Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[JOODLZ]

Hyacinth guessed this Checkbook Case with Tab was made sometime in the 90’s...and was certainly well worn. Before pics are here. http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-635.html#post26007770

But this is the kind of transformation most of us rehabbers live for...I did my usual thing...like the green Casino bag posted shortly ago...with amazing results. The only difference, of course, was the stuffing. All I did here was put a folded paper towel in each of the pockets and card slots as she dried.

 

[JOODLZ]

This Holiday Patchwork Demi got about the same treatment as the Top Handle one I posted a few days ago: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-cl...rescue-club-833400-54.html#post26025762...all except the Sharpies!

This one’s suede patches and bottom were really dirty and matted down. Warmer than usual bath water and a good scrubbing with a baking soda and water paste helped a lot. A good brushing with a suede brush after it was dry helped too. Before pics are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-640.html#post26021885

She’s much brighter now, just a shame the leopard “fur” got rubbed off...what’s up with that?

 

[Two.time.bags]

Gorgeous bag...great rehab!


Good luck with the pin holes...let us know how you do it...still gorgeous!

Well done!!! Can't wait to see what you do to the Sonoma...such a pretty color. I've never worked on nubuc, but know others here have...good luck!

Thanks Joodlz. I'm a bit nervous about dunking a lined bag and nubuc, though I get the impression that it's tough stuff. I need to go back and check through this thread for some tips.

 

[Two.time.bags]

Hyacinth guessed this Checkbook Case with Tab was made sometime in the 90’s...and was certainly well worn. Before pics are here. http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-635.html#post26007770

But this is the kind of transformation most of us rehabbers live for...I did my usual thing...like the green Casino bag posted shortly ago...with amazing results. The only difference, of course, was the stuffing. All I did here was put a folded paper towel in each of the pockets and card slots as she dried.

Amazing transformation. Great job!

This Holiday Patchwork Demi got about the same treatment as the Top Handle one I posted a few days ago: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-cl...rescue-club-833400-54.html#post26025762...all except the Sharpies!

This one’s suede patches and bottom were really dirty and matted down. Warmer than usual bath water and a good scrubbing with a baking soda and water paste helped a lot. A good brushing with a suede brush after it was dry helped too. Before pics are here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-640.html#post26021885

She’s much brighter now, just a shame the leopard “fur” got rubbed off...what’s up with that?

Very nice. I have a suede patchwork satchel that needs some work. This has given me the confidence to tackle it.

 

[whateve]

Hyacinth guessed this Checkbook Case with Tab was made sometime in the 90’s...and was certainly well worn. Before pics are here. http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-635.html#post26007770

But this is the kind of transformation most of us rehabbers live for...I did my usual thing...like the green Casino bag posted shortly ago...with amazing results. The only difference, of course, was the stuffing. All I did here was put a folded paper towel in each of the pockets and card slots as she dried.

Fantastic! I've never had much luck with wallets. The leather is so much thinner. I don't know if I've ever bathed them, though.

 

[whateve]

I had a great experience today at my FP store. I took in two bags for repair. I had originally called Coach and asked for turnlock kits for both of them, but they only sent one. I suspected they didn't know what a convertible clutch was when I called. It had a unique serial number and even after I gave the phone rep the style number, she still couldn't seem to find it. Anyway, with only one turnlock kit, I couldn't decide which bag to use it on. The other bag was a station bag that also had a torn handle.

The SA repaired the convertible clutch on the spot! She sent the station bag in for repair since she wouldn't be able to repair the handle. I told her that SAs at other Coach stores didn't know what I was talking about when I asked about replacement turnlocks.

While I was there, I asked if they had a valet turnlock keyfob in gold. I bought a silver one on FOS and can use it to attach keyfobs to my bags easily, so I wanted a gold one too. She didn't have one but before I left, she went in the back and came out with a solution. She gave me a ring like the kind on the equestrian bags or the top of the classic Willis. It screws open so I can attach it to any bag. She said she had found a pile of them when she first started working there, but she couldn't get them anymore.

 

[JOODLZ]

I checked this morning and sheis almost completely dry on the outside! Should I add some leather CPR?! Also it looks like a little color fading (I don't know if it is just dry) around the bag. Some where it scrubbed! (I swear I did not scrub to hard!) will it come back with moisturizer? The bag does seem dry... Should I wait until it is completely dry? Thanks for you help!

