Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#361
latetotheparty said:
Congrats on your new bag too! Hope it's a nice one. About the harness purse you put a link on, that looks like the best deal I have ever seen, congrats to them also. I'm no expert but I think it's possibly a coach bag because a while back, I saw one and I believe either Beenburned or Demram authenticated or ID'd it for me, and it had the same label on it, I'll try to find that again. Sadly by the time I got back to it, it had been sold.I think the coach plaque was underneath the cloth label, if I remember correctly.
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I made an error, the purse did have the same cloth label but it did have the little coach metal tag also. You're probably right about it falling off. BeenBurned informed me that the store name was a store in Paso Robles, CA.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Bon...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
 
#362
#363
Porter4 said:
I don't have additional information but will say that my Bonnie double header definitely doesn't feel like glove-tanned leather. I have seen my bag in listings with original paperwork and it was labeled as having the harness leather. The bag I have is like this one but with the striped lining: http://www.etsy.com/listing/1627095...a_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=vintage

Congrats on your new bag!
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Thanks! I got one of those too, in white, and a small shopping tote.

latetotheparty said:
Congrats on your new bag too! Hope it's a nice one. About the harness purse you put a link on, that looks like the best deal I have ever seen, congrats to them also. I'm no expert but I think it's possibly a coach bag because a while back, I saw one and I believe either Beenburned or Demram authenticated or ID'd it for me, and it had the same label on it, I'll try to find that again. Sadly by the time I got back to it, it had been sold.I think the coach plaque was underneath the cloth label, if I remember correctly.
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Thank you! I got a pretty good deal, although not as good as that listing! I got two bags.

latetotheparty said:
I made an error, the purse did have the same cloth label but it did have the little coach metal tag also. You're probably right about it falling off. BeenBurned informed me that the store name was a store in Paso Robles, CA.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Bon...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
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That's so interesting! I used to live very close to Paso Robles in the 90's. I don't remember if I shopped there or not. I wonder if it could have been this store in Florida: http://www.apropos-tampa.com/page_3.html They've been open since 1974.

Two.time.bags said:
The Coach history is fascinating and there's always something new to learn here! Does anyone know the story behind the APROPOS label?
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I'm pretty sure the seller was right in that it referred to the store that sold it. I've seen other Bonnie Cashins that had an I Magnin label over the Coach metal tag. I think it was common for stores to put their own labels in bags at that time.
 
#364
Whateve when you get a chance, can you put a pic of your bags? I'd love to see them. I need to put up a pic of my Copley because I need advice on what to do about the strap. the bag is 2-toned black and pale yellow and the outside of the strap is black and the inside of the strap is yellow and I'm afraid to use it without treating the light part because I don't want to stain or discolor it.
 
#365
whateve said:
This is what it looks like now. It isn't completely dry. On the back of the inside pocket, I had tested out various dyes and you can see that it didn't remove them, but turned some of them green. The lightening is most apparent on the front of the pocket, which wasn't dyed at all. There was a flaw of some kind below the kisslock. It looked like a burn and I had attempted to sand it off, but the flaw went all the way through the leather. The color remover turned it green.

The bag looks much worse now than when I got it. At least I didn't pay that much for it. The bag doesn't have sentimental value. I just don't like to give up. I feel bad that I've ruined it.
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Not sure if this is helpful but you could try using fine and then extra fine steel wool to smooth out the texture. I'm currently doing that on my Vista which a week later is still proving to be a challenge.

Fine grade steel wool works really well on timber to remove stain and the super fine to polish which is why I decided to try it (also I didn't have any sandpaper at hand). I'm quite pleased with how its working on the Vista so far though I may end up having to re-dye it as there are some dark marks that won't go.

I also read that when applying dye its best to use a sponge and not a wool swab because it doesn't spread the pigment evenly - don't know what you used first time whateve? Also I read that its a good idea when dying something a dark colour with a solvent based dye to put a layer of a slightly darker colour first to 'neutralise' it.

