Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[WishingonaCoach]

I want to share my "experiment" success, or so I think...

I was lost about the little silver goat suede bag, I thought that the idea of the metallic eye shadow was not going to work, LOL. I decided to go for it and if I could improve it great, if not oh well.

First after learning by the great advice of one of experts here on washing suede bags, I did. The liner was so gross I had to anyway, I sprayed it with Shout, put the strap inside a wool sock and the bag with the liner out, inside a pillow case. I washed it in the washer.
After done the liner was much better, only a couple ink spots to remove. The bag looked better in some places, but the brownish areas (worn out) were the same. Then I thought the usual paint with conditioner wouldn't work, so what to use? I remember I had a Sharpie in silver, those that you shake and press the tip. I decided to try in a spot on the strap, I put a dot and rub around with a soft cloth, it blended perfectly! So without going overboard, just on the worse areas (and while still wet) I did the same. When dry it covered the areas and it doesn't feel stiff, as I used very little and spread it out.
This is the before and after.

Final result. May be I will use a bit more, after wetting the area to cover, not sure yet.

 

[stardustgirl]

Wow! That came out great!

 

[whateve]

I want to share my "experiment" success, or so I think...

I was lost about the little silver goat suede bag, I thought that the idea of the metallic eye shadow was not going to work, LOL. I decided to go for it and if I could improve it great, if not oh well.

First after learning by the great advice of one of experts here on washing suede bags, I did. The liner was so gross I had to anyway, I sprayed it with Shout, put the strap inside a wool sock and the bag with the liner out, inside a pillow case. I washed it in the washer.
After done the liner was much better, only a couple ink spots to remove. The bag looked better in some places, but the brownish areas (worn out) were the same. Then I thought the usual paint with conditioner wouldn't work, so what to use? I remember I had a Sharpie in silver, those that you shake and press the tip. I decided to try in a spot on the strap, I put a dot and rub around with a soft cloth, it blended perfectly! So without going overboard, just on the worse areas (and while still wet) I did the same. When dry it covered the areas and it doesn't feel stiff, as I used very little and spread it out.
This is the before and after.

Final result. May be I will use a bit more, after wetting the area to cover, not sure yet.

great job! I've used metallic paint pens on metallic leather but I never thought it would work on suede.

 

[ZSP]

Had to share a rehab here. It's not my first but is my first share [emoji4]

Found this sad little Coach bag at Savers for $7. It had a sticker of some kind stuck to the bottom and maybe part of the front. It looked like someone set it down on something wet and the paper stuck to it. I figured it would be worth a try...

Stuck it in the bath and waited about 10 minutes and started gently scrubbing the bottom. Some pieces came off right away, mostly the larger ones. Waited another 10 and tried again. This time it all came off but purple ink-legible!-remained.

I started squishing the leather against the sink, pushing from the inside of the bag towards the outside. I figured I needed to push the stain OUT rather than inward. Did that for a couple of minutes and started scrubbing the fabric. There were the white spots as well as a few darker stains that wouldn't pick up on camera. Then tried squishing ink again.

I got a bunch out and let it soak about 10 more minutes. While it was soaking, I massaged the handle where the water stain was very visible, hoping to blend it a bit. Then let out the disgusting bath water and rinsed about three times, squishing the bottom a bit.

Hung it on a hanger outside on the patio in the heat and let it drip, with the lining tucked in. I wasn't sure if the lining color would run or not so I left it in at first. Once I figured it wouldn't run, I pulled it out and then hung the bag upside down for a while, no towels inside.

Once it was mostly dry, I hung it in the sun for about an hour to try to help the strap water mark blend a bit.

Overall, I'm pleased with how it turned out. Well worth the $7 investment because my niece loves it so it is going to live with her!

Thanks for the inspiration on this thread!!View attachment 3086958View attachment 3086964View attachment 3086965

Great rehab. Now show us some of your others. lol

Thanks...couldn't have done it without your knowledge and sharing! I actually started at page 1 of this thread and read THE WHOLE THING before I started rehabbing! [emoji15] [emoji39]

I did the same thing. It's easy to ask a question, hope for an answer and continue on but you're right...reading all the posts from all the rehabbers is how one can really learn. JMHO

 

[WishingonaCoach]

Wow! That came out great!

Thanks! No perfect but better than before.

great job! I've used metallic paint pens on metallic leather but I never thought it would work on suede.

I don't know if I would use it with a regular color, or perhaps the trick is really to apply when wet? I guess it worked but by pure luck, I didn't know what I was doing, LOL. I would think that painting suede would make it really stiff, but this way using just a bit and spread it was not that much.

Great rehab. Now show us some of your others. lol



I did the same thing. It's easy to ask a question, hope for an answer and continue on but you're right...reading all the posts from all the rehabbers is how one can really learn. JMHO

I totally agree, you always can goggle something, but here you find your answer, then how to do it, if it works in this material or not... it's s well of knowledge!

 

[yellowjello]

I want to share my "experiment" success, or so I think...

I was lost about the little silver goat suede bag, I thought that the idea of the metallic eye shadow was not going to work, LOL. I decided to go for it and if I could improve it great, if not oh well.

