Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Tilis]

No I don’t think you’ve lost your sense of adventure! If you’re like me you’re more selective in your adventures. That’s how I feel. If I didn’t have a rehab pile and for $10 at a flea market I might. The style is not for me so I would end up gifting it if it improved or donating it if it didn’t.

Love the creativity!!!

I’m not surprised. A lot of people lurk this forum and will snatch up anything posted or authenticated

If Connie is not about to tackle it, I would not even think of buying that bag

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Working on multiple bags at once. Dug this one out of the rehab pile. This bag is "wow!" Probably the largest Coach bag I've ever worked on. Really nice condition, too! Carrier 9800. Authenticated by Hyacinth.

 

[Narnanz]

*sigh*...I miss @Hyacinth!!

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

*sigh*...I miss @Hyacinth!!

Me, too. In 4 days, it will be one year since she posted.

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Cleaning up this ergo compartment bucket. Cool bag, #9047. Question for the hive mind: what to do (if anything) about the scratch on the front bottom area? Should I try to fill/smooth it with angelus filler? So far, the bag has only received leather CPR.

 

[katev]

Cleaning up this ergo compartment bucket. Cool bag, #9047. Question for the hive mind: what to do (if anything) about the scratch on the front bottom area? Should I try to fill/smooth it with angelus filler? So far, the bag has only received leather CPR.

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I usally try to smooth is down, and maybe sand it lightly. Depending on how extensive the scratch is, I may apply fabric glue and/or try to build up layers of acyllic paint to disguise the blemish. Some leather supply companies, like Angelus sell leather fillers but I have never tried using them.

If it is a significant flaw and a valuable bag, another option to to ask a leather professional to repair the damage. I don't do this often because I would rather try to rehab the bag myself, but occassionally it is worth to cost to get it professionally fixed.

The link below is for a mahogany Patricia was badly ripped and damaged. It also had a stained, damaged area. I brought it to a professional shoe/leather repair that I trusted and he did a great job and I think it was worth it!

Post in thread 'A Tale of 2 Patricias - Double Rehab Reveal!'

Jul 29, 2012

Here are some pics of the damage to the mahagony PL. The leather of the flap had ripped away from the back of the bag. Also, it had a nasty white stain on the front that had damaged the leather.

I was planning to try and fix the stain myself, but I had to take the bag to the cobbler to have the stitching repaired. While I was there I asked about the stain and he told me that he could clean and smooth the area and spot-dye it to make the damage much less visible.

I decided to let him fix both problems and he charged a total of $28 for the repair so my total investment in this bag is...

• katev

• 

 

[Joanna E]

Cleaning up this ergo compartment bucket. Cool bag, #9047. Question for the hive mind: what to do (if anything) about the scratch on the front bottom area? Should I try to fill/smooth it with angelus filler? So far, the bag has only received leather CPR.

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Hey, I just finished cleaning up a mahogany version of these purse!

As for your question, if it’s just a surface scratch, I’d consider leaving it as is. The couple of times I’ve used filler, I haven’t been able to get the paint coverage just right to “hide” the repair, making it stand out even more. My steps were to mix Angelus filler with Fiebings black leather paint to get it to a dark gray, instead of white. Unfortunately, no matter how many times I’ve tried sanding and painting over the filler, the paint just isn’t covering it as well as hoped.

 

[chowlover2]

I have heard Chamberlain’s Leather Milk is excellent for scratches. I have never used it, but word of mouth is good. Has anyone here used it?

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Hey, I just finished cleaning up a mahogany version of these purse!

As for your question, if it’s just a surface scratch, I’d consider leaving it as is. The couple of times I’ve used filler, I haven’t been able to get the paint coverage just right to “hide” the repair, making it stand out even more. My steps were to mix Angelus filler with Fiebings black leather paint to get it to a dark gray, instead of white. Unfortunately, no matter how many times I’ve tried sanding and painting over the filler, the paint just isn’t covering it as well as hoped.

I'm taking your advice. I used a little black leather dye mixed with CPR over the spot, and that REALLY minimized the appearance of it. I'm calling it good.

 

[Joanna E]

I'm taking your advice. I used a little black leather dye mixed with CPR over the spot, and that REALLY minimized the appearance of it. I'm calling it good.

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That's awesome!

 

[whateve]

I have heard Chamberlain’s Leather Milk is excellent for scratches. I have never used it, but word of mouth is good. Has anyone here used it?

I bought it back in 2021 and have no memory of using it. I think it is similar to other waxy conditioners like Blackrock.

 

[Aurora-B]

I just bought leather filler and was considering mixing it with color-matched acrylic paint for the first step on piping issues. I then thought I would mix the paint with conditioner to blend. Does that seem like an OK approach. Maybe it’s overkill, but I’m stuck worrying about messing up my bags with exposed piping issues. Especially my bags that are not black.

 

[whateve]

I just bought leather filler and was considering mixing it with color-matched acrylic paint for the first step on piping issues. I then thought I would mix the paint with conditioner to blend. Does that seem like an OK approach. Maybe it’s overkill, but I’m stuck worrying about messing up my bags with exposed piping issues. Especially my bags that are not black.

I think repairing piping is way easier than repairing a hole in the flat part of the bag. Repairs aren't as noticeable on the piping.

 

[Aurora-B]

I think repairing piping is way easier than repairing a hole in the flat part of the bag. Repairs aren't as noticeable on the piping.

Thank you for this. It makes me feel better about trying something on my inexpensive thrifted coach. Of course it’s red, the most difficult of colors.

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

New project. I'm in love with this two-tone aging of leather. I don't think it's "officially" a spectator, but it looks cool. I think this is a classic pouch, made in New York City. LOVE IT, and can't want to work on it. Has rips in the piping.

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Working on the bottom piping rips. Progress pic. I used Angelus leather filler, topped with brown & black edgekote mixture, topped with brown & black mixed leather dye.

PS: I didn't dunk this bag, because the leather is soft like butter and I didn't want to stiffen it up!