Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Lake Effect]

Unless someone suggests something different, I think I’m going to invest in the Geist gel for this bag. It seems to get good feedback from car restorers recoloring contrast stitched leather interiors. Might take awhile to get it but will share experience. It’s pricey so may not turn out to be great routine tool.

No suggestions here; will be looking for your results! I like the top stitching on the Bleeker family, 93xx. I have the bigger basket style in Navy and the Tote. The large tote is black and the most worn black vintage bag I have ever seen. I lean toward using us the last of some Juvacuir in black, if it hasn’t dried up and applying around the stitching. It is storing bottles of rehab products!

 

[Lake Effect]

You’ve brought this bag back to life! Truly an amazing job. These burgundy beauties are special 😍

Yes. I have a burg Companion bag in my pile somewhere. And I saw your recent burgundy score too. Fabulous!

So interesting the way that ink showed up on camera.

The flash caught it at the right angle. I have caught it too on occasion with bright natural light. I like the veining it caught, about the slip pocket.

 

[maevari]

Hi all! Any suggestions for recoloring without wiping out the contrast stitching?

I’ve mined the archival posts but it seems like trying to preserve may be a lost cause. So I’m thinking about trying scotchguard applied to the thread with a toothpick first, to see if I get a little protection from bleed and shaky hands. Also considered sno seal / beeswax applied the same way but abandoned it bc of the heating involved and probability of the wax bleeding the other way onto the leather. If I was dealing with less stitching I might have tried that for curiosity.

I’ve also seen a “masking” product used this way and then rubbed off the stitching (I have to re-find the name). But it looked crazy labor intensive. Has anyone used a product like that? ETA: Geist Easy Masking Gel or Letech Masking Fluid?

Thanks!

The only thing I that comes to mind that could work is also some masking agent. I have used a few different kinds with different types of paint. There was this gel-like one (I think it was called Gutta) that I used for painting silk, but it doesn't dry into a solid barrier. It can only be used with very thin and runny paint formulas. There was another though, a masking fluid that dryed into this rubbery thing that you could pull off. That was a long time ago though, so I would suggest running a search with something like 'masking fluid', 'masking silicone', 'masking gel' etc. It will be labor intensive, no doubt about that. But there probably isn't a better way.

 

[squeakyrose]

The only thing I that comes to mind that could work is also some masking agent. I have used a few different kinds with different types of paint. There was this gel-like one (I think it was called Gutta) that I used for painting silk, but it doesn't dry into a solid barrier. It can only be used with very thin and runny paint formulas. There was another though, a masking fluid that dryed into this rubbery thing that you could pull off. That was a long time ago though, so I would suggest running a search with something like 'masking fluid', 'masking silicone', 'masking gel' etc. It will be labor intensive, no doubt about that. But there probably isn't a better way.

Thanks! Could the rubbery string have been Geist masking gel? As between the two I’ve seen, that one looks easiest to use and pulls off like that. The LeTech fluid gets a lot of airtime but it looks like a pain (at half the price however).

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Another rehab done. All this guy needed was leather cpr.

 

[jnehama]

I have been cleaning out my closets and found an old Coach bag which from the serial number is a 1998 Leather Bleeker Basket tote bag. It is completely sound structurally but is extremely scuffed (see pictures). I've read about cleaning and conditioning but I have a feeling this needs more than that. Suggestions for process and products would be highly appreciated. This would be my first rehab but it is a bag with sentimental attachment. Thanks

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Another rehab done. All this guy needed was leather cpr.

View attachment 6184355View attachment 6184357View attachment 6184356

I just realized the back there looks like there's some kind of mark, and there really isn't. Here's another picture of the back.

 

[Aurora-B]

I just realized the back there looks like there's some kind of mark, and there really isn't. Here's another picture of the back.

View attachment 6184447

Wow! You did an amazing job.

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

I have been cleaning out my closets and found an old Coach bag which from the serial number is a 1998 Leather Bleeker Basket tote bag. It is completely sound structurally but is extremely scuffed (see pictures). I've read about cleaning and conditioning but I have a feeling this needs more than that. Suggestions for process and products would be highly appreciated. This would be my first rehab but it is a bag with sentimental attachment. Thanks

It's gorgeous. And will look beautiful after you love on it.

