Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Cate103]

I would use leather cement to glue all the parts together, then fabric puff paint to achieve the correct shape and texture. The puff paint is usually a bit shiny so you might want to use a bit of regular acrylic craft paint mixed with conditioner over the top when you are done, just to tone down the shininess.

Ah that’s really helpful thank you so much! I have Aileens Leather glue, but would you recommend leather cement over that? Thanks again!

 

[tinytrees11]

Lovely bag! It's possible that it will just take parts of the bag longer to absorb the conditioner and that what is making the color appear uneven. I've had that happen to me, especially with red bags.

It's also possible that different dye lots or different types of leather were used for parts of the bag. I once rehabbed a Buckskin Soho Leather Laced Flap 11879 that appeared to be all one color in the original catalog photos, but over time the strap and the hangtag took on a lighter color; now it almost looks colorblock, see the picture below. I don't actually mind the variation in color because it is consistent and not spotty.

View attachment 5136796

Beautiful bag and wallet!

So based on the strap photos I posted, you would say the conditioner is safe to use? I checked the strap over again just now, and the colour has lightened a bit and I think that was because the conditioner got absorbed. There are some ever so slightly darker areas which you can't tell except under certain lighting, but I'm beginning to think that's actually because of how the bag was used before. The darker areas are where you would grab the strap to put the bag on, whereas the areas that are slightly lighter are where the strap was threaded through the top of the bag to cinch it closed.

I don't know if I should bother to order the Leather CPR and put that on too, or just stick to the waxy stuff I've got? It isn't leaving any grease/oil stains on either the tag or the strap, and seems to be working well.

 

[SloaneTailor]

Thank you. I suspect I may have been too thick with the paint re-fresh my first go around. I am excited to try another method though. I think I've seen it featured on that Beto guys channel on Youtube. He does mostly LV but I saw him use it on a vintage Gucci. I agree I will be using thinner coats and trying to build better next time around.

well I come with an update. This stuff I ordered I applied today in “British tan” for the patricias legacy and I am not happy with the color. The consistency is good but their take on BT is way too orange/pink. There’s hardly any red at all.

so I get one more shot. I am going to go for broke and dye the bag. I’m just not sure it will cover spots. I’m so annoyed because the wood n stuff leather color went on really well but god this color is not it.

 

[coach943]

Beautiful bag and wallet!

So based on the strap photos I posted, you would say the conditioner is safe to use? I checked the strap over again just now, and the colour has lightened a bit and I think that was because the conditioner got absorbed. There are some ever so slightly darker areas which you can't tell except under certain lighting, but I'm beginning to think that's actually because of how the bag was used before. The darker areas are where you would grab the strap to put the bag on, whereas the areas that are slightly lighter are where the strap was threaded through the top of the bag to cinch it closed.

I don't know if I should bother to order the Leather CPR and put that on too, or just stick to the waxy stuff I've got? It isn't leaving any grease/oil stains on either the tag or the strap, and seems to be working well.

Do you have a horsehair brush? I find buffing between applications with a horsehair brush helps the conditioner absorb. It opens the pores of the leather so the conditioner can get work its way into the leather.

Conditioner is a matter of personal preference. I've used lots of different conditioners. I pick mine based on the bag. (Oil conditioner like Leather Therapy or Montana Pitch Blend Oil for dry bags that I dunk, CPR for less dry bags, Skidmore's sometimes, Blackrock to finish, etc.) Much of it is trying until you find something that you like.

I hadn't used my CPR in ages, and I got the bottle out last week. It is rancid. Guess I won't be using that one at the moment. Also remember these are vintage bags. They've had a life before you got it, so don't expect that you will be able to restore to its original condition or make it absolutely pristine. There is beauty in the scars of these older bags.

 

[katev]

Beautiful bag and wallet!

So based on the strap photos I posted, you would say the conditioner is safe to use? I checked the strap over again just now, and the colour has lightened a bit and I think that was because the conditioner got absorbed. There are some ever so slightly darker areas which you can't tell except under certain lighting, but I'm beginning to think that's actually because of how the bag was used before. The darker areas are where you would grab the strap to put the bag on, whereas the areas that are slightly lighter are where the strap was threaded through the top of the bag to cinch it closed.

