Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[coach943]

I need some advice! I got incredibly lucky on this one, but I'm not quite sure how to proceed. The bag is misshapen, but I'm not sure I should dunk it-I've read that some of the bags from this era disintegrate. It also has a tear in the piping on the strap. Should I leave it alone? Should I try to repair it? Otherwise, it's in great shape. Maybe just conditioner? I'd appreciate any thoughts.
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I honestly don't think you have to worry about that bag disintegrating. It looks like it is in good shape. I wouldn't be afraid of dunking it. The bags that disintegrate are in really bad shape.

If you don't want to dunk, you can heat towels in the dryer and lightly stuff to reshape, then hang in in your bathroom for a few weeks. The moisture from your shower will help it reshape.

For the cut on the strap, I attempted to repair a similar cut by applying layers of leather cement. I then used a mixture of paint and Lexol to try to blend it in. It wasn't perfect (and was a pain to try to do), but it helped.

 

[whateve]

Quoting my own post with before pics. I finished my Rambler! The bag was in great shape so I think I can only take some of the credit but I’m so proud of her! In person you can’t see the wear on the corners, it only shows up a bit in my after pics. I polished the brass tonight with steel wool and cape cod cloths UGGGHHH who can I pay to do this part in the future lol But wow the brass is so shiny now. I can’t wait to use it this weekend! Thanks for the help everyone!

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It's gleaming!

 

[whateve]

I need some advice! I got incredibly lucky on this one, but I'm not quite sure how to proceed. The bag is misshapen, but I'm not sure I should dunk it-I've read that some of the bags from this era disintegrate. It also has a tear in the piping on the strap. Should I leave it alone? Should I try to repair it? Otherwise, it's in great shape. Maybe just conditioner? I'd appreciate any thoughts.
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So jealous! I would dunk.

 

[Aku_no_Hana]

Here, here!
All those imperfections are little stories along the way.

I think it is very easy when rehabbing to look at some of the spectacular bags and/or results posted here and become fixed in the spot or scratch or whatever that did not respond to refurbishing. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
I enjoy my bags for what they are, some of them have more imperfections and some have less. But they all have imperfections. For me, that’s how it rolls for acquiring used items that I put to more use!

Thank you! You're right of course. I think I'm just getting hung up on a couple scratches because this bag is otherwise unscathed and has never been used. It feels like a brand new bag with scuffs lol My more used and worn in bags I'm all good with the imperfections. I just need to use her and break her in myself.

 

[Syren]

Whoooooo!!! She looks beautiful!!! You should be proud of the job you did! Excellent work.

Thanks! A lot of work but worth it.

It is beautiful! You did a great job!

Thanks so much!

It's gleaming!

Haha Thanks! It has such a beautiful luster to it now. It’s funny because when it arrived I thought huh I would totally carry this as is, but now looking at the before pics the leather was soooo dull!

 

[CoachMaven]

My Broadway bag came last week, and she's already in terrific condition. I did apply one coat of Leather CPR to it, and it absorbed well. I don't think this one needs a dunk, its really supple already and as dry as our climate is here currently, it worries me that I could do more harm than good. I need to apply some Blackrocks for shine and the brass needs some polishing, but otherwise, it's good to go!

 

[coach943]

My Broadway bag came last week, and she's already in terrific condition. I did apply one coat of Leather CPR to it, and it absorbed well. I don't think this one needs a dunk, its really supple already and as dry as our climate is here currently, it worries me that I could do more harm than good. I need to apply some Blackrocks for shine and the brass needs some polishing, but otherwise, it's good to go! View attachment 4492737 View attachment 4492738 View attachment 4492739 View attachment 4492740 View attachment 4492741 View attachment 4492742

Honestly, I would dunk it. The leather will really perk up and you can reshape it if you dunk it.

 

[Busykitty]

I'm in love with this purse but I hate that you can still kind of notice the deep scuffs on the flap. Am I just being super picky? I can only really see the worst one on this pic. It's right by the turnlock. I have conditioned and done Blackrocks.

I’m having a lot of luck getting scuffs to fade a little with a lot of buffing with a horse hair brush. Then I buff some more. When I think I’m done, I buff again. Lol

 

[vickenator]

Thank you! You're right of course. I think I'm just getting hung up on a couple scratches because this bag is otherwise unscathed and has never been used. It feels like a brand new bag with scuffs lol My more used and worn in bags I'm all good with the imperfections. I just need to use her and break her in myself.

I agree with the other posters who say that the scuffs give character and tell a story -- and your bag's story may well be "How did I get these scuffs if I've never been used? Or is there another tale about my past that I'm hiding?"

