Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[aerinha]

Hello! I have been a member for a long time but haven't been on here in awhile. I recently caught the rehab bug and have done my first two recently.
I wanted to thank you all for your invaluable advice and tips on restoration. Who knew I could own a gorgeous leather Coach purse for $28?! Lol
She had obviously been stacked in someone's closet with something heavy on top of her.
Here she is lovely Willis before and after her bath. She is a sort of gray with nickel hardware. ❤️
I feel like she could maybe benefit from a heavier conditioner than Apple, which is what I'm using?

I use Apple all the time, it’s light and not sticky going on, but I found it did little when I tried it on my washed Willis, so i bought Leather CPR at Bed Bath and Beyond (it’s in the household cleanser section) and it did the trick. It is thicker and can feel a little sticky if you put too much on too fast, but it got rid of the gray looking areas on the black leather.

 

[aerinha]

I dunked my dirty Manor this morning and I am astonished at how well it's looking so far. I got most of the ink out and prevented a large spread to the outside of the bag. I cleaned the turd looking things out of the back pocket and disinfected it. I think more imperfections will begin to show as the color lightens while the bag dries but I'm beginning to suspect that this might turn out to be a bag that I'll carry! The flap doesn't show any signs of warping, hopefully it will stay that way.
Here are before and after pics of the interior ink, exterior ink, turdy pocket, and the whole bag drying (the yellow towel is reflecting off of the bag in the lower right corner, that isn't discoloration of the bag iteslf):
View attachment 4402580 View attachment 4402581 View attachment 4402583 View attachment 4402585 View attachment 4402586 View attachment 4402587 View attachment 4402589

She looks gorgeous! My BT Court bag really went russet after washing and conditioning, your Manor may stay that lovely shade.

 

[tealocean]

Hello! I have been a member for a long time but haven't been on here in awhile. I recently caught the rehab bug and have done my first two recently.
I wanted to thank you all for your invaluable advice and tips on restoration. Who knew I could own a gorgeous leather Coach purse for $28?! Lol
She had obviously been stacked in someone's closet with something heavy on top of her.
Here she is lovely Willis before and after her bath. She is a sort of gray with nickel hardware. ❤️
I feel like she could maybe benefit from a heavier conditioner than Apple, which is what I'm using?

What a beautiful transformation! I've only tried Leather CPR and Blackrocks so far. I learned here to do a final condition with Blackrock's Leather N Rich. (wipe off the excess right away!) It really makes the leather have a rich sheen. Use this last after you've gotten the bag conditioned well.

 

[Luvpurplepurses]

I have been following this thread and was inspired to purchase a Coach Ramble on E-bay and will rehab her. A purse I purchased in a Lot of purses was pretty much destroyed so I took off the buckles and D-ring and would be happy to send them to anyone who could use them. Just PM me! Thanks!

 

[Morgan_Bellini]

Wow! How did you remove the ink?

I put undiluted Basic-H (not the Basic-G) directly on the ink and let it soak for 20 minutes before scrubbing and blotting for about an hour, then another soak in dish soap for 20 more minutes. I think I could have gotten more out of the inside but I gave up. I was mostly concerned about the outside.

 

[Aku_no_Hana]

Ah yes! Vintage Coach are like treasures! Diamonds in the rough! I have finally found the motivation to keep going. I finished 3 of the 4 I posted last. I'm a little hesitant about rehabbing the periwinkle lunch box. It has color loss and I'm not looking forward to remedy that. I think it will be hard to touch up. Yesterday I dunked 3 bags. All NYC. They are super thirsty! All have had one coat of leather CPR so far. View attachment 4397990

 

[tealocean]

I put undiluted Basic-H (not the Basic-G) directly on the ink and let it soak for 20 minutes before scrubbing and blotting for about an hour, then another soak in dish soap for 20 more minutes. I think I could have gotten more out of the inside but I gave up. I was mostly concerned about the outside.View attachment 4402713

Wonderful! I wish I had thought of that! Basic H is their only product I still use and love.

 

[Cyanide Rose]

I thought I would have a big ink stain on the outside of the bag from soaking it with that much ink inside. I had to dab at the ink for almost an hour before it wasn't coming off on the paper towels any more. I probably could have gotten more ink out of the inside but the outside was done. I wasn't getting any more ink out of that spot. I think it's going to look ok! And it's so dang CLEAN. I'm very happy so far. And surprised!

I think it will look better too! Great job so far. You are braver than I taking on ink [emoji106]

 

[Cyanide Rose]

Hello! I have been a member for a long time but haven't been on here in awhile. I recently caught the rehab bug and have done my first two recently.
I wanted to thank you all for your invaluable advice and tips
Here she is lovely Willis before and after her bath. She is a sort of gray with nickel hardware. [emoji173]️
I feel like she could maybe benefit from a heavier conditioner than Apple, which is what I'm using?

Wow! Nice job! I have one the same color. This is motivating me to rehab mine. Great rehab [emoji5]

 

[Morgan_Bellini]

Wonderful! I wish I had thought of that! Basic H is their only product I still use and love.

It's amazing stuff! People think I'm nuts when I tell them I soak my fruits and vegetables in it and also use it to pre-treat my laundry, clean my appliances, floors, windows, mirrors, cars, and now vintage handbags! I buy the small bottle and it takes me years to use it up.

 

[Morgan_Bellini]

I think it will look better too! Great job so far. You are braver than I taking on ink [emoji106]

I knew this bag was in rough shape when I bought it and I wanted to try some experimenting so I just went for it. I wanted to find a solution for removing ink since there are so many nice vintage bags with ink stains! I don't know yet if my rehab worked, I'm watching for a blue tint to the leather as the bag dries. I'll know in a day or two I guess!

 

[Aku_no_Hana]

Never heard of using steam before, that's a great idea! You know Willis bags often have persistent dents where the dowel rod D-rings rest against the top of the bag - even after dunking. I wonder if steaming could get them out!

If you have an old stove-top tea kettle you could direct the spout at a specific spot on the bag - but don't get burned!

Having this issue too. Little dents in the top of Willis because of the hardware resting on her. Going to try this!

 

[Aku_no_Hana]

They both look so nice! Congratulations!

Thanks!

 

[Aku_no_Hana]

I use Apple all the time, it’s light and not sticky going on, but I found it did little when I tried it on my washed Willis, so i bought Leather CPR at Bed Bath and Beyond (it’s in the household cleanser section) and it did the trick. It is thicker and can feel a little sticky if you put too much on too fast, but it got rid of the gray looking areas on the black leather.

Good to know! I've loved Apple on everything else. I'm going to get some Leather CPR too!

 

[Aku_no_Hana]

What a beautiful transformation! I've only tried Leather CPR and Blackrocks so far. I learned here to do a final condition with Blackrock's Leather N Rich. (wipe off the excess right away!) It really makes the leather have a rich sheen. Use this last after you've gotten the bag conditioned well.

Thank you! I will be doing this!