Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Serena Shaw]

I suggested that @LunaSilver post the rambler here and ask for opinions about shoe polish. I hope that I am wrong but it looks suspicious to me. It can be very hard to tell from the sometimes poor pictures you find on auction sites. My experiences with shoe polish are that the bag looks shiny, with areas that are streaky and/or blotchy and the color is just "uneven" in a weird way.

The link below shoes before and after pics of a Lexington Briefcase that I once rehabbed - it was my first encounter with shoe polish on a bag.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...e-polish-a-beautiful-bag-rehab-reveal.745867/

Thanks for the quick reply, @katev!

I also did a search on shoe polish and found two recent posts from @Busykitty:
https://forum.purseblog.com/posts/33701477/
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/page-1757#post-33704098

As @katev said, the bag will look shiny and if it's in your possession, it may feel plasticky. The posts also talk about removing it with acetone. Sounds quite a pain to do, hope I never have to experience it.

ETA: There are a lot on shoe polish on TPF! The general concerns is that it's BAD! I always smile when I see posts from @noshoepolish... always a reminder for me.

 

[Narnanz]

I suggested that @LunaSilver post the rambler here and ask for opinions about shoe polish. I hope that I am wrong but it looks suspicious to me. It can be very hard to tell from the sometimes poor pictures you find on auction sites. My experiences with shoe polish are that the bag looks shiny, with areas that are streaky and/or blotchy and the color is just "uneven" in a weird way. Sorry, I can't explain it any better.

The link below shows before and after pics of a Lexington Briefcase that I once rehabbed - it was my first serious encounter with shoe polish on a bag.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...e-polish-a-beautiful-bag-rehab-reveal.745867/

Wiw...what an amazing transformation.

 

[katev]

Hello ladies,

Looking for advice on how to spot clean the orangy stain on the canvas (or clean the whole top). I do not know what caused it, and I do not want to make it worse or leave a water mark. Any suggestions welcome. TIAView attachment 4713683

I would take a soft toothbrush and warm water and Dawn dish soap and try to scrub the entire top; then rinse with water, blot with towels, and allow it to dry.

I have rehabbed several canvas and straw bags and soap and water did not harm the canvas. Of course, there is always a risk when you attempt to rehab a bag that you could make it worse, but if the discoloration bothers you and you are uncomfortable carrying the bag then it is probably worth the risk, good luck!

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

@MaraudingMagpie
I tried Saphir Leather balm on a couple bags today. It is thicker than leather CPR and a little sticky. I think it is a product for finishing, as the high concentration of beewax (28 percent) and jojoba oil , will enrich the color of leather and form a clear protecting coat on leather, but it can not be used as CPR substitute.
ETA: I do like it a lot. Since I don't have Blackrock, Saphir Leather balm will be my BlackRock substitute.

Oooh, thanks! You do my research AND tag me in a post with a wonderful rambler, what a treat!

 

[whateve]

Hi,
Could some of our rehab detectives give me your expert opinion.
Will this Rambler's Legacy rehab well? Does it appears to have shoe polish on it? Thanks.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274224318377

@LunaSilver, hope you don't mind I'm tagging on to your question.

Is there a way to tell if a bag has shoe polish in listing pictures? What are things to look out for? Also, when rehabbing a bag once it's in your possession, what are some signs a bag has had shoe polish applied?

Sorry about all the questions. I've always wondered about this. Thanks in advance!

I suggested that @LunaSilver post the rambler here and ask for opinions about shoe polish. I hope that I am wrong but it looks suspicious to me. It can be very hard to tell from the sometimes poor pictures you find on auction sites. My experiences with shoe polish are that the bag looks shiny, with areas that are streaky and/or blotchy and the color is just "uneven" in a weird way. Sorry, I can't explain it any better.

The link below shows before and after pics of a Lexington Briefcase that I once rehabbed - it was my first serious encounter with shoe polish on a bag.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...e-polish-a-beautiful-bag-rehab-reveal.745867/

I was looking at this bag on ebay earlier and it struck me that it might have been shoe polished. I can't say for sure but I tend to avoid bags that look suspicious.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-LEATHERWARE-HANDBAG-Shoulder-CROSSBODY-Bag-BROWN-LEATHER-VINTAGE/164167341800?hash=item263922d6e8:g:AP4AAOSwJUdek9WW

I don't think either bag has been shoe polished. Wouldn't the color be more even if they had been shoe polished? My experience with shoe polished bags is that they look too perfect along with too shiny. I think both these bags have been darkened by oils, either from conditioners or from people's hands.

 

[LunaSilver]

I don't think either bag has been shoe polished. Wouldn't the color be more even if they had been shoe polished? My experience with shoe polished bags is that they look too perfect along with too shiny. I think both these bags have been darkened by oils, either from conditioners or from people's hands.

Thanks Whateve.

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

Here's an after shot of my new-to-me Manor residing on my grandma's old armchair. I'm pleased with the outcome but can't take much credit as she was in very decent shape already.
As predicted, the pen marks and mystery stain at the bottom didn't come out even after sponging her down with Lexol cleaner. I tend to do better with flawed bags when it comes to actually carrying them though, so that's a good thing.
I wish purses could talk, I'd be very interested in her life story. She looks like she spent one wild week at the office and was then put in closet prison for the rest of her 24 years. She has zero going in terms of patina, just a couple of nicks here and there.