Now, a rambling discourse on process: Everybody kind of does their own thing and uses different products, but there's a basic core set of actions. Dunk/soak/swish around the bag in soapy water in a sink with dishwashing soap. (People here like dawn.) Scrub as needed--I use a toothbrush. Rinse in clean water with white vinegar added (kills mold). Wipe down with a towel. Shape with your hands and stuff bag to reshape. I use bubble wrap and towels to stuff and reshape. Use Leather CPR while still damp (pretty universally recognized here as the best product to use). Follow directions on bottle. Let dry, change towels, etc. I let it dry and then use more go-rounds of leather CPR, with a day or so between application--depending on how dried out the bag is. Your bag, I would touch it up with brown leather dye on the scrape areas--I use Kiwi leather dye (not polish). Finish with a product called Blackrock Leather 'n rich. Buff wildly. Polish the zipper or any brass (I use brasso, and do this as a last step). Some people polish the brass first, in case they spilled any which needs to be removed from the leather. Carry the bag proudly.

Other repairs may or may not be needed. I use Angeles leather filler for rips and edgekote for cracked or missing pieces of edgings. I like Aileen's leather glue as well for glueing. When something needs resewing, like reattaching straps, I turn that over to a professional cobbler or leather worker. PS: some people (I don't know why), prefer saddle soap to dunking, and are afraid of getting the cow wet.

 

[whateve]

I have been cleaning out my closets and found an old Coach bag which from the serial number is a 1998 Leather Bleeker Basket tote bag. It is completely sound structurally but is extremely scuffed (see pictures). I've read about cleaning and conditioning but I have a feeling this needs more than that. Suggestions for process and products would be highly appreciated. This would be my first rehab but it is a bag with sentimental attachment. Thanks

Giving a bath to a lined bag is trickier than unlined but can be done and will greatly improve your bag. I think there is a chance that with a bath and the right conditioners you won't need any dye. Soak in warm soapy water. Be careful about scrubbing too hard as it can scratch the leather. Rinse thoroughly. After removing from the water, pull the lining out completely and use a towel to soak up as much of the excess water as you can. Creeds on lined bags can absorb water, making them hard to read if you don't dry them quickly. You may want to hit the creed with a hairdryer to speed up the drying. Once the lining is nearly dry, you can push it back inside the bag and stuff the bag with towels so the leather will dry in the correct shape. This is when you want to get rid of any wrinkles. If you are drying it on its side, you might want to put the bottom edge against something flat to it doesn't bulge. Some people use different things to help them get the correct drying shape. Change the bag's drying position as needed so all parts can dry. Start conditioning before it is completely dry. I also recommend Leather CPR. Do several coats over several days. Blackrock Leather n Rich as the final conditioning step when the bag is nearly done.

After everything is done, if you still feel it needs color, I find the easiest way is to use a tiny amount of acrylic craft paint or fabric puff paint mixed with conditioner.

 

[jnehama]

Giving a bath to a lined bag is trickier than unlined but can be done and will greatly improve your bag. I think there is a chance that with a bath and the right conditioners you won't need any dye. Soak in warm soapy water. Be careful about scrubbing too hard as it can scratch the leather. Rinse thoroughly. After removing from the water, pull the lining out completely and use a towel to soak up as much of the excess water as you can. Creeds on lined bags can absorb water, making them hard to read if you don't dry them quickly. You may want to hit the creed with a hairdryer to speed up the drying. Once the lining is nearly dry, you can push it back inside the bag and stuff the bag with towels so the leather will dry in the correct shape. This is when you want to get rid of any wrinkles. If you are drying it on its side, you might want to put the bottom edge against something flat to it doesn't bulge. Some people use different things to help them get the correct drying shape. Change the bag's drying position as needed so all parts can dry. Start conditioning before it is completely dry. I also recommend Leather CPR. Do several coats over several days. Blackrock Leather n Rich as the final conditioning step when the bag is nearly done.

After everything is done, if you still feel it needs color, I find the easiest way is to use a tiny amount of acrylic craft paint or fabric puff paint mixed with conditioner.

Thank you very much

 

[jnehama]

It's gorgeous. And will look beautiful after you love on it.

Now, a rambling discourse on process: Everybody kind of does their own thing and uses different products, but there's a basic core set of actions. Dunk/soak/swish around the bag in soapy water in a sink with dishwashing soap. (People here like dawn.) Scrub as needed--I use a toothbrush. Rinse in clean water with white vinegar added (kills mold). Wipe down with a towel. Shape with your hands and stuff bag to reshape. I use bubble wrap and towels to stuff and reshape. Use Leather CPR while still damp (pretty universally recognized here as the best product to use). Follow directions on bottle. Let dry, change towels, etc. I let it dry and then use more go-rounds of leather CPR, with a day or so between application--depending on how dried out the bag is. Your bag, I would touch it up with brown leather dye on the scrape areas--I use Kiwi leather dye (not polish). Finish with a product called Blackrock Leather 'n rich. Buff wildly. Polish the zipper or any brass (I use brasso, and do this as a last step). Some people polish the brass first, in case they spilled any which needs to be removed from the leather. Carry the bag proudly.

