Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Bee-licious]

My 2 cents worth: My usual routine after bathing, when the leather is still a little damp is to apply Leather CPR all over...wait 12 to 24 hours and repeat. Wait 12 to 24 hours and apply Blackrocks lightly all over, wait 12 to 24 hours and repeat. I apply Blackrocks in small areas with my fingers and immediately remove the excess with a paper towel. After the 2nd application dries, you can buff with a microfiber cloth or brush and the leather should glow. As I'm in sunny AND rainy Florida, my bags get wet often, but raindrops disappear quickly with no lasting spots. As with anything, your results may vary. Good luck!

Thanks Joodlz! I've conditioned LIKE CRAZY and I really like how soft the leather has become after my mad conditioning + bag bath, and although everyone tells me the leather is very dark, I keep thinking it isn't! I can't seem to buy Blackrocks in Vancouver here anywhere, but I'm also reluctant to buy Blackrocks just to condition my black court. I have a BT court bag coming but I read that blackocks will darken the leather, and I don't want my BT to darken.

Have you tried the Leather Refinsh stuff from Wood n Stuff? http://www.wood-n-stuff.com/leatheraid.html

 

[Bee-licious]

I wouldn't mess with it. What if the black dye is a different color black? Then you would have to do the entire bag to make it even. Conditioner should make it look deeper. You could always use Blackrocks. I've never waterproofed any of my leather bags but I don't live in a rainy climate. I think the conditioner provides some protection. Some people have also used Obenauf's for waterproofing.

You were right Whateve, the conditioner did darken it some. I've been reading in anticipation of my BT court (it might actually be a saddle colour, I can't be sure until I see the bag in real life), and I'm wondering about the Leather Refinish (http://www.wood-n-stuff.com/leatheraid.html) that I saw you mention way back. If you've tried this, was this the dye product that you said dyed unevenly? Just curious as it seems to be a great product, especially since it comes in the BT colour!

 

[Bee-licious]

I don't think you need the dye. Try Blackrocks and buff it to get the shiny blackness back. I think a coat of Lexol after Blackrocks helps black bags get shiny again. I apply Obenauf's as a final coat to help waterproof. Apple Guarde is also a good waterproofer.

Thanks Coach943, but Apple Guard seems impossible to source, especially since it's only available online for us Canadians. BUT I am going to take a trip down to Seattle JUST to buy some of this stuff lol. Would this be in the auto section? Do you prefer Apple Guard or Obenauf? I also found some Collonil Waterstop spray, and it was mentioned in the Mulberry forum as being recommended by Mulberry SA's! I have no idea what Mulberry leather is like, but the fact that the SAs themselves recommend it, intrigues me. I am positive Mulberry vs Coach leathers are different, so even though I'm intrigued, I'm proceding with caution...

 

[whateve]

You were right Whateve, the conditioner did darken it some. I've been reading in anticipation of my BT court (it might actually be a saddle colour, I can't be sure until I see the bag in real life), and I'm wondering about the Leather Refinish (http://www.wood-n-stuff.com/leatheraid.html) that I saw you mention way back. If you've tried this, was this the dye product that you said dyed unevenly? Just curious as it seems to be a great product, especially since it comes in the BT colour!

Fiebings was the dye I used that went on unevenly. I've never used the wood-n-stuff. I think I would only use it for bags that were heavily stained. It seems to cover unevenly, but it isn't a dye. It's acrylic. I believe it sits on top of the leather and possibly changes the texture of it. Several people on the forum have had good results with it.

 

[JOODLZ]

Thanks! I will look for it once we get settled. Is the acrylic gel medium flexible when it's dry?

I've used gel medium on bottom corners and top edges near bag flaps (like the Stewardess). These areas don't necessarily get a lot of wiggling, but I would say there is a certain level of flexibility. Particularly compared to something like crazy glue, which dries crispy.

