Not too long at all! I love the details. Everyone has valuable experience to add. Thanks so much for all of your experience and recommendations. I myself am definitely a dunker. 😄 Your caution against BR and Renapur on white is super interesting — Renapur is right where I was headed. What didn’t you like about the waxier ones on white? I have a serious arsenal at this point too but it doesn’t include any Bick. Have you tried Cadillac Select? I have that in the tool kit. I’ve used a few coats of CPR so far but more like a cleaner than I usually do. Usually I let it soak all the way on while damp, this time I’ve been applying and wiping off with a white MFC.I've used LT Therapy wash and it's important to know that a little of that stuff really goes a long way as it's very easy to use too much. It has moisturizers in it and if I do use it, I won't even consider applying an additional conditioner for several days. I did use the LT Therapy wash on my white Courier *after* I very lightly wiped the bag with a magic eraser. I have not used the LT Laundry wash - I've seen it but haven't tried it.
One thing I've learned is that there isn't one end-all-be-all conditioner, cleaner or even process that will work for every bag. I have an arsenal of stuff.. Hard core cleaners for really bad stains like mold I use RenoMat or M. Mowbrays. I know many people love saddle soap and I jumped on that bandwagon at first only to find that it can leave a weird film and I do not use it anymore.
I really like Bick 1 Leather cleaner - I put that in a small spray bottle with water (4 to 1 ratio) and spray directly on leather and wipe with a microfiber for tougher stains or cleaning. If a bag needs dunking (another controversy that has become looked down upon as well as shaming of ones that have or do), I use Woolite or Palmolive. I am a huge fan of Furniture Clinic Leather Cleaner. Doesn't leave any film whatsoever - the same as Bick 1 Leather Cleaner.
I would advise against a heavy conditioner like Blackrock or Renapur on a white bag. Stick to Bick 4 or Leather CPR.
Probably a much longer answer than what you asked. Sometimes I like to explain how the watch works as opposed to just giving the time.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter greenpixie
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
Thank you! And yes, so true. There's a surprising amount of variation among a single bag color and that variation alone would rule out a single shade matching a bag color. Plus those vintage bags may have lived wildly different lives which may have cause the color to darken or lighten over time. I'll gladly share my process but I'm fully aware that this might not really be a solution for everyone.
It's feeling a lot like alchemy, finding what works. Especially as we have only a few of the same products available in Europe which do not including some of the faves for those in the US. This place has offered me invaluable information through the experiences of others nonetheless.
I don't know if someone has brought it up before or if this is common knowledge. In any case, I have seen a few mentions of bags with odors and while I hadn't really experienced this before, the most recent bag I got seemed to come from a smoker.
I looked up what could help with that and I came up with two options that I've now both tried.
The first is to take a small container, preferably one that is stable enough that it won't tip over when you place it inside the bag. You put baking soda inside the container and then you leave it inside the bag for at least a whole 24 hours, preferably longer.
Verdict: It works. At the beginning the bag smelled the same both inside and out. It's been two days and the inside of the bag only has a very faint trace of the smell, while I can still detect the smell on the outside of the bag.
The second option, which is supposedly more potent is to use active charcoal in the same way. I'm testing it out currently in hopes that it will get rid of it completely. I basically just took charcoal tablets I had at home and crushed them in a mortar and put them in a little tin I left open inside the bag.
I'm not sure how effective it will be, but the suggestion is to leave it inside or near the bag. The latter then, I guess, might work to remove some of the odor from the outside of the bag as well. Although I've not yet tried that out.
I looked up what could help with that and I came up with two options that I've now both tried.
The first is to take a small container, preferably one that is stable enough that it won't tip over when you place it inside the bag. You put baking soda inside the container and then you leave it inside the bag for at least a whole 24 hours, preferably longer.
Verdict: It works. At the beginning the bag smelled the same both inside and out. It's been two days and the inside of the bag only has a very faint trace of the smell, while I can still detect the smell on the outside of the bag.
The second option, which is supposedly more potent is to use active charcoal in the same way. I'm testing it out currently in hopes that it will get rid of it completely. I basically just took charcoal tablets I had at home and crushed them in a mortar and put them in a little tin I left open inside the bag.
