Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[whateve]

How do you know when enough is enough conditioner?

As I am new to owning pre-loved bags, I have a lot to learn. I have purchased a large tote and with the side snaps open it easily accommodates a A4 ring binder need to cart around to/from work everyday. I think it is called a Hampton Business Tote, there are some satchels in a 2006 catalogue that look similar. I have tried looking at the creed in different lighting conditions and taken an assortment of photos to see it I can work it from them, but I can't. Best I can work out is A06 ? -5749

This bag is pebbled leather, but I don't know how that leather should feel. It is not a structured bag, so put it down and it is floppy. The leather is flexible (ie there are no cracks or stiff bits to it), it feels soft but sort of powdery. I hope this description makes sense to someone.

I have conditioned it with Leather CPR but is still feels the same. Should it feel like this or do you think should I apply more conditioner?

How do you know when you have used too much conditioner? (as a guideline for any bag)

Thanks, Denise

I wonder if it is an S where you have the ?

If you've used too much conditioner, it would probably feel sticky. It helps to let it soak in before doing another coat. A bit of heat might help it soak in better, like from a hairdryer.

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

How do you know when enough is enough conditioner?

As I am new to owning pre-loved bags, I have a lot to learn. I have purchased a large tote and with the side snaps open it easily accommodates a A4 ring binder need to cart around to/from work everyday. I think it is called a Hampton Business Tote, there are some satchels in a 2006 catalogue that look similar. I have tried looking at the creed in different lighting conditions and taken an assortment of photos to see it I can work it from them, but I can't. Best I can work out is A06 ? -5749

This bag is pebbled leather, but I don't know how that leather should feel. It is not a structured bag, so put it down and it is floppy. The leather is flexible (ie there are no cracks or stiff bits to it), it feels soft but sort of powdery. I hope this description makes sense to someone.

I have conditioned it with Leather CPR but is still feels the same. Should it feel like this or do you think should I apply more conditioner?

How do you know when you have used too much conditioner? (as a guideline for any bag)

Thanks, Denise

I rub leather CPR in with my fingers. If it dries really fast, I know the bag "needed it." And I give it more. After multiple applications, sometimes I notice that the CPR is forming white streaks that sit atop the leather as I'm putting it on before they become absorbed (I mostly notice this on smooth black vintage leather bags)... that to me means "you've done enough!" This isn't scientific! I had a very vintage abused bag, and I probably did about 10 go-rounds of leather CPR. Again, you don't want sticky. After each go-round you've got to wipe off any excess. You can also notice that sheen and improvement in overall appearance.

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Museum bag! Got this one for $12 on Curtsy.

 

[squeakyrose]

Sharing the journey… this little camel Costa Rica 2000 small hippie flap bag and I have had a long road together. She’s a testament to how much vintage Coach leather can take and also to how much is lurking in lighter colored bags until you dunk and condition them!

Before, during, and done. The shadows of the 2 severe stains on the back and circle on the front look *much* darker in final photos than IRL. In person, you can only see them if you’re holding the bag looking for them. From a foot away the bag just looks lightly patinaed. Final photo of back is representative of the glow — couldn’t get a better pic of front. Imminently wearable. Finished with Meltonian “Camel” and Blackrock. Leather is soft and supple again, only the strap is still a tiny bit stiff. It was like rigid cardboard when I got it. It’s such a cutey I may end up keeping this as my essentials-only field bag.

ETA: Dunked 3 times!

 

[squeakyrose]

Gambled on this gorgeous vachetta 65th Anniversary w/ Legacy lining, graciously authenticated by @whateve — and the film all over it was indeed not mold but leather spue! Still need to contend with verdigris and number of stains, but very excited to cross the first hurdle.

 

[eguyard1]

Hey I was wondering if anyone knew how to clean the staining on these two soho bags - Thank you 33

 

[Lake Effect]

Gambled on this gorgeous vachetta 65th Anniversary w/ Legacy lining, graciously authenticated by @whateve — and the film all over it was indeed not mold but leather spue! Still need to contend with verdigris and number of stains, but very excited to cross the first hurdle.

Nice! It’s huge right? Looking forward to seeing it restored to its full glory!
I found a vachetta Legacy Tote Slim tote and I fell in love with the vachetta. I took my time picking off the verdigris with a used dryer sheet and am pleased. Interestingly, I pulled it out recently and it developed spruce over the past six months or so.

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Sharing the journey… this little camel Costa Rica 2000 small hippie flap bag and I have had a long road together. She’s a testament to how much vintage Coach leather can take and also to how much is lurking in lighter colored bags until you dunk and condition them!

