Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#17,701
I've been reading and researching for hours. This gem came in today. She's great...but the verdigris is not. As soon as I saw it, I scraped and wiped away what I could. It was much worse than the current pictures show (OF COURSE none of it was mentioned online.) She's overall dirty, but from what I've read, the hardware needs to come off. I found a lot of helpful posts about how to clean the brass once it's off, but getting it off...I have some tools, but it seemed like I was going to strip the little screws, so I paused. Tried to get the turnlock off...its really in there alright. I looked at all of the posts mentioning legacy by @ledobe because I read she'd rehabbed tons of Legacies. I didn't find exactly what I needed, but there was mention of an older board, which I didn't find, and a Ebay guide from 2012 or 2013, which wasn't there anymore either. My question is how do I get these suckers off? I'm not clear on what's supposed to happen on the inside of the pockets because the lining is attached, but I can feel some hardware beneath it. I've already scratched up the front part a bit trying, any advice? Is she hopeless w the verdigris? That little button on the front I'm sure isn't coming out, so I'll just have to do my best with that one. The turnlock hardware has it underneath though, I can see it. :confused1:20180922_173436.jpg 20180922_173500.jpg 20180922_171159.jpg 20180922_171110.jpg 20180922_172351.jpg
 
#17,702
CurrentObsesh said:
I've been reading and researching for hours. This gem came in today. She's great...but the verdigris is not. As soon as I saw it, I scraped and wiped away what I could. It was much worse than the current pictures show (OF COURSE none of it was mentioned online.) She's overall dirty, but from what I've read, the hardware needs to come off. I found a lot of helpful posts about how to clean the brass once it's off, but getting it off...I have some tools, but it seemed like I was going to strip the little screws, so I paused. Tried to get the turnlock off...its really in there alright. I looked at all of the posts mentioning legacy by @ledobe because I read she'd rehabbed tons of Legacies. I didn't find exactly what I needed, but there was mention of an older board, which I didn't find, and a Ebay guide from 2012 or 2013, which wasn't there anymore either. My question is how do I get these suckers off? I'm not clear on what's supposed to happen on the inside of the pockets because the lining is attached, but I can feel some hardware beneath it. I've already scratched up the front part a bit trying, any advice? Is she hopeless w the verdigris? That little button on the front I'm sure isn't coming out, so I'll just have to do my best with that one. The turnlock hardware has it underneath though, I can see it. :confused1:View attachment 4200764 View attachment 4200765 View attachment 4200766 View attachment 4200767 View attachment 4200768
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Hi, just IMO a bath / soak with some white vinegar in the water may take care of alot of that verdigris.
 
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#17,704
CurrentObsesh said:
I've been reading and researching for hours. This gem came in today. She's great...but the verdigris is not. As soon as I saw it, I scraped and wiped away what I could. It was much worse than the current pictures show (OF COURSE none of it was mentioned online.) She's overall dirty, but from what I've read, the hardware needs to come off. I found a lot of helpful posts about how to clean the brass once it's off, but getting it off...I have some tools, but it seemed like I was going to strip the little screws, so I paused. Tried to get the turnlock off...its really in there alright. I looked at all of the posts mentioning legacy by @ledobe because I read she'd rehabbed tons of Legacies. I didn't find exactly what I needed, but there was mention of an older board, which I didn't find, and a Ebay guide from 2012 or 2013, which wasn't there anymore either. My question is how do I get these suckers off? I'm not clear on what's supposed to happen on the inside of the pockets because the lining is attached, but I can feel some hardware beneath it. I've already scratched up the front part a bit trying, any advice? Is she hopeless w the verdigris? That little button on the front I'm sure isn't coming out, so I'll just have to do my best with that one. The turnlock hardware has it underneath though, I can see it. :confused1:View attachment 4200764 View attachment 4200765 View attachment 4200766 View attachment 4200767 View attachment 4200768
Click to expand...

If the auction didn't disclose that the bag was stained and damaged due to extreme verdigris, I think that you should ask for a refund and send it back. At the very least, if you decide to keep it, you should get a partial refund.
 
