Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#44,851
I'm looking for suggestions for improving this Pocket Bag. I purchased it new in the late '80's and, as you can see, it was much loved and much used. I'd like to reshape it, but I'm a bit leery of dunking; will the differential wear produce more color variation? Also, any tips for conditioners? It is very dry, almost velvety, on the flap.

I've done some work I've been happy with on other bags, but have been holding this one back due to my emotional attachment to it.

I think I'm ready now, but will really appreciate any recommendations!

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#44,853
ConnieinSeattle said:
Just a comment on finding great bags to rehab: look for the squished, poorly photographed bags with bad descriptions. The gem is lying in wait. I got this Lula's Legacy (looks to be in GREAT condition) for $40. All it probably needs is reshaping. :)

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That looks great. Thank you for sharing this tip. I’ve also found that poor descriptions can lead to nice bargains. There is some risk, but you never know when you might find a gem.
 
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#44,854
Aurora-B said:
That looks great. Thank you for sharing this tip. I’ve also found that poor descriptions can lead to nice bargains. There is some risk, but you never know when you might find a gem.
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People who are in a hurry to sell and don't really know or love Coach and don't want to take the time to identify or make pretty (even some newspaper crumpled in the bag would have made it puff out and look better!) use very vague descriptions. Seller called this bag: Coach Medium Black Leather Shoulder Bag.
 
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#44,860
Just picked up my first vintage red bag for rehab. Any special tips for working with this color? I usually dunk but am thinking of just starting with saddle soap.
 

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#44,861
rx4coach said:
I'm looking for suggestions for improving this Pocket Bag. I purchased it new in the late '80's and, as you can see, it was much loved and much used. I'd like to reshape it, but I'm a bit leery of dunking; will the differential wear produce more color variation? Also, any tips for conditioners? It is very dry, almost velvety, on the flap.

I've done some work I've been happy with on other bags, but have been holding this one back due to my emotional attachment to it.

I think I'm ready now, but will really appreciate any recommendations!

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This looks like BT, my vintage go to :heart:. And I love a Pocket bag! Dunking the bag and using deep conditioners will deepen the color for sure. I have found over time and use, worn BT bags that have been rehabbed will lighten a bit with use. Dunking/conditioning will even out some to most of wear on the bottom of the gusset piece.
Let me find the posts on my Letter Brief; that may be as close I can get to comparing apples to apples.

I have not used saddle soap yet (it is on my to-do list) and people show amazing results.
 
#44,862
Lake Effect said:
Very happy to be finally posting a complete rehab! At the beginning of February, I felt lucky to find a NYC Letter Brief, very worn, but no crazy stains (thank you previous owner for minding your pens!!!) for just over $70 shipped. I wanted a bag that I could rotate with my BT Bancroft.
I figured since there was so much wear/color loss on the piping I could touch it up with Saphir recolorant I have used before, so that wasn't a concern.
Here are the before pics: View attachment 4723405 View attachment 4723406
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Lake Effect said:
So after my usual routine kitchen sink wash of 20 minutes in warm water and 1/2 ounce of Lexol Cleaner and a light toothbrush scrub, 20 minutes warm water rinse with a cup of vinegar, 3-4 apps of CPR with buffing in between, a little polish up of the hardware with a generic jewelry cloth and an app of Renapur (sparingly applied and let it sit overnight before buffing), here it is!!!
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It stands nicely on it's own, thanks to a small can of tomato paste in the bottom while it was drying. The CPR brought back the color on the piping. I was amazed, I still am. And the Renapur just kicked it up a notch and really helped the strap. I had decided recently since I was on my dregs of Blackrock to order Renapur since it appeared to give others great results. Thanks to those who did share results, I am not disappointed. It's felt like the benefits of Blackrock kicked up a bit, with no tackiness. The leather is actually smooshy!
In fact, so many of my bags need a little spiff up and conditioning from regular use, I definitely plan to see what Renapur does for them.
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rx4coach said:
I'm looking for suggestions for improving this Pocket Bag. I purchased it new in the late '80's and, as you can see, it was much loved and much used. I'd like to reshape it, but I'm a bit leery of dunking; will the differential wear produce more color variation? Also, any tips for conditioners? It is very dry, almost velvety, on the flap.

I've done some work I've been happy with on other bags, but have been holding this one back due to my emotional attachment to it.

I think I'm ready now, but will really appreciate any recommendations!

View attachment 6205988View attachment 6205989
Click to expand...

Lake Effect said:
This looks like BT, my vintage go to :heart:. And I love a Pocket bag! Dunking the bag and using deep conditioners will deepen the color for sure. I have found over time and use, worn BT bags that have been rehabbed will lighten a bit with use. Dunking/conditioning will even out some to most of wear on the bottom of the gusset piece.
Let me find the posts on my Letter Brief; that may be as close I can get to comparing apples to apples.

I have not used saddle soap yet (it is on my to-do list) and people show amazing results.
Click to expand...
I am glad I posted what I did to bags here! I take some notes but they are not as complete!
 
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#44,863
Lake Effect said:
This looks like BT, my vintage go to :heart:. And I love a Pocket bag! Dunking the bag and using deep conditioners will deepen the color for sure. I have found over time and use, worn BT bags that have been rehabbed will lighten a bit with use. Dunking/conditioning will even out some to most of wear on the bottom of the gusset piece.
Let me find the posts on my Letter Brief; that may be as close I can get to comparing apples to apples.

I have not used saddle soap yet (it is on my to-do list) and people show amazing results.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much! I love the Letter Brief. These vintage BT bags have a glow and patina I cannot resist.
 
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