Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Lake Effect]

I'm getting really lazy with my rehabs. I have several that are almost done, but I can't get motivated to finish them. This is especially true if they aren't coming out as good as I hoped.

I'm not even motivated to rehab a single bag. I have bags that I have rehabbed and it seems to add no value to it whatsoever.

I got very busy with work, the holidays and family for several months and rehabbing dropped off. It kinda worked out to step away from it for a bit. It gave me a chance to enjoy some bags (since I am doing this for me primarily and then will sell or gift whatever I am not using) I had not used much. I have a friend who has been through some tough personal/financial times in recent years and was thrilled to get a bag I realized I just wasn't using. I also rehabbed a little belt bag for her that she found at a garage sale. That was fun!
So I am ready to start plowing into my pile.

 

[vivianyan]

started my 2nd rehab. The first wasn't very success because I learned after I started my project
I found this bag from eBay, it's not my favorite style but it's made in NYC! So I decided to rehab it as another practice. I've given it a warm bath. Just make sure I won't make mistake again. Warm bath for about 20 seconds, then rinse, Towel dry, then put on leather cpr, dry it overnight and leather cpr again, last blackrock right?

 

[Lake Effect]

Maybe you meant min, not sec. I will bathe for 20 min, followed by rinse for 20 min. In the bath phase, I like to gently brush with an old soft tooth brush. Loosen up the surface dirt, open the pores. I have found bags like that take several days to dry. YMMV. The rest of your process is like mine.
FWIW, I am a sucker for a made in NYC bag too

 

[Catbird9]

started my 2nd rehab. The first wasn't very success because I learned after I started my project
I found this bag from eBay, it's not my favorite style but it's made in NYC! So I decided to rehab it as another practice. I've given it a warm bath. Just make sure I won't make mistake again. Warm bath for about 20 seconds, then rinse, Towel dry, then put on leather cpr, dry it overnight and leather cpr again, last blackrock right?

You should keep the bag in the bath for at least 15 minutes (not 20 seconds, or is that a typo?)

After the soapy bath, I usually rinse the bag very well and soak it a couple of minutes immersed in clear water with about 1/4 cup of vinegar added. Then I pat dry with towels, stuff lightly with dry towels, and lay it flat to dry for several hours, turning occasionally. While it is still damp, I apply the first coat of CPR. I let that dry overnight and apply the second coat. Dry overnight again and buff. By now the bag should be completely dry. Apply a light coat of Blackrock, wipe with paper towel, dry overnight and buff again.

 

[vivianyan]

Maybe you meant min, not sec. I will bathe for 20 min, followed by rinse for 20 min. In the bath phase, I like to gently brush with an old soft tooth brush. Loosen up the surface dirt, open the pores. I have found bags like that take several days to dry. YMMV. The rest of your process is like mine.
FWIW, I am a sucker for a made in NYC bag too

Yes I meant 20 minutes. And yes I steal your technique from your last rehab post. Thank you for sharing the tips. Finding my old toothbrush now.

 

[vivianyan]

You should keep the bag in the bath for at least 15 minutes (not 20 seconds, or is that a typo?)

After the soapy bath, I usually rinse the bag very well and soak it a couple of minutes immersed in clear water with about 1/4 cup of vinegar added. Then I pat dry with towels, stuff lightly with dry towels, and lay it flat to dry for several hours, turning occasionally. While it is still damp, I apply the first coat of CPR. I let that dry overnight and apply the second coat. Dry overnight again and buff. By now the bag should be completely dry. Apply a light coat of Blackrock, wipe with paper towel, dry overnight and buff again.

I misstyped. Yes I meant 20 minute! Thanks so much for the tips! Good to know adding vinegar!

 

[houseof999]

If you can repair split piping then this carrier could be for you.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/391994126566

 

[StrictTime]

If you can repair split piping then this carrier could be for you.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/391994126566

I just need that strap lol! Actually, that worn place in the seam binding isn’t that bad.

 

[Catbird9]

Normally I would never do this. This was listed with NO PICTURES by a new seller with 0 feedback. The description just gave the serial number E04S 9328. I have been looking for that style (a Small Slim Duffle Sac) so I decided to take a chance. I made a Best Offer of $12 and the seller accepted. Shipping was only $4.80, so my all-in investment was $16.80.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this beautiful bag (missing the hang tag, but otherwise in near-pristine condition). The color was rubbed or faded in a few places, but a light application of Blackrock (once again, I sing the praises of this product!) helped even out the color. I "individually hand buffed" it and added a dragonfly charm.