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#17,705
katev said:
If the auction didn't disclose that the bag was stained and damaged due to extreme verdigris, I think that you should ask for a refund and send it back. At the very least, if you decide to keep it, you should get a partial refund.
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I agree with you, and I'll tell them and see what happens. It was only $20, and it came with a wristlet and a bag that should be used for parts. I went back and read the description, it did mention stains, but nothing about verdigris or anything describing it, so they were wrong for not posting that. But for $20, I'm not going to make a major fuss over it, but it's super annoying because I really like the Legacy shoulder bags, and I was so happy about the color. So, I might as well keep it. I hate to use it for only gaining experience. I'd love for it to be wearable, but I tried to prepare myself it might not be salvageable. But what a Cinderella story she'd be if I could pull it off!
 
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#17,707
CurrentObsesh said:
I've been reading and researching for hours. This gem came in today. She's great...but the verdigris is not. As soon as I saw it, I scraped and wiped away what I could. It was much worse than the current pictures show (OF COURSE none of it was mentioned online.) She's overall dirty, but from what I've read, the hardware needs to come off. I found a lot of helpful posts about how to clean the brass once it's off, but getting it off...I have some tools, but it seemed like I was going to strip the little screws, so I paused. Tried to get the turnlock off...its really in there alright. I looked at all of the posts mentioning legacy by @ledobe because I read she'd rehabbed tons of Legacies. I didn't find exactly what I needed, but there was mention of an older board, which I didn't find, and a Ebay guide from 2012 or 2013, which wasn't there anymore either. My question is how do I get these suckers off? I'm not clear on what's supposed to happen on the inside of the pockets because the lining is attached, but I can feel some hardware beneath it. I've already scratched up the front part a bit trying, any advice? Is she hopeless w the verdigris? That little button on the front I'm sure isn't coming out, so I'll just have to do my best with that one. The turnlock hardware has it underneath though, I can see it. :confused1:View attachment 4200764 View attachment 4200765 View attachment 4200766 View attachment 4200767 View attachment 4200768
Click to expand...
These Legacy bags have a problem with verdigris, not all of them, but when they have it, it is really bad. Just so you know to ask next time. I think you still got a fantastic deal. I don't think I would try to remove the hardware. That is recommended for vintage bags but the hardware on these is likely irreplaceable. You can find replacements for what Coach used on vintage bags but I doubt you could find the correct hardware for these. I would clean with vinegar. I've used a skinny flat thing to get underneath and scrape all the verdigris out but you have to be careful that you don't scratch the leather. Also when you clean with vinegar, the verdigris will liquefy and stain the leather, so you need to clean the hardware in such a way that the leather doesn't get wet and doesn't get touched by what you clean off. If you scrape it off dry, it might not stain the leather, but wet with vinegar, it definitely will. You might be able to stretch plastic wrap around the hardware with an opening cut just where the hardware is, so the leather is protected.
 
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#17,708
whateve said:
These Legacy bags have a problem with verdigris, not all of them, but when they have it, it is really bad. Just so you know to ask next time. I think you still got a fantastic deal. I don't think I would try to remove the hardware. That is recommended for vintage bags but the hardware on these is likely irreplaceable. You can find replacements for what Coach used on vintage bags but I doubt you could find the correct hardware for these. I would clean with vinegar. I've used a skinny flat thing to get underneath and scrape all the verdigris out but you have to be careful that you don't scratch the leather. Also when you clean with vinegar, the verdigris will liquefy and stain the leather, so you need to clean the hardware in such a way that the leather doesn't get wet and doesn't get touched by what you clean off. If you scrape it off dry, it might not stain the leather, but wet with vinegar, it definitely will. You might be able to stretch plastic wrap around the hardware with an opening cut just where the hardware is, so the leather is protected.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the recommendation and the tip! I'm going to get started. I have a tiny flat head screwdriver that I can carefully get to the edges with, but I think it's going to take some maneuvering to actually get under the hardware. Most of the verdigris is under the turnlock parts now. Still some on the brass chads, but after I get done scraping and using vinegar on the hardware, I found this in another post: https://www.ehow.com/how_6386111_clean-verdigris-stains-leather-brass.html and I was going to give that a go too. Hopefully it'll get the green stained parts out. Thank you again, everyone's experience and willingness to help is very much appreciated!
 
