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 welcomeI 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.
Great bag for rehab and advice from Connie, whateve and Lake Effect. I've never tried Brasso (I'd probably make a messThanks. I'm going to give it my best shot. As you can see from the wear it gave a lot of service!

Good luck - looking forward to seeing photos!