Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Alasselina]

So I discovered I despise polishing hardware.

I used 0000 steel wool and brasso, and it turned out OK, I guess. I can still see the swirls/microscratches from the steel wool. I'd like to do better, if I can (not sure if my expectations are in the realm of reality).

I've seen a few recommendations for Mother's polish and Wenol. Are either of those any better than Brasso at getting rid of the steel wool marks?

And for those of you that use a Dremel, what bits do you recommend, both for removing the coating on the hardware and for polishing it up?

 

[americandreaming]

So I discovered I despise polishing hardware.

I used 0000 steel wool and brasso, and it turned out OK, I guess. I can still see the swirls/microscratches from the steel wool. I'd like to do better, if I can (not sure if my expectations are in the realm of reality).

I've seen a few recommendations for Mother's polish and Wenol. Are either of those any better than Brasso at getting rid of the steel wool marks?

And for those of you that use a Dremel, what bits do you recommend, both for removing the coating on the hardware and for polishing it up?

Were you going very hard with the steel wool? I use the same (0000 + Brasso) and don't get scratches. I was using Cape Cod cloths until I got the Brasso and I haven't looked back. I only use Cape Cods for nickel now.

 

[Alasselina]

Were you going very hard with the steel wool? I use the same (0000 + Brasso) and don't get scratches. I was using Cape Cod cloths until I got the Brasso and I haven't looked back. I only use Cape Cods for nickel now.

Yeah, maybe I went too hard with the steel wool. I was not enjoying it by any means, so I was probably rage polishing to get it done faster.

I'm adding a photo so you can see what I mean about the scratches - maybe this is normal. I've never done it before, so maybe I need to rein in my expectations. I will say, though, in reality, it doesn't look quite as bad as the photo.

 

[americandreaming]

Yeah, maybe I went too hard with the steel wool. I was not enjoying it by any means, so I was probably rage polishing to get it done faster.

I'm adding a photo so you can see what I mean about the scratches - maybe this is normal. I've never done it before, so maybe I need to rein in my expectations. I will say, though, in reality, it doesn't look quite as bad as the photo. View attachment 5089474

Oh wow I see what you mean. I just inspected my hardware and don't have that result at all. I shone a light on it and there were a few super faint scratches but would never have noticed if not for examining under a light. But then I've never done a whole hangtag, sorry!

ETA: I also don't bother with steel wool unless the coating is visibly on/off - if it looks uniform I just polish with Brasso.

 

[americandreaming]

Just bought a black Ergo Zip 9025 and hoping and praying it's not polished! Seller didn't respond to my message asking but I went ahead and bid anyway. Seller is UK so perhaps there's a chance I could return it if it does turn out to be polished.

 

[Alasselina]

Just bought a black Ergo Zip 9025 and hoping and praying it's not polished! Seller didn't respond to my message asking but I went ahead and bid anyway. Seller is UK so perhaps there's a chance I could return it if it does turn out to be polished.

View attachment 5089561

For future reference, how do you know if something has shoe polish? Does it make the dunk a disaster or something?

 

[americandreaming]

For future reference, how do you know if something has shoe polish? Does it make the dunk a disaster or something?

Yes, I strongly suggest you immediately return any polished bags; it's not worth the hassle and heartbreak!!! And I don't expect anyone else to disagree. Re black bags, I now always message sellers to ask if products have been applied.

Rant incoming:

For me, I suspected it once it arrived because the whole bag was matte and slightly rubbery looking, and I had two parched bags side by side and one absorbed the conditioner normally. The polished bag didn't absorb it in the same way. I then knew and swiped an acetone-soaked cotton ball over it and the polish came off a little. ETA: it was caked with the gunk so the pores weren't visible.

Another clue in hindsight was that the bag was super beaten up and misshapen yet the colour was perfect whereas I usually see at least some corner wear/dryness.

