Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

katev · May 14, 2021

Lake Effect said:
Something I would like to offer to anyone new to this is this. When I started to seek out more information on conditioning vintage bags, it was mainly so I could do the best for the handful of bags I already had. When I found all this info on giving bags a real deep cleaning and refurbishing I was really blown away by all the information and transformations. Since lol at my core I am science based and a bit of a researcher, I found two worn, water stained ‘would you rehab this’ bags at a flea market for $10 each and thought great! Here are two test bags and I just want to see what I can do with them, without being invested in how they turn out.
So it helps me when I purchase a bag, to ask myself, how would I feel if I spent this amount of money and this -fill in the blank- did not improve? I was lucky that I started this journey with a, Well let’s see what this can do attitude.
Have fun and would like to see your before and afters!

Very true. I actually think that it is best to start rehabbing by working on an inexpensive, unlined, common, black (or dark) bag because they are usually easier and more forgiving and it is just easier to take risks when you don't have a lot invested.

Lake Effect · May 14, 2021

katev said:
Very true. I actually think that it is best to start rehabbing by working on an inexpensive, unlined, common, black (or dark) bag because they are usually easier and more forgiving and it is just easier to take risks when you don't have a lot invested.

Yup, occasionally we have a new member asking questions about what looks to be a tough issue and all I can think is geez, I hope they didn't spend a lot on this bag.

katev · May 14, 2021

There is a bag listed on Poshmark for $22 OBO and I think that it is an intact, dark brown Geometric bag 9044, but they don't show pictures of the creed or the reverse turnlock, see link below:
https://poshmark.com/listing/Vintage-Coach-crossbody-bag-609e9a25e13164503f152bca

I previously rehabbed a dark brown geometric bag 9044 and you can see the pictures here:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/page-1850#post-33812322

Edited: They've just added more pictures and it looks good to me but I am not an authenticator!

Edited again: It's gone already! Did someone here get it? I hope so!

Alasselina · May 14, 2021

katev said:
That looks like cat scratches; if they weren't disclosed in the auction you could ask to return (or at least ask for a discount).

Don't apologize for asking for advice - we all help each other out - that's how we learn!

I knew the scratches were there, just not how deep. My fault for not asking for more info. I'm not bothered by them, though, knowing now that they really don't hurt anything.

pammbw · May 14, 2021

katev said:
There is a bag listed on Poshmark for $22 OBO and I think that it is an intact, dark brown Geometric bag 9044, but they don't show pictures of the creed or the reverse turnlock, see link below:
https://poshmark.com/listing/Vintage-Coach-crossbody-bag-609e9a25e13164503f152bca

I previously rehabbed a dark brown geometric bag 9044 and you can see the pictures here:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/page-1850#post-33812322

Edited: They've just added more pictures and it looks good to me but I am not an authenticator!

Edited again: It's gone already! Did someone here get it? I hope so!

I love it when sellers show a photo of the hangtag- as if that determines authenticity. Makes me chuckle.

Hope someone here got it so we can see photos of the rehab!

MrsGAM · May 14, 2021

katev said:
@MrsGAM I am so glad that you got it! Please share the rehab with us!

She has arrived! Only took a day to get here from Michigan via FedEx. I gave her a bath as soon as she got here, so I’ll post the complete rehab next week (assuming my Saphir Creme Surfine arrives on Monday).

She’s pristine on the inside and on the sides! Everywhere else is pretty rough, though not as bad as I was expecting.

Alasselina · May 14, 2021

Lake Effect said:
Something I would like to offer to anyone new to this is this. When I started to seek out more information on conditioning vintage bags, it was mainly so I could do the best for the handful of bags I already had. When I found all this info on giving bags a real deep cleaning and refurbishing I was really blown away by all the information and transformations. Since lol at my core I am science based and a bit of a researcher, I found two worn, water stained ‘would you rehab this’ bags at a flea market for $10 each and thought great! Here are two test bags and I just want to see what I can do with them, without being invested in how they turn out.
So it helps me when I purchase a bag, to ask myself, how would I feel if I spent this amount of money and this -fill in the blank- did not improve? I was lucky that I started this journey with a, Well let’s see what this can do attitude.
Have fun and would like to see your before and afters!