I'm not sure how effective it will be, but the suggestion is to leave it inside or near the bag. The latter then, I guess, might work to remove some of the odor from the outside of the bag as well. Although I've not yet tried that out.
These are beautiful. Can’t wait to see finished products!
One piece of advice with a white bag - sometimes things you think are stains are the natural leather color showing through the white and scrubbing will make them worse. Zit cream lightens stains but doesn't work on worn spots. If this is the case, paint or dye is the only solution.
To your point, white Ergo Tote coming along nicely and now I’m at a crossroad. Pics below, 90% dry. Having located the catalog pic (included here with all acknowledgement and credit to Coach) I think the color is actually in really good shape, not yellowed. And interior leather is ‘aaaalmost’ identical to exterior. She’s looking great. Here and there there are some tiny grey dings and scuffs. Only noticeable on close inspection. I’m debating whether to (a) try to touch up, (b) light full color refresh or (c) not let perfect be the enemy of very good. And, if I do go with A or B, I’m deciding between these options to color mix: (1) saphir tube renovatrice plus CPR or (2) Wood N Stuff Leather Restorer.
Votes on all of the above very welcome!
ETA a before photo from earlier post, for ref.
Attachments
You could try to live with it for awhile and see how you feel before deciding to recolor. I'd recommend touch up over full color refresh but it depends on how well you can color match. You can mix wood n stuff with CPR or another conditioner too. I kind of prefer to mix with a thinner conditioner. I've never used saphir renovatrice but I have used wood n stuff many times. If you do buy it, just buy the small sample size. It should be plenty if you are either touching up or going to mix with conditioner.
This would be my first color matching. I’m decent with colors and tones but I’m sure it would still be a challenge. Also, this style has contrast stitching and black edging….
Time to rehab this beauty, which has been sitting on my rehab pile for over 2 years. (I forgot I had it!) This was and is the most expensive Coach bag I've ever purchased.
For standard size turnlock replacements, I use Buckleguy. https://www.buckleguy.com/3016-natural-brass-turn-lock-solid-brass-ll-four-piece-set/ You'll have to see if your turnlock is an unusual size, he may have something in different sizes as well.
Hi everyone,
I recently brought in a bag to my Coach store to have a stain on the leather removed. I believe they used the Coach cleaner and conditioner on it. After doing some research, I was reading that it’s actually not a good idea to use the Coach conditioner because of the silicone?
I just noticed what an amazing job it did, but if it’s harmful for the bag in the long run, I can just purchase Apple conditioner.
They also mentioned lifetime leather cleanings, so if the conditioner was harmful, I’m confused why they wouldn’t change the formula
Any insight would be appreciated, thanks
I recently brought in a bag to my Coach store to have a stain on the leather removed. I believe they used the Coach cleaner and conditioner on it. After doing some research, I was reading that it’s actually not a good idea to use the Coach conditioner because of the silicone?
I just noticed what an amazing job it did, but if it’s harmful for the bag in the long run, I can just purchase Apple conditioner.
They also mentioned lifetime leather cleanings, so if the conditioner was harmful, I’m confused why they wouldn’t change the formula
Any insight would be appreciated, thanks
I think your bag might have antique brass hardware rather than regular brass, which is brighter.
It probably gives the leather a nice sheen and probably some water protection. It's probably drying in the long run. Once or twice probably won't harm it.Hi everyone,
I recently brought in a bag to my Coach store to have a stain on the leather removed. I believe they used the Coach cleaner and conditioner on it. After doing some research, I was reading that it’s actually not a good idea to use the Coach conditioner because of the silicone?
I just noticed what an amazing job it did, but if it’s harmful for the bag in the long run, I can just purchase Apple conditioner.
They also mentioned lifetime leather cleanings, so if the conditioner was harmful, I’m confused why they wouldn’t change the formula
Any insight would be appreciated, thanks
Thank you for the insight! I was too embarrassed to ask in the store, being like hey, online forums say your conditioner harms bags lol. I bought a bottle of the conditioner about a month ago before I knew about the silicones. Their leather cleaner though worked amazing at removing a stain on the honey natural leather