Other repairs may or may not be needed. I use Angeles leather filler for rips and edgekote for cracked or missing pieces of edgings. I like Aileen's leather glue as well for glueing. When something needs resewing, like reattaching straps, I turn that over to a professional cobbler or leather worker. PS: some people (I don't know why), prefer saddle soap to dunking, and are afraid of getting the cow wet.

Thank you for all your input. Fortunately it is structurally intact except the tag separated which I assume some leather glue should take care of. It is an important bag for me, a gift from people important to me and one of my first special bags.

 

[Lake Effect]

I have been cleaning out my closets and found an old Coach bag which from the serial number is a 1998 Leather Bleeker Basket tote bag. It is completely sound structurally but is extremely scuffed (see pictures). I've read about cleaning and conditioning but I have a feeling this needs more than that. Suggestions for process and products would be highly appreciated. This would be my first rehab but it is a bag with sentimental attachment. Thanks

It's gorgeous. And will look beautiful after you love on it.

Now, a rambling discourse on process: Everybody kind of does their own thing and uses different products, but there's a basic core set of actions. Dunk/soak/swish around the bag in soapy water in a sink with dishwashing soap. (People here like dawn.) Scrub as needed--I use a toothbrush. Rinse in clean water with white vinegar added (kills mold). Wipe down with a towel. Shape with your hands and stuff bag to reshape. I use bubble wrap and towels to stuff and reshape. Use Leather CPR while still damp (pretty universally recognized here as the best product to use). Follow directions on bottle. Let dry, change towels, etc. I let it dry and then use more go-rounds of leather CPR, with a day or so between application--depending on how dried out the bag is. Your bag, I would touch it up with brown leather dye on the scrape areas--I use Kiwi leather dye (not polish). Finish with a product called Blackrock Leather 'n rich. Buff wildly. Polish the zipper or any brass (I use brasso, and do this as a last step). Some people polish the brass first, in case they spilled any which needs to be removed from the leather. Carry the bag proudly.

Other repairs may or may not be needed. I use Angeles leather filler for rips and edgekote for cracked or missing pieces of edgings. I like Aileen's leather glue as well for glueing. When something needs resewing, like reattaching straps, I turn that over to a professional cobbler or leather worker. PS: some people (I don't know why), prefer saddle soap to dunking, and are afraid of getting the cow wet.

Giving a bath to a lined bag is trickier than unlined but can be done and will greatly improve your bag. I think there is a chance that with a bath and the right conditioners you won't need any dye. Soak in warm soapy water. Be careful about scrubbing too hard as it can scratch the leather. Rinse thoroughly. After removing from the water, pull the lining out completely and use a towel to soak up as much of the excess water as you can. Creeds on lined bags can absorb water, making them hard to read if you don't dry them quickly. You may want to hit the creed with a hairdryer to speed up the drying. Once the lining is nearly dry, you can push it back inside the bag and stuff the bag with towels so the leather will dry in the correct shape. This is when you want to get rid of any wrinkles. If you are drying it on its side, you might want to put the bottom edge against something flat to it doesn't bulge. Some people use different things to help them get the correct drying shape. Change the bag's drying position as needed so all parts can dry. Start conditioning before it is completely dry. I also recommend Leather CPR. Do several coats over several days. Blackrock Leather n Rich as the final conditioning step when the bag is nearly done.

After everything is done, if you still feel it needs color, I find the easiest way is to use a tiny amount of acrylic craft paint or fabric puff paint mixed with conditioner.

Hi and welcome I would approach with a few minor variations but don’t want to bog you down as what Connie and whateve suggested is quite solid. What I will say is that this style has a place in my vintage loving ❤️! I will add that I dunked one in navy, at least one in black (had 2, don’t recall if I dunked the 2nd) and a camel (stunning rehab failure!). I had no issue with the lining for dunking (full submersion in water) and drying for any of them.
Best of luck with this refurbishing.

 

[jnehama]

Hi and welcome I would approach with a few minor variations but don’t want to bog you down as what Connie and whateve suggested is quite solid. What I will say is that this style has a place in my vintage loving ❤️! I will add that I dunked one in navy, at least one in black (had 2, don’t recall if I dunked the 2nd) and a camel (stunning rehab failure!). I had no issue with the lining for dunking (full submersion in water) and drying for any of them.
Best of luck with this refurbishing.

Thanks. I'm going to give it my best shot. As you can see from the wear it gave a lot of service!

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Thanks. I'm going to give it my best shot. As you can see from the wear it gave a lot of service!

Please share photos of your progress!