Before, during, and done. The shadows of the 2 severe stains on the back and circle on the front look *much* darker in final photos than IRL. In person, you can only see them if you’re holding the bag looking for them. From a foot away the bag just looks lightly patinaed. Final photo of back is representative of the glow — couldn’t get a better pic of front. Imminently wearable. Finished with Meltonian “Camel” and Blackrock. Leather is soft and supple again, only the strap is still a tiny bit stiff. It was like rigid cardboard when I got it. It’s such a cutey I may end up keeping this as my essentials-only field bag.

ETA: Dunked 3 times!

That looks great. I got the degreaser product and am gearing up to using it. Have to figure out where...lots of warning about keeling over from the fumes. It was in the low 20's here, and I don't want to sit outside and do it. This is my test case bag: I'm fairly certain the bag did not look this bad when I got it... ? Don't know what the stains are or how come they "bloomed."

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

That looks great. I got the degreaser product and am gearing up to using it. Have to figure out where...lots of warning about keeling over from the fumes. It was in the low 20's here, and I don't want to sit outside and do it. This is my test case bag: I'm fairly certain the bag did not look this bad when I got it... ? Don't know what the stains are or how come they "bloomed."

View attachment 6120976View attachment 6120978View attachment 6120979View attachment 6120980

Here's how it's supposed to look: It's a 5230 "Shoulder Brief."

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Here's how it's supposed to look: It's a 5230 "Shoulder Brief."

View attachment 6120992

Here's the bag post dunk! Binder-clipping an area where it will need reglueing, holding things in place hopefully without compression marks. This was strange: the strap was twisted. Both sides of it were mounted facing the right direction, but not flat and smooth. Had an extra turn in it! The strap is not meant to be detachable, I had to pry the brass hardware apart, pull the strap out the opening and re-adjust facing the right direction without twist. Squeeze it back through the opening and align on the bag. And then squeeze the brass piece together again! A lot of work for such a crazy thing. I doubt Coach created the bag that way.

 

[squeakyrose]

Sigh… first shoe polish bag…

There was a slightly plasticky coated feel and a very fine shimmer in the finish. I dunked and scrubbed thoroughly with toothbrush, did one coat of CPR that behaved oddly though it did sink in…still looked and felt wrong. So I got out the acetone nail polish remover and sure enough came right off thick and dark. 😞 Well, time to open the windows and get to it. Good thing it’s up to 20F today!! 😂

 

[squeakyrose]

Nice! It’s huge right? Looking forward to seeing it restored to its full glory!
I found a vachetta Legacy Tote Slim tote and I fell in love with the vachetta. I took my time picking off the verdigris with a used dryer sheet and am pleased. Interestingly, I pulled it out recently and it developed spruce over the past six months or so.

Thanks! It is pretty huge. It will have some beauty marks from stain removal but I love it! The spue on this one disappeared like magic under the hairdryer. It took a long time just because it’s so big. If it comes back I may consider using a stabilizer on it. Will yours soak back in with heat?

 

[squeakyrose]

Here's the bag post dunk! Binder-clipping an area where it will need reglueing, holding things in place hopefully without compression marks. This was strange: the strap was twisted. Both sides of it were mounted facing the right direction, but not flat and smooth. Had an extra turn in it! The strap is not meant to be detachable, I had to pry the brass hardware apart, pull the strap out the opening and re-adjust facing the right direction without twist. Squeeze it back through the opening and align on the bag. And then squeeze the brass piece together again! A lot of work for such a crazy thing. I doubt Coach created the bag that way.

View attachment 6121036

It was single digits when I was working with the degreaser too! I closed my office door, open the windows and wore a coat. Then moved bag away from the open window while I left it in there to dry and left that room closed off while it dried…it does take multiple apps… Fingers crossed for you! That’s so weird on the strap — botched prior repair? That’s dedication. 😊 Beautiful bag and color change is already intriguing. What color do you think it is?

 

[Tilis]

Here's the bag post dunk! Binder-clipping an area where it will need reglueing, holding things in place hopefully without compression marks. This was strange: the strap was twisted. Both sides of it were mounted facing the right direction, but not flat and smooth. Had an extra turn in it! The strap is not meant to be detachable, I had to pry the brass hardware apart, pull the strap out the opening and re-adjust facing the right direction without twist. Squeeze it back through the opening and align on the bag. And then squeeze the brass piece together again! A lot of work for such a crazy thing. I doubt Coach created the bag that way.

View attachment 6121036

It might not yet be acceptable for carrying, but oh gosh that bag looks sooo much better than what you started with.

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

What color do you think it is?

I thought it was british tan, but I don't know.