This might be why I only tend to go for vintage/used bags instead of buying new. I'm always so nervous about damaging a new bag and I hate having to baby a bag, so for me, scuffed up and 20+ years old is the way to go!

 

[vickenator]

Don't worry if there is some color loss from the bag on your paper towel, either. That's normal. I go over each section with the paper towel and just rub/buff in a circular motion until the Blackrocks is buffed in and the leather smooth. You only need to use a very small amount of Blackrocks for each section of the bag. I don't think I've ever used more than one small section of a paper towel when I've applied Blackrocks.

Thank you, @coach943 -- I will be more sparing with the Blackrocks in the future and really appreciate the feedback!

 

[Luvpurplepurses]

Quoting my own post with before pics. I finished my Rambler! The bag was in great shape so I think I can only take some of the credit but I’m so proud of her! In person you can’t see the wear on the corners, it only shows up a bit in my after pics. I polished the brass tonight with steel wool and cape cod cloths UGGGHHH who can I pay to do this part in the future lol But wow the brass is so shiny now. I can’t wait to use it this weekend! Thanks for the help everyone!

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Nice job, she looks beautiful!

 

[gerbies]

I am hoping you girls can help me. I purchased a Court in British Tan (already confirmed authentic). In general, it is in beautiful condition. The seller disclosed everything except one flaw that really bothers me. See the pictures. There is a stain on the inside of the front pocket (she disclosed the stain)…it is a stiff “coated” stain with paper attached to it. I am thinking candy, a dark chapstick, or something food-related…maybe a dried wax…that melted long ago that is now stiff (and I can’t scrape it off). It’s super dark. The problem is that the stiff parts on the inside of the pocket are creating bumps on the outside of the leather (see pictures). I had no plans to dunk this bag (I haven’t done it before); I paid a higher price ($70) because I just wanted to condition it. Here are my questions:


a) If I dunk this one, is it possible for the stain to “travel” and come through to the surface? I have read the lighter colors can be fickle. I have never dunked a bag and am nervous about ruining a $70 purchase.

b) If there is a chance that the stain could seep through or spread, does this flaw seem bad enough to dispute the sale? (I bought on Mercari).


Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Luvpurplepurses]

On May 31st, I saw a post that @katev mentioned a pathetic looking brown basic bag 9455 begging for rehab on Ebay. http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...tem1cc7ea9c0d%3Ag%3AYsAAAOSwl1lcS8OR&LH_BIN=1 So I purchased it for $17. Here are before & after pictures.

 

[vickenator]

On May 31st, I saw a post that @katev mentioned a pathetic looking brown basic bag 9455 begging for rehab on Ebay. http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574635916&toolid=10001&campid=5335828332&customid=&mpre=https://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Bag-Purse-Brown-Made-in-New-York-USA-574-1939/123613125645?hash=item1cc7ea9c0d%3Ag%3AYsAAAOSwl1lcS8OR&LH_BIN=1 So I purchased it for $17. Here are before & after pictures.View attachment 4492942

Look at how gorgeous the color is! Nice job

 

[Minchanka]

I am hoping you girls can help me. I purchased a Court in British Tan (already confirmed authentic). In general, it is in beautiful condition. The seller disclosed everything except one flaw that really bothers me. See the pictures. There is a stain on the inside of the front pocket (she disclosed the stain)…it is a stiff “coated” stain with paper attached to it. I am thinking candy, a dark chapstick, or something food-related…maybe a dried wax…that melted long ago that is now stiff (and I can’t scrape it off). It’s super dark. The problem is that the stiff parts on the inside of the pocket are creating bumps on the outside of the leather (see pictures). I had no plans to dunk this bag (I haven’t done it before); I paid a higher price ($70) because I just wanted to condition it. Here are my questions:


a) If I dunk this one, is it possible for the stain to “travel” and come through to the surface? I have read the lighter colors can be fickle. I have never dunked a bag and am nervous about ruining a $70 purchase.

b) If there is a chance that the stain could seep through or spread, does this flaw seem bad enough to dispute the sale? (I bought on Mercari).


Thank you in advance for your help!


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a) unfortunately, yes. Since you have no idea what the stain is from, I don’t think anyone can guarantee you that it doesn’t spread if dunked.

What I would suggest, since it’s inside, wet a q-tip and rub a small piece of the stain (it’s on the inside surface, right?). See whether water is lifting it. I would also take a fan and try to blow some hot air to warm it up and see whether you can then lift it with a q-tip.