I just ordered some of it - thanks for the tip. I have crescent bag that has been a difficult rehab that has a piping split. I will let you know how it works.

Like acrylic paint, you can also thin the gel with water, if needed. Just make sure you let it dry between coats.

Thanks Joodlz! I've conditioned LIKE CRAZY and I really like how soft the leather has become after my mad conditioning + bag bath, and although everyone tells me the leather is very dark, I keep thinking it isn't! I can't seem to buy Blackrocks in Vancouver here anywhere, but I'm also reluctant to buy Blackrocks just to condition my black court. I have a BT court bag coming but I read that blackocks will darken the leather, and I don't want my BT to darken.

Have you tried the Leather Refinsh stuff from Wood n Stuff? http://www.wood-n-stuff.com/leatheraid.html

I've used Blackrocks (after Leather CPR) on bags of many colors, from light tans to black. I've seen a temporary darkening immediately after the product is applied. But it seems to go back to the proper color as the product "dries." While Blackrocks does condition and clean leather, it contains Carnuba wax, which lends itself to be more of a finishing product. IMHO Blackrocks "deepens" color and gives the leather more of a glow. And because it contains wax, buffs to a nice sheen. ...I hope this makes sense I have no experience (to date) with wood n stuff.

 

[coach943]

Thanks Coach943, but Apple Guard seems impossible to source, especially since it's only available online for us Canadians. BUT I am going to take a trip down to Seattle JUST to buy some of this stuff lol. Would this be in the auto section? Do you prefer Apple Guard or Obenauf? I also found some Collonil Waterstop spray, and it was mentioned in the Mulberry forum as being recommended by Mulberry SA's! I have no idea what Mulberry leather is like, but the fact that the SAs themselves recommend it, intrigues me. I am positive Mulberry vs Coach leathers are different, so even though I'm intrigued, I'm proceding with caution...

I use them for different purposes. I use Obenauf's as a top coat after Blackrocks on a lot of my rehab bags to give an extra layer of protection. I also think the beeswax in it leaves a shine on the bag that I like when it is buffed a final time. I use Apple Guarde more for rain protection on an ongoing maintenance of my bags. I spray all my newer bags with it after conditioning or if I think I will be out in the rain with it. I will also spray one of my rehabs if I have reapplied conditioner just as maintenance and plan to carry if it might rain.

ETA- I think any spray will be fine to give rain protection. Just test on a small spot first to make sure it is ok before you do the whole bag.

 

[DalGal]

Morning All,
I am wondering if anyone out there has tried dunking a gathered Madison Sophia bag? I just received one, and while in good shape outside, it is dirty inside and the leather outer feels dry and kind of grungy. I have dunked a lot of other types of bags, but the pleats on this scare me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA

 

[whateve]

Morning All,
I am wondering if anyone out there has tried dunking a gathered Madison Sophia bag? I just received one, and while in good shape outside, it is dirty inside and the leather outer feels dry and kind of grungy. I have dunked a lot of other types of bags, but the pleats on this scare me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA

I believe the pleats will open up even more if you dunk it. I just authenticated this one, right? I think it looks like someone already tried to wash the inside. I would pull out all the lining and wash it thoroughly without soaking the rest of the bag. I would use conditioner on the outside. Most conditioners also clean leather. Someone was successful at ironing the pleats. There is a thread about it somewhere on the forum.

 

[DalGal]

I believe the pleats will open up even more if you dunk it. I just authenticated this one, right? I think it looks like someone already tried to wash the inside. I would pull out all the lining and wash it thoroughly without soaking the rest of the bag. I would use conditioner on the outside. Most conditioners also clean leather. Someone was successful at ironing the pleats. There is a thread about it somewhere on the forum.

Thanks whateve, it is the same bag. I will try as you are suggesting. I have cleaned quite a few linings, and I would agree it's already been tried, considering how the tag looks. I will look for the ironing thread....although I don't know if I am quite that brave lol!

