Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[tealocean]

Today's rehabs. I haven't been buying much lately but I couldn't resist these babies. I hope I can get the color back in the duffle okay. The red Murphy almost doesn't need any work but does need reshaping so I will bath it.View attachment 4395278 View attachment 4395280

Oh wow that red! I look forward to seeing the after pics!

 

[aerinha]

I'm not sure if they all have a tiny space between the ends (not solid), but the ones I had to replace - from the late 90s vintage bag - looked like that. There're many sellers from China on eBay who sell different colors/sizes/shapes rings fairly cheap, usually the listing specify sizes in mm, so you have to measure yours well. Also, if you have a Coach store on the area, you might get the rings there - I was surprised when I found out they have spare metal parts, not only hangtags... So you might want just to drop by with your bag and see what they have.

Turn the ring around so you can see the underneath. Usually there is an opening. You can use pliers to open it enough that you can slide it off. Then get another and slide it on the same way.

Thanks. When I first tried, I couldn’t get the ring to turn, but I conditioned the leather and now it will flex to let me turn the ring. It is solid brass, no cut. My step dad says he can use bolt cutters on it, it has worn spots from contact with the strap clips so cutting through where it is thinner should work.

 

[tealocean]

Out of curiosity, what is your favorite tool for applying conditioner? I know the consistency varies between products. For example, I have Lexol 1 which I think is a cleaner and it is very runny and has to be shaken. The Leather CPR really is like the consistency of hair conditioner (Suave, etc). And the Blackrocks is very thick & waxy. I was just curious is people have a preference for cotton & blends (rags, old t-shirts, old socks, etc), microfiber cloths, paper towels, or even using just your fingers (was watching a YouTube video where someone just used their bare hands). I also have nitrile gloves if I'm worried about irritation on bare hands.

I'm new to this, but so far I have only used Leather CPR & Blackrock's so I use my hands to condition. If using the Leather CPR to clean, I first wipe with a damp cotton cloth with vinegar water and use a clean part of the cloth to clean with leather CPR. Then I use my fingers to apply the conditioner. I wipe off Blackrock's with a paper towel and use a cloth to buff it the next day. I learned these tips reading here, but I know there are lots of ways to do it.

 

[Lake Effect]

After I dunked this bag, a lot of discoloration showed up on one side of the bag, presumably from wear. I've tried dunking it twice and it's gone through multiple coats of Leather CPR and 2 coats of black rocks. Is there any way to get things to even out a little more?

It looks like a natural patina that appears on good quality leather after a few years of use. It probably wasn't very noticeable before because the bag was dirty and too dry. I think it's beautiful and it makes those New York City era bags especially charming. If I'm not mistaken, even an old Coach booklet mentions patina as a mark of the well broken-in leather that adds to the bags' unique character.

As you carry the bag, the dark spots will probably fade. Sometimes conditioner brings them out, but after awhile they blend in better.

Playing Saturday morning coffee time catch up, as usual
My disclaimer is that I luuuvv BT in every shape, form and size
I actually looked for and bought a BT (possibly Tabac) City Bag based on the fact it was worn, scratched, looked like it had been stained , but short of coming apart at the seams or piping worn through. So there would be patina after rehab.
The darkening on your bag, as has been said, is most likely wear. What I thought was a stain over the flap was actually just from wear, as I have seen it in pics of countless City bags like mine. At first I couldn't figure out why they all had a “stain” over the flap like mine!
While it seems you were not looking for the patina I was. In real life, aka while in use, I find natural light to be quite forgiving. With use and periodic light conditioning it is possible the rest of the bag may darken , although I doubt will be completely uniform.
BT, and the neutrals can be tricky beasts, IMO. I have seen some rehab amazingly here.
I was fortunate enough to find an Oliver in BT about 2 1/2 years ago , online, insanely cheap, considering it was like new except for a scrape on the piping. I also found a 1997 BT Bancroft, also insanely cheap and in very very good condition 1 1/2 years ago. Both got a light surface surface cleaning and then conditioning with Lexol, which is very light. Because they both get used regularly, I noticed recently the Ollie has darkened a bit , the Banny not so much. Both do show a few tiny random spots/stains/discolorations, which I attribute as casualties of being working breeds I put to use. And also to oxidation. Cause I know prior to me buying them they were sitting in closets, not out and about like they are under my watch. They do not get babied, say, like my cornflower Ace, lol.
So I expect my BTs, and related neutrals to possibly darken, maybe some spontaneous spotting, with use and conditioning. YMMV.

 

[Morgan_Bellini]

Playing Saturday morning coffee time catch up, as usual
My disclaimer is that I luuuvv BT in every shape, form and size
I actually looked for and bought a BT (possibly Tabac) City Bag based on the fact it was worn, scratched, looked like it had been stained , but short of coming apart at the seams or piping worn through. So there would be patina after rehab.
The darkening on your bag, as has been said, is most likely wear. What I thought was a stain over the flap was actually just from wear, as I have seen it in pics of countless City bags like mine. At first I couldn't figure out why they all had a “stain” over the flap like mine!
While it seems you were not looking for the patina I was. In real life, aka while in use, I find natural light to be quite forgiving. With use and periodic light conditioning it is possible the rest of the bag may darken , although I doubt will be completely uniform.
BT, and the neutrals can be tricky beasts, IMO. I have seen some rehab amazingly here.
I was fortunate enough to find an Oliver in BT about 2 1/2 years ago , online, insanely cheap, considering it was like new except for a scrape on the piping. I also found a 1997 BT Bancroft, also insanely cheap and in very very good condition 1 1/2 years ago. Both got a light surface surface cleaning and then conditioning with Lexol, which is very light. Because they both get used regularly, I noticed recently the Ollie has darkened a bit , the Banny not so much. Both do show a few tiny random spots/stains/discolorations, which I attribute as casualties of being working breeds I put to use. And also to oxidation. Cause I know prior to me buying them they were sitting in closets, not out and about like they are under my watch. They do not get babied, say, like my cornflower Ace, lol.
So I expect my BTs, and related neutrals to possibly darken, maybe some spontaneous spotting, with use and conditioning. YMMV.