I don't know if I should bother to order the Leather CPR and put that on too, or just stick to the waxy stuff I've got? It isn't leaving any grease/oil stains on either the tag or the strap, and seems to be working well.

It makes sense that some of the darker areas have been darkened by hand-oils where the bag was touched, that is a common occurrence. I don't have any experience with the conditioner you are using but it sounds like a good product so you may not need anything more. And as stated by @coach943 we all have our favorite conditioners based on our personal experiences.

 

[Lake Effect]

I am new to rehab and need some help!

I recently purchased a 1996 made in the US backpack (style 9992). I didn't dunk it because I felt like the shape was still really good. However, the leather is so dry. The piping on the bag looks and feels almost a little powdery. So far, I removed the strap, wiped it down with a wet rag and then conditioned with Sterling Essentials conditioner (clear in colour, a good quality all-natural conditioner which is meant for saddles and tack so I don't think it will damage anything).

The leather darkened very slightly, but I don't have a problem with this as you can barely tell. I am just stuck on how much conditioner to apply, and how do I prevent it from looking uneven. I had also conditioned my 1996 made in Turkey city bag (style 9790), and I barely needed any conditioner because the leather was not thirsty. However, I applied 3 coats of conditioner to the strap on my backpack and it got absorbed almost immediately, without me having to wipe off any excess. Does this mean I need to apply some more?

I'm also worried about uneven colouring when conditioning. There are parts of the strap that are ever so slightly darker than other parts, where I applied more conditioner. My husband can't tell the difference, but I can. Should I keep applying more conditioner until the colour evens out, or will the uneven colour fade by itself over time?

I haven't moved on to the actual bag yet. I'm scared to ruin it as it wasn't cheap.

Pics of the patient in question:

It’s a lovely bag! Red can be a tough rehab and I tend to avoid it. While a quality conditioner meant for saddle and tack might not pose a problem for glove tanned leather, and improve the suppleness of the leather, at the same time it might not be optimal to enhance the color of your bag. I understand your options and of many others here are limited. Other opinions are welcome.

Also remember these are vintage bags. They've had a life before you got it, so don't expect that you will be able to restore to its original condition or make it absolutely pristine. There is beauty in the scars of these older bags.

As I have been reading posts here of lately, a few thoughts have come to mind and coach943 summed them up beautifully.
I started rehabbing on a few cheap flea market finds and a few black bags. It was a perfect experience for me to see how a few bags in varying condition responded to the products I had on hand.

 

[Lake Effect]

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 :-/

View attachment 5135006View attachment 5135007View attachment 5135008View attachment 5135009View attachment 5135010View attachment 5135011

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.

I feel you. BT. Really. I would be tempted to try Saphir Juvacuir. I used it for scratched and worn piping on a BT bag, but I am unsure how it would cover slightly darker spots. Search it hear for more info, experiences.

 

[whateve]

Ah that’s really helpful thank you so much! I have Aileens Leather glue, but would you recommend leather cement over that? Thanks again!

Aileens is probably the same as leather cement so I don't think you need both.

 

[whateve]

well I come with an update. This stuff I ordered I applied today in “British tan” for the patricias legacy and I am not happy with the color. The consistency is good but their take on BT is way too orange/pink. There’s hardly any red at all.

so I get one more shot. I am going to go for broke and dye the bag. I’m just not sure it will cover spots. I’m so annoyed because the wood n stuff leather color went on really well but god this color is not it.

Try the Wood n Stuff website. You can order 1 oz sample sizes of several colors you can mix with the BT to get the right color. The owner might be able to help you figure out what you need.

 

[tinytrees11]

Do you have a horsehair brush? I find buffing between applications with a horsehair brush helps the conditioner absorb. It opens the pores of the leather so the conditioner can get work its way into the leather.

Conditioner is a matter of personal preference. I've used lots of different conditioners. I pick mine based on the bag. (Oil conditioner like Leather Therapy or Montana Pitch Blend Oil for dry bags that I dunk, CPR for less dry bags, Skidmore's sometimes, Blackrock to finish, etc.) Much of it is trying until you find something that you like.