 

[JOODLZ]

Though the suede trim on tote pocket was damaged, I couldn’t pass these up for $9.99. A Hamptons Weekend Patchwork Small Tote #1481 and matching wristlet #7765. And both with hangtags! The Wayback archive for April 11, 2006 priced them at $218 and $98!
Befores are here:
Tote: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-344.html#post25330675
Wristlet: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-344.html#post25330696

Fixing the suede pocket trim was not a complete success, but a significant improvement. I used acrylic gel medium underneath the tear and carefully poked what remaining suede I could back under the remaining stitches. Fortunately the stitching was intact. Unfortunately, there just wasn’t enough suede left to end up with an even edge...oh well. (I’ve repeated the “before” of the suede trim here) I let the gel medium dry for probably 48 hours...more than enough...and proceeded with Dawn bath, rinse and stuff as usual...on both items. The gel seems to have held...yay! Did the usual conditioning and finishing the leather and gave the suede a good brushing. Perfect? No. Usable? Yes. Looking forward to a colorful Spring...next year.

 

[AggieK]

Though the suede trim on tote pocket was damaged, I couldn’t pass these up for $9.99. A Hamptons Weekend Patchwork Small Tote #1481 and matching wristlet #7765. And both with hangtags! The Wayback archive for April 11, 2006 priced them at $218 and $98!
Befores are here:
Tote: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-344.html#post25330675
Wristlet: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-344.html#post25330696

Fixing the suede pocket trim was not a complete success, but a significant improvement. I used acrylic gel medium underneath the tear and carefully poked what remaining suede I could back under the remaining stitches. Fortunately the stitching was intact. Unfortunately, there just wasn’t enough suede left to end up with an even edge...oh well. (I’ve repeated the “before” of the suede trim here) I let the gel medium dry for probably 48 hours...more than enough...and proceeded with Dawn bath, rinse and stuff as usual...on both items. The gel seems to have held...yay! Did the usual conditioning and finishing the leather and gave the suede a good brushing. Perfect? No. Usable? Yes. Looking forward to a colorful Spring...next year.

What an improvement on the pocket! Congrats...

 

[Tetondeb]

Rarely am I scared/intimidated by a rehab... I'm scared of this one! I just started rehabbing my Swag Bag I've had this bag for a while but she's so dry and broken that I've been scared to get started and risk ruining one of these rare bags. Ugh.... here goes nothing! I'm also doing an experiment on a moldy riding bag... wish me luck!

http://sacsmagnifiques.blogspot.com/

 

[ledobe]

Rarely am I scared/intimidated by a rehab... I'm scared of this one! I just started rehabbing my Swag Bag I've had this bag for a while but she's so dry and broken that I've been scared to get started and risk ruining one of these rare bags. Ugh.... here goes nothing! I'm also doing an experiment on a moldy riding bag... wish me luck!

http://sacsmagnifiques.blogspot.com/

FWIW I wish I hadn't tried so hard to clean my Musette (it had oily spots) as I feel it aged the leather further. I think I would have been better off washing & conditioning and just let them to continue to age and burnish in.

 

[chowlover2]

FWIW I wish I hadn't tried so hard to clean my Musette (it had oily spots) as I feel it aged the leather further. I think I would have been better off washing & conditioning and just let them to continue to age and burnish in.

Have you ever tried cornstarch on oil or grease spots?

 

[Tetondeb]

FWIW I wish I hadn't tried so hard to clean my Musette (it had oily spots) as I feel it aged the leather further. I think I would have been better off washing & conditioning and just let them to continue to age and burnish in.

Normally yes... but this one is literally on the verge of cracking. I talked to the Leather Preservation Specialists that make the rejivinator and they recommended at least 2 treatments before I go any further. This one has layers of crusty old dried coatings...wax, etc. Just a mess. Plus I need to fix the parts that are torn and can't work with the leather at all like it is