Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[LouisieAnna]

Thank you!

Aaaand... I do have a cute red Murphy Willis 9930 that is waiting to be rehabbed. It's also in good condition with just a bit of color loss on the front corners. Any advice for rehabbing a red bag? I'm mostly afraid of darkening/changing the color.

ChevaliereNoir & Whateve: I saw your recent pretty red rehabs. Any advice? Thanks!

I don't have nearly as much experience as many of the ladies here, so I'm not sure if I got the best result possible.
I wanted to treat the red Compact Pouch delicately, due to its age and color, and its significant color loss on the front flap. All I did was wash in cold water with hypoallergenic Dawn detergent, and apply only 1 fairly heavy coat of Leather Therapy conditioner. The color evened out a lot (still not perfect if you look close), but I hesitate to use any more conditioner or other products to try to even it out completely because I'm afraid of darkening or changing the color, as you mentioned.
I'm sure the more experienced posters will be able to give you lots of good tips.

 

[whateve]

Thank you!

Aaaand... I do have a cute red Murphy Willis 9930 that is waiting to be rehabbed. It's also in good condition with just a bit of color loss on the front corners. Any advice for rehabbing a red bag? I'm mostly afraid of darkening/changing the color.

ChevaliereNoir & Whateve: I saw your recent pretty red rehabs. Any advice? Thanks!

If your bag is in good condition, you should be able to use the same procedure. You can use paint mixed with conditioner on the corners if necessary. I've never had any problem with darkening. However, if the leather is dry, the color might change during the rehab. If this happens, it is probably returning to the color it was meant to be. I had an orange bag change to red.

 

[ledobe]

I just thought I'd post this here because we have been talking about using acetone a lot lately-I doubt it's come up, but maybe not such a good idea on patent:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141643012160?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I'd grab a picture if I knew how. I wouldn't mind playing with taking ALL the patent finish off that bag, if I got it for free...well I probably would mind after about the first 30 minutes-lol!

 

[LouisieAnna]

If your bag is in good condition, you should be able to use the same procedure. You can use paint mixed with conditioner on the corners if necessary. I've never had any problem with darkening. However, if the leather is dry, the color might change during the rehab. If this happens, it is probably returning to the color it was meant to be. I had an orange bag change to red.

Speaking of condition, what do you (that's a collective you, as in all y'all experts (lol)) recommend with a red bag in poor condition?
Should I try more with my red Compact Pouch, or leave well enough alone?

 

[whateve]

Speaking of condition, what do you (that's a collective you, as in all y'all experts (lol)) recommend with a red bag in poor condition?
Should I try more with my red Compact Pouch, or leave well enough alone?

I don't think it looks bad. One of the hardest things when doing rehabs is realizing that you can never make it look new again. With red and light colors, you're never going to get rid of all the stains unless you are going to redye it.

 

[whateve]

I just thought I'd post this here because we have been talking about using acetone a lot lately-I doubt it's come up, but maybe not such a good idea on patent:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141643012160?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I'd grab a picture if I knew how. I wouldn't mind playing with taking ALL the patent finish off that bag, if I got it for free...well I probably would mind after about the first 30 minutes-lol!

Wow, I think it would look beautiful if all the patent was removed!

 

[Zealous]

I don't have nearly as much experience as many of the ladies here, so I'm not sure if I got the best result possible.
I wanted to treat the red Compact Pouch delicately, due to its age and color, and its significant color loss on the front flap. All I did was wash in cold water with hypoallergenic Dawn detergent, and apply only 1 fairly heavy coat of Leather Therapy conditioner. The color evened out a lot (still not perfect if you look close), but I hesitate to use any more conditioner or other products to try to even it out completely because I'm afraid of darkening or changing the color, as you mentioned.
I'm sure the more experienced posters will be able to give you lots of good tips.

If your bag is in good condition, you should be able to use the same procedure. You can use paint mixed with conditioner on the corners if necessary. I've never had any problem with darkening. However, if the leather is dry, the color might change during the rehab. If this happens, it is probably returning to the color it was meant to be. I had an orange bag change to red.

Thank you for your responses! I will post photos & details once rehabbed. Good evening!

 

[Two.time.bags]

Thank you!

Aaaand... I do have a cute red Murphy Willis 9930 that is waiting to be rehabbed. It's also in good condition with just a bit of color loss on the front corners. Any advice for rehabbing a red bag? I'm mostly afraid of darkening/changing the color.

ChevaliereNoir & Whateve: I saw your recent pretty red rehabs. Any advice? Thanks!

Unless it's really dry you may not need the Obenauf's. As whateve said, use paint and conditioner to touch up the corners.

Speaking of condition, what do you (that's a collective you, as in all y'all experts (lol)) recommend with a red bag in poor condition?
Should I try more with my red Compact Pouch, or leave well enough alone?

Think it looks good. Red is hard so maybe just leave it.

I just thought I'd post this here because we have been talking about using acetone a lot lately-I doubt it's come up, but maybe not such a good idea on patent:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141643012160?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I'd grab a picture if I knew how. I wouldn't mind playing with taking ALL the patent finish off that bag, if I got it for free...well I probably would mind after about the first 30 minutes-lol!

Gosh. And she want's $100 for it in that state!