Ultimately, after spending lots of time and money on it (well documented on this thread), the bag was a total loss and I pulled its hardware, which will be put to good use. It was extra heartbreaking for me as I'm outside, have very limited and expensive options and have to pay lots of shipping and tax on top and it's a big hassle if I were to return anything combined with having 'dodged' a previous listing that revealed it was polished in its description only to end up with another polished one!

I'm yet to see anything good said re shoe polish on this entire thread plus the older rehab thread. I think I read ONE success story in the older thread: a TPFer put a few rounds of acetone and then soaked it off overnight. It didn't work for me because mine was a dubbin-type polish and BULLETWATERPROOF! It was unusable because the polish rubbed off. It's still sitting sadly on my rehab table.

 

[Alasselina]

Oh no, I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I appreciate the info, though. I wouldn't have had a clue. I hope your new bag doesn't pose the same problem!

 

[katev]

For future reference, how do you know if something has shoe polish? Does it make the dunk a disaster or something?

Yes, I strongly suggest you immediately return any polished bags; it's not worth the hassle and heartbreak!!! And I don't expect anyone else to disagree. Re black bags, I now always message sellers to ask if products have been applied.

Rant incoming:

For me, I suspected it once it arrived because the whole bag was matte and slightly rubbery looking, and I had two parched bags side by side and one absorbed the conditioner normally. The polished bag didn't absorb it in the same way. I then knew and swiped an acetone-soaked cotton ball over it and the polish came off a little. ETA: it was caked with the gunk so the pores weren't visible.

Another clue in hindsight was that the bag was super beaten up and misshapen yet the colour was perfect whereas I usually see at least some corner wear/dryness.

Ultimately, after spending lots of time and money on it (well documented on this thread), the bag was a total loss and I pulled its hardware, which will be put to good use. It was extra heartbreaking for me as I'm outside, have very limited and expensive options and have to pay lots of shipping and tax on top and it's a big hassle if I were to return anything combined with having 'dodged' a previous listing that revealed it was polished in its description only to end up with another polished one!

I'm yet to see anything good said re shoe polish on this entire thread plus the older rehab thread. I think I read ONE success story in the older thread: a TPFer put a few rounds of acetone and then soaked it off overnight. It didn't work for me because mine was a dubbin-type polish and BULLETWATERPROOF! It was unusable because the polish rubbed off. It's still sitting sadly on my rehab table.

Oh no, I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I appreciate the info, though. I wouldn't have had a clue. I hope your new bag doesn't pose the same problem!

I had one fairly good result with a shoe polished briefcase, see the link below; but I have there's another bag that I have started and stopped rehabbing at least 3 times and I just can't get rid of all the shoe polish. I definitely try to avoid bags that have been shoe polished. Often times they are very shiny and have a irridescent sheen - or they can look dry and caked - but it can be hard to tell from auction pictures!

What do you get when you scrape off the shoe polish? A beautiful bag! Rehab reveal!

Earlier this month I found a mahagony brown briefcase at the Salvation Army store for $25. The bag was clean inside and basically intact but the exterior surface was in really bad shape. Hyacinth and DemRam told me that it was a Lexington Brief 5265 that was made in the Dominican Republic in...

forum.purseblog.com

 

[Alasselina]

I had one fairly good result with a shoe polished briefcase, see the link below; but I have there's another bag that I have started and stopped rehabbing at least 3 times and I just can't get rid of all the shoe polish. I definitely try to avoid bags that have been shoe polished. Often times they are very shiny and have a irridescent sheen - or they can look dry and caked - but it can be hard to tell from auction pictures!

What do you get when you scrape off the shoe polish? A beautiful bag! Rehab reveal!

Earlier this month I found a mahagony brown briefcase at the Salvation Army store for $25. The bag was clean inside and basically intact but the exterior surface was in really bad shape. Hyacinth and DemRam told me that it was a Lexington Brief 5265 that was made in the Dominican Republic in...

forum.purseblog.com

The briefcase looks great, but I'll take that to be an outlier and be more careful about looking for signs of spite polish.