I have always applied Leather CPR when leather is still damp. And it's good to let it sit for a day in between applications. I usually do 2 applications, but I've done more if the leather is older and needs it.

Don't panic when the color changes and becomes darker...applying Leather CPR kind of makes the leather wet again. Once it soaks in and dries, it will lighten up.

 

[JOODLZ]

Thanks Joodlz. I'm a bit nervous about dunking a lined bag and nubuc, though I get the impression that it's tough stuff. I need to go back and check through this thread for some tips.

Yeah, I think it's pretty tough stuff too...I did a quick google search and found this:
http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Nubuck - might give you some good ideas. Good luck!

Amazing transformation. Great job!

Very nice. I have a suede patchwork satchel that needs some work. This has given me the confidence to tackle it.

Thanks! I would use caution with the baking soda paste on bright colors, though it worked well on purple, pink and browns. Good luck again.

Fantastic! I've never had much luck with wallets. The leather is so much thinner. I don't know if I've ever bathed them, though.

Thanks...this is actually the second wallet I've dunked. The other one is white and was pretty scratched up too. I'm experimenting with refinishing it with an Esquire product, but got side-tracked. Gotta get back to it...but today is 50% off Winter Sale at Goodwill...what's a gal to do???

The checkbook case was really pretty easy. Dried quickly and just sucked up the Leather CPR. Blackrocks gave it a beautiful shine!

 

[Fashionstar101]

I have always applied Leather CPR when leather is still damp. And it's good to let it sit for a day in between applications. I usually do 2 applications, but I've done more if the leather is older and needs it.

Don't panic when the color changes and becomes darker...applying Leather CPR kind of makes the leather wet again. Once it soaks in and dries, it will lighten up.

Thanks for the tips! It is all dry but I have a problem that I am kicking myself on. Some places where I scrubbed have come out lighter than the rest!!! It is only slightly light, but still bugs me!! When I put leather CPR on it darken but always goes back to a little lightened! I am so mad at myself! And there are some type of cracks at the top! I keep putting leather CPR on (hours between applications) to try and moisturize the leather- it seems dry at the top! Is there anything I can do to help this?? I might try leather therapy too! There are some reviews that it might help my problem?!?! Have any of you experienced anything like this? I will not stop until this is fixed because I'm mad at myself! I am also a perfectionist (rehabbing is probably not the right thing for me) but I had such high expectations and I thought I did really well!! Plmk if there is anything I can do for alittle faded leather! Help!

 

[vintageb1]

Hi everyone,
I could use some help finishing up the rehab of this bag. This is my first rehab project. The bag was a thrift store bargain; not in great shape as the leather is quite faded and I later discovered zipper damage. I was hoping a good wash and condition would bring back the color (I think it was originally navy), but as you can see she is still on the dull side. (She did look a lot worse before!)

I washed the bag in Ivory liquid and then applied three rounds of Apple conditioner (after the bag was dry--better to have conditioned while still damp?). Have not done any buffing yet. I just bought some Blackrock as many posters here seem to like it as a more heavy-duty conditioner.

Are there any suggestions before I go with the Blackrock? Should I try any color leather polish (like Meltonian) to bring back some color?

In addition, note the curious damage to the ring that the strap clips onto--it looks melted!

Finally, the interior zipper had quite a bit of corrosion on it. I scrubbed it with some baking soda and vinegar, which removed the white coating, but the zipper is stuck. Should I just live with it? I'm afraid if I force it the zipper will break altogether.

Thanks in advance. I've learned so much from reading about everyone's projects! While I'm at it, if someone could name the style of this bag I'd appreciate it!

 

[vintageb1]

Hi everyone,
I could use some help finishing up the rehab of this bag. This is my first rehab project. The bag was a thrift store bargain; not in great shape as the leather is quite faded and I later discovered zipper damage. I was hoping a good wash and condition would bring back the color (I think it was originally navy), but as you can see she is still on the dull side. (She did look a lot worse before!)

I washed the bag in Ivory liquid and then applied three rounds of Apple conditioner (after the bag was dry--better to have conditioned while still damp?). Have not done any buffing yet. I just bought some Blackrock as many posters here seem to like it as a more heavy-duty conditioner.

Are there any suggestions before I go with the Blackrock? Should I try any color leather polish (like Meltonian) to bring back some color?

In addition, note the curious damage to the ring that the strap clips onto--it looks melted!

Finally, the interior zipper had quite a bit of corrosion on it. I scrubbed it with some baking soda and vinegar, which removed the white coating, but the zipper is stuck. Should I just live with it? I'm afraid if I force it the zipper will break altogether.

