Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[ledobe]

Hi experts! This isn't really a rehab and rescue question, but more of a cleaning and pre-treatment question. Excuse me if I've posted in the wrong area, but I was hoping you could give me a little advice. I just found this Whisky wallet for $25, and in general it is in really good shape. I also just acquired a Camel Lily and matching wallet that look like they have never been used (still had the price tag inside!). I believe these are what everyone refers to as Vachetta leather (correct me if I'm wrong), and I'm a little unsure of how to clean and condition them. The Camel pieces don't really need to be cleaned, but they are so clean and so light-colored that I'm afraid to even use them without treating them in some fashion first. As far as the Whisky wallet goes, it is well used, and I tend to clean most of my used items just to get some of the surface grime off. I would also like to protect it in some way before I start using it. I have Apple Care (cleaner, conditioner and spray guard) and Leather CPR. Would any of those be appropriate to use? Would you clean and condition...just condition...just spray? Help! I'm not sure exactly what to do, and I don't want to ruin any of them! Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

Oh man that lily makes my heart go pitty-pat!

I've not used obenaufs myself, and protection is an issue so I would probably take the above advice, but I also thought I'd mention that I've used apple leather care on my vachetta bags without darkening. I'm sure it protects some also, but I mostly have used it for conditioning and softening.

Beautiful legacy stuff you have there, congrats!

 

[chowlover2]

Hi experts! This isn't really a rehab and rescue question, but more of a cleaning and pre-treatment question. Excuse me if I've posted in the wrong area, but I was hoping you could give me a little advice. I just found this Whisky wallet for $25, and in general it is in really good shape. I also just acquired a Camel Lily and matching wallet that look like they have never been used (still had the price tag inside!). I believe these are what everyone refers to as Vachetta leather (correct me if I'm wrong), and I'm a little unsure of how to clean and condition them. The Camel pieces don't really need to be cleaned, but they are so clean and so light-colored that I'm afraid to even use them without treating them in some fashion first. As far as the Whisky wallet goes, it is well used, and I tend to clean most of my used items just to get some of the surface grime off. I would also like to protect it in some way before I start using it. I have Apple Care (cleaner, conditioner and spray guard) and Leather CPR. Would any of those be appropriate to use? Would you clean and condition...just condition...just spray? Help! I'm not sure exactly what to do, and I don't want to ruin any of them! Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

Obenauf's is wonderful. I do 3 coats of Blackrock over 3 days, then 2 days where I apply the Obenauf's to waterproof the bag.

 

[GoStanford]

I'd appreciate your thoughts on an older Patricia's Legacy bag. I had it authenticated on the Authenticate thread. The serial number is H0P-9951 to give you an idea of the age. I noticed when I received it today that the underside of the strap also is lined by smooth leather, not a sueded side like I have seen in classic bags up until now. Have you ever seen that before? Thanks!

 

[Mogambo66]

Obenauf's is wonderful. I do 3 coats of Blackrock over 3 days, then 2 days where I apply the Obenauf's to waterproof the bag.

Oh man that lily makes my heart go pitty-pat!

I've not used obenaufs myself, and protection is an issue so I would probably take the above advice, but I also thought I'd mention that I've used apple leather care on my vachetta bags without darkening. I'm sure it protects some also, but I mostly have used it for conditioning and softening.

Beautiful legacy stuff you have there, congrats!

I use Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP on my vachetta leather. I have a vachetta Bridgit and the vachetta new Willis, and I used Obenauf's to protect of them. I also have a belted Ergo that is darker vachetta (I think it may be the same leather that your Whiskey wallet is) that I use Obenauf's to protect and condition.

The Obenauf's may slightly darken the leather. Vachetta naturally darkens over time anyway. (I think you run the risk of darkening the leather with anything you may apply.) My Ergo had some marks and blemishes when I used the Obenauf's on it. I applied with my fingers and rubbed it in small areas then brushed it with a horsehair brush. It looked brand new afterwards. You may want to try using Obenauf's on it and either buffing with a soft cloth or with a brush. (That is a great find for $25, by the way.)

Thanks everyone for the advice! I have ordered some Blackrock and Obenauf's and will give them a try!

 

[Fashionstar101]

Thanks Fashionstar101, whateve and Ledobe for the advice. I am definitely going to get some Coach conditioner today and will probably the the acrylic paint first to see what happens. Thanks for the info about the refinisher. Even if I don't end up needing it, I sent the link to my husband because he really needs to refinish the leather seats in the used car he just bought. Thanks again!

Great happy to hear!! Let us know how it looks when it is done! Good luck!!

 

[Fashionstar101]

Guys this is sort if a rehab question... I just got done rehabbing a bag and all I need is a hang tag! I called CS twice and both were not very nice and asked a lot of questions! Like where I bought it. My email address, phone number! Stuff I was never asked before! They also said she can't find some of the styles for the bags (requested a simple black vintage tag) I have never seen that before! They didn't like that they were vintage and wanted to make sure I bought it from the coach store! They also asked for my name and address before I told them the creeds!! I really need some tags, but I'm scared to call back! Does anyone have any tips on dealing with this? Or another way of getting tags? Please let me know! Thank you!

 

[ledobe]

Just a random rehab thought that I thought I'd share. I decided to try dunking a 65th anniversary Legacy Juniper wristlet because it looked like it had been chewed on. Maybe by a human? there was just a spot in the corner with what looked like bite marks from human molars. I figure someone's toddler got a hold of it, maybe even for a very short time because it's just a little bit bitten. Not much damage, no break in the leather, but I thought it might plump up the imprint a bit, and it couldn't hurt to clean it up, right? Also I didn't pay much for it and I figured there wasn't much to damage in a wristlet.