It was a straightforward rehab. The biggest challenge here was conditioning the inside. Most of my other bags are essentially boxes with straps, but the Manor has a complicated architecture with nooks, crannies, folds and layers. Sparing the suede from being CPR'd was difficult. Also just reaching in for buffing, I felt like a contortionist.

Here she is! She is not actually two-toned, the flap color is truest to real life.
ETA: She did come with her hangtag, but I don't care for those, so didn't put it on.

 

[Busykitty]

It's looks great! I don't quite understand what the metal is for. Would it sag without it?

The metal snaps or “backboard”? I wanted to use something permanent and in brass like the other hardware when it came to the snaps. I also wanted the patch to be removable so the bag could be conditioned and buffed without any problems. The backboard was to have something solid behind the pocket when I made the holes in the bag.

 

[Busykitty]

Hello ladies,

Looking for advice on how to spot clean the orangy stain on the canvas (or clean the whole top). I do not know what caused it, and I do not want to make it worse or leave a water mark. Any suggestions welcome. TIAView attachment 4713683

I’ve seen some people have luck with just a tide pen (stick) not sure of the exact name. Might be something you have already?

 

[artax two]

Here's an after shot of my new-to-me Manor residing on my grandma's old armchair. I'm pleased with the outcome but can't take much credit as she was in very decent shape already.
As predicted, the pen marks and mystery stain at the bottom didn't come out even after sponging her down with Lexol cleaner. I tend to do better with flawed bags when it comes to actually carrying them though, so that's a good thing.
I wish purses could talk, I'd be very interested in her life story. She looks like she spent one wild week at the office and was then put in closet prison for the rest of her 24 years. She has zero going in terms of patina, just a couple of nicks here and there.

It was a straightforward rehab. The biggest challenge here was conditioning the inside. Most of my other bags are essentially boxes with straps, but the Manor has a complicated architecture with nooks, crannies, folds and layers. Sparing the suede from being CPR'd was difficult. Also just reaching in for buffing, I felt like a contortionist.

Here she is! She is not actually two-toned, the flap color is truest to real life.
ETA: She did come with her hangtag, but I don't care for those, so didn't put it on.

Beautiful. That's my favorite color on a bag. I would love to know what the experts think the black stain you referenced is from. I have a black spot like that on a bag too that I'm having to paint over, if I remember from your earlier pics of this bag it looks like the exact same kind of stain.

 

[katev]

I don't think either bag has been shoe polished. Wouldn't the color be more even if they had been shoe polished? My experience with shoe polished bags is that they look too perfect along with too shiny. I think both these bags have been darkened by oils, either from conditioners or from people's hands.

Thanks Whateve.

If the shoe polish is recent the bag will be shiny and even, as the bag gets worn and multiple layers are applied, it gets scratched and uneven. Just my limited experience with shoe polish but I try to avoid it. I hope that I am wrong about the rambler, good luck.

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

Beautiful. That's my favorite color on a bag. I would love to know what the experts think the black stain you referenced is from. I have a black spot like that on a bag too that I'm having to paint over, if I remember from your earlier pics of this bag it looks like the exact same kind of stain.

Thanks! Based on the fact that the stain didn't want to budge at all, I'm thinking ink as well. Maybe she was sat on a tiny ink spill. The stain has a dark center and lighter outer area, so I think it spread from the initial point of contact.

 

[MrsGAM]

Here's an after shot of my new-to-me Manor residing on my grandma's old armchair. I'm pleased with the outcome but can't take much credit as she was in very decent shape already.
As predicted, the pen marks and mystery stain at the bottom didn't come out even after sponging her down with Lexol cleaner. I tend to do better with flawed bags when it comes to actually carrying them though, so that's a good thing.
I wish purses could talk, I'd be very interested in her life story. She looks like she spent one wild week at the office and was then put in closet prison for the rest of her 24 years. She has zero going in terms of patina, just a couple of nicks here and there.

It was a straightforward rehab. The biggest challenge here was conditioning the inside. Most of my other bags are essentially boxes with straps, but the Manor has a complicated architecture with nooks, crannies, folds and layers. Sparing the suede from being CPR'd was difficult. Also just reaching in for buffing, I felt like a contortionist.

Here she is! She is not actually two-toned, the flap color is truest to real life.
ETA: She did come with her hangtag, but I don't care for those, so didn't put it on.

Beautiful! Love vintage Coach British Tan bags. I'd love a Manor in a different color - the one I have is black.

 

[aerinha]

Beautiful! Love vintage Coach British Tan bags. I'd love a Manor in a different color - the one I have is black.

Mahogany gets my biased vote. Mine goes with everything.

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

Mahogany gets my biased vote. Mine goes with everything.

I strongly second this! A day after I bought the BT Manor, a Mahogany one popped up for just like 20 bucks more. I kicked myself a little for not waiting one more day. That triggered a strong want for Mahogany, so now I have a CC coming my way. Super looking forward to that one. I totally see how Mahogany goes with everything.
Still love BT though, it really compliments the thick leather in an equestrian chic kind of way.