Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Abirdloverr]

Hey guys! I applied leather conditioner (leather CPR) to my Willis last night and noticed something. It's starting to crease a lot where the bag bends, and before the conditioner it wasn't doing that. Is this normal? How do I smooth it out? It feels almost like it's dry too.

 

[StrictTime]

Yes. I must be missing the right wording. The writer very casually mentioned that smells are easy to get rid of. I need to find her!

This might be me? I have great results from using Odorzout powder (Amazon has it or Ace Hardware stores sometimes carry it) on cigarette odors. The key is to use very little of the granules--they trap the odor, but if you use too much, the granules put the odor back into the leather. My process is to use the product before dunking, changing the granules daily until there is no odor left. I use maybe 1-1/2 teaspoons max for a Willis-size bag, putting the granules in all the pockets and main interior. I keep the item in an open spot outside in the shade for maximum air ( sometimes I'll use cut up drinking straws to keep the pockets open for airing). Dump the granules every day and add new until no odor remains. Then dunk and rehab as usual.

 

[Belicious]

I dunked my pre-creed Courier by soaking it in dawn for about 25 minutes and then soaking it in vinegar water for another 10 minutes and I've applied 3 coats of Leather CPR (one coat per day, buff in between) but the leather still feels very stiff. I'm worried about eventual cracking at the fold of the flap. Should I just keep applying the CPR? Is it normal for a very old bag to need so much conditioner? When I received the bag, the leather was very soft and in fantastic condition. I hope I didn't ruin my Holy Grail! I might cry a little.

I think some stiffness is normal. Are you buffing with a brush between coats? Also, with use it may soften. Perhaps it needs a more hefty conditioner like obenaufs. What color is it?

 

[Catbird9]

I dunked my pre-creed Courier by soaking it in dawn for about 25 minutes and then soaking it in vinegar water for another 10 minutes and I've applied 3 coats of Leather CPR (one coat per day, buff in between) but the leather still feels very stiff. I'm worried about eventual cracking at the fold of the flap. Should I just keep applying the CPR? Is it normal for a very old bag to need so much conditioner? When I received the bag, the leather was very soft and in fantastic condition. I hope I didn't ruin my Holy Grail! I might cry a little.

Most vintage bags I've dunked feel stiffer, even after conditioning. I would keep applying CPR until the bag isn't absorbing it any more.

As the bag is carried, it will loosen up and become softer, in my experience.

 

[Morgan_Bellini]

I think some stiffness is normal. Are you buffing with a brush between coats? Also, with use it may soften. Perhaps it needs a more hefty conditioner like obenaufs. What color is it?

I'm buffing with a soft cloth. I'm not sure what Coach called this color back in the late 60's, early 70's, but it's a very dark brown with enough patina to make it look black in places. It's really beautiful, just stiff as a board. I didn't want to use Obenaufs because I thought it might darken the leather and I want to preserve as much of the pretty brown coloring as I can. If I do go the Obenauf route, would you recommend the oil or the LP? Thanks so much!

 

[Morgan_Bellini]

Most vintage bags I've dunked feel stiffer, even after conditioning. I would keep applying CPR until the bag isn't absorbing it any more.

As the bag is carried, it will loosen up and become softer, in my experience.

Thank you, that's reassuring to know it's common for vintage bags to feel stiff at first. I absolutely cannot wait to carry it! I hope it softens again over time.

 

[katev]

I've just had a City Bag #9790 from 2002 authenticated, see link below. It is a tan color but I am not sure if it is British Tan or a lighter shade.

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...ost-for-format.889527/page-2377#post-32993105

The bag is in generally good shape for only $14, but I am concerned about the strap edging because it is cracked on both sides along the entire length of the strap and the hangtag, see pics below.

I need to give this bag a bath to clean and reshape it but I'm worried that the edging might get worse after dunking. I'm afraid that chunks of the edging material will start to peel off.

Any suggestions for stabilizing the edging before I dunk it? I was thinking about rubbing fabric glue into the cracks along both sides of the edging - has anyone ever tried that or some other approach?

Thanks!

 

[aerinha]

I've just had a City Bag #9790 from 2002 authenticated, see link below. It is a tan color but I am not sure if it is British Tan or a lighter shade.