I hadn't used my CPR in ages, and I got the bottle out last week. It is rancid. Guess I won't be using that one at the moment. Also remember these are vintage bags. They've had a life before you got it, so don't expect that you will be able to restore to its original condition or make it absolutely pristine. There is beauty in the scars of these older bags.

I don't, but I have a cotton jersey rag I tore from a clean shirt, and I've been using that to spread the conditioner more evenly (since being waxy it absorbs slowly).

I just tried it out on the base of the bag, figuring that if I messed up the leather, at least nobody would see it on the bottom. Despite the large area of the bottom, the conditioner spread very evenly. I'm going to see what it looks like tomorrow once the conditioner is absorbed.

Thank you, and thanks to the other posters RadhaDB, Lake Effect and katev for all the great advice! And I agree 100% with that last part. I find vintage items more special than new ones for that reason.

It’s a lovely bag! Red can be a tough rehab and I tend to avoid it. While a quality conditioner meant for saddle and tack might not pose a problem for glove tanned leather, and improve the suppleness of the leather, at the same time it might not be optimal to enhance the color of your bag. I understand your options and of many others here are limited. Other opinions are welcome.

As I have been reading posts here of lately, a few thoughts have come to mind and coach943 summed them up beautifully.
I started rehabbing on a few cheap flea market finds and a few black bags. It was a perfect experience for me to see how a few bags in varying condition responded to the products I had on hand.

I hope you're right about the quality of the conditioner. I'm a horse rider, and I know how expensive saddles and tack are, so I think the conditioners need to be good quality to preserve the leathers on such expensive equipment. I also read somewhere that silicones are bad for leather, so I picked a conditioner with all-natural ingredients. The colour does make me nervous! I've never been much of a bag collector so I've only ever used my vintage black city bag and black leather is so easy to take care of.

 

[Narnanz]

Ok..Getting a Coach Sheridan this week...but have never rehabbed one.
Any differences I should know about when dunking one of these...if indead I can dunk.

 

[whateve]

Ok..Getting a Coach Sheridan this week...but have never rehabbed one.
Any differences I should know about when dunking one of these...if indead I can dunk.

I think people have dunked them. They are lined though. They are similar to rehabbing Dooneys. Don't use any chemicals on the lining. The smooth leather is prone to scratching.

 

[Cate103]

Aileens is probably the same as leather cement so I don't think you need both.

Fabulous, thank you!

 

[americandreaming]

Do you have a horsehair brush? I find buffing between applications with a horsehair brush helps the conditioner absorb. It opens the pores of the leather so the conditioner can get work its way into the leather.

Conditioner is a matter of personal preference. I've used lots of different conditioners. I pick mine based on the bag. (Oil conditioner like Leather Therapy or Montana Pitch Blend Oil for dry bags that I dunk, CPR for less dry bags, Skidmore's sometimes, Blackrock to finish, etc.) Much of it is trying until you find something that you like.

I hadn't used my CPR in ages, and I got the bottle out last week. It is rancid. Guess I won't be using that one at the moment. Also remember these are vintage bags. They've had a life before you got it, so don't expect that you will be able to restore to its original condition or make it absolutely pristine. There is beauty in the scars of these older bags.

How's do you know if it's gone rancid?

 

[katev]

Ok..Getting a Coach Sheridan this week...but have never rehabbed one.
Any differences I should know about when dunking one of these...if indead I can dunk.

I think people have dunked them. They are lined though. They are similar to rehabbing Dooneys. Don't use any chemicals on the lining. The smooth leather is prone to scratching.

I've only rehabbed one Sheridan bag, it was a green Glenwood Sheridan and it was in terrible shape. It was one of my earliest rehabs and I was afraid to give it a bath but I had to do it because it was in such bad condition - and it came out fine! See the before and after pics at the link below:

What happens when you dunk a bag that shouldn't get wet?

It gets clean! And if you are lucky the bag comes out all pretty again! I just finished rehabbing 3 bags that presented some unusual challenges. I had not intended to give any of them a bath but I ended up dunking all 3 of them; I even sent one of them through the washing machine! The good...

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