Thanks! I choose this bag to go to black because of the silver hardware!!
I've thought of that (another coat of the flat paint) but I worry it will then feel too stiff or plasticy (is that a word), lol.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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I've thought of that (another coat of the flat paint) but I worry it will then feel too stiff or plasticy (is that a word), lol.
Excited to attempt my first rehab on this vintage tribeca. She’s in ok shape, but could use a bit of reshaping and conditioning. She’s had a dunk since these photos, and already looks better. Cross your fingers for me! 
Two victories from today: Dinky and Madison Satchel. Both finished with conditioner and polishing. Not huge differences but the Madison was all squished so I’m glad she’s back to her normal shape.
Dinky:
Dinky:
How does such a thin strap on such a heavy bag not kill a shoulder?
Finished two rehabs today, too! The red NYC tote is as done as she’s gonna get, and I wrapped up a burgundy double clutch, with kisslocks on both sides.
Red tote before:
After:
Still a few stray pen marks on the outside, but I’m not bothered - I’m carrying this bag to work with me tomorrow, I’m not looking to keep it pristine!
Double clutch before:
After:
This is the most purple-y burgundy I’ve ever seen! I imagined using it more as a clutch, but surprisingly it fits everything I had been carrying in my Prairie bag last week. I’m really digging the style.
@rayrob87 we have a few similar projects going on, FYI - I also have a Madison satchel in progress (yours came out beautiful!), and I also have an issue with mold spots on a British tan bag. I’ll post pics of mine soon so we can compare notes!
Red tote before:
After:
Still a few stray pen marks on the outside, but I’m not bothered - I’m carrying this bag to work with me tomorrow, I’m not looking to keep it pristine!
Double clutch before:
After:
This is the most purple-y burgundy I’ve ever seen! I imagined using it more as a clutch, but surprisingly it fits everything I had been carrying in my Prairie bag last week. I’m really digging the style.
@rayrob87 we have a few similar projects going on, FYI - I also have a Madison satchel in progress (yours came out beautiful!), and I also have an issue with mold spots on a British tan bag. I’ll post pics of mine soon so we can compare notes!
so I was actually carrying this bag last week before I rehabbed. I had my make up bag, wallet, phone, and keys and it wasn’t too bad. It makes a better work bag. I wouldn’t carry casually on the weekends. The leather is fairly light weight.
now a basic bag strap - that is truly a feat of strength. Lol I carried my first for two years and that thing is a force. Those straps don’t quit.
I can’t wait! I’m glad someone can share my misery. BT is my favorite color of bag so I’m really hoping it pulls through.
So here is my latest challenge…which I went into overly optimistic but with eyes wide open from the listing photos…a BT musette with significant mold (I believe) spotting :-/
The leather overall is smooth and soft and has great texture after a dunk/reshaping/light conditioning (pics above are post-dunk), and it doesn’t smell at all so some previous owner definitely took care of the actual mold problem, assuming it’s that. But she’s spotty and sad like your Patricia, @rayrob87.
I haven’t yet gone down this path with a rehab, but I’ve been reading back through other posts about re-dying - @Coachaddict4020 your Baby Courier adventure is pushing me in that direction. But mostly I’m bummed cause I reeeeeeeeally wanted a medium-brown Musette (BT or tabac), this one is structurally in good shape and feels nice to the touch, but looks…raunchy, haha.
Any thoughts/ideas very welcome! I want to do right by this old gal if I can, just feeling a little deflated at the moment.
So what I ordered was https://www.ebay.com/itm/160861925618
I had seen it referenced in my search. I haven’t received it yet but it’s my only option. I just didn’t like the affect of acrylic paint. I want the leather to still look like leather. The paint seemed to make it too shiny and fake looking. That’s what I didn’t like.
seriously I am glad I’m not the only one with those spots. It’s comforting. I think we can make our bags beautiful again. I just can’t accept that a bag structurally perfect would go to waste because of that.
Make sure you use very thin coats, as this stuff is acrylic. It might be cheaper through Wood n stuff directly. For most projects, the 1 ounce sample is enough.
You might like this stuff, but I don't know if it would be enough to cover the spots. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KIFAGOG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You could also try aniline dye. It’s more translucent & you build it up in layers but there’s no sealer required. If you get a shade in a close enough match to your Musette, it shouldn’t change the overall appearance too much I think.
For my courier, I did a complete colour change which required a sealer. It didn’t change how squishy the bag feels but the surface texture is just like that of a bone coloured vintage coach bag, where there’s like a protective coating if you know what I mean. It also doesn’t absorb conditioner well & gets tacky on the surface. I don’t mind though, the bag is waterproof so it’s the only vintage coach Im not afraid to take out in the rain lol.
You can also try scrubbing the spots gently with a toothbrush & CPR or apply CPR & buff with a horsehair brush to see if it improves the stains. If there’s no change, I think your only option will be to dye the bag unfortunately.
The rehab gods have given me a second chance!
After I dunked my red lunchbox it looked pretty good minus these two little blobs.. I should’ve just let it slide but noooo… surely I can take out two little blobs..
Ha.
The stains that traumatized me on my jade bag came back (luckily to a smaller extent) so I said, “ok no more washing this bag.. I’ll just cover the stains with acrylic paint and leather cpr” and for two days I agonized over covering the stains and they seemed to be improving… but it was starting to look chalky and on one of the applications I messed up and it became this weird smudge so I HAD to wash it..
I went over it with a wet paper towel and another wet paper towel with dawn and I alternated paper towels until I wiped off all the paint. The areas had darkened with the water but the water wasn’t penetrating all the way through to the inside and I figured I’d just let it dry and deal with the damage after…
But there was no damage after..
THE ORIGINAL STAINS FADED AWAY.
I’m so beyond happy
Back before: (and upside down hehe)
Back after
Front before:
front after:
The front still has a few little smudges but I’m soooo not complaining
Gonna leave it alone for the rest of today and give it some leather CPR and buffing tomorrow.
WHEW. I’m exhausted. Think this will be my last rehab for a bit. Feel like they’ve been more stressful than relaxing for me lately
After I dunked my red lunchbox it looked pretty good minus these two little blobs.. I should’ve just let it slide but noooo… surely I can take out two little blobs..
Ha.
The stains that traumatized me on my jade bag came back (luckily to a smaller extent) so I said, “ok no more washing this bag.. I’ll just cover the stains with acrylic paint and leather cpr” and for two days I agonized over covering the stains and they seemed to be improving… but it was starting to look chalky and on one of the applications I messed up and it became this weird smudge so I HAD to wash it..
I went over it with a wet paper towel and another wet paper towel with dawn and I alternated paper towels until I wiped off all the paint. The areas had darkened with the water but the water wasn’t penetrating all the way through to the inside and I figured I’d just let it dry and deal with the damage after…
But there was no damage after..
THE ORIGINAL STAINS FADED AWAY.
I’m so beyond happy
Back before: (and upside down hehe)
Back after
Front before:
front after:
The front still has a few little smudges but I’m soooo not complaining
Gonna leave it alone for the rest of today and give it some leather CPR and buffing tomorrow.
WHEW. I’m exhausted. Think this will be my last rehab for a bit. Feel like they’ve been more stressful than relaxing for me lately