 

[Rosebugluv]

Hi all,
I picked up two Coach bags at the thrift store this weekend. Both are in great condition but could use a good cleaning. One is a canvas Scribble mini tote, and the other is a Watercolor sateen hobo bag. I have read through the forums and saw that some wash their bags in Dawn dishwashing liquid. Does it matter which kind of Dawn? Also, since the bags have leather accents, do I need to do anything to pre-treat the leather? What about after? Should I put the Coach leather conditioner on it when it is damp or fully dry?

The Watercolor sateen bag has some black marks that looked like mascara, but I treated them with Oxi clean spray but it didn't wash out. Should I try hairspray before dunking, in case it's pen?

Here is what I plan to do:
Soak the bags (separately) in a sink of warm water and Dawn for 2 hours. Then rinse in cold water. Stuff with towels to shape and allow to dry. When dry, put the Coach leather conditioner on the leather parts.

Does that sound like a plan? Do you think there is a risk of any of the color bleeding onto the white parts of the bags?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[Two.time.bags]

Hi all,
I picked up two Coach bags at the thrift store this weekend. Both are in great condition but could use a good cleaning. One is a canvas Scribble mini tote, and the other is a Watercolor sateen hobo bag. I have read through the forums and saw that some wash their bags in Dawn dishwashing liquid. Does it matter which kind of Dawn? Also, since the bags have leather accents, do I need to do anything to pre-treat the leather? What about after? Should I put the Coach leather conditioner on it when it is damp or fully dry?

The Watercolor sateen bag has some black marks that looked like mascara, but I treated them with Oxi clean spray but it didn't wash out. Should I try hairspray before dunking, in case it's pen?

Here is what I plan to do:
Soak the bags (separately) in a sink of warm water and Dawn for 2 hours. Then rinse in cold water. Stuff with towels to shape and allow to dry. When dry, put the Coach leather conditioner on the leather parts.

Does that sound like a plan? Do you think there is a risk of any of the color bleeding onto the white parts of the bags?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

You should treat the ink or mascara first. If hairspray doesn't work then apply straight alcohol. I don't think you should leave them to soak for 2 hours. Maybe 15 mins in lukewarm water. Add a tablespoon of Borax to the water. I read about that somewhere recently. It's a great stain remover. I washed a few grubby canvas Fossil bags yesterday and it worked well.

Not sure if they will bleed. Probably not. Keep an eye though. At first sign quickly rinse in cold water.

I don't recommend Coach conditioner. It contains silicone which can rot the stitching. I've seen others recommend Cadillac. Be careful not to get it onto the fabric.

 

[Rosebugluv]

Thanks, TwoTimeBags. I did dunk the Sateen one last night. I got most of the black stain out (pre-treated it again with OxiClean spray and that seemed to work). But, when I soaked it, there must have been an ink stain in the lining, because the front bottom of the bag now has an ink stain. Tried hairspray on it this morning. Will try making a paste of the powdered Oxiclean on it tonight and see what happens.

 

[Two.time.bags]

Thanks, TwoTimeBags. I did dunk the Sateen one last night. I got most of the black stain out (pre-treated it again with OxiClean spray and that seemed to work). But, when I soaked it, there must have been an ink stain in the lining, because the front bottom of the bag now has an ink stain. Tried hairspray on it this morning. Will try making a paste of the powdered Oxiclean on it tonight and see what happens.

I hate it when that happens!

Be careful with the oxyclean. Alcohol might be a better option.

 

[Zealous]

Unless it's really dry you may not need the Obenauf's. As whateve said, use paint and conditioner to touch up the corners.

Thanks! Good call! I've used a coat of Blackrock. I may apply another. It doesn't look like it needs Obenauf's or even color at this point!

 

[bookfanmd]

Hi, I've been following this thread for a while and am really impressed with what some of you have done. I need some advice on a non-vintage purse I received today from Ebay. It's a used Ashley Carryall in Mahogany. The purse is in great shape but has a terrible cigarette odor. The listing didn't mention odors and I forgot to ask. The price was good and I've been watching for this color in this style for awhile. Do you think I could give this purse a bath to get rid of the odor? The lining is the same color as the leather so there shouldn't be any bleeding and I have Leather CPR and Blackrocks to condition it after the bath.

 

[whateve]

Hi, I've been following this thread for a while and am really impressed with what some of you have done. I need some advice on a non-vintage purse I received today from Ebay. It's a used Ashley Carryall in Mahogany. The purse is in great shape but has a terrible cigarette odor. The listing didn't mention odors and I forgot to ask. The price was good and I've been watching for this color in this style for awhile. Do you think I could give this purse a bath to get rid of the odor? The lining is the same color as the leather so there shouldn't be any bleeding and I have Leather CPR and Blackrocks to condition it after the bath.

I don't know how much a bath would help with odor. Many people have reported that the smell doesn't go away completely from a bath.

I think you can get the same results without a bath. You can pull out the lining and wash that with soap and water. I'm not sure how deep the dye goes through the leather and the leather might lose some color in a bath. You can wipe it with alcohol; some people have used vanilla vodka with good results. You can leave it outside on your patio, out of the sun, for a week. I've gotten the best results by surrounding the bag with bath salts in a sealed plastic bag for a week or two. Others have used activated charcoal, like the kind for aquariums, or baking soda.