Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Catbird9]

Hello ladies, I just had authenticated my next rehab project. I can not wait as I have not done one in sometime.
I want to do the usual, the bath, stuff it to reshape, the coats of moisturizer, etc... but I have a question for you that have done so many, in case you have seen one that "feels" like this.
The leather on the back, under the flap, sides and strap feels like leather, shines like leather, but the top of the flap itself almost feels like suede, very strange to me, not like the inside of the bag much more subtle... I do not know how to explain better.
Any guesses, input will be greatly appreciated.

View attachment 4035487 View attachment 4035488

It sounds like the leather on the top of the flap is very worn for some reason. I have seen that "almost suede" effect on worn piping and corners.

My guess is that it will look a lot better after a bath and several applications of conditioner. You might need to use Leather Therapy instead of Leather CPR. Definitely finish with Blackrock Leather 'n Rich.

 

[Catbird9]

I am by no means an expert but could it be nubuc? I know people say it is the devil but I love nubuc but don't own any.

It's hard to keep it clean or get it clean once it's dirty, but it does have a certain rugged appeal! I have a pair of nubuck ankle boots that I love.

"Both types of leather [suede and nubuck] are sanded to produce a velvet soft feel. The main difference is that nubuck is sanded on the outer surface of the leather, the part that would have been the exterior skin of the animal, while suede is sanded on the inner layer of the skin."
https://www.leathercaresupply.com/.../leather-suede-and-nubuck-whats-the-difference

 

[whateve]

Hello ladies, I just had authenticated my next rehab project. I can not wait as I have not done one in sometime.
I want to do the usual, the bath, stuff it to reshape, the coats of moisturizer, etc... but I have a question for you that have done so many, in case you have seen one that "feels" like this.
The leather on the back, under the flap, sides and strap feels like leather, shines like leather, but the top of the flap itself almost feels like suede, very strange to me, not like the inside of the bag much more subtle... I do not know how to explain better.
Any guesses, input will be greatly appreciated.

View attachment 4035487 View attachment 4035488

It sounds like the leather on the top of the flap is very worn for some reason. I have seen that "almost suede" effect on worn piping and corners.

My guess is that it will look a lot better after a bath and several applications of conditioner. You might need to use Leather Therapy instead of Leather CPR. Definitely finish with Blackrock Leather 'n Rich.

I agree. However, I believe the damaged parts will absorb conditioners differently and end up darker than the rest. Blackrocks will at least get it feeling more like leather.

 

[tbestes]

I have been asking for years for Coach to make the Nomad in black leather with gunmetal hardware. Appears it's never going to happen since the Nomad isn't in production any longer, so I resorted to creative measures. I found a Nomad in Fog at the outlet a few months ago (around $175). It had the hardware I wanted, and I summoned the courage earlier this week to dye it black. Love the result.

 

[mrk2014]

It sounds like the leather on the top of the flap is very worn for some reason. I have seen that "almost suede" effect on worn piping and corners.

My guess is that it will look a lot better after a bath and several applications of conditioner. You might need to use Leather Therapy instead of Leather CPR. Definitely finish with Blackrock Leather 'n Rich.

I agree. However, I believe the damaged parts will absorb conditioners differently and end up darker than the rest. Blackrocks will at least get it feeling more like leather.

Thank you for your input. I will show the final result when I am done. If it's worn and later looking darker or different I am fine with it, I was afraid that could have been another "leather disease", that could get worse during the rehabbing. I learned the lesson the hard way, when a perfectly looking bag, got ruined because after the bath the mold showed up and made it look disgusting.
Also thanks for asking about nubuck and the explanation that followed.

 

[whateve]

I have been asking for years for Coach to make the Nomad in black leather with gunmetal hardware. Appears it's never going to happen since the Nomad isn't in production any longer, so I resorted to creative measures. I found a Nomad in Fog at the outlet a few months ago (around $175). It had the hardware I wanted, and I summoned the courage earlier this week to dye it black. Love the result.View attachment 4035563

You're so brave! It looks great. What kind of dye did you use?

 

[tbestes]

You're so brave! It looks great. What kind of dye did you use?

Thank you!

