Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[LondonUK]

So, this is my rehab project and it's just gotten out of the bath and is now drying. The strap needs repair and I was curious about this. Probably in the late 90's someone tried to steal my station bag and I was able to grab the top handle. I wasn't giving my bag up so I got dragged still holding the top handle and it broke. Well my knee sustained more damage than the handle and I sent it off to coach who so nicely repaired it. Would they do that with this bag or is there a cutoff point depending on the age of the bag? They should repair it I Should sent it off with a ups prepaid label, worst case they just return it right? The bags not that old.

 

[whateve]

So, this is my rehab project and it's just gotten out of the bath and is now drying. The strap needs repair and I was curious about this. Probably in the late 90's someone tried to steal my station bag and I was able to grab the top handle. I wasn't giving my bag up so I got dragged still holding the top handle and it broke. Well my knee sustained more damage than the handle and I sent it off to coach who so nicely repaired it. Would they do that with this bag or is there a cutoff point depending on the age of the bag? They should repair it I Should sent it off with a ups prepaid label, worst case they just return it right? The bags not that old.

They used to repair things like this but about a year ago they changed their repair policy to only things bought within the last year. This year they are offering spa treatments for new bags. I don't know if they have softened on the 1 year limit.

 

[LondonUK]

They used to repair things like this but about a year ago they changed their repair policy to only things bought within the last year. This year they are offering spa treatments for new bags. I don't know if they have softened on the 1 year limit.

I'm going to try and will let you guys know the outcome. I'm going to,put a note saying if it cannot be repaired to return it and also something to the fact if they consider it out of warranty that I would be happy to pay for the repair. It will be interesting what happens. I can't believe you can't send things in anymore i.e. Handles being repaired. They should offer this service and charge for it if the item is out of warranty as people would be happy to pay for the service.

 

[Catbird9]

I'm going to try and will let you guys know the outcome. I'm going to,put a note saying if it cannot be repaired to return it and also something to the fact if they consider it out of warranty that I would be happy to pay for the repair. It will be interesting what happens. I can't believe you can't send things in anymore i.e. Handles being repaired. They should offer this service and charge for it if the item is out of warranty as people would be happy to pay for the service.

I hope it works out.

If not, sometimes people sell parts such as straps and handles on eBay. Or maybe you could find a "donor" bag that is trashed but the handle is still good.

Good luck!

P.S. Great story about the Station Bag. Sorry about your knee!

 

[LondonUK]

I hope it works out.

If not, sometimes people sell parts such as straps and handles on eBay. Or maybe you could find a "donor" bag that is trashed but the handle is still good.

Good luck!

P.S. Great story about the Station Bag. Sorry about your knee!

The handle is fine, just coming apart from the edges. It was funny as I was sitting outside at a restaurant w a friend, people were walking past as a jazz festival was going on. The bag was on a chair besides me when all of a sudden a voice in my head said grab your bag it's about to get stolen. Just then I looked up at a guy walking past and as I grabbed my bag by the handle he grabbed the strap and there. I was in my business suit and skirt getting dragged down the pavement. True story.

 

[soozlz]

I'd be inclined to re-dunk the strap too. It's easy to do and it will dry much faster than the bag, that's for sure!

Exactly!! It's not a huge ordeal. Hopefully it will go to the pre-blackrock state.

 

[soozlz]

The handle is fine, just coming apart from the edges. It was funny as I was sitting outside at a restaurant w a friend, people were walking past as a jazz festival was going on. The bag was on a chair besides me when all of a sudden a voice in my head said grab your bag it's about to get stolen. Just then I looked up at a guy walking past and as I grabbed my bag by the handle he grabbed the strap and there. I was in my business suit and skirt getting dragged down the pavement. True story.

Omg!! Did any bystanders step up?

 

[Almmac]

Ladies, I need your opinion on which leather cement I should get. I have done a search and found so many that I am lost.

What I am trying to repair is the cracking, peeling strap edges of the Madeline. I tried what I had after cutting some pieces off and sanding, got improvement but nothing I am happy with.

Puffed paint
Aleene's Tacky Glue
Edge Kote on top of the tacky glue
The tacky glue mixed with craft paint

I can not get a smooth edge and the cracks where they were not too bad still are noticeable. I think the leather cement is my only other option, to build up the areas where I cut off the peeling material, then use the Edge Coat.

If you have suggestions about other way to do it, please share TIA

I am also interested in the suggestions/opinions, because I am watching a satchel on Ebay that I love, but has a section of one strap edging missing. I will have to "build it up" to match the rest, then use the EdgeKote I guess... my rehabs have not been too daring yet, LOL

The only edge work I've done has involved applying numerous coats of dura edge or edge kote. I am experimenting with edging now since I've had to start over on the Hampton bag as the dye-prep melted my edging job. I am thinking of mixing the dura edge with matte gel medium and seeing how that works. I'll keep you updated. As far as a good leather cement, Feibing's makes an excellent product. I've tested that, E6000, and Super Glue Vinyl and Leather Adhesive and it came in at the top. I was surprised! E6000 was so close that it was really a tie. I will probably use the two together when I apply a patch to a bag I'm working on. Still waiting on the patch material to come in. I don't know how Leather Cement would work as an edging material but it's worth a shot. The leather cement is very thin so I don't think it will help with building up quickly as you are wanting to dn the other hand, I can see the benefit of having a product that would be less visible (hide mistakes) to build up the area. You will still have to completely cover it with paint at the end though. You could do a test and put a bit of cement on a scrap of leather, let it dry, and then paint it to see what happens. I think matte gel medium is your best bet for building up quickly. It does shrink as it dries, so you may have to do a few coats but that is actually a good thing because it allows you to correct mistakes. It also dries slowly (overnight for first coat) which is another consideration. Good luck! Keep us posted!