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...ost-for-format.889527/page-2377#post-32993105

The bag is in generally good shape for only $14, but I am concerned about the strap edging because it is cracked on both sides along the entire length of the strap and the hangtag, see pics below.

I need to give this bag a bath to clean and reshape it but I'm worried that the edging might get worse after dunking. I'm afraid that chunks of the edging material will start to peel off.

Any suggestions for stabilizing the edging before I dunk it? I was thinking about rubbing fabric glue into the cracks along both sides of the edging - has anyone ever tried that or some other approach?

Thanks!

View attachment 4379318

View attachment 4379319

Angelus leather paint over the cracked sections

 

[WishingonaCoach]

Angelus leather paint over the cracked sections

Thanks for the tip, I had that type of edges in some bags and glue, Edgekote, etc...didn't work, never heard of acrylic paint for leather. I will give it a try.

 

[WishingonaCoach]

Good point, I forgot to mention that all of them are black, lol.

LOL, I imagined that you were not thinking of putting a black and a white together, but even with similar dark colors like a black and a dark brown, I wouldn't risk it. All black, all same shade of brown... yes, I would do it too.

 

[whateve]

I am considering dyeing a cream bag with discoloration issues gray but can’t find gray dye. If i mix Angelus black dye with neutral dye will it make gray or just a mess? Thanks

Why not mix black with white? Is there some reason you feel you must use Angelus? Wood n stuff makes grey: https://www.wood-n-stuff.com/leatheraid.html#jump2chart

 

[katev]

I've just had a City Bag #9790 from 2002 authenticated, see link below. It is a tan color but I am not sure if it is British Tan or a lighter shade.

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...ost-for-format.889527/page-2377#post-32993105

The bag is in generally good shape for only $14, but I am concerned about the strap edging because it is cracked on both sides along the entire length of the strap and the hangtag, see pics below.

I need to give this bag a bath to clean and reshape it but I'm worried that the edging might get worse after dunking. I'm afraid that chunks of the edging material will start to peel off.

Any suggestions for stabilizing the edging before I dunk it? I was thinking about rubbing fabric glue into the cracks along both sides of the edging - has anyone ever tried that or some other approach?

Thanks!

View attachment 4379318

View attachment 4379319

Angelus leather paint over the cracked sections

Thanks for the tip, I had that type of edges in some bags and glue, Edgekote, etc...didn't work, never heard of acrylic paint for leather. I will give it a try.

Thank you, if there an advantage to using Angelus? I have Leather Refinish Color Restorer in British Tan and other shades of brown, see link below. I also have a wide selection of acrylic paints in many colors.

I have never used Angelus and don't mind buying it if it is better - but if it works pretty much the same as these other products then maybe I don't need it?

When I use paint I always put it on after dunking and drying the bag, when do you apply Angelus? I was hoping to find something to prevent the problem from getting worse because of the bath.

Thanks for your advice!

https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Refi...d=1553192239&s=gateway&sr=8-3&tag=googhydr-20

 

[Cricket1240]

It's not an ideal solution, but it's an option for a small bag that is missing a strap. You can use a chain strap that matches the hardware.

Right now on the Coach Outlet Online Sale they are selling gold and silver curb-chain straps for $15 each. They are genuine Coach straps and they are well-made and work nicely with smaller bags. You can still keep looking for a leather strap for your Regina but in the meantime you will have another option. That's what I did with my small Gracie bag, see the pic below.

Did your Regina come with the hangtag? If not, you can call Coach Customer Service and they will send a free replacement hangtag. It will probably be a metal hangtag that matches the hardware.

View attachment 4367579

I LOVE your Gracie bag ... sorry I just saw your reply. I do have the hang tag and I will get a chain to use for now. THANKS!

 

[Cricket1240]

Hi ... Does anyone have any suggestions for this slot gap near the turnlock prong on my Regina bag? Thanks!

 

[aerinha]

Why not mix black with white? Is there some reason you feel you must use Angelus? Wood n stuff makes grey: https://www.wood-n-stuff.com/leatheraid.html#jump2chart

Angelus is just what I am familiar with and it has good reviews. They don’t offer white, but I will check out yout link. Thanks