I used Lincoln brand preparer (step 1) and Lincoln brand black dye (step 2). The polish (step 3) was just a generic black shoe cream.

 

[Lake Effect]

My husband likes that I am “recycling “ these bags. I don’t think he gets why anyone needs so many.... but it’s a good thing to be addicted to.
As for storage.... that is becoming an issue, I’m finding little nooks and crannies to store them, some on my closet self, some in a hope chest. trying to figure out what’s best to shape them with when they are stored. I’m trying to dig up old pillow cases to store them in.

There is a discount place by me that I have been getting pillowcases for cheap to use.

 

[meepabeep]

Another thrift store find, a made in US linen-cotton/leather Bleecker (I think). Unfortunately I didn't take before pics, but it had some wear, stains, and dirt (not too bad though). I cleaned it with soap & water, and used Black Rock on the leather. It looks so much better. I put the metal tag that's been on 3 other bags on it since the original was missing. I ordered more from Coach and evilBay.

 

[Lake Effect]

The 1996 Patricia is probably Mahogany but since there was also a color called Taupe that looks VERY close, it could be that too. Here are 1996 color swatches:

View attachment 4031437

For the heck of it, I took a pic. I just threw in the BT tote for contrast. Using natural light and my iPad. I feel like my photos always come out with the hues a bit warmed. Patti is from ‘96 and Ranch is ‘90ish. I tossed the flap back on the Ranch as it is a bit faded. Patti always struck me as cool. The Ranch photographs here looking like she could go a bit burgundy but to me is the true Mohagany.
Fascinating.

 

[Lake Effect]

Another thrift store find, a made in US linen-cotton/leather Bleecker (I think). Unfortunately I didn't take before pics, but it had some wear, stains, and dirt (not too bad though). I cleaned it with soap & water, and used Black Rock on the leather. It looks so much better. I put the metal tag that's been on 3 other bags on it since the original was missing. I ordered more from Coach and evilBay.

Beautiful!

 

[Lake Effect]

View attachment 4031398 Waiting to be conditioned. Anyone want to take a guess at what colors these are?

And enjoy, whatever color they may be!!

 

[Catbird9]

View attachment 4035642
For the heck of it, I took a pic. I just threw in the BT tote for contrast. Using natural light and my iPad. I feel like my photos always come out with the hues a bit warmed. Patti is from ‘96 and Ranch is ‘90ish. I tossed the flap back on the Ranch as it is a bit faded. Patti always struck me as cool. The Ranch photographs here looking like she could go a bit burgundy but to me is the true Mohagany.
Fascinating.

Nice! I love color comparisons. I know what you mean about the subtle difference between Mahogany and Burgundy.

 

[Belicious]

Hello ladies, I just had authenticated my next rehab project. I can not wait as I have not done one in sometime.
I want to do the usual, the bath, stuff it to reshape, the coats of moisturizer, etc... but I have a question for you that have done so many, in case you have seen one that "feels" like this.
The leather on the back, under the flap, sides and strap feels like leather, shines like leather, but the top of the flap itself almost feels like suede, very strange to me, not like the inside of the bag much more subtle... I do not know how to explain better.
Any guesses, input will be greatly appreciated.

View attachment 4035487 View attachment 4035488

I think it's really dry and worn and you may be able to bring back a smoother finish after a bath from that state with a lot more applications of conditioner than you usually use. You might need some Obenaufs, maybe even more than one application of that (wait a week between applications) or some similar heavy duty leather oil. Lots of buffing with a horse hair brush or soft cloth between all coats.

 

[Minchanka]

Thank you for your input. I will show the final result when I am done. If it's worn and later looking darker or different I am fine with it, I was afraid that could have been another "leather disease", that could get worse during the rehabbing. I learned the lesson the hard way, when a perfectly looking bag, got ruined because after the bath the mold showed up and made it look disgusting.
Also thanks for asking about nubuck and the explanation that followed.

If you go a bit back in this thread, I posted a rehab of an identical bag about two weeks ago. Even the color looks the same, and my bag was very worn too. It came out very nicely, the worn leather came back to life with Leather Therapy and Blackrock.