I adore patina on a BT or mahogany bag. My mocha courier looks mostly black from 50 years (or so) of patina and it's beautiful. It's been dunked and thoroughly cleaned, it just looks well loved.

 

[aerinha]

I ran out of time today but plan to go to BB&B to look for cpr tomorrow. My willis still feels less than it was in termss of the leather and I dunked my smells like a foot Court bag today so she will need it too. Side note, when dunking a bag that smells like feet, stand back when pressing it under the warm water or you get wafts of warm wet foot up your nose gag gag. Court is stuff and hanging on a hook in the warmish breeze right now. Hopefully she dries faster than the willis which I couldn’t put outside due to high winds that would have blown her away.

 

[Cyanide Rose]

This is the bag of my childhood. Haven't seen one in years. Thanks for sharing your find

I’m sorry my message didn’t send I was saying it was available. It’s gone now though.

 

[valv54]

Playing Saturday morning coffee time catch up, as usual
My disclaimer is that I luuuvv BT in every shape, form and size
I actually looked for and bought a BT (possibly Tabac) City Bag based on the fact it was worn, scratched, looked like it had been stained , but short of coming apart at the seams or piping worn through. So there would be patina after rehab.
The darkening on your bag, as has been said, is most likely wear. What I thought was a stain over the flap was actually just from wear, as I have seen it in pics of countless City bags like mine. At first I couldn't figure out why they all had a “stain” over the flap like mine!
While it seems you were not looking for the patina I was. In real life, aka while in use, I find natural light to be quite forgiving. With use and periodic light conditioning it is possible the rest of the bag may darken , although I doubt will be completely uniform.
BT, and the neutrals can be tricky beasts, IMO. I have seen some rehab amazingly here.
I was fortunate enough to find an Oliver in BT about 2 1/2 years ago , online, insanely cheap, considering it was like new except for a scrape on the piping. I also found a 1997 BT Bancroft, also insanely cheap and in very very good condition 1 1/2 years ago. Both got a light surface surface cleaning and then conditioning with Lexol, which is very light. Because they both get used regularly, I noticed recently the Ollie has darkened a bit , the Banny not so much. Both do show a few tiny random spots/stains/discolorations, which I attribute as casualties of being working breeds I put to use. And also to oxidation. Cause I know prior to me buying them they were sitting in closets, not out and about like they are under my watch. They do not get babied, say, like my cornflower Ace, lol.
So I expect my BTs, and related neutrals to possibly darken, maybe some spontaneous spotting, with use and conditioning. YMMV.

I love forum catch up coffee time lol.

 

[Catbird9]

I believe the Court bag was introduced around 1990. Let me look for a pic. Because of their top handle, the Court and Plaza were part of series, Continental? I am sure by the time I post back, someone else may confirm that. I don’t believe it was introduced before the mid 80’s. I don’t believe it was made in nubuc. Coincidentally, I have a super dry Court!!

I believe they were introduced Fall 1989. Anything with a Made in the United States line at the bottom of a creed couldn't have been made before 1988.
It wasn't made in nubuck. I think the leather is probably just damaged.

I finally found the catalog page that shows the Continental Series, including the Regency Brief, Plaza Bag Large, Plaza Bag, and Court Bag. The date I have on this is Fall 1989. I could have sworn it said something like "Introducing the Continental Series" at the top, but that appears to have been cropped out of this...or was that just a figment of my imagination?

 

[whateve]

I finally found the catalog page that shows the Continental Series, including the Regency Brief, Plaza Bag Large, Plaza Bag, and Court Bag. The date I have on this is Fall 1989. I could have sworn it said something like "Introducing the Continental Series" at the top, but that appears to have been cropped out of this...or was that just a figment of my imagination?

Here's a picture of the page but the writing is blurry.

 

[Morgan_Bellini]

I love forum catch up coffee time lol.

Me too!

 

[Morgan_Bellini]

I ran out of time today but plan to go to BB&B to look for cpr tomorrow. My willis still feels less than it was in termss of the leather and I dunked my smells like a foot Court bag today so she will need it too. Side note, when dunking a bag that smells like feet, stand back when pressing it under the warm water or you get wafts of warm wet foot up your nose gag gag. Court is stuff and hanging on a hook in the warmish breeze right now. Hopefully she dries faster than the willis which I couldn’t put outside due to high winds that would have blown her away.

I hope you can get that stink out, ick!

 

[Catbird9]

Here's a picture of the page but the writing is blurry.

Ah, thank you! So I didn't just imagine it.

 

[aerinha]

I hope you can get that stink out, ick!

So do I, as I didn’t have much success getting perfume out of my Tods project.

 

[whateve]

So do I, as I didn’t have much success getting perfume out of my Tods project.

Perfume is the hardest smell to get rid of.