So, short version of the above is: I just dunked it in the sink with a little soap and boy did that juniper bleed! I've dunked a couple other legacy bags (white and pond) and for the record, the striped lining has never bled, and if the pond leather bled, it wasn't really noticeable, but the juniper actually stained the lining.

I could rinse the green out of the lining, but since the leather was still wet, it just leaked more color as soon as I got the color out.

The leather, however dried beautifully, and the lining only has a slight green tinge to it. The only reason I posted this at all was just in case someone ends up with a juniper bag that they are attached to, maybe this info will come up in a search if they decide to clean it. It might have plumped up the chewed area, not sure, but I think it's less noticeable, though it was barely noticeable to begin with.

 

[UnderTheStars]

Just got my glue cement, put it on my bag (horribly I might add), so I'm hoping this works

 

[coach943]

Guys this is sort if a rehab question... I just got done rehabbing a bag and all I need is a hang tag! I called CS twice and both were not very nice and asked a lot of questions! Like where I bought it. My email address, phone number! Stuff I was never asked before! They also said she can't find some of the styles for the bags (requested a simple black vintage tag) I have never seen that before! They didn't like that they were vintage and wanted to make sure I bought it from the coach store! They also asked for my name and address before I told them the creeds!! I really need some tags, but I'm scared to call back! Does anyone have any tips on dealing with this? Or another way of getting tags? Please let me know! Thank you!

If you are close to an outlet, I would recommend checking there to see if they have any extras that have fallen off bags that they can give you. A full price store may also have extras, but I think an outlet is likely to be a better bet.

 

[ZSP]

Whateve...or any of the wonderful rehabbers here...reference this bag

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-833400-31.html#post25629109

I'm happy with everything but the handles. Despite a good bit of scrubbing while in the bath and lots of Leather CPR, the handles are still dark. Is there anything I can do to bring back more of the beautiful color?

On one bag I was successful in lightening the handles by scrubbing with very fine steel wool or sand paper. You have to be careful though because if you remove too much of the smooth leather, it will look even darker when you condition.

Thank you so much...I'll try that. Do you suggest bathing the handles again after the scrubbing/sanding? Our just more Leather CPR?

 

[whateve]

Thank you so much...I'll try that. Do you suggest bathing the handles again after the scrubbing/sanding? Our just more Leather CPR?

I didn't have to bathe it again. You can wipe it clean just to make sure you've removed any sanding dust before you add conditioner.

 

[robin0714]

Guys this is sort if a rehab question... I just got done rehabbing a bag and all I need is a hang tag! I called CS twice and both were not very nice and asked a lot of questions! Like where I bought it. My email address, phone number! Stuff I was never asked before! They also said she can't find some of the styles for the bags (requested a simple black vintage tag) I have never seen that before! They didn't like that they were vintage and wanted to make sure I bought it from the coach store! They also asked for my name and address before I told them the creeds!! I really need some tags, but I'm scared to call back! Does anyone have any tips on dealing with this? Or another way of getting tags? Please let me know! Thank you!

I had a similar experience this week with Coach customer service. I called to ask for a replacement brass turnlock for a vintage bag. The rep was just short of rude and told me she couldn't help me to get a replacement. I pointed out that the coach web site states on their repair page that they will send a replacement with install instructions. I know I have read on this forum where they have sent replacements in the past. She was adamant that she couldn't help me. I am going to try to call again this week.

 

[whateve]

I had a similar experience this week with Coach customer service. I called to ask for a replacement brass turnlock for a vintage bag. The rep was just short of rude and told me she couldn't help me to get a replacement. I pointed out that the coach web site states on their repair page that they will send a replacement with install instructions. I know I have read on this forum where they have sent replacements in the past. She was adamant that she couldn't help me. I am going to try to call again this week.

Wow, that's terrible! I called last week and asked for two turnlocks. She had a little trouble understanding the serial number of one of the bags, since it was pre-1994, even when I gave her the real style number. She led me to believe that I would get them. Did you call during normal business hours? The people who answer the phones after hours aren't trained. Have you bought things directly from Coach before? I'm in their system because I buy a lot at both FP and the outlet. I also asked for a dustbag and she said she would add it to the order. I hope I really get them. About a year ago, I requested a few hangtags and I never got them, although at other times they sent them. I think there is a limit on how many hangtags you can request.

 

[JOODLZ]

This little Straw Wristlet #42529 came from Goodwill for $4.99. Overall great condition, but the metallic leather flower had some rolled-up petals.

Using a q-tip and plain water, I wet the suede side of the petals. I placed it face down on a couple layers of terry cloth towel to cushion it and put a ceramic cup on top of a couple layers of terry towel to weigh it down. I let it sit over night and the petals have flatened out nicely. Easy fix...check out the before and afters.

 

[JOODLZ]

This 2008 Hamptons Signature XL Tote #F13063 was just filthy on the outside, yet remarkably clean on the inside and the leather trim looked brand new. At only $14.99 I figured I could try to make some improvements. Before pics are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-534.html#post25729664

On the back, there was some sticky stuff...gum, candy, who knows! I gently soaked the spots with alcohol using a q-tip and eventually got the gooey stuff to roll up. I did the same thing to other spots all over the bag.

Then she went into a warm sudsy Dawn bath in the kitchen sink (this is a BIG bag, she barely fit in the sink!). After a good soak, I started scrubbing with Soilove and a toothbrush. Soilove is amazing! It took several applications and a fair amount of scrubbing, but this bag is clean once again. After a good rinse, stuff and leather CPR 2X on the trim and straps, she’s ready to go.