I found that tip here and it tells you the colours to use: http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Dye-Leather-For-all-smooth-leathers-/10000000000877002/g.html

I hope something works for you; its a lovely bag. Good luck.
 
#366
Two.time.bags said:
Not sure if this is helpful but you could try using fine and then extra fine steel wool to smooth out the texture. I'm currently doing that on my Vista which a week later is still proving to be a challenge.

Fine grade steel wool works really well on timber to remove stain and the super fine to polish which is why I decided to try it (also I didn't have any sandpaper at hand). I'm quite pleased with how its working on the Vista so far though I may end up having to re-dye it as there are some dark marks that won't go.

I also read that when applying dye its best to use a sponge and not a wool swab because it doesn't spread the pigment evenly - don't know what you used first time whateve? Also I read that its a good idea when dying something a dark colour with a solvent based dye to put a layer of a slightly darker colour first to 'neutralise' it.

I found that tip here and it tells you the colours to use: http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Dye-Leather-For-all-smooth-leathers-/10000000000877002/g.html

I hope something works for you; its a lovely bag. Good luck.
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Thanks for the tips. I did use steel wool, including very fine steel wool. It didn't remove the dye because it had soaked through. I think the texture is pretty good now. I have put on a few coats of conditioner and the bag is much improved. I redyed the zipper. I haven't gotten any dye yet for the leather. I'm still not sure what color I want to go with. I am leaning toward olive because when I stripped it, there was a hint of that color and I really liked it. The Wood n stuff doesn't have a good olive color though, so I haven't really decided. I had originally used Fiebings so I'm afraid to try that again. I did use the wool swab that came with the dye. One of the problems was that it dried so quickly so it was hard to spread it evenly before it dried. I live in California so a lot of the better dyes aren't available here because of environmental laws.

I was looking through my pictures and found some pictures of the bag from before I first worked on it. It was in a lot worse shape than I remember so I think that no matter what, this bag would have needed dyeing. Now I don't feel so bad about ruining it, and I have a lot of hope that I'll be able to rescue it.

ETA: I still don't feel like normal leather dyes will work. I think they will soak in too much since the sanding destroyed the natural surface of the leather. I like the idea that I can use the Wood n Stuff on conditioned leather because the texture is much improved with the conditioners added. I think the Wood n Stuff will seal the leather.
 
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#367
latetotheparty said:
Whateve when you get a chance, can you put a pic of your bags? I'd love to see them. I need to put up a pic of my Copley because I need advice on what to do about the strap. the bag is 2-toned black and pale yellow and the outside of the strap is black and the inside of the strap is yellow and I'm afraid to use it without treating the light part because I don't want to stain or discolor it.
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Sure I will.

I think your Copley strap will be more resilient than you think. The leather has been treated to resist stains. You can still put some conditioner and possibly something like Apple Guard on it.

ETA: Here are my new Cashin bags.
 

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#368
So, I have a beautiful Caroline, I love. But the kote edging is coming off a bit. I've sent a bag into Coach to get the Kote edsing redone in the past, but they said they could not fix it.

If I just buy some Kote, can I apply it myself and it will it look fine. If so any idea what brand I should buy.

Thanks
 
#369
whateve said:
Thanks for the tips. I did use steel wool, including very fine steel wool. It didn't remove the dye because it had soaked through. I think the texture is pretty good now. I have put on a few coats of conditioner and the bag is much improved. I redyed the zipper. I haven't gotten any dye yet for the leather. I'm still not sure what color I want to go with. I am leaning toward olive because when I stripped it, there was a hint of that color and I really liked it. The Wood n stuff doesn't have a good olive color though, so I haven't really decided. I had originally used Fiebings so I'm afraid to try that again. I did use the wool swab that came with the dye. One of the problems was that it dried so quickly so it was hard to spread it evenly before it dried. I live in California so a lot of the better dyes aren't available here because of environmental laws.

