Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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I think people have. In my opinion it should be treated like suede, so no conditioner, just brushing. Maybe it if is really dry, condition then bathe, but I've never tried it.
Agree! Nubick should be treated like suede. I use the Angelus Easy Clean and I’ve also used the Angelus Suede Renew and Angelus mink oil spray to really revive dusty looking suede. It’s labeled for use with nubuck as well.

I find the part about Lexol cleaner interesting as everyone seems to think it’s gentle for Coach bags. To my understanding coach uses aniline dye, so that seems contradictory.
 
One more question while I have you… As the archives show, we have some talented rehabbers who fairly regularly wash bags in the washing machine. I haven’t had the nerve to try it yet. My question for you machine-washers is this — what makes you decide to go machine vs dunk (or to definitely not go machine!)? Thanks!
I started washing bags in the machine and love it. I dunk far less bags now and use the machine instead. I run delicate loads with bags of like colors using garmet bags. Trick is to find garmet bags with big enough holes in them - they make them these days with fine net and that doesn’t work. I usually pre-wash a bit and then use Leather Therapy laundry solution and they come out quite clean and ready for blocking. I usually only dunk if I’m trying to even out a stain or a color issue. If a bag has severely compromised or broken piping I just wash by hand inside and out, then bypass any soak/dunk. Overall the machine is a very efficient way to clean bags well.
 
I started washing bags in the machine and love it. I dunk far less bags now and use the machine instead. I run delicate loads with bags of like colors using garmet bags. Trick is to find garmet bags with big enough holes in them - they make them these days with fine net and that doesn’t work. I usually pre-wash a bit and then use Leather Therapy laundry solution and they come out quite clean and ready for blocking. I usually only dunk if I’m trying to even out a stain or a color issue. If a bag has severely compromised or broken piping I just wash by hand inside and out, then bypass any soak/dunk. Overall the machine is a very efficient way to clean bags well.
Thank you! I might work up the courage to try one in the machine. Do you machine wash with linings? Any worry about bleeding?

I do have some of the older style delicates bags with the bigger holes. That’s an interesting note bc I probably would have opted for the softer fine mesh. Thanks!
 
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1992-93 Dixon Mini in Cocoa from Lightweight line (aka Shoe Polish Bag) is complete. They were new for 1992 Holiday catalog. Whoever originally polished it did a meticulous job. Makes me wonder if it was a rehab with a different product that turned plasticky over time… it’s a tad shinier than I’d like in the end, but it’s supple and quite wearable now. Not an exciting little bag, but I kept thinking what a great size for grab ‘n go crossbody, with long 50” strap, and very lightweight.

Photo 1426: Before
Photo 1682: After dunk, thorough toothbrush scrub, vinegar & distilled water final rinse, and CPR
Photo 8610 & 8626: After polish removal with acetone nail polish remover (the ‘gentle’ kind with aloe and jojoba oil bc that’s what I had). Now we know why it was polished!!
Photo 1688: During restoration, including suede renewal and a bit of leather glue to touch up cardboard + leather veneer interior bottom
Photo 1702, 1701 & 1749: After CPR, Juvacuir #37 Medium Brown, Cape Cod metal polishing cloth, Blackrock and lots of buffing in between.
 

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80s Swagger with Melatonian touchups and Saphir Renovatrice on one corner….

ETA: Removed pen dot with the toothpick and vinegar method. Very successful! I think that was @Narnanz but please forgive if I’m misattributing!
 

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I started washing bags in the machine and love it. I dunk far less bags now and use the machine instead. I run delicate loads with bags of like colors using garmet bags. Trick is to find garmet bags with big enough holes in them - they make them these days with fine net and that doesn’t work. I usually pre-wash a bit and then use Leather Therapy laundry solution and they come out quite clean and ready for blocking. I usually only dunk if I’m trying to even out a stain or a color issue. If a bag has severely compromised or broken piping I just wash by hand inside and out, then bypass any soak/dunk. Overall the machine is a very efficient way to clean bags well.

Thank you! I might work up the courage to try one in the machine. Do you machine wash with linings? Any worry about bleeding?

I do have some of the older style delicates bags with the bigger holes. That’s an interesting note bc I probably would have opted for the softer fine mesh. Thanks!
When I wash a bag I usually hand-wash in the sink with Dawn dish soap; but occassionally I machine wash very soiled bags and I use Leather Therapy's products for laundering and conditioning leather items in the washing machine; see link below.

I have washed bags with linings (in the sink and in the washer) and bleeding hasn't been a problem.

 
Well, after delaying only 7.5 years I have finally finished the rehab of my Dark Red Nubuck Rhyder 33 Satchel 34018 with Antique Nickel Hardware!

The bag was released for Fall 2014 and it retailed for $650. I bought my used bag for $79 from the Goodwill Online Auction in 2017 and it was kindly authenticated by @BeenBurned.

It was an impulse buy and I don't know what I was thinking! Nubuck is a delicate and porous leather and red can be a difficult color to rehab!