Thanks in advance. I've learned so much from reading about everyone's projects! While I'm at it, if someone could name the style of this bag I'd appreciate it!

Just a quick addendum to this request. I was doing some auction prowling and discovered that there was actually an early Coach color called Gray Flannel. Never heard of that before. Is it possible this bag, which has a New York City creed, is gray and that is why it looks like it does?

 

[Two.time.bags]

Hi everyone,
I could use some help finishing up the rehab of this bag. This is my first rehab project. The bag was a thrift store bargain; not in great shape as the leather is quite faded and I later discovered zipper damage. I was hoping a good wash and condition would bring back the color (I think it was originally navy), but as you can see she is still on the dull side. (She did look a lot worse before!)

I washed the bag in Ivory liquid and then applied three rounds of Apple conditioner (after the bag was dry--better to have conditioned while still damp?). Have not done any buffing yet. I just bought some Blackrock as many posters here seem to like it as a more heavy-duty conditioner.

Are there any suggestions before I go with the Blackrock? Should I try any color leather polish (like Meltonian) to bring back some color?

In addition, note the curious damage to the ring that the strap clips onto--it looks melted!

Finally, the interior zipper had quite a bit of corrosion on it. I scrubbed it with some baking soda and vinegar, which removed the white coating, but the zipper is stuck. Should I just live with it? I'm afraid if I force it the zipper will break altogether.

Thanks in advance. I've learned so much from reading about everyone's projects! While I'm at it, if someone could name the style of this bag I'd appreciate it!

I don't know what Apple conditioner is like but I get the impression it may be more suitable for maintenance rather than rehabbing so you might want to get a heavier conditioner such as Leather Therapy or CPR to use before applying the Black Rock.

Graphite may help with the zipper - try rubbing a pencil lead along the teeth.

I wonder how the ring got damaged? Maybe someone tried to cut it. Strange.

Good luck.

 

[Two.time.bags]

Yeah, I think it's pretty tough stuff too...I did a quick google search and found this:
http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Nubuck - might give you some good ideas. Good luck!

Thanks for that. I'm about to dunk her right now!


Thanks! I would use caution with the baking soda paste on bright colors, though it worked well on purple, pink and browns. Good luck again.

I'll try on a small inconspicuous area first, I think.

 

[whateve]

Hi everyone,
I could use some help finishing up the rehab of this bag. This is my first rehab project. The bag was a thrift store bargain; not in great shape as the leather is quite faded and I later discovered zipper damage. I was hoping a good wash and condition would bring back the color (I think it was originally navy), but as you can see she is still on the dull side. (She did look a lot worse before!)

I washed the bag in Ivory liquid and then applied three rounds of Apple conditioner (after the bag was dry--better to have conditioned while still damp?). Have not done any buffing yet. I just bought some Blackrock as many posters here seem to like it as a more heavy-duty conditioner.

Are there any suggestions before I go with the Blackrock? Should I try any color leather polish (like Meltonian) to bring back some color?

In addition, note the curious damage to the ring that the strap clips onto--it looks melted!

Finally, the interior zipper had quite a bit of corrosion on it. I scrubbed it with some baking soda and vinegar, which removed the white coating, but the zipper is stuck. Should I just live with it? I'm afraid if I force it the zipper will break altogether.

Thanks in advance. I've learned so much from reading about everyone's projects! While I'm at it, if someone could name the style of this bag I'd appreciate it!

I wonder what did that to the ring. Soap helps make a zipper run more smoothly. I don't like to use polish ever. I consider Blackrocks to be a finisher so I like to make sure the leather is moisturized sufficiently before I use it. However, I don't think there is any problem with using Blackrocks and then moisturizing more later. It's just that Blackrocks has some wax in it which I think would seal the leather and make it less likely to absorb moisturizer. I've never used Apple. I think there are moisturizers that work better on seriously dry leather.

The bag is probably a convertible clutch 9635, if it is about 11 x 7 x 2 1/2, and doesn't have a back pocket. There was a dark gray color. The easiest way to tell the original color is to look on the most protected part of the bag, such as inside the front slip pocket.

 

[Two.time.bags]

To dunk or not to dunk? She's very clean inside and out, just a bit dehydrated. The handles are well patinae'd, probably nothing I can do about that. I quite like the contrast anyway.

What would you do? Any opinions most appreciated, thanks.