Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[whateve]

Thanks to you and Ravvie99 for the replies! I took it to a jewelers and they told me they couldn't fix it. I've never repaired a bag before so I'm nervous that it won't turn out nicely.

Would it be easy to replace the hardware? I'm stopping by the Coach Outlet tomorrow but if they won't replace it, I found this site: http://sceckert.myshopify.com/collections/replacement-hardware-for-coach-bags-and-briefcases

Would it be easy to replace? I've never done it. What tools would I need?

It is very easy. Sometimes Coach might do it. Don't tell you bought it on Tradesy.

The site you linked is a perfect place to buy replacement hardware that matches.

 

[catchmyambition]

It is very easy. Sometimes Coach might do it. Don't tell you bought it on Tradesy.

The site you linked is a perfect place to buy replacement hardware that matches.

Coach is sending me the hardware to do it myself for free

The only hardware that they aren't sending are the lobster claw clasps on the straps. I saw that that site had replacement straps too. Do you know if the straps match too? It's black so I imagine it would probably be fine.

 

[whateve]

Coach is sending me the hardware to do it myself for free

The only hardware that they aren't sending are the lobster claw clasps on the straps. I saw that that site had replacement straps too. Do you know if the straps match too? It's black so I imagine it would probably be fine.

I think they have some things that match Coach. You could send them a message and ask. How old is your bag? Older bags probably have a thicker plating of brass than newer ones.

 

[whateve]

That piping repair looks amazing. Your color match looks great too. I've done a bit of piping repair and used a adhesive to protect and build up the area. I can't recall, but it was a leather glue I think or maybe a vynal repair glue. Then I used acrylic to cover.

Thank you! I have also used leather cement and covered it with acrylic paint. I find the puff paint to be easier to use, easier to get a smooth bead edge.

Whateve, those repairs look great. What colors did you use to get the match? I've been wondering what to mix if I need to add color to British tan edging.

Thanks! I don't remember what color I used. I have a couple different brands of puff paint. One is Scribbles 3D paint brown and the other is Polymark dimensional fabric and craft paint pen medium brown. There are tons of acrylic paint colors that can be painted on top if you can't find an exact match in puff paint.

 

[whateve]

Hello,


I have a few questions on rehabbing glove-tanned bags:

1) I've dunked a few vintage bags now to clean out the interior, and even after conditioning the heck out of them, they never seem to regain the incredible patina they had before the dunking. Is there any way you know of redeveloping the patina? (e.g. Would leaving it in a sunny room help?)

2) Is leather that has mottled perceived as a good thing or a negative on vintage Coaches? Does that mean that it was conditioned unevenly in the past or something? The mottling does not look like staining because its all over the bag.



Thanks in advance!

Here is a picture of the mottled bag that I was referring to.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121967200263?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Thanks!

I'm not sure it is really mottled. I think the pictures are too blurry to tell what it really looks like.

Oh oh. Attached is a picture of one of the bags I rehabbed. I thought the spots were oil splatter but now I'm wondering if it's actually mold. What do you think?

If it is mold, do I need to soak it again in Cider Vinegar and how would I know if the mold is dead?

That looks like mold to me. I don't know how you would know for sure the mold was dead. If there is an odor, then it probably isn't. You could put your bag out in the sun for awhile. That should help kill the mold. Or you could wipe it down with vinegar and then condition. I don't think you need to start a rehab all over. I think Obenaufs has mold-inhibiting properties so you can use that. The marks left by the mold are most likely permanent. If it gets really bad, the leather gets pockmarked.

Patina is caused by stains and burnishing from age. Some of the time you get a perfect look, but more often than not, there are stains or marks that don't help. Pictured below are two of most patinaed rehabs. The burgundy one also has some mold damage.

 

[soozlz]

Hello fellow rehabbers!! My obsession with legacy lining continues. I finished the little whiskey shoulder pouch. I'll take pictures during the day and post them. In the meantime, I have an anniversary shoulder bag in white vachetta that needs a little cleaning. There aren't any odors, but it feels dirty. Anyway, this vachetta seems to have a different texture than the whiskey. Does anyone have any suggestions on cleaning? I'm not sure if I need to treat this one differently. Thank you!!!

 

[soozlz]

Opps forgot the pics!!

The inside looks good!!

 

[dignatius]

I don't smell anything on the bag but I'll put it out in the sun to be sure (couldn't hurt). Thanks for the detailed answer!

I'm not sure it is really mottled. I think the pictures are too blurry to tell what it really looks like.

That looks like mold to me. I don't know how you would know for sure the mold was dead. If there is an odor, then it probably isn't. You could put your bag out in the sun for awhile. That should help kill the mold. Or you could wipe it down with vinegar and then condition. I don't think you need to start a rehab all over. I think Obenaufs has mold-inhibiting properties so you can use that. The marks left by the mold are most likely permanent. If it gets really bad, the leather gets pockmarked.