The Goodwill listing mentioned signs of wear and showed photos of the dirty areas, but the pictures were fuzzy and unclear, and it didn't look too bad, but when I got the bag it was in worse shape than I had expected.

It looked faded and it felt very dry and it was dirty inside and out. There were several stained areas on the bottom and back and a few on the front. I tried brushing the stains using a "suede stone and brush" technique but it didn't help. Someone suggested using Lincoln E-Z Leather Cleaner and that did remove the stains but it left ugly, blothed areas on the bag - and they did not disappear after drying and brushing. I finally got desperate and I decided to give the bag a quick bath in Dawn!

Dunking got the bag clean, but the leather looked even more faded and felt even more dry, and the spots that had resulted from my cleaning attempts were still visible. I felt that I had made it look worse, not better - and I was very disappointed!

I considered trying to condition the bag and I actually wrote to the manufacturers of several leather conditioning products. I received the resposes at the link below and some said "yes, you can condition nubuck" but I was afraid to try conditioning the delicate nubuck leather - and maybe making it even worse - so I just but the bag away in disgust and forgot about it for over 7 years!

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/page-1218#post-32815215

I came across this poor Red Rhyder recently and again I was concerned by the dull appearance and dry feel of the leather (and the ugly blotches). So I decided, what the heck? After investing $80, 7+ years, and lots of work, I may as well try to either finish the rehab or completely destroy the bag!

I used Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner and I think that it was a good choice, because nubuck is very porous and I was able to apply the oil more evenly and consistently than may have been possible with a lotion or paste conditioner. I tried to apply it evenly to every nook and cranny of the bag and that was a lot of work. The Rhyder 33 is a large bag with lots of detailing and hardware. I do think that the leather really was very dry because it seemed to just drink in the conditioning oil!

After applying the conditioner I stuffed the bag with towels and let it sit for several days. The red color looked very dark after applying the conditioner, but it slowly began to lighten. After a week I removed the towels and I brushed the nap with a suede brush. Then I gently buffed the hardware with a soft cloth.

The bag still has some signs of wear but I am very happy with the results, it looks much better IMO. Below are some pictures after my first pitiful rehab attempt, and also after my recent conditioning efforts.

Now I will be happy to carry the bag - so Happy Valentines Day to me!

If you are thinking of rehabbing a nubuck bag, my advice is "Don't do it!" And especially don't pick a big, red, valuable nubuck bag for a rehab project! I now understand what @Lake Effect means when she talks about "the Debil Nubuck!"


Red Rhyder 33 Nubuck Satchel 34018 after my first disasterous attempts to spot clean and bathe the bag:
RyderNubuck_After_Rehab1_001.jpg

RyderNubuck_After_Rehab1_003.jpg

RyderNubuck_After_Rehab1_004.jpg

Red Rhyder 33 Nubuck Satchel 34018 after my 2nd rehab attempt to condition and brush the bag:

RyderNubuck_After_Rehab2_004.jpg

RyderNubuck_After_Rehab2_005.jpg
 
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Well, after delaying only 7.5 years I have finally finished the rehab of my Dark Red Nubuck Rhyder 33 Satchel 34018 with Antique Nickel Hardware!

The bag was released for Fall 2014 and it retailed for $650. I bought my used bag for $79 from the Goodwill Online Auction in 2017 and it was kindly authenticated by @BeenBurned.

It was an impulse buy and I don't know what I was thinking! Nubuck is a delicate and porous leather and red can be a difficult color to rehab!

The Goodwill listing mentioned signs of wear and showed photos of the dirty areas, but the pictures were fuzzy and unclear, and it didn't look too bad, but when I got the bag it was in worse shape than I had expected.

It looked faded and it felt very dry and it was dirty inside and out. There were several stained areas on the bottom and back and a few on the front. I tried brushing the stains with a suede stone and brush technique but it didn't help. Someone suggested using Lincoln E-Z Leather Cleaner and that did remove the stains but it left ugly blothed areas on the bag - and they did not disappear after drying and brushing. I finally got desperate and I decided to give the bag a quick bath in Dawn!

Dunking got the bag clean, but the leather looked even more faded and felt even more dry, and the spots that had resulted from my cleaning attempts were still visible. I felt that I had made it look worse, not better - and I was very disappointed!

I considered trying to condition the bag and I actually wrote to the manufacturers of several leather conditioning products. I received the resposes at the link below and some said "yes, can condition nubuck" but I was afraid to try conditioning the delicate nubuck leather - and maybe making it even worse - so I just but the bag away and forgot about it for over 7 years!

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/page-1218#post-32815215

I came across this poor red rhyder recently and again I was concerned by the dull appearance and dry feel of the leather (and the ugly blotches). So I decided, what the heck? After investing $80. 7+ years, and lots of work, I may as well try to either finish the rehab or completely destroy the bag!