#17,709
CurrentObsesh said:
I agree with you, and I'll tell them and see what happens. It was only $20, and it came with a wristlet and a bag that should be used for parts. I went back and read the description, it did mention stains, but nothing about verdigris or anything describing it, so they were wrong for not posting that. But for $20, I'm not going to make a major fuss over it, but it's super annoying because I really like the Legacy shoulder bags, and I was so happy about the color. So, I might as well keep it. I hate to use it for only gaining experience. I'd love for it to be wearable, but I tried to prepare myself it might not be salvageable. But what a Cinderella story she'd be if I could pull it off!
Click to expand...

CurrentObsesh said:
How much white vinegar should I use? Say in a sinkful of water (should I still add dawn?) I read I should not dunk it with the lining in there, how does that work? I'm envisioning just holding it in position for 25 min?
Click to expand...

whateve said:
These Legacy bags have a problem with verdigris, not all of them, but when they have it, it is really bad. Just so you know to ask next time. I think you still got a fantastic deal. I don't think I would try to remove the hardware. That is recommended for vintage bags but the hardware on these is likely irreplaceable. You can find replacements for what Coach used on vintage bags but I doubt you could find the correct hardware for these. I would clean with vinegar. I've used a skinny flat thing to get underneath and scrape all the verdigris out but you have to be careful that you don't scratch the leather. Also when you clean with vinegar, the verdigris will liquefy and stain the leather, so you need to clean the hardware in such a way that the leather doesn't get wet and doesn't get touched by what you clean off. If you scrape it off dry, it might not stain the leather, but wet with vinegar, it definitely will. You might be able to stretch plastic wrap around the hardware with an opening cut just where the hardware is, so the leather is protected.
Click to expand...

CurrentObsesh said:
Thank you for the recommendation and the tip! I'm going to get started. I have a tiny flat head screwdriver that I can carefully get to the edges with, but I think it's going to take some maneuvering to actually get under the hardware. Most of the verdigris is under the turnlock parts now. Still some on the brass chads, but after I get done scraping and using vinegar on the hardware, I found this in another post: https://www.ehow.com/how_6386111_clean-verdigris-stains-leather-brass.html and I was going to give that a go too. Hopefully it'll get the green stained parts out. Thank you again, everyone's experience and willingness to help is very much appreciated!
Click to expand...

I have rehabbed some pieces from the 65th Anniversary Legacy line and they have all come out well, but I have never had to deal with a bad verdigris problem with one of these bags - but for $20 your bag is worth saving so you should go for it!

I usually just surface clean the 65th Legacy items but I once gave a bath to a legacy and gold metallic billfold wallet once because it really needed it and it came out fine.

But for your bag, I would be worried that the green verdigris would run and stain the leather so I would probably try the surface, spot-cleaning method first. If the bag were black I would feel bolder about aggressive cleaning methods but that pink color is very delicate. I have found that some small pointy tools used for manicures and sewing are good for getting into tight spaces for cleaning.

Just an FYI, I usually don't polish the brass on a 65th anniversary bag very much, I think that the hardware is supposed to look a bit dull and "aged". I did polish the brass one time on a legacy wristlet 40708 because it was so scratched that I had to use a dremel to work on it to make it look good, but it came out fine - the legacy bags have heavy brass hardware and not thin, plated metal.

Here are before and after pics of a black Legacy wristlet that I rehabbed by surface cleaning and aggressive polishing - because polishing it was necessary. It came out well, but it was black and didn't have verdigris:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...rsary-legacy-collection.777591/#post-22989328

Good luck and let us know what happens with your rehab efforts.
 
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