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#9,287
#9,288
Hello Everyone

I am thinking of buying a Sonoma bag that has one major flaw - the bottom piping needs repair (see pic). This would be a bag that I would use alot.

I've seen several posts here about how to do piping repairs, but was wondering:
How long does it last? Does it withstand everyday use? What type of repair would be best?

I've only done two simple rehabs, and this would be my first piping repair. I'm not sure I want to put in the time if it won't last very long.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and advice!
 

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#9,289
Sonoma said:
Hello Everyone

I am thinking of buying a Sonoma bag that has one major flaw - the bottom piping needs repair (see pic). This would be a bag that I would use alot.

I've seen several posts here about how to do piping repairs, but was wondering:
How long does it last? Does it withstand everyday use? What type of repair would be best?

I've only done two simple rehabs, and this would be my first piping repair. I'm not sure I want to put in the time if it won't last very long.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and advice!
Click to expand...

Are you looking at style 4915? Personally, I'd wait or spend a little more to get one in better shape. That looks to me like a structurally critical area that is going to get a lot of stress.
 
#9,290
ChevaliereNoir said:
Are you looking at style 4915? Personally, I'd wait or spend a little more to get one in better shape. That looks to me like a structurally critical area that is going to get a lot of stress.
Click to expand...
It is a 4915.

I was going to make a low offer on it, but I think you're right, even if I could repair it that area would always be a problem.

I'm going to pass on this one.
Thanks for your input and for talking me down, ChevaliereNoir!
 
#9,291
Any advice for my Coach Legacy Whiskey Leigh bag? If I pull the lining up and out of the bag, do you think it's safe to dunk this? It really needs a good deep cleaning, but I'm not sure about dunking vachetta. Thanks ladies!!!
 
#9,292
krtFL said:
Any advice for my Coach Legacy Whiskey Leigh bag? If I pull the lining up and out of the bag, do you think it's safe to dunk this? It really needs a good deep cleaning, but I'm not sure about dunking vachetta. Thanks ladies!!!
Click to expand...
I don't have any experience with dunking Coach vachetta leather. However, I bathed another brand vachetta purse and seriously wish I could turn back the clock.:sad:
 
#9,293
Alesa said:
I don't have any experience with dunking Coach vachetta leather. However, I bathed another brand vachetta purse and seriously wish I could turn back the clock.:sad:
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I don't think your bag is a true vachetta bag. What makes you think it is? Vachetta is a very light (almost white when new) leather that is totally untreated and has no color added. As it's exposed to sunlight it darkens naturally.
If you're familiar with Louis Vuitton bags that have vachetta on them then you'll know what I mean.
Your bag looks like it has some color treatment, not vachetta. I think your bag has been 'burnished' and somewhere there is a guide from Coach how to treat each of their types of leathers.......maybe someone more experienced can chime in here to help?

*Sorry, I meant to respond directly to krtFL*
 
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#9,294
alansgail said:
I don't think your bag is a true vachetta bag. What makes you think it is? Vachetta is a very light (almost white when new) leather that is totally untreated and has no color added. As it's exposed to sunlight it darkens naturally.
If you're familiar with Louis Vuitton bags that have vachetta on them then you'll know what I mean.
Your bag looks like it has some color treatment, not vachetta. I think your bag has been 'burnished' and somewhere there is a guide from Coach how to treat each of their types of leathers.......maybe someone more experienced can chime in here to help?

*Sorry, I meant to respond directly to krtFL*
Click to expand...

You are correct, the bag is NOT vachetta; it's glove tanned. Super soft and supple. It has a very natural, fleshy feel to it (and scratches very easily). It's been dyed (I presume) to the 'Whiskey' color you see. I'll google the burnishing you mentioned to see if I can find any info on achieving a deeper cleaning of this particular leather. It's such a beautiful bag, and I hate that the green gunk is basically ruining the hardware and all of the leather surrounding it. What is that stuff?
 
#9,295
krtFL said:
You are correct, the bag is NOT vachetta; it's glove tanned. Super soft and supple. It has a very natural, fleshy feel to it (and scratches very easily). It's been dyed (I presume) to the 'Whiskey' color you see. I'll google the burnishing you mentioned to see if I can find any info on achieving a deeper cleaning of this particular leather. It's such a beautiful bag, and I hate that the green gunk is basically ruining the hardware and all of the leather surrounding it. What is that stuff?
Click to expand...
That green 'gunk' is oxidation from the metal. You can clean it with a metal cleaner (take care to try to keep it off of the leather).
It is unsightly but it's a natural process. It's what happens when bags aren't maintained or cleaned periodically.
And it can be harmful to the leather if exposed to it long enough which is reason enough to clean your hardware now and then.
 
#9,296
Sonoma said:
It is a 4915.

I was going to make a low offer on it, but I think you're right, even if I could repair it that area would always be a problem.

I'm going to pass on this one.
Thanks for your input and for talking me down, ChevaliereNoir!
Click to expand...

Whoa, don't hurt my enabler cred! :laugh:

In all seriousness, my natural grain Sonomas are workhorses. Even though they're vintage/ near- vintage, one in good condition is certainly suitable for an everyday bag. I lived in my red small full flap for months until I caved and got my red metallic Ranger (and I do not coddle my bags at all). I can't imagine what the original owner must have done to that bag for the piping to wear like that.
 
#9,297
alansgail said:
That green 'gunk' is oxidation from the metal. You can clean it with a metal cleaner (take care to try to keep it off of the leather).
It is unsightly but it's a natural process. It's what happens when bags aren't maintained or cleaned periodically.
And it can be harmful to the leather if exposed to it long enough which is reason enough to clean your hardware now and then.
Click to expand...

Definitely a good reason to clean the hardware on your bags periodically :p What a nightmare this has been on my bag - but I'm entirely to blame because I've neglected this one for way too long. Life happened (marriage, babies, moving halfway across the country....ya know, the fun stuff!). I think I'll keep working this bag over every so often until I'm happy with it...don't want to overdo it, and I don't think it's a dunkable bag to be honest.
 
#9,298
krtFL said:
Definitely a good reason to clean the hardware on your bags periodically :p What a nightmare this has been on my bag - but I'm entirely to blame because I've neglected this one for way too long. Life happened (marriage, babies, moving halfway across the country....ya know, the fun stuff!). I think I'll keep working this bag over every so often until I'm happy with it...don't want to overdo it, and I don't think it's a dunkable bag to be honest.
Click to expand...
No, I agree that I don't think it's dunkable either but maybe someone else has a different perspective? Admittedly I only dunk the old glove-tanned leather bags....they're easy!
 
#9,299
Alesa said:
I don't have any experience with dunking Coach vachetta leather. However, I bathed another brand vachetta purse and seriously wish I could turn back the clock.:sad:
Click to expand...

Have you tried cleaning the vachetta with Whateve's combo of vinegar and a magic eraser? It worked wonders on my pre- loved, not- Coach (French designer) bag.
 
#9,300
Vachetta leather should never be "bathed" There are various ways to clean dirt off of it but when vachetta is new it's best to let it slowly patina on it's own. This helps to protect it down the road.

Of course if you're purchasing a pre-loved piece with vachetta on it that's another story. I've had great success cleaning pre-loved vachetta with nothing more than a slightly damp clean cotton cloth (damp with water that is).
 
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