Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[katev]

Now that I am retired and quarantined I have plenty of time to work on my huge rehab piles! Here is a group After Picture of the 5 vintage bags that I have recently rehabbed.

I had posted pics of the camel Willis previously and I rehabbed the BT Scooter bag years ago, but it just needed some conditioning and polish because it was looking dull.

I took a picture of all 5 together because they are all different bags and different colors and I thought that they made a nice display! I will post before and after pics of the 3 newly completed rehabs next.

Thanks again to all our wonderful Authenticators that make it worthwhile to rescue vintage bags! The first BT Scooter bag that I bought was a fake, but this one is genuine! All 5 were primarily basic rehabs that just needed some TLC.

From L to R:

• Willis Bag 9927, Camel and Nickel, Costa Rica, 1999
• Blazer Bag 9830, Black and Brass, USA, ~1980
• Slim Satchel Handle Clutch 9425, Dark Brown and Brass, NYC, ~1978
• Murphy Bag 9930, Red and Brass, USA, 1993-4
• Scooter Bag 9893, British Tan and Brass, USA, 1995

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

Now that I am retired and quarantined I have plenty of time to work on my humongous rehab piles! Here is a group After pic of the 5 vintage bags that I have recently rehabbed.

I had posted pics of the camel Willis previously and I rehabbed the BT Scooter bag years ago, but it just needed some conditioning and polish because it was looking dull.

I took a picture of all 5 together because they are all different bags and different colors and I thought that they made a nice display! I will post before and after pics of the 3 newly completed rehabs next.

Thanks again to all our wonderful Authenticators that make it worthwhile to rescue vintage bags! The first BT Scooter bag that I bought was a fake, but this one is genuine!

From L to R:

• Willis 9927, Camel and Nickel, Costa Rica, 1999
• Blazer Bag 9830, Black and Brass, USA, ~1980
• Slim Satchel Handle Clutch 9425, Dark Brown and Brass, NYC, ~1978
• Murphy Bag 9930, Red and Brass, USA, 1993-4
• Scooter Bag 9893, British Tan and Brass, USA, 1995

View attachment 4709856

Wowza! All stunning, but that Murphy looks downright edible.

 

[katev]

I will start with the oldest of my 3 most recent rehabs, the Dark Brown, Slim Satchel Compact Handle Clutch 9425.

This bag was originally called the Handle Clutch and later renamed the Slim Satchel. My bag was made in NYC and has a glued-in, unique, serial number so it was probably made around 1978 and was called the Handle Clutch. I got it a few years ago at the Salvation Army Store for $15 and finally got around to finishing the rehab.

It was in pretty good shape, just dirty, scuffed, and tarnished and was an easy rehab. It just needed bathing, reshaping, conditioning, Blackrocks, buffing, and hardware polishing. See below for Before, After, and Catalog pictures:

Before - Dark Brown, Slim Satchel Compact Handle Clutch 9425:









After - Dark Brown, Slim Satchel Compact Handle Clutch 9425:











Catalog - Slim Satchel Compact Handle Clutch 9425:

 

[Transported]

Now that I am retired and quarantined I have plenty of time to work on my humongous rehab piles! Here is a group After pic of the 5 vintage bags that I have recently rehabbed.

I had posted pics of the camel Willis previously and I rehabbed the BT Scooter bag years ago, but it just needed some conditioning and polish because it was looking dull.

I took a picture of all 5 together because they are all different bags and different colors and I thought that they made a nice display! I will post before and after pics of the 3 newly completed rehabs next.

Thanks again to all our wonderful Authenticators that make it worthwhile to rescue vintage bags! The first BT Scooter bag that I bought was a fake, but this one is genuine! All 5 were primarily basic rehabs that just needed some TLC

From L to R:

• Willis 9927, Camel and Nickel, Costa Rica, 1999
• Blazer Bag 9830, Black and Brass, USA, ~1980
• Slim Satchel Handle Clutch 9425, Dark Brown and Brass, NYC, ~1978
• Murphy Bag 9930, Red and Brass, USA, 1993-4
• Scooter Bag 9893, British Tan and Brass, USA, 1995

View attachment 4709856

Your Rehabs are Gorgeous! thanks for posting them!

