In all my rehabs, I’ve never been able to noticeably lighten the handles on a bag like this (I have a bunch of various satchels with those stiff handles). The darkened handles don’t bother me at all. But if it bothers you, I’d pass, especially considering the price.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter greenpixie
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I saw a video of somebody with a vachetta bag who didn’t want the handles to darken. She went over the bag many times with just a damp sock to keep the leather light. I was surprised it worked. I wonder what would happen on one of these Coach bags. If you get it, it might be worth trying.
I don't think it would help much. On the Coach, the grime has built up over years. It isn't darkening of vachetta like on the Speedy; it is oils from people's hands. I've worked on Coach handles many times. Sometimes the grime is so thick you can scrape some of it off with your fingernail. You can scrub it in the bath and clean with vinegar and condition, and it will still be darker than it was when it was new.
If you can't live with the handles being darker don't buy it. You might be able to lighten them with dawn as it does work pretty well on grease but I wouldn't count on it.
Agreed! I have quite a few bags with darkened handles and I consider it patina. This does seem like a high price considering the condition. But it is a lovely bag. I am just finishing up rehab on the same bag, same color. It has some scratches and corner wear I have to deal with.
Thank you so for all of your help with the bag! She took my $50 offer, so we will see how it turns out [emoji4]
Gorgeous!All dry and buffed. She looks like a million bucks!
I needed a small wallet for a tiny purse and decided to try to clean up my 2006 Coach wallet. It was one of my very first designer purchases—I bought it along with a matching purse with my first ever bonus— and I carried it exclusively for years. Nothing too dramatic: the jacquard was in good shape so I cleaned the leather with what I had on hand. I erased some of the grime with a white eraser, then used the Coach leather cleaner found in the back of my closet and Cadillac Leather Conditioner. The edges and pull tab are a lost cause, but it looks better!
Hi ladies....I recently aquired this Gorgeous pony Express. I was told it was recently refurbished, but oh my Lord, it is stiff like cardboard. I currently have it under a thick coat of leather CPR, and will do more tomorrow. Anything else I can do to soften up the leather?
Did you wash it? It might have been shoe polished. That is really hard to remove.
OMG,I hope it's not shoe polish. I have not washed it yet. Would shoe polish come off onto the sponge I used to apply the leather CPR?
I don't know. If you have any hope of softening it, you really need to dunk. You could try acetone on a hidden part to see if a lot of black comes off.
Anyone have any tips or tricks for a white bag. The bag is in good shape but color loss on corners and kind of dingy, I dunked it in the usual fashion, dawn, vinegar, condition, etc. She looks better, I think it had some white scuff cover stuff on it. I know I probably won't get it to be much better but if anyone has any secrets and wants to share.
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I have no experience with white, sorry. But if it was me, I would consider looking for Saphir leather products. Try googling the Hanger Project. I found out about this line from a poster here. They are higher quality leather care products. They have products designed to recolor faded leather. I used the black recolorant on a black Plaza that was faded all over and medium brown on a BT tote. I was very pleased that I used it all over both bags and it did not change the texture of the leather. I did them both over a year ago and they still look good. Although my BT tote gets a workout so it is due for another touch up. I get addicted to it looking good!
Test out any product you try on the most inconspicuous area. Best of luck with that Pony!
I should qualify that Saphir makes a lot of products for shoe care, but also products for general leather care. Their dye products are , if I understand correctly, aimed to help with restoring color, not actually changing a color . Just to be clear.