Stick to washing up liquid! Fairy! X
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter greenpixie
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I never use saddle soap, I always use blue Dawn dish soap. Good luck!
Hello,
I’ve been quiet of late, work stress stuff, but here’s my latest rehab, a 1989/1990 Classic Satchel in British Tan.
I forgot to take a before photo, this one is the Seller’s image.
This bag had a quick dunk, 2 coats of CPR and a top coat of Renapur.
No hangtag but I do have the original from that ink-ruined Station bag that I might pop on if she doesn’t sell.
Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and inspirational rehabs.
Take care
Zoe x
I’ve been quiet of late, work stress stuff, but here’s my latest rehab, a 1989/1990 Classic Satchel in British Tan.
I forgot to take a before photo, this one is the Seller’s image.
This bag had a quick dunk, 2 coats of CPR and a top coat of Renapur.
No hangtag but I do have the original from that ink-ruined Station bag that I might pop on if she doesn’t sell.
Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and inspirational rehabs.
Take care
Zoe x
Attachments
Good morning, rehabbers. I'm here looking for some advice. I recently purchased a beautiful duffle sac, with the Coach imprint (pre-creed) with some issues on the strap. I used two coats of Chamberlain's Healing Balm and, while it greatly restored the bag itself and softened the strap, there are still many cracks in the leather along the edges of the strap. I can only think of two choices: carry the bag as is or take it to my (truly expert) cobbler and ask about replacing the edge leather. I have multiple concerns: I wonder if carrying the bag with the strap as is will result in more damage to the strap. I also wonder about what's involved in replacing the leather strips--if the current edges are removed I'm assuming there will be damage to the leather center piece of the strap. If leather edges are put over the existing leather, will the strap then be too thick to fit the buckles correctly? (thick width-wise or even just thickness of the strap) Any ideas or experience would be greatly appreciated. Photos attached.
ETA: I was aware of the strap issues when I purchased it.
ETA: I was aware of the strap issues when I purchased it.
That's good to know. My Renapur should be delivered sometime early next week. The CPR is still a few weeks away. I have deliberately purchased some old beaten up test bags to see what the results are like before I start on the newer ones. I accidentally stretched the creed of the bag with the gum on it. It is really faint now, but I don't plan on selling or giving it away. I had scrubbed with a horse hair brush inside the pocket, but was a little too vigorous.
Thanks for your advice. I have enjoyed the process of rehabbing so far.
A very helpful trick I've learned here (I believe from @whateve
) is to carefully use a hairdryer on the creed immediately after a dunk so that it dries quickly. The longer the leather remains wet, the more time the creed embossing has to swell causing it to become more faint. Watch that the heat is on the medium setting only, or if only hot is available, keep it at a distance from the leather so as not to damage it. 
I haven't tackled this issue myself, but would probably look into replacing the piping if I had an expert cobbler to work with. If he/she could use the existing holes to stitch on the new piping it might help preserve the integrity of the leather. I recall @LunaSilver stitching the piping back on the flap of the Casey she was working on. She might have some sage suggestions for you.
I recently finished a Stewardess (K9C - 9525) for a friend, and having been a flight attendant for 27 years, I really enjoyed working on this bag! 
BEFORE:
This is the bag that had the tiny divots on the front flap!
AFTER:
The strap was washed, conditioned and straightened under weights and is now at my local cobbler having this slipped stitch repaired:
And after the hot teaspoon and Leather CPR technique suggested by @LunaSilver the divots were much improved!
Another hot spoon treatment and they disappeared altogether!
Thanks for looking!
BEFORE:
This is the bag that had the tiny divots on the front flap!
AFTER:
The strap was washed, conditioned and straightened under weights and is now at my local cobbler having this slipped stitch repaired:
And after the hot teaspoon and Leather CPR technique suggested by @LunaSilver the divots were much improved!
Another hot spoon treatment and they disappeared altogether!
Thanks for looking!
If it were my bag, I would have concerns about further deterioration with use, as it is. Would like to hear other opinions!
Fabulous. I have a burg Stewie in my pile. Going to kick out a few other smaller bags first! Now that Buckle Bag is on the home stretch.I recently finished a Stewardess (K9C - 9525) for a friend, and having been a flight attendant for 27 years, I really enjoyed working on this bag!
BEFORE:
View attachment 5177650 View attachment 5177651 View attachment 5177652
This is the bag that had the tiny divots on the front flap!
View attachment 5177655
AFTER:
View attachment 5177661 View attachment 5177663 View attachment 5177664
The strap was washed, conditioned and straightened under weights and is now at my local cobbler having this slipped stitch repaired:
View attachment 5177676
And after the hot teaspoon and Leather CPR technique suggested by @LunaSilver the divots were much improved!
View attachment 5177659
Another hot spoon treatment and they disappeared altogether!
View attachment 5177715
Thanks for looking!
I can hardly wait to see it!!!
I don't understand how the hot spoon trick works. This is driving me nuts. How? Will it also fix scratches where the leather flaps over the scratch? My rust Stewardess has a deeply angled scratch that might be fixed this way.I recently finished a Stewardess (K9C - 9525) for a friend, and having been a flight attendant for 27 years, I really enjoyed working on this bag!
BEFORE:
View attachment 5177650 View attachment 5177651 View attachment 5177652
This is the bag that had the tiny divots on the front flap!
View attachment 5177655
AFTER:
View attachment 5177661 View attachment 5177663 View attachment 5177664
The strap was washed, conditioned and straightened under weights and is now at my local cobbler having this slipped stitch repaired:
View attachment 5177676
And after the hot teaspoon and Leather CPR technique suggested by @LunaSilver the divots were much improved!
View attachment 5177659
Another hot spoon treatment and they disappeared altogether!
View attachment 5177715
Thanks for looking!
I have no idea how it works either, MB!
Does the CPR act as a glue? Possibly. I just know that it is magical.I would definitely try it on your rust Stewardess! It won't do it any harm, and may just be the answer! Be sure to take clear before photos and let us know the outcome!!!
Here's a sad looking burgundy OG Rambler for anyone who feels up for a challenge:
Vintage 1970 Coach Rambler Wine Red Leather Crossbody Bag 9735 | eBay
All the hardware functions fine. There's no holes in it. However, as shown in the pictures, the finish on the leather is no longer perfect.
www.ebay.com