 

[sallellen]

Normally I would never do this. This was listed with NO PICTURES by a new seller with 0 feedback. The description just gave the serial number E04S 9328. I have been looking for that style (a Small Slim Duffle Sac) so I decided to take a chance. I made a Best Offer of $12 and the seller accepted. Shipping was only $4.80, so my all-in investment was $16.80.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this beautiful bag (missing the hang tag, but otherwise in near-pristine condition). The color was rubbed or faded in a few places, but a light application of Blackrock (once again, I sing the praises of this product!) helped even out the color. I "individually hand buffed" it and added a dragonfly charm.

What a great buy!!

 

[eggtartapproved]

Hello! I'm new to this thread and just purchased my first vintage Coach, a Tailor pouch, I believe in bone. I'm seeing a lot of brands of product used here and was wondering if anyone can advise where to find them, or similar/equivalent products in Canada. I've googled search some of them and it's just a bit overwhelming as some of the products have different names, or perhaps for the seasoned rehabbers you are using the common names of the products. Even Castillo Soap, I'm seeing different brands, but does the brand make a big difference? Thank you - it'd be most helpful before I try to start buying (possibly the wrong) products online when I can easily purchase them at local stores.

Also, may be a silly/dumb question, but what cloth types do you all use to add conditioners to your bags? I don't even condition my new bags, and the one time I tried any product to a bag (handles of a vintage speedy) it seemed to dry it out - it was a clean and condition product from Cole Haan. That scarred me a bit. Are towels ok? =S

 

[whateve]

Hello! I'm new to this thread and just purchased my first vintage Coach, a Tailor pouch, I believe in bone. I'm seeing a lot of brands of product used here and was wondering if anyone can advise where to find them, or similar/equivalent products in Canada. I've googled search some of them and it's just a bit overwhelming as some of the products have different names, or perhaps for the seasoned rehabbers you are using the common names of the products. Even Castillo Soap, I'm seeing different brands, but does the brand make a big difference? Thank you - it'd be most helpful before I try to start buying (possibly the wrong) products online when I can easily purchase them at local stores.

Also, may be a silly/dumb question, but what cloth types do you all use to add conditioners to your bags? I don't even condition my new bags, and the one time I tried any product to a bag (handles of a vintage speedy) it seemed to dry it out - it was a clean and condition product from Cole Haan. That scarred me a bit. Are towels ok? =S

Towels are fine. Or just your hands to apply and then a cloth to buff. I don't think the type of soap makes that much difference. I just use dishwashing soap.

Most of my conditioners I've bought online. I don't know anything about the Cole Haan product but it might be similar to Coach's, and that isn't the best.

If you find a conditioner that isn't mentioned on the forum, ask us about it.

 

[Lake Effect]

Normally I would never do this. This was listed with NO PICTURES by a new seller with 0 feedback. The description just gave the serial number E04S 9328. I have been looking for that style (a Small Slim Duffle Sac) so I decided to take a chance. I made a Best Offer of $12 and the seller accepted. Shipping was only $4.80, so my all-in investment was $16.80.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this beautiful bag (missing the hang tag, but otherwise in near-pristine condition). The color was rubbed or faded in a few places, but a light application of Blackrock (once again, I sing the praises of this product!) helped even out the color. I "individually hand buffed" it and added a dragonfly charm.

Oh, I looooove when I start to read a post that begins, "Normally I would never do this."
FTW Catbird! forget the Like button, the LVE button has been clicked!
Yes, Lake should be working from home in the snowmageddon, but is not, shhh!

 

[Lake Effect]

You should keep the bag in the bath for at least 15 minutes (not 20 seconds, or is that a typo?)

After the soapy bath, I usually rinse the bag very well and soak it a couple of minutes immersed in clear water with about 1/4 cup of vinegar added. Then I pat dry with towels, stuff lightly with dry towels, and lay it flat to dry for several hours, turning occasionally. While it is still damp, I apply the first coat of CPR. I let that dry overnight and apply the second coat. Dry overnight again and buff. By now the bag should be completely dry. Apply a light coat of Blackrock, wipe with paper towel, dry overnight and buff again.

I continually forget vinegar. Well, at least I never used bleach again. I know, that made at least one of you shudder.

And good for commenting about turning the bag. And a reminder if your bag has *shape* issues, figure out a way to help it along and reshape while the leather is still damp! Much. Easier.

 

[heather.snyder]

After reading page after page of this thread I'm just going to ask. I bought my first used bag (#7770 Hampton Carryall) for super cheap off eBay ($13 so if I ruin it I wont cry lol) and I plan on attempting to rehab it for practice before I get into more expensive pieces. It has several small orange stains in the navy fabric (possible bleach spatter, I do not have it in hand yet) and it's leather is scuffed with black marks. I have coach fabric cleaner, leather cleaner and leather moisturizer...which this thread seems to not recommend. What would you recommend I get instead to try my hand at rehab? Are the coach care products ok as maintance on my other bags which are all less than 2 years old or would you recommend something else for that as well? Any advice or recommendations will be greatly appreciated!