 

[whateve]

The only edge work I've done has involved applying numerous coats of dura edge or edge kote. I am experimenting with edging now since I've had to start over on the Hampton bag as the dye-prep melted my edging job. I am thinking of mixing the dura edge with matte gel medium and seeing how that works. I'll keep you updated. As far as a good leather cement, Feibing's makes an excellent product. I've tested that, E6000, and Super Glue Vinyl and Leather Adhesive and it came in at the top. I was surprised! E6000 was so close that it was really a tie. I will probably use the two together when I apply a patch to a bag I'm working on. Still waiting on the patch material to come in. I don't know how Leather Cement would work as an edging material but it's worth a shot. The leather cement is very thin so I don't think it will help with building up quickly as you are wanting to dn the other hand, I can see the benefit of having a product that would be less visible (hide mistakes) to build up the area. You will still have to completely cover it with paint at the end though. You could do a test and put a bit of cement on a scrap of leather, let it dry, and then paint it to see what happens. I think matte gel medium is your best bet for building up quickly. It does shrink as it dries, so you may have to do a few coats but that is actually a good thing because it allows you to correct mistakes. It also dries slowly (overnight for first coat) which is another consideration. Good luck! Keep us posted!

I have used Leather Cement for edging. Mine is Fiebings too. It is hard to get it even. When you are done, you can paint it.

 

[sandlewoodshop]

I purchased a Coach wallet at Macy's in SF when I was there 4 years ago.
It's the Audrey Signature C Op Art Swirl in the blueish colour. When I bought it the background was kind of off white. I've just taken it out to look at using it again as I didn't use it for years, and now all the white parts are badly yellowed.
Has anyone got suggestions on how to refresh it without damaging the fabric or the leather?
(It is the same as the attached photo for reference)

 

[LondonUK]

Omg!! Did any bystanders step up?

He ran out into traffic to get across the street and an off duty police officer went after him. He chased him for quite a distance but wasn't able to catch him. My knee was shredded quite a bit but I had my bag still. Funny thing wasi had just picked up some of my jewelry and had a fair amount of cash in there. I wasn't letting go of the handle for anything!

 

[Ravvie99]

As an update, Flitz looks promising for taking off gnarly scratches on nickel hardware. Just tried it on this Donald Pliner before I risk it on a Soho tote. If only it could remove that pesky varnish coating on brass...

 

[Ravvie99]

I tried the Wood 'n Stuff Leather Refinish in black and was impressed! Now that I'm hooked, does anyone have advice on which LR colors might match these? Any feedback would be much appreciated! I'll report back if I'm able to wrangle combined shipping.

ETA: LR color chart : http://www.wood-n-stuff.com/leatheraidcolorchartbig.html

Reds:
Chili Carly (maybe Scarlet?)
Hampton demi bag. (Red?)
random non-Coach (Scarlet?)
Prairie (Red?)
Dinky and Basic Bag just for comparison

White:
off-white trim on Spectator City bag (maybe Cream?)

 

[Catbird9]

I tried the Wood 'n Stuff Leather Refinish in black and was impressed! Now that I'm hooked, does anyone have advice on which LR colors might match these? Any feedback would be much appreciated! I'll report back if I'm able to wrangle combined shipping.

ETA: LR color chart : http://www.wood-n-stuff.com/leatheraidcolorchartbig.html

Reds:
Chili Carly (maybe Scarlet?)
Hampton demi bag. (Red?)
random non-Coach (Scarlet?)
Prairie (Red?)
Dinky and Basic Bag just for comparison

White:
off-white trim on Spectator City bag (maybe Cream?)

Wow, nice collection of REDS!

I think you're the designated researcher for blending LR and finding a match.

 

[coach943]

I tried the Wood 'n Stuff Leather Refinish in black and was impressed! Now that I'm hooked, does anyone have advice on which LR colors might match these? Any feedback would be much appreciated! I'll report back if I'm able to wrangle combined shipping.

ETA: LR color chart : http://www.wood-n-stuff.com/leatheraidcolorchartbig.html

Reds:
Chili Carly (maybe Scarlet?)
Hampton demi bag. (Red?)
random non-Coach (Scarlet?)
Prairie (Red?)
Dinky and Basic Bag just for comparison

White:
off-white trim on Spectator City bag (maybe Cream?)

I know some people around here have recommended it, but I recommend you think twice about using Wood-n-Stuff on vintage handbags that can be restored. It can ruin your vintage bag. I think it should only be used for bags that can't salvaged. Here's a post on Debi's blog:

http://sacsmagnifiques.com/2015/02/trends-bad-bad-bad-trends-wood-n-stuff-leather-refinisher.html