 

[Busykitty]

View attachment 4709347
Nah, no idea. I don't think its ink because there is not much on the inside at that exact spot, other than a slight darkening, so it's almost like the stain was deposited on the outside and went deep enough to almost show up on the inside. This particular bag has the thickest and stiffest leather of all the vintage bags I've purchased so far. It was pretty stiff before the dunk and since it is on the smaller side, the seams are not all that far apart from each other reinforcing the stiffness throughout the bag. That is my opinion anyway.

On the hardware, I just mean the top layer on the button has chipped leaving that characteristic look of worn hardware.

Ya I am not sure about appliques. I would probably paint it before I would do an applique. Since I transplanted this bag's hangtag to another red bag that was missing one, keeping this would put me in yet another situation of hunting for a solo NYC era red hangtag which I am finding is near impossible to find (this is the 2nd red bag I have tried to buy to specifically get the tag from and all I have realized is that it is mentally difficult for me to get rid of a red NYC bag) so it is really better if I do not rehab this one. Maybe I should just hold on to it for, like you say, that button - but it is not even in good enough shape to salvage it, in my opinion other than the spring does work really good.

It looks and sounds like the spot is a burn mark from a cigarette or something like it. I have a couple bags that have similar spots and sound just like yours.
As far as the springlock goes, I use 0 or 00 steel wool first then finish with 0000 steel wool. I do this before the bags get a bath with some vinegar and by the time I finish with polishing cloths you can’t even tell steel wool was involved. If you’re looking for more of a mirror finish, I would use mothers polish by hand.

 

[katev]

This little Black and Brass Blazer Bag 9830 was dirty, scuffed, and tarnished and it was missing the hangtag. It was made in the USA around 1980 and I found it at a local charity thrift shop for $4.

It needed bathing, shaping, conditioning, Blackrocks, polishing, brushing, strap edging repair, and a hangtag. See below for Before, After, and Catalog pictures.

Before - Black and Brass Blazer Bag 9830:










After - Black and Brass Blazer Bag 9830:










Catalog - Blazer Bag 9830:

 

[Busykitty]

Is there anywhere I can get replacement shoulder straps? There's nothing wrong with the straps. Just the edge paint coming off at the peak of the straps where it goes over your shoulder. I don't know if I'm brave enough to get the paint and paint it. Lol

Depends on the style bag, but I assure you it’s not a hard process. It just takes a little patience. I use a mixture of acrylic and fabric paint. Some people use other products, but I’ve had good luck with this technique. Matching the color is the hardest part. All you’ll need are the primary colors to mix, don’t try to match the color of the straps to an available paint color because you probably won’t find it and you can get closer by mixing yourself. Pro tip, squint your eyes when trying to match color.

 

[jdal622]

Depends on the style bag, but I assure you it’s not a hard process. It just takes a little patience. I use a mixture of acrylic and fabric paint. Some people use other products, but I’ve had good luck with this technique. Matching the color is the hardest part. All you’ll need are the primary colors to mix, don’t try to match the color of the straps to an available paint color because you probably won’t find it and you can get closer by mixing yourself. Pro tip, squint your eyes when trying to match color.

Lol thank you!
The edge paint on my bag is actually just black.

Maybe I'm saying the wrong name, edge coat? Is that the correct word? I'm still learning these things. Lol I really love this bag so much, it's in excellent condition. It's just the straps edge coat that isn't doing well.

The bag itself is burgundy.

 

[katev]

The Red Murphy Bag 9930 was a real challenge and it required a do-over, same as the Camel Willis; when will I ever learn to stick with dark bags and easy rehabs? Probably never!

The Red Murphy was made in the USA in 1993-94 and I got it from Goodwill for $5. It was very dirty and missing the male portion of the turnlock. I am always amazed (and grateful) when I find a bag that has clearly had a hard life but the hangtag is still clinging valiantly to that flimsy ball chain!

I tend to be cautious when I attempt to rehab red bags because they can be tricky and I have had a few disappointments in the past, but this bag was so dirty that I had to give it a bath. I dumped it in the sink and scrubbed it with Dawn dish soap, but I didn't leave it soak very long because the water was really turning red.

I did the usual routine of stuffing, shaping, conditioning, and finishing with Blackrocks, and I was getting ready to tackle the hardware and the edging when I decided that the bag was still too grubby and dirty looking to wear. So I threw caution to the winds and I got tough with that poor little red bag.

