Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[katev]

Here are the After pictures of the blush-colored MFF Ava Tote F57526 (2017) that my friend asked me to try and rehab for her Aunt. The bag was badly soiled and required multiple washes, but the cross-grain leather held up very well.

I gave the bag two sink baths with Dawn and scrubbed it hard, inside and out, but it was still dirty. So, I turned the bag inside-out and put it into a net laundry bag and ran it through 2 cycles of the clothes washer! It came out looking much better but the lining was still badly stained, so I dunked it in the sink again and used Dawn and stiff brushes to scrub the lining. I think it looks much better but the lining still has a lot of stains; but at least I can guarantee that it's clean!

I stuffed the bag with towels to shape it and let it dry. Then I trimmed the frayed spots on the handles and used fabric glue to mend them. Next, I used Leather CPR to moisurize the bag. Then I used acryllic paint to touch-up the damaged handles and the worn corners on the bottom of the bag. The blush color was very hard to match, so I finally made a mixture of white and fawn paint with a touch of pink paint, and I think that it is a pretty good match. Finally, I used Cape Cod cloths to brighten the hardware.

I think that my friend's Aunt will be able to wear this bag again because the outside looks good IMO, but the inside is still stained, especially the bottom, but this was the best that I could do!

 

[squeakyrose]

Here are the After pictures of the blush-colored MFF Ava Tote F57526 (2017) that my friend asked me to try and rehab for her Aunt. The bag was badly soiled and required multiple washes, but the cross-grain leather held up very well.

I gave the bag two sink baths with Dawn and scrubbed it hard, inside and out, but it was still dirty. So, I turned the bag inside-out and put it into a net laundry bag and ran it through 2 cycles of the clothes washer! It came out looking much better but the lining was still badly stained, so I dunked it in the sink again and used Dawn and stiff brushes to scrub the lining. I think it looks much better but the lining still has a lot of stains; but at least I can guarantee that it's clean!

I stuffed the bag with towels to shape it and let it dry. Then I trimmed the frayed spots on the handles and used fabric glue to mend them. Next, I used Leather CPR to moisurize the bag. Then I used acryllic paint to touch-up the damaged handles and the worn corners on the bottom of the bag. The blush color was very hard to match, so I finally made a mixture of white and fawn paint with a touch of pink paint, and I think that it is a pretty good match. Finally, I used Cape Cod cloths to brighten the hardware.

I think that my friend's Aunt will be able to wear this bag again because the outside looks good IMO, but the inside is still stained, especially the bottom, but this was the best that I could do!

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A marvelous job on an uphill battle. Also, you’ve given me more courage to wash multiple times. I’ve rewashed a couple of bags now but for some reason it always makes me nervous. Can I ask what product you used in the washer? The LT wash? What a wonderful labor of love! 💕

 

[katev]

A marvelous job on an uphill battle. Also, you’ve given me more courage to wash multiple times. I’ve rewashed a couple of bags now but for some reason it always makes me nervous. Can I ask what product you used in the washer? The LT wash? What a wonderful labor of love! 💕

Thank you! I just used Tide laundry soap to machine wash this bag, but I have used Leather Therapy's laundry products to machine wash a few other bags.

https://www.amazon.com/Young-Leather-Therapy-Laundry-Solution/dp/B079G6KJCP

I just corrected my post above, I used Tide Laundry Soap to machine-wash the blush Ava Tote!

 

[squeakyrose]

I don’t have this cute Beaumont in hand yet, and it was a bit of a risk so fingers and toes crossed. But in the meantime I thought I’d toss out a poll for anyone interested in weighing in. Fave ways to clean up darkened handles on regular glove-tanned leather? 🧐

 

[squeakyrose]

Thank you! I just used Tide laundry soap to machine wash this bag, but I have used Leather Therapy's laundry products to machine wash a few other bags.

https://www.amazon.com/Young-Leather-Therapy-Laundry-Solution/dp/B079G6KJCP

I just corrected my post above, I used Tide Laundry Soap to machine-wash the blush Ava Tote!

Lol, I was thinking to myself how have I missed that there’s a Downy soap. You were not messing around using Tide!

 

[katev]

Lol, I was thinking to myself how have I missed that there’s a Downy soap. You were not messing around using Tide!

No kidding! I thought about using the LT products, but the bag was just too dirty so I used Tide. The first time I laundered it, I used the “Delicate” cycle but that didn’t do much good; so I picked the regular cycle for the next trip through the washer. That poor bag has sure been through a lot!

It seems that the Ava Tote has been a popular MFF bag style for a long time and Coach has made it in many colors and materials; here is a picture of some versions of Ava bags.

It's too bad that the hangtag is missing on the blush bag but my friend is going to ask her Aunt about it, she might still have it.

 

[katev]

I don’t have this cute Beaumont in hand yet, and it was a bit of a risk so fingers and toes crossed. But in the meantime I thought I’d toss out a poll for anyone interested in weighing in. Fave ways to clean up darkened handles on regular glove-tanned leather? 🧐

I don't have a solution, but I have noticed that after I dunk and moisturize vintage bags that have darkened handles, the body of the bag often gets a little darker and richer and the final color may be a better match for the handles; good luck!