Funnily enough, I had a black Soho satchel listed on ebay that had some minor scuffing on it. I didn't try to fix, but I mentioned in the listing that it would be easy for a buyer to deal repair with a little shoe polish! Believe me when I say I'm learning a lot!

 

[Alasselina]

The briefcase looks great, but I'll take that to be an outlier and be more careful about looking for signs of spite polish.

I meant to say I'd be more careful looking for SHOE polish, but from everything you all have said, perhaps my phone was right to call it spite polish.

 

[klc2021]

Hi! New here, recently found tPF while researching vintage Willis. Found one, love it, but cannot for the life of me determine if it’s black or navy. ‍

The Willis is in pretty good shape, but saggy and stinky; like must, talc, and stale perfume. I tried airing out, but she really needs a proper clean. I’m worried I’ll destroy her, but seeing your lovely rehabs is giving a me a boost of confidence.

I’d like to soak, but don’t know if that’s ok given the wooden dowel? I feel confident the brass would be fine, as I’ve seen good outcomes here. Just Dawn to clean and vinegar for the smell? Leather therapy instead? Should I remove the lock if I can? It’s a little tarnished.

Some stitching is loose around the dowel. Should I mend before soaking? Or will the leather plump so much that this will be a nightmare after? I have leather needles and waxed thread used from a recent boot/sole mend.

Finally, what do I do once it’s mostly-dry? Leather CPR? Apple? Blackrock? I’ve never used any of these, but have seen these mentioned in the Coach threads. Will need to order as the local hardware store guy looked as me like I was nuts when I asked. I’m in the US if that helps.

Anything else to be aware of? Thanks so much everyone!

 

[americandreaming]

Hi! New here, recently found tPF while researching vintage Willis. Found one, love it, but cannot for the life of me determine if it’s black or navy. ‍

The Willis is in pretty good shape, but saggy and stinky; like must, talc, and stale perfume. I tried airing out, but she really needs a proper clean. I’m worried I’ll destroy her, but seeing your lovely rehabs is giving a me a boost of confidence.

I’d like to soak, but don’t know if that’s ok given the wooden dowel? I feel confident the brass would be fine, as I’ve seen good outcomes here. Just Dawn to clean and vinegar for the smell? Leather therapy instead? Should I remove the lock if I can? It’s a little tarnished.

Some stitching is loose around the dowel. Should I mend before soaking? Or will the leather plump so much that this will be a nightmare after? I have leather needles and waxed thread used from a recent boot/sole mend.

Finally, what do I do once it’s mostly-dry? Leather CPR? Apple? Blackrock? I’ve never used any of these, but have seen these mentioned in the Coach threads. Will need to order as the local hardware store guy looked as me like I was nuts when I asked. I’m in the US if that helps.

Anything else to be aware of? Thanks so much everyone!

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Welcome! I don't have a Willis so can't advise on dowel but for most rehabs I would definitely say dunk + CPR whilst damp and finish with Renapur (or Blackrock) and buff, which should be enough for your bag as it doesn't look particularly parched so shouldn't need a really intense conditioner like LT. Yes, vinegar for the smell.

 

[shannastory]

Is anyone looking for a Saddlery bag? I’ve been carrying my light grey rehabbed saddlery as my everyday bag for a few weeks and love it, and stumbled on this one this morning for a good price! (not my listing, not authenticated)

https://posh.mk/0vgR0Fpotgb

 

[americandreaming]

Is anyone looking for a Saddlery bag? I’ve been carrying my light grey rehabbed saddlery as my everyday bag for a few weeks and love it, and stumbled on this one this morning for a good price! (not my listing, not authenticated)

https://posh.mk/0vgR0Fpotgb

Oh wow I love Camel! Amazing price, wish I were in the US so I could get it lol

ETA: US family has put his foot down on any more bags until xmas. He's currently holding eight bags and a tub of Blackrock to ship me