I removed all the hardware except for the buckle. Next I coated the bag with Leather Therapy Laundry Solution and I scrubbed every inch with a soft nail brush. I put the bag, hangtag, and 2 pieces of strap into separate lingerie bags and cycled them through the washer with Leather Therapy Laundry Solution and Leather Therapy Laundry Rinse and Dressing. The lingerie bags came out of the washer stained pink but they turned white again after I rewashed them with bleach.

Then I started over with stuffing, shaping, conditioning, Blackrocks, strap edging, and hardware polishing. I also replaced the missing turnlock piece. She still shows signs of wear and a tough life, but I am much happier with the results. See below for before, after, and catalog pictures of my little red Murphy Bag 9930.

Before - Red and Brass Murphy Bag 9930:











After - Red and Brass Murphy Bag 9930:

 

[katev]

1993-94 Catalog Pictures - Red and Brass Murphy Bag 9930:

 

[Busykitty]

Lol thank you!
The edge paint on my bag is actually just black.

Maybe I'm saying the wrong name, edge coat? Is that the correct word? I'm still learning these things. Lol I really love this bag so much, it's in excellent condition. It's just the straps edge coat that isn't doing well.

The bag itself is burgundy.

Oh, I’m thinking you were talking about a vintage bag. Sounds like this is a more contemporary style?

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

This little Black and Brass Blazer Bag 9830 was dirty, scuffed, and tarnished and it was missing the hangtag. It was made in the USA around 1980 and I found it at a local charity thrift shop for $4.

It needed bathing, shaping, conditioning, Blackrocks, polishing, brushing, strap edging repair, and a hangtag. See below for Before, After, and Catalog pictures.

Before - Black and Brass Blazer Bag 9830:

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After - Black and Brass Blazer Bag 9830:

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Catalog - Blazer Bag 9830:
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Love it, those clean lines look so satisfying. I think the Blazer is a criminally underappreciated style. Do you plan on keeping it for yourself?

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

The Red Murphy Bag 9930 was a real challenge and it required a do-over, same as the Camel Willis; when will I ever learn to stick with dark bags and easy rehabs? Probably never!

The Red Murphy was made in the USA in 1993-94 and I got it from Goodwill for $5. It was very dirty and missing the male portion of the turnlock. I am always amazed (and grateful) when I find a bag that has clearly had a hard life but the hangtag is still clinging valiantly to that flimsy ball chain!

I tend to be cautious when I attempt to rehab red bags because they can be tricky and I have had a few disappointments in the past, but this bag was so dirty that I had to give it a bath. I dumped it in the sink and scrubbed it with Dawn dish soap, but I didn't leave it soak very long because the water was really turning red.

I did the usual routine of stuffing, shaping, conditioning, and finishing with Blackrocks, and I was getting ready to tackle the hardware and the edging when I decided that the bag was still too grubby and dirty looking to wear. So I threw caution to the winds and I got tough with that poor little red bag.

I removed all the hardware except for the buckle. Next I coated the bag with Leather Therapy Laundry Solution and I scrubbed every inch with a soft nail brush. I put the bag, hangtag, and 2 pieces of strap into separate lingerie bags and cycled them through the washer with Leather Therapy Laundry Solution and Leather Therapy Laundry Rinse and Dressing. The lingerie bags came out of the washer stained pink but they turned white again after I rewashed them with bleach.

Then I started over with stuffing, shaping, conditioning, Blackrocks, strap edging, and hardware polishing. I also replaced the missing turnlock piece. She still shows signs of wear and a tough life, but I am much happier with the results. See below for before, after, and catalog pictures of my little red Murphy Bag 9930.

Before - Red and Brass Murphy Bag 9930:

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After - Red and Brass Murphy Bag 9930:

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Very impressed with how the edges just bounced back.

 

[katev]

Very impressed with how the edges just bounced back.

Yes, I was afraid I would have to paint the piping but it wasn't necessary but I did have to touch up the edging on some of the straps. Thank you.

 

[katev]

Love it, those clean lines look so satisfying. I think the Blazer is a criminally underappreciated style. Do you plan on keeping it for yourself?

Thanks, but I don't know, I have so many bags (and I keep buying them!) that I am determined to try to sell some of them.

This is my first Blazer and it really is a nice little bag!