 

[whateve]

I don’t have this cute Beaumont in hand yet, and it was a bit of a risk so fingers and toes crossed. But in the meantime I thought I’d toss out a poll for anyone interested in weighing in. Fave ways to clean up darkened handles on regular glove-tanned leather? 🧐

I've used vinegar. Sometimes there is actually gunk you can gently scrape off.

 

[squeakyrose]

I've used vinegar. Sometimes there is actually gunk you can gently scrape off.

Gross, but thank you. 😂

 

[squeakyrose]

I could use some help with something some of you are so great at, but I haven’t attempted yet.

I think my stepmom would like this black 2014 Edie. It’s in very nice shape except it needs a good wash and the handles have a few chewed (not literally) spots where the sealed edge is gone. See pic.

I’m looking for the fast and easy approach to the straps ‘cause we’re headed to visit in 5 days. I’ve done a deep dive in the archives but I now have analysis paralysis. How would you approach the strap repair? All suggestions appreciated! 🙏

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

I could use some help with something some of you are so great at, but I haven’t attempted yet.

I think my stepmom would like this black 2014 Edie. It’s in very nice shape except it needs a good wash and the handles have a few chewed (not literally) spots where the sealed edge is gone. See pic.

I’m looking for the fast and easy approach to the straps ‘cause we’re headed to visit in 5 days. I’ve done a deep dive in the archives but I now have analysis paralysis. How would you approach the strap repair? All suggestions appreciated! 🙏

Edgekote https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Leather-Paint-Black-Total/dp/B0D7KGGMH1 is perfect for the strap sides. You can either 1) remove ALL the current broken frayed edge coating on the strap. And then sandpaper it smooth. And then apply the edgekote product. MULTIPLE applications. Letting dry between each. Or 2) sand the area and only apply edgekote where the actual edging is missing. This is what I usually do. A more professional look would be to remove all of it. I use this tool for applying edgekote: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H3JJMXZ?th=1 Or, when I'm in a hurry, my fingertip. I leave some Edgekote product in the lid, and rub my finger in it, and smooth my finger along the purse edges. It's kind of liquid-y, so it might take like 10 applications!

If you have edgekote on hand, great! Michael's craft store also sells it. I'd just smooth the missing edge next to the existing edges, and use my finger to apply it. Let it dry between applications, maybe 15 minutes, maybe an hour. And another coat. And another. If the area wasn't smooth to start, you get uneven surfaces and bumps. When this happened, I've sanded ON TOP of the edgekote applications to smooth it some, or trimmed with a fingernail scissors, and then more applications. Basically, you just work it until you like how it looks.

 

[whateve]

I could use some help with something some of you are so great at, but I haven’t attempted yet.

I think my stepmom would like this black 2014 Edie. It’s in very nice shape except it needs a good wash and the handles have a few chewed (not literally) spots where the sealed edge is gone. See pic.

I’m looking for the fast and easy approach to the straps ‘cause we’re headed to visit in 5 days. I’ve done a deep dive in the archives but I now have analysis paralysis. How would you approach the strap repair? All suggestions appreciated! 🙏

Absolute fastest and easiest way to repair strap edges is with fabric puff paint. You only need one coat. The hardest part is the transition to where the edging is still intact.

 

[squeakyrose]

Edgekote https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Leather-Paint-Black-Total/dp/B0D7KGGMH1 is perfect for the strap sides. You can either 1) remove ALL the current broken frayed edge coating on the strap. And then sandpaper it smooth. And then apply the edgekote product. MULTIPLE applications. Letting dry between each. Or 2) sand the area and only apply edgekote where the actual edging is missing. This is what I usually do. A more professional look would be to remove all of it. I use this tool for applying edgekote: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H3JJMXZ?th=1 Or, when I'm in a hurry, my fingertip. I leave some Edgekote product in the lid, and rub my finger in it, and smooth my finger along the purse edges. It's kind of liquid-y, so it might take like 10 applications!

If you have edgekote on hand, great! Michael's craft store also sells it. I'd just smooth the missing edge next to the existing edges, and use my finger to apply it. Let it dry between applications, maybe 15 minutes, maybe an hour. And another coat. And another. If the area wasn't smooth to start, you get uneven surfaces and bumps. When this happened, I've sanded ON TOP of the edgekote applications to smooth it some, or trimmed with a fingernail scissors, and then more applications. Basically, you just work it until you like how it looks.

Thank you so much for walking me through it and the sources! I haven’t tried Edgekote, have been a little daunted by some of the ‘reviews’ here in the forum. But with your detailed directions I think I’m game. I will definitely go with option 2.

 

[squeakyrose]

Absolute fastest and easiest way to repair strap edges is with fabric puff paint. You only need one coat. The hardest part is the transition to where the edging is still intact.

I thought this might be your recommendation - thank you! I’ve never used puff paint (for anything). Do you use a particular tool to apply it?

I have several bags in queue that need strap edge repair. Been putting them off. Now I’m intrigued to try both methods.

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Thank you so much for walking me through it and the sources! I haven’t tried Edgekote, have been a little daunted by some of the ‘reviews’ here in the forum. But with your detailed directions I think I’m game. I will definitely go with option 2.

I think Edgekote is really a fantastic product. I've worked some bags to the point you can't tell the edge was ever damaged. I even use it on rips---after the filler material on a black bag. Filler material (its white), then coated with black edgekote to cover and seal it all, and then black leather dye on top to remove shine. I like how it turned out!