Patina is caused by stains and burnishing from age. Some of the time you get a perfect look, but more often than not, there are stains or marks that don't help. Pictured below are two of most patinaed rehabs. The burgundy one also has some mold damage.

 

[catchmyambition]

I think they have some things that match Coach. You could send them a message and ask. How old is your bag? Older bags probably have a thicker plating of brass than newer ones.

Yeah I sent them an email. It's about 20 years old so I'm worried that the leather might look too "new" compared with the bag, even though the leather is in practically new condition. It's a very buttery soft black, not like a jet black like a new bag would be. Of course, I'm not sure how much of that is age and how much of it is the look of the glove tanned leather. Thanks for your help!

 

[mjastuart]

Hi. I am trying to rehab a vintage Hadley Mini Crossbody Bag. I gave it a bath in warm water and woolite, and conditioned it, but am still left with a stain of indeterminate origin on the front. Any ideas on what I can try next to either remove it or to make it blend in better? Many thanks.

 

[dstalksalot]

I have used corn starch to remove oil staining from handles, maybe you could try that if it is an oil based stain?

Another thought is to get sno coat or another oil based conditioner and darken the entire bag to match the spot. It would be hard to get it perfectly even though.

Acrylic paint blended in thin layers may help. The paint is a last result though...if you want to wear it but would not normally.

 

[mjastuart]

I have used corn starch to remove oil staining from handles, maybe you could try that if it is an oil based stain?

Another thought is to get sno coat or another oil based conditioner and darken the entire bag to match the spot. It would be hard to get it perfectly even though.

Acrylic paint blended in thin layers may help. The paint is a last result though...if you want to wear it but would not normally.

thanks for the suggestions! Corn starch did not work so I'll need to decide how to proceed next.

 

[whateve]

thanks for the suggestions! Corn starch did not work so I'll need to decide how to proceed next.

Sometimes you have to use something with the cornstarch. I tried it mixed with water into a paste on a grease spot and it did nothing. Then I mixed it with alcohol and it helped, but the spot left was lighter than the rest. That was preferable to the darker spot and would be easier to blend with paint. You can also try cornstarch, cover it with a towel and then hold an iron over it. I don't know if dry heat from the iron will help or if it should be steam.

Sometimes alcohol or acetone by themselves will help with spots like this but you run the risk of lightening the surrounding area.

On one bag that had a bad ink spot, I used RIT color remover, just dabbing it on the spot over and over. It lightened the area around the spot but also the spot, making it less noticeable.

 

[Ravvie99]

Update on the suede Pocket Tote:
Still not sure if I like it enough to buy more dye and continue. I think it looks….okaaaay.

Thought I’d share what I learned as a first time suede-dyer. I did 2 ½ coats of a 2:1 ratio of Petal Pink/Fuchsia Rit powder dye, adding vinegar and simmering the dye bath before using. Final color is a little darker, more dusty rose than pics. IMO, it’s much harder to get even color on suede than when dyeing regular leather. ETA: Definitely doing a bunch of easy black bags after this!

What WORKED for me:
-Misting with vinegar helps dye go on more evenly (but creates other problems)
-Spreading wet dye in uneven areas with a toothbrush works
-Brushing drying suede with a toothbrush kept it soft
-Stuffing and taping the inside helps avoid dye drips on the lining
-A q-tip with Dawn used *right away* removes dye drips on lining
-Wool dauber + artist brush are good applicators
-Adding vinegar and simmering the dye helped set the dye

What DID NOT:
-Painters tape removes leather finish if the leather gets wet
-Vinegar mist lets dye to wick into stitching
-Too much vinegar mist leads to spots
-Dye didn’t cover pen marks near zipper

 

[AggieK]

Update on the suede Pocket Tote:
Still not sure if I like it enough to buy more dye and continue. I think it looks….okaaaay.

Thought I’d share what I learned as a first time suede-dyer. I did 2 ½ coats of a 2:1 ratio of Petal Pink/Fuchsia Rit powder dye, adding vinegar and simmering the dye bath before using. Final color is a little darker, more dusty rose than pics. IMO, it’s much harder to get even color on suede than when dyeing regular leather. ETA: Definitely doing a bunch of easy black bags after this!

What WORKED for me:
-Misting with vinegar helps dye go on more evenly (but creates other problems)
-Spreading wet dye in uneven areas with a toothbrush works
-Brushing drying suede with a toothbrush kept it soft
-Stuffing and taping the inside helps avoid dye drips on the lining
-A q-tip with Dawn used *right away* removes dye drips on lining
-Wool dauber + artist brush are good applicators
-Adding vinegar and simmering the dye helped set the dye

What DID NOT:
-Painters tape removes leather finish if the leather gets wet
-Vinegar mist lets dye to wick into stitching
-Too much vinegar mist leads to spots
-Dye didn’t cover pen