front. I’m guessing it wants to be just a bit longer. I can do that, as it’s pieced anyway. Double-faced fabric fusion tap holds really well...and it’s tough to take apart. I’ve already made one adjustment, just need to do it again. The tape is hard to remove, but Goo Gone did it. CAUTION: Work in a really well ventilated place if you use Goo Gone! I think this is a sound idea...just need a little more adjusting!

Interesting note...the wayback machine shows this bag with the sides tucked in (http://web.archive.org/web/19970509010543/http://www.coach.com/product/index.html)...I have NO IDEA how they managed that!

I have the identical bag! When I bought it from Savers, the sides were tucked in, but when I rehabbed it I untucked it like you show it. It's a nice little bag.

 

[AggieK]

She looks beautiful!
All convertible clutches have that same shape. They are supposed to collapse in at the sides and bottom. I think it is supposed to fill out the more stuff you carry. The leather on these older bags scratches super easily. You can get obsessive if you worry about it. Every time I carry a vintage bag, I end up scratching it and recondition it as soon as I get home. I find that a little acrylic paint mixed with conditioner does wonder on the corners. It might be tricky getting an exact match for the gray.

I thought in the older bags Coach advised people to rub out scratches with a finger. It does work as long as the leather isn't dry.

 

[soozlz]

Ours in not that old 1860 - 1880 and we've been renovating it for the past 20 years, but I think I'm ready for something a little more contemporary. The display cabinet is a great idea and would cut down on dust.

The house next to us is from the same period as yours. It's very cool, but also limited storage. They put on a massive addition several years ago....including a couple of huge closets and a couple of bathrooms. Stephanie put her foot down...either add on or move.

 

[soozlz]

Beautiful job, beautiful bag!

I have the same question about storing bags. I have been using whatever I have spare of--craft paper, tissue paper, even all those plastic newspaper sleeve bags (is plastic not a good idea?). Important to use dust bags? Then you have to look inside to see what you are selecting.

Thank you!!

For storing, be careful of dyed papers and plastics. I think paper vs plastic depends on your climate. I don't have coach dust covers for any of my bags. I read somewhere it was ok to use undyed white cotton pillowcases. So, far I haven't put anything inside the bags I'm not using.

 

[soozlz]

This is my 1998 Soho Buckle Bag #4157 from Goodwill for $17.49 with a coupon...in very good condition, just needing some re-shaping. Befor pics are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-855067-27.html#post26261809

Nothing out of the ordinary rehab-wise: Warm bath with Dawn, rinse and stuff. Leather CPR 2X a day apart, then Blackrocks 2X, also a day apart. Brushed to a glow with a horsehair blend brush.

Then to fix the slouch...I figured I could fashion a nice, fairly stiff placemat into a liner. Bought 4 of these (with Pier 1 stickers still on them) at Goodwill Bargain Barn for $.25 each. I made a paper pattern and started cutting and piecing it together...notice the stripes running different directions. This is still a work-in-progress, as I don’t think it’s quite long enough. The idea is for it to fit behind the pocket and tuck up under the tiny flap on the front of the bag. Problem is, it keeps popping out on the front. I’m guessing it wants to be just a bit longer. I can do that, as it’s pieced anyway. Double-faced fabric fusion tap holds really well...and it’s tough to take apart. I’ve already made one adjustment, just need to do it again. The tape is hard to remove, but Goo Gone did it. CAUTION: Work in a really well ventilated place if you use Goo Gone! I think this is a sound idea...just need a little more adjusting!

Interesting note...the wayback machine shows this bag with the sides tucked in (http://web.archive.org/web/19970509010543/http://www.coach.com/product/index.html)...I have NO IDEA how they managed that!

Great idea!!

 

[soozlz]

This is my 2000 Abbie Zip #9017 all clean and glowing...from Goodwill Bargain Barn for $1.00! Before pics are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-855067-12.html#post26234607

Nothing remarkable here...just a basic rehab like the brown Bucket Bag I just posted...this one was in excellent shape to start with...now looking even better!

Red Abbie looks great!!! So does the green grass and sunshine : D. I'm tired of the cold and dirty snow!!

 

[Two.time.bags]

This is my 1998 Soho Buckle Bag #4157 from Goodwill for $17.49 with a coupon...in very good condition, just needing some re-shaping. Befor pics are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-855067-27.html#post26261809

Nothing out of the ordinary rehab-wise: Warm bath with Dawn, rinse and stuff. Leather CPR 2X a day apart, then Blackrocks 2X, also a day apart. Brushed to a glow with a horsehair blend brush.

Then to fix the slouch...I figured I could fashion a nice, fairly stiff placemat into a liner. Bought 4 of these (with Pier 1 stickers still on them) at Goodwill Bargain Barn for $.25 each. I made a paper pattern and started cutting and piecing it together...notice the stripes running different directions. This is still a work-in-progress, as I don’t think it’s quite long enough. The idea is for it to fit behind the pocket and tuck up under the tiny flap on the front of the bag. Problem is, it keeps popping out on the front. I’m guessing it wants to be just a bit longer. I can do that, as it’s pieced anyway. Double-faced fabric fusion tap holds really well...and it’s tough to take apart. I’ve already made one adjustment, just need to do it again. The tape is hard to remove, but Goo Gone did it. CAUTION: Work in a really well ventilated place if you use Goo Gone! I think this is a sound idea...just need a little more adjusting!

Interesting note...the wayback machine shows this bag with the sides tucked in (http://web.archive.org/web/19970509010543/http://www.coach.com/product/index.html)...I have NO IDEA how they managed that!

Stunning and great idea to stop the slouch!

They probably glued the sides in place for the photo-shoot!

This is my 2000 Abbie Zip #9017 all clean and glowing...from Goodwill Bargain Barn for $1.00! Before pics are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-855067-12.html#post26234607

Nothing remarkable here...just a basic rehab like the brown Bucket Bag I just posted...this one was in excellent shape to start with...now looking even better!

She's so cute and somehow you manged to make her look even better than when you bought her! I really want a red Abbie!

 

[soozlz]

Stunning and great idea to stop the slouch!

They probably glued the sides in place for the photo-shoot!



She's so cute and somehow you manged to make her look even better than when you bought her! I really want a red Abbie!

Riiigghhtt!? I want a red Abbie too. Then I have to snap myself back to reality....I really need a larger everyday bag. My hamptons lunch tote is too narrow. Was just looking at soho buckle bags like the one joodlz posted.

 

[Two.time.bags]

Riiigghhtt!? I want a red Abbie too. Then I have to snap myself back to reality....I really need a larger everyday bag. My hamptons lunch tote is too narrow. Was just looking at soho buckle bags like the one joodlz posted.

I don't want to use it I just want to rehab it and admire it!! LOL

 

[soozlz]

I don't want to use it I just want to rehab it and admire it!! LOL

Oh no, I would LOVE to have one to admire!!! I am doing my best to somewhat practical. I could use the zip top shopper I just finished, but I just can't do it. Also, there is a lovely red soho buckle on eBay that I'm keeping an eye on : ). That style has nice lines and looks great in that cool coach red.

 

[Two.time.bags]

Oh no, I would LOVE to have one to admire!!! I am doing my best to somewhat practical. I could use the zip top shopper I just finished, but I just can't do it. Also, there is a lovely red soho buckle on eBay that I'm keeping an eye on : ). That style has nice lines and looks great in that cool coach red.

Did I mention I only want to pay $1 for it like Joodlz!

You should use that zip top it's gorgeous and you could fit a lot in it.