Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Tosa22]

Kid sports are over for one month, so I should have more time for rehabs. Up next are these three.

 

[abmab]

First time rehabber here! I just purchased a Coach bag at an estate sale. It has some scuffs/scratches. Any tips on how to rehab it? I've never done anything like this but he's beautiful and I want to make him look as best as possible

 

[Catbird9]

First time rehabber here! I just purchased a Coach bag at an estate sale. It has some scuffs/scratches. Any tips on how to rehab it? I've never done anything like this but he's beautiful and I want to make him look as best as possibleView attachment 4153655 View attachment 4153656 View attachment 4153657

The first thing I would do is make sure it's authentic by posting on the Authenticate This Coach thread. Please read the first post in that thread so you can supply the necessary information.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach-see-first-post-for-format.889527/

If it's authentic, I would dunk and condition as described in many posts in this thread. Here's a place to start:
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

ETA: Welcome to rehabbing!

 

[abmab]

The first thing I would do is make sure it's authentic by posting on the Authenticate This Coach thread. Please read the first post in that thread so you can supply the necessary information.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach-see-first-post-for-format.889527/

If it's authentic, I would dunk and condition as described in many posts in this thread. Here's a place to start:
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

ETA: Welcome to rehabbing!

Will do! Thanks

 

[abmab]

Will do! Thanks

He's authentic

 

[nursebetty]

First time rehabber here! I just purchased a Coach bag at an estate sale. It has some scuffs/scratches. Any tips on how to rehab it? I've never done anything like this but he's beautiful and I want to make him look as best as possibleView attachment 4153655 View attachment 4153656 View attachment 4153657

Nice find! I have rehabbed two of these. Be mindful of the cardboard on the flap! If I had another Manor I don't know that I would dunk again - I warped the board on the second one quite badly. Even if you press the flap while drying, the flap may not look as 'crisp' as it does now once dry. That is just my experience! There are many more experienced rehabbers here with success stories to share. Good luck!

 

[foxgal]

Finally got around to dressing up my $10 rehab! Wow, boring a hole through that thick leather is WORK but I’m really happy with the result! Got the star studs on eBay for a few bucks. Think I’ve really caught the vintage rehab bug now...especially after seeing pictures of the Taft. I want!

 

[abmab]

Nice find! I have rehabbed two of these. Be mindful of the cardboard on the flap! If I had another Manor I don't know that I would dunk again - I warped the board on the second one quite badly. Even if you press the flap while drying, the flap may not look as 'crisp' as it does now once dry. That is just my experience! There are many more experienced rehabbers here with success stories to share. Good luck!

Thanks! I was planning on dunking because he has some scratches/scuffs I was hoping might come out with the dunk-and-condition routine I've been reading about but that's good to know. I'm not sure how else I'd clean him up

 

[Rescuedogs]

Hi expert rehabbers,
I just bought this basic bag, and I was thinking it could be my first rehab project. I was going to “dunk” it but I am not exactly sure what that entails. Do I use a soft brush or sponge, or just rinse it? Should I remove the strap first? Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Also, I was planning to use Leather CPR based on what I read here, do you suggest anything else? I amazed at all your successes!

Also there is a very faint smoke smell. Will a wash get rid of it?

So I finally had a chance to dunk this, and the water was turned very yellow/orange, and continued to rinse yellow. Most of them color seemed to be coming from the inside. Is this normal?

 

[kstar54]

Hello, I'm a PBF newbie, but a seasoned bag lady (my mother's words, not mine!). I purchased this bag recently and am interested in cleaning her up a bit. The handles are very stiff, I would like to see if I can get some of the ink stain out, and I would like to clean up the scratches. I have never seen a Coach bag like this and am very proud of her and would like to make her better, not worse! After reading through some great posts on this site, I feel more confused than anything. Dunk, condition, lexol, ungabunga cream? Help!!!

 

[Catbird9]

So I finally had a chance to dunk this, and the water was turned very yellow/orange, and continued to rinse yellow. Most of them color seemed to be coming from the inside. Is this normal?

Yes, in my experience it is pretty common.

 

[katev]

Hello, I'm a PBF newbie, but a seasoned bag lady (my mother's words, not mine!). I purchased this bag recently and am interested in cleaning her up a bit. The handles are very stiff, I would like to see if I can get some of the ink stain out, and I would like to clean up the scratches. I have never seen a Coach bag like this and am very proud of her and would like to make her better, not worse! After reading through some great posts on this site, I feel more confused than anything. Dunk, condition, lexol, ungabunga cream? Help!!!View attachment 4153903 View attachment 4153904 View attachment 4153905 View attachment 4153906

That looks like an early coach bag designed by Bonnie Cashin, where did you get it? It's really gorgeous!

You should post it in the Authentication forum to get it authenticated; does it have a tag inside that says "Coach"? Here is the link for the authentication forum and information about what should be included:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach-see-first-post-for-format.889527/

A big ink spot like that is just about impossible to remove. It appears to be on the inside, correct? I'd probably leave it alone.

I would want to give that bag a bath but I'd be worried that the ink would run but perhaps another rehabber has had experience rehabbing a badly ink-stained British Tan bag and will be able to advise you.