I was looking through my pictures and found some pictures of the bag from before I first worked on it. It was in a lot worse shape than I remember so I think that no matter what, this bag would have needed dyeing. Now I don't feel so bad about ruining it, and I have a lot of hope that I'll be able to rescue it.

ETA: I still don't feel like normal leather dyes will work. I think they will soak in too much since the sanding destroyed the natural surface of the leather. I like the idea that I can use the Wood n Stuff on conditioned leather because the texture is much improved with the conditioners added. I think the Wood n Stuff will seal the leather.
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It sounds like you're progressing well. I don't know wood 'n' stuff - perhaps you can mix to get the olive colour you are looking for? Maybe practice with paint first so you know the approx proportion of colours to blend?

I'm waiting for the Vista to soak up the latest application of Leather Therapy then I think I'll post some pics to get advice on what to do next.

PS love your 'new' white bags!
 
#370
Galaxygrrl said:
So, I have a beautiful Caroline, I love. But the kote edging is coming off a bit. I've sent a bag into Coach to get the Kote edsing redone in the past, but they said they could not fix it.

If I just buy some Kote, can I apply it myself and it will it look fine. If so any idea what brand I should buy.

Thanks
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The ladies here (including me) use Edge Kote. It's very easy to use and you won't have any problems applying it.
Just remember to wear gloves. ;) You can find it lots of places online.
 
#371
whateve said:
I have a mystery. With the help of a wonderful tpfer, I recently acquired a 1960's Bonnie Cashin with the striped lining and metal Coach tag. Inside the purse was a card labeled "Old Fashioned Harness Leather." On googling this term, I found this listing with an identical card: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apropos-Purse-Old-fashioned-Harness-Leather-/161096427468?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item25821867cc&nma=true&si=ZGX9od%252BvUhvfQtj27P5ZMdUiRAw%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 which looks like a Bonnie Cashin, possibly missing the Coach tag, that sold for $8!

Does anyone have any information about "Old Fashioned Harness Leather"? Did Coach ever use this term or enclose this card with their items?
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OMG...lucky you!! She's gorgeous! You must have been SO excited!

ETA: Oops. Just reread and realized you weren't the $8 buyer. Oh well. I was so excited for you...lol.
 
#372
whateve said:
I have a mystery. With the help of a wonderful tpfer, I recently acquired a 1960's Bonnie Cashin with the striped lining and metal Coach tag. Inside the purse was a card labeled "Old Fashioned Harness Leather." On googling this term, I found this listing with an identical card: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apropos-Pur...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 which looks like a Bonnie Cashin, possibly missing the Coach tag, that sold for $8!

Does anyone have any information about "Old Fashioned Harness Leather"? Did Coach ever use this term or enclose this card with their items?
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I found 2 other references online to Old Fashioned Harness Leather relating to Coach, if this helps. :smile1:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-white-coach-purses-ca-1960s-/190913434965

http://www.1stdibs.com/fashion/acce.../never-used-bonnie-cashin-handbag/id-v_85678/
 
#373
whateve said:
That wrinkling looks it could be caused by dryness. A leather bath is when you immerse the entire bag in soapy water, let it soak, gently scrub, rinse, pat dry, and then stuff with towels to reshape the bag as it dries. It helps to plump up the leather as well as to clean the bag. It might help with the wrinkling. Then the bag needs to be moisturized with plenty of conditioner. The spots could be grease which might respond to cornstarch, or they could be mold or something else. Alcohol and acetone work on some spots. Some spots are permanent.
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thanks whateve - how much liquid soap should i use, and how long should i let it soak for?
 
#375
whateve said:
Sure I will.

I think your Copley strap will be more resilient than you think. The leather has been treated to resist stains. You can still put some conditioner and possibly something like Apple Guard on it.

ETA: Here are my new Cashin bags.
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Your bags are beautiful! Love em. Will the conditioner and which one do you recommend, darken the yellow part of my purse? I only have leather cpr and blackrocks.
 
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