I used Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner and I think that it was a good choice, because nubuck is very porous and I was able to apply the oil more evenly and consistently than may have been possible with a lotion or paste conditioner. I tried to apply it evenly to every nook and cranny of the bag and that was a lot of work. The Rhyder 33 is a large bag with lots of detailing and hardware. I do think that the leather really was very dry because it seemed to just drink in the conditioning oil!

After applying the conditioner I stuffed the bag with towels and let it sit for several days. The red color looked very dark after applying the conditioner, but it slowly began to lighten. After a week I removed the towels and I brushed the nap with a suede brush. Then I gently buffed the hardware with a soft cloth.

The bag still has some signs of wear but I am very happy with the results, it looks much better IMO. Below are some pictures after my first pitiful rehab attempt, and also after my recent conditioning efforts.

Now I will be happy to carry the bag - so Happy Valentines Day to me!

If you are thinking of rehabbing a nubuck bag, my advice is "Don't do it!" And especially don't pick a big, red, valuable nubuck bag for a rehab project!


Red Rhyder 33 Nubuck Satchel 34018 after my first disasterous attempts to spot clean and bathe the bag:
View attachment 6127533

View attachment 6127534

View attachment 6127535

Red Rhyder 33 Nubuck Satchel 34018 after my 2nd rehab attempt to condition and brush the bag:

View attachment 6127536

View attachment 6127537
It is a very beautiful bag! :smile: Thanks for sharing the journey. I have bags which have been "put away and deal with it later" too! A cherry red ergo flap. Maybe I should work it in time for Valentine's as well. You are an inspiration!
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/post-35678630 https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/post-36062654
 
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Well, after delaying only 7.5 years I have finally finished the rehab of my Dark Red Nubuck Rhyder 33 Satchel 34018 with Antique Nickel Hardware!

The bag was released for Fall 2014 and it retailed for $650. I bought my used bag for $79 from the Goodwill Online Auction in 2017 and it was kindly authenticated by @BeenBurned.

It was an impulse buy and I don't know what I was thinking! Nubuck is a delicate and porous leather and red can be a difficult color to rehab!

The Goodwill listing mentioned signs of wear and showed photos of the dirty areas, but the pictures were fuzzy and unclear, and it didn't look too bad, but when I got the bag it was in worse shape than I had expected.

It looked faded and it felt very dry and it was dirty inside and out. There were several stained areas on the bottom and back and a few on the front. I tried brushing the stains using a "suede stone and brush" technique but it didn't help. Someone suggested using Lincoln E-Z Leather Cleaner and that did remove the stains but it left ugly, blothed areas on the bag - and they did not disappear after drying and brushing. I finally got desperate and I decided to give the bag a quick bath in Dawn!

Dunking got the bag clean, but the leather looked even more faded and felt even more dry, and the spots that had resulted from my cleaning attempts were still visible. I felt that I had made it look worse, not better - and I was very disappointed!

I considered trying to condition the bag and I actually wrote to the manufacturers of several leather conditioning products. I received the resposes at the link below and some said "yes, you can condition nubuck" but I was afraid to try conditioning the delicate nubuck leather - and maybe making it even worse - so I just but the bag away in disgust and forgot about it for over 7 years!

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/page-1218#post-32815215

I came across this poor Red Rhyder recently and again I was concerned by the dull appearance and dry feel of the leather (and the ugly blotches). So I decided, what the heck? After investing $80, 7+ years, and lots of work, I may as well try to either finish the rehab or completely destroy the bag!

I used Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner and I think that it was a good choice, because nubuck is very porous and I was able to apply the oil more evenly and consistently than may have been possible with a lotion or paste conditioner. I tried to apply it evenly to every nook and cranny of the bag and that was a lot of work. The Rhyder 33 is a large bag with lots of detailing and hardware. I do think that the leather really was very dry because it seemed to just drink in the conditioning oil!

After applying the conditioner I stuffed the bag with towels and let it sit for several days. The red color looked very dark after applying the conditioner, but it slowly began to lighten. After a week I removed the towels and I brushed the nap with a suede brush. Then I gently buffed the hardware with a soft cloth.

The bag still has some signs of wear but I am very happy with the results, it looks much better IMO. Below are some pictures after my first pitiful rehab attempt, and also after my recent conditioning efforts.

Now I will be happy to carry the bag - so Happy Valentines Day to me!

If you are thinking of rehabbing a nubuck bag, my advice is "Don't do it!" And especially don't pick a big, red, valuable nubuck bag for a rehab project! I now understand what @Lake Effect means when she talks about "the Debil Nubuck!"


Red Rhyder 33 Nubuck Satchel 34018 after my first disasterous attempts to spot clean and bathe the bag:
View attachment 6127533

View attachment 6127534

View attachment 6127535

Red Rhyder 33 Nubuck Satchel 34018 after my 2nd rehab attempt to condition and brush the bag:

View attachment 6127536

View attachment 6127537
You are an inspiration indeed ! I also have a red Nubuc which I have been shelving and shelving. Once spring chores are out of the way, I too will tackle mine :)
 
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