The rehab process is pretty straight-forward, aside from that ink spot. Use Dawn dish soap and soak the bag in sudsy water for about 20 to 30 minutes, vigorously massage any dirty areas to clean. Rinse is plain water, drain, stuff with clean towels or rags to shape the bag so that it will dry with the correct shape. When it is half-dry remove the towels and apply Leather CPR to the leather surfaces. After it is completely dry, rub in thin applications of Black Rocks Leather n Rich, let it sit for at least a few hours and then buff with a soft cloth or horsehair brush - that will hide most of the scratches and blemishes.

You can use a metal polish like Wenol to polish the brass fittings. I cannot tell from your picture but is there any dark green gunk around the lock and/or metal fittings? If yes, then the metal is afflicted with verdigris and will need special treatment, but we can discuss that later.

I've only rehabbed one vintage Cashin bag but you can see before and after pics at the link below. No ink spots but otherwise it has the same coloring as your bag.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/proof-that-a-50-yr-old-lady-can-still-be-beautiful-rehab-reveal.742282/

NIce find, good luck!

 

[whateve]

Hello, I'm a PBF newbie, but a seasoned bag lady (my mother's words, not mine!). I purchased this bag recently and am interested in cleaning her up a bit. The handles are very stiff, I would like to see if I can get some of the ink stain out, and I would like to clean up the scratches. I have never seen a Coach bag like this and am very proud of her and would like to make her better, not worse! After reading through some great posts on this site, I feel more confused than anything. Dunk, condition, lexol, ungabunga cream? Help!!!View attachment 4153903 View attachment 4153904 View attachment 4153905 View attachment 4153906

That looks like an early coach bag designed by Bonnie Cashin, where did you get it? It's really gorgeous!

You should post it in the Authentication forum to get it authenticated; does it have a tag inside that says "Coach"? Here is the link for the authentication forum and information about what should be included:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach-see-first-post-for-format.889527/

A big ink spot like that is just about impossible to remove. It appears to be on the inside, correct? I'd probably leave it alone.

I would want to give that bag a bath but I'd be worried that the ink would run but perhaps another rehabber has had experience rehabbing a badly ink-stained British Tan bag and will be able to advise you.

The rehab process is pretty straight-forward, aside from that ink spot. Use Dawn dish soap and soak the bag in sudsy water for about 20 to 30 minutes, vigorously massage any dirty areas to clean. Rinse is plain water, drain, stuff with clean towels or rags to shape the bag so that it will dry with the correct shape. When it is half-dry remove the towels and apply Leather CPR to the leather surfaces. After it is completely dry, rub in thin applications of Black Rocks Leather n Rich, let it sit for at least a few hours and then buff with a soft cloth or horsehair brush - that will hide most of the scratches and blemishes.

You can use a metal polish like Wenol to polish the brass fittings. I cannot tell from your picture but is there any dark green gunk around the lock and/or metal fittings? If yes, then the metal is afflicted with verdigris and will need special treatment, but we can discuss that later.

I've only rehabbed one vintage Cashin bag but you can see before and after pics at the link below. No ink spots but otherwise it has the same coloring as your bag.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/proof-that-a-50-yr-old-lady-can-still-be-beautiful-rehab-reveal.742282/

NIce find, good luck!

I agree that dunking it is a big risk. That ink will likely spread and may bleed through to the exterior and onto the lining. IMO, that is a valuable bag; I'd hate for anything bad to happen to it.

 

[kstar54]

That looks like an early coach bag designed by Bonnie Cashin, where did you get it? It's really gorgeous!

You should post it in the Authentication forum to get it authenticated; does it have a tag inside that says "Coach"? Here is the link for the authentication forum and information about what should be included:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach-see-first-post-for-format.889527/

A big ink spot like that is just about impossible to remove. It appears to be on the inside, correct? I'd probably leave it alone.

I would want to give that bag a bath but I'd be worried that the ink would run but perhaps another rehabber has had experience rehabbing a badly ink-stained British Tan bag and will be able to advise you.

The rehab process is pretty straight-forward, aside from that ink spot. Use Dawn dish soap and soak the bag in sudsy water for about 20 to 30 minutes, vigorously massage any dirty areas to clean. Rinse is plain water, drain, stuff with clean towels or rags to shape the bag so that it will dry with the correct shape. When it is half-dry remove the towels and apply Leather CPR to the leather surfaces. After it is completely dry, rub in thin applications of Black Rocks Leather n Rich, let it sit for at least a few hours and then buff with a soft cloth or horsehair brush - that will hide most of the scratches and blemishes.

You can use a metal polish like Wenol to polish the brass fittings. I cannot tell from your picture but is there any dark green gunk around the lock and/or metal fittings? If yes, then the metal is afflicted with verdigris and will need special treatment, but we can discuss that later.

I've only rehabbed one vintage Cashin bag but you can see before and after pics at the link below. No ink spots but otherwise it has the same coloring as your bag.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/proof-that-a-50-yr-old-lady-can-still-be-beautiful-rehab-reveal.742282/

NIce find, good luck!

Thanks for the comprehensive instructions! Yes, she does have the metal trash inside! I love her!

 

[kstar54]

I agree that dunking it is a big risk. That ink will likely spread and may bleed through to the exterior and onto the lining. IMO, that is a valuable bag; I'd hate for anything bad to happen to it.

Indeed. I'll try the leather CPR and then the black rocks to see if I can minimize the scratches. Any thoughts on the stiff handles? I have Coach conditioner, is that a no no?