Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[CPSE]

I have a question about my suspender bag. I decided not to dunk it because it was already very clean, and just did a light vinegar wipe and then conditioned it with CPR. I noticed these streaks that appeared, but in looking back on my original photos I saw that they were already there - just not as noticeable as now with the leather conditioner. Is this just part of the grain of the leather or is there anything I can do to remedy this situation? It sort of bugs me that it’s smack dab right up front and central...

 

[whateve]

I have a question about my suspender bag. I decided not to dunk it because it was already very clean, and just did a light vinegar wipe and then conditioned it with CPR. I noticed these streaks that appeared, but in looking back on my original photos I saw that they were already there - just not as noticeable as now with the leather conditioner. Is this just part of the grain of the leather or is there anything I can do to remedy this situation? It sort of bugs me that it’s smack dab right up front and central...

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I've seen that before. I think sometimes conditioner makes them more visible. They should fade as the conditioner soaks in.

 

[CPSE]

I've seen that before. I think sometimes conditioner makes them more visible. They should fade as the conditioner soaks in.

Gotcha! Thanks. Just gotta wait for it to soak in then! Only wish they weren’t right up front bugging me to keep looking at them, haha.

 

[Dragonflyzoe]

Yes, if it doesnt stick, it's most likely solid brass and there's not much you can do wrong. This is most vintage Coach bags you will encounter in the wild. If it does stick, it's likely brass plated onto a ferrous base metal, so proceed with caution.

Thank you

 

[Dragonflyzoe]

If the magnet sticks it's plated, you can still polish it but be gentle and don't go to deep. If the magnet doesn't stick, it's probably brass and you can get more aggressive.

One comment, some bags (like the vintage Italian Coach Madison and Gramercy bags) have a brushed metallic surface and vigorous polishing may remove that brushed surface. I try to be gentle with brushed hardware.

Thank you

 

[Dragonflyzoe]

@Dragonflyzoe I’m working on a stewardess right now. Here are some pictures of the hardware in its original condition (a lot of verdigris), after brasso, mid-process in taking the top coat off, and after the top coat is off:

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@Dragonflyzoe I’m working on a stewardess right now. Here are some pictures of the hardware in its original condition (a lot of verdigris), after brasso, mid-process in taking the top coat off, and after the top coat is off:

View attachment 4799588

View attachment 4799589

View attachment 4799590

View attachment 4799591

@Dragonflyzoe I’m working on a stewardess right now. Here are some pictures of the hardware in its original condition (a lot of verdigris), after brasso, mid-process in taking the top coat off, and after the top coat is off:

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That’s really inspiring, I had no idea that could be achieved. Thank you so much x

 

[Dragonflyzoe]

Yes, I used the “contact us” form on the website and for subject I selected “repairs”. They got back to me within 24 hours and I sent them all the info they needed including my address. A few hours later I got an email confirmation saying my coach order had been placed and they would send me another email when it ships. I was told their repairs department is closed due to covid so to expect a few weeks delay. Im not sure why they told you they don’t ship to Canada. Thats super strange! I ordered them for some bags Im selling that didn’t come with original hangtags

Were you charged for the tags?

 

[Coachaddict4020]

Were you charged for the tags?

No, free tags and free shipping as well. They send you an email similar to if you placed an order on the Coach website after you’ve told them which tags you want and give them your serial numbers. They haven’t shipped mine yet because the repairs department is closed due to covid. If you want some, Id place an order now but just know theres a huge delay in shipping

 

[Coachaddict4020]

Guys I have a problem! My convertible clutch is made in Costa Rica. After rehabbing it, I kept it stuffed when I wasn’t using it. Yesterday I noticed the back has sagged outwards due to the softness of the leather and Im not sure how to reshape it without it sagging back out of shape. Is there any way to make the leather....dare I say... stiffer?

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

Guys I have a problem! My convertible clutch is made in Costa Rica. After rehabbing it, I kept it stuffed when I wasn’t using it. Yesterday I noticed the back has sagged outwards due to the softness of the leather and Im not sure how to reshape it without it sagging back out of shape. Is there any way to make the leather....dare I say... stiffer?

I think dunking and not too many coats of CPR would make it stiffer (for a while at least), but I'm not sure if that's desirable. If it's lumpy-looking, maybe try having it in the steamy bathroom with you while taking a shower and then stuffing to the desired shape.
My Costa Rican CC is extremely soft as well, feels more like thick lambskin than cowhide. I keep a stiff strip of cardboard in the bottom to avoid sagginess there.

 

[LunaSilver]

Guys I have a problem! My convertible clutch is made in Costa Rica. After rehabbing it, I kept it stuffed when I wasn’t using it. Yesterday I noticed the back has sagged outwards due to the softness of the leather and Im not sure how to reshape it without it sagging back out of shape. Is there any way to make the leather....dare I say... stiffer?

I think dunking and not too many coats of CPR would make it stiffer (for a while at least), but I'm not sure if that's desirable. If it's lumpy-looking, maybe try having it in the steamy bathroom with you while taking a shower and then stuffing to the desired shape.
My Costa Rican CC is extremely soft as well, feels more like thick lambskin than cowhide. I keep a stiff strip of cardboard in the bottom to avoid sagginess there.

Ideally the bag need to be stuffed and rested on the flat back side for storage. But that take a lot space. I kept on rotating the sides my bags rest on, either upsidedown, or both sides, and hardly ever on the bottom for the fear it may develop a "belly" from sitting.
As to your CC, quick dunk without soap, then reshape will fix it. I had to do that to one of my bag.

 

[Coachaddict4020]

I think dunking and not too many coats of CPR would make it stiffer (for a while at least), but I'm not sure if that's desirable. If it's lumpy-looking, maybe try having it in the steamy bathroom with you while taking a shower and then stuffing to the desired shape.
My Costa Rican CC is extremely soft as well, feels more like thick lambskin than cowhide. I keep a stiff strip of cardboard in the bottom to avoid sagginess there.

Ideally the bag need to be stuffed and rested on the flat back side for storage. But that take a lot space. I kept on rotating the sides my bags rest on, either upsidedown, or both sides, and hardly ever on the bottom for the fear it may develop a "belly" from sitting.
As to your CC, quick dunk without soap, then reshape will fix it. I had to do that to one of my bag.

Thank you for your replies! Im gonna re-dunk it and then keep it stuffed on its back as you mentioned @LunaSilver - it seems to only be the back side that sags.

@MaraudingMagpie thats exactly how mine is too- your description is very accurate, it doesn’t feel like normal cowhide leather to me either lol. I like it super soft, just hate the sag!

 

[mpd]

Thank you for your replies! Im gonna re-dunk it and then keep it stuffed on its back as you mentioned @LunaSilver - it seems to only be the back side that sags.

@MaraudingMagpie thats exactly how mine is too- your description is very accurate, it doesn’t feel like normal cowhide leather to me either lol. I like it super soft, just hate the sag!

That Costa Rican leather is amazing.

 

[whateve]

Were you charged for the tags?

No, free tags and free shipping as well. They send you an email similar to if you placed an order on the Coach website after you’ve told them which tags you want and give them your serial numbers. They haven’t shipped mine yet because the repairs department is closed due to covid. If you want some, Id place an order now but just know theres a huge delay in shipping

There's a limit on hangtags per person. They don't want people ordering tons of them to resell.

 

[Dragonflyzoe]

There's a limit on hangtags per person. They don't want people ordering tons of them to resell.

I have been lucky to have a few bags bought for me, but without monograms, so I’m hoping I can arrange this. Not for resale, not for resale but for my own personal Bags x