First after learning by the great advice of one of experts here on washing suede bags, I did. The liner was so gross I had to anyway, I sprayed it with Shout, put the strap inside a wool sock and the bag with the liner out, inside a pillow case. I washed it in the washer.
After done the liner was much better, only a couple ink spots to remove. The bag looked better in some places, but the brownish areas (worn out) were the same. Then I thought the usual paint with conditioner wouldn't work, so what to use? I remember I had a Sharpie in silver, those that you shake and press the tip. I decided to try in a spot on the strap, I put a dot and rub around with a soft cloth, it blended perfectly! So without going overboard, just on the worse areas (and while still wet) I did the same. When dry it covered the areas and it doesn't feel stiff, as I used very little and spread it out.
This is the before and after.

Final result. May be I will use a bit more, after wetting the area to cover, not sure yet.

WOW! That looks great! I have a Fossil bag that has a similar color/texture that I'm afraid of messing up. I'm glad to know that if I run into trouble I can potentially fix it with a sharpie ^_^

 

[WishingonaCoach]

WOW! That looks great! I have a Fossil bag that has a similar color/texture that I'm afraid of messing up. I'm glad to know that if I run into trouble I can potentially fix it with a sharpie ^_^

In my case with this color, the sharpie (Poster Paint) and the bag just out of the washer it worked, but I would still recommend to try first in some hidden spot.

 

[Ule313]

Oops, maybe I should have posted it here instead. I commented in vintage Coach with a question about rehabbing an old purple/lilac leather bag. I got it for $5 but it has some wear and scratches. I'd like to fix it up but I'm not sure what to use, especially since the leather is that lilac purple and not a neutral color.

 

[whateve]

Oops, maybe I should have posted it here instead. I commented in vintage Coach with a question about rehabbing an old purple/lilac leather bag. I got it for $5 but it has some wear and scratches. I'd like to fix it up but I'm not sure what to use, especially since the leather is that lilac purple and not a neutral color.

Can you post pictures? What is the style number? It helps to know what bag it is so we know what kind of leather it has. Generally, lighter bags are rehabbed the same way except that you might want to avoid conditioners that darken.

 

[Ule313]

will do. i'm actually on vacation right now and won't be home until saturday, but i will post pictures and the style number then.

 

[shillinggirl88]

Hi. I have been scanning for recommendations for getting rid of cigarette smoke on a leather handbag. It sounds like a lot of airing out, Febreeze, dunking etc. I am trying to decide if worth it. I purchased a NWT handbag on eBay and just received it. I had been told no smoking in home, no perfume.


I opened the box and there was a slight smell and at first I wasn't sure if it was smoke or musty. It seems it is smoke. I emailed seller and she was apologetic. She "says" she hasn't smoked for 10 years and did not notice. She has offered I can ship it back for refund. Then she offered to refund quite a bit if I want to take it to a dry cleaner to have them get rid of any smell. Can they? The handbag is perfect except for that - but I am so sensitive I have a headache already. Plus, seems silly to have to work on a NWT bag. Thoughts? Recommendations?

 

[stardustgirl]

She has offered I can ship it back for refund. Then she offered to refund quite a bit if I want to take it to a dry cleaner to have them get rid of any smell. Can they? The handbag is perfect except for that - but I am so sensitive I have a headache already. Plus, seems silly to have to work on a NWT bag. Thoughts? Recommendations?

If the refund is substantial enough to make the bag a killer deal, then I'd try to work with it. You may be able to rid the bag of the smell on your own using the techniques you've read. I'd start with the simplest ones such as activated charcoal / ground coffee / airing it out rather than dunking or dry cleaning right off the bat.

If you take the refund you're not obligated to pay a dry cleaner - you should be reimbursed for the effort you have to make to rid the bag of the odor.

 

[shillinggirl88]

If the refund is substantial enough to make the bag a killer deal, then I'd try to work with it. You may be able to rid the bag of the smell on your own using the techniques you've read. I'd start with the simplest ones such as activated charcoal / ground coffee / airing it out rather than dunking or dry cleaning right off the bat.

If you take the refund you're not obligated to pay a dry cleaner - you should be reimbursed for the effort you have to make to rid the bag of the odor.

Thanks for your input. I had the handbag out again and I get an instant headache from the scent even though it is not completely overwhelming. So, have decided just to return it. I don't want to take the chance of not getting rid of the smell. Thanks again.

 

[dgphoto]

Good save Dgphoto. Actually, other then the water stain, stuck paper and white spots, it's in good shape. So many of those sig fabric are just pitifully "gone." I feel so sorry for abused coach purses, they are like unwatered potted plants I have to save!

I know! I'm the same way-want to save them all. But then I want to KEEP them all! [emoji15] I have wondered soooo many times how some of the sad purses I see end up that way. Who carries those purses and treats them so wrongly?? I have never ever treated a bag terribly-even as a teenager. Poor bags... [emoji20]

 

[Farmer Cyndy]

I know! I'm the same way-want to save them all. But then I want to KEEP them all! [emoji15] I have wondered soooo many times how some of the sad purses I see end up that way. Who carries those purses and treats them so wrongly?? I have never ever treated a bag terribly-even as a teenager. Poor bags... [emoji20][/
One wonders if the purse is on it's 2nd or 3rd owner, who doesn't have anything but that purse (that they love) I have seen some MK purses (even leather) in as poor shape from the same issues. I have noticed the sig bags are very popular with young set, who want more "I have a expensive , purse, jeans, etc and it has it wrote all over it-see!." then those of us buying because we want quality as the prime reason.