I started with my own bags as well. I loved seeing how much better they could look with even just a conditioning. And I absolutely agree with your method of choosing what to purchase. The red bag I purchased yesterday is the first vintage bag I've ever even seen in my life, and I really need to get to know vintage leather. I have zero experience with it, so I'm trying to stay on the cheap end exactly like you said.

MrsGAM · May 14, 2021

OMG, someone needs to stop me! :bagslap:

I found a UA Stewardess on FB Marketplace for $45 + shipping and couldn’t stop myself! :panic:

americandreaming · May 14, 2021

The Dinky that is beaten up, torn up and questionable on colour showed up yesterday, a day earlier than ETA, yay!

I preconditioned last night and this afternoon. Light polishing of hardware. Going to dunk now, can't be bothered to wait another overnight, haha!

It's much darker than expected - mahogany? BT?!

ETA: Can't wait to scrub and dunk. Inside is FILTHY!

Lake Effect · May 14, 2021

MrsGAM said:
OMG, someone needs to stop me! I found a UA Stewardess on FB Marketplace for $45 + shipping and couldn’t stop myself!

You and me both! I am having a hard time ignoring the auction for the rust Courier. I have a rust Saddle and Shoulder bag so why do I need another rust?? I have a beautiful burg Stewie that needs to be dunked and I just found my mahog Shopper Tote that was mia and needs love. I have a yellow tote and chamois tote that need to spruced up for the warm weather. Ugh.

Lake Effect · May 14, 2021

americandreaming said:
The Dinky that is beaten up, torn up and questionable on colour showed up yesterdaya day earlier than ETA, yay!

I preconditioned last night and this afternoon. Light polishing of hardware. Going to dunk now, can't be bothered to wait another overnight, haha!

It's much darker than expected - mahogany? BT?!

View attachment 5083694
View attachment 5083696
ETA: Can't wait to scrub and dunk. Inside is FILTHY!

If it's NYC, most likely Mocha. Digging it, loves me some distressing on that bag. It works.

nitneet · May 14, 2021

Question about edge coat on handles... I have a coach bag with edge coating on handles peeling off. Is it necessary to have it fixed?
It doesn't appear to affect the function of the handles but I wonder if the leather will get damage over time?
I personally don't mind it and will continue using the bag.
I am a newbie in handbags.

katev · May 14, 2021

MrsGAM said:
She has arrived! Only took a day to get here from Michigan via FedEx. I gave her a bath as soon as she got here, so I’ll post the complete rehab next week (assuming my Saphir Creme Surfine arrives on Monday).
View attachment 5083609 View attachment 5083610 View attachment 5083611 View attachment 5083612 View attachment 5083613
She’s pristine on the inside and on the sides! Everywhere else is pretty rough, though not as bad as I was expecting.

I'm eager to see the results of your rehab!

ConnieinSeattle · May 14, 2021

Hi, All. New to your forum. Coach bag lover here (I've had several over the years). Anyway, I just purchased about 20 bags for rehab on an auction website. I want to fix them up! Keep some. Gift some. Sell some. Do you have a link to great advice for newbies getting started with this? Or should I just read all 2307 pages?

(I might anyway.) Mostly, I'm interested in favorite products/processes for cleaning and restoration. Thanks! -- Connie

Lake Effect · May 14, 2021

ConnieinSeattle said:
Hi, All. New to your forum. Coach bag lover here (I've had several over the years). Anyway, I just purchased about 20 bags for rehab on an auction website. I want to fix them up! Keep some. Gift some. Sell some. Do you have a link to great advice for newbies getting started with this? Or should I just read all 2307 pages? (I might anyway.) Mostly, I'm interested in favorite products/processes for cleaning and restoration. Thanks! -- Connie

20 bags? You are our kind of people :lol:

If you go up to the search feature, click on "this thread" and type in "katev" for the user. She does great rehabs and gives lots of direction. That should tide you over until anyone here, can respond with details.

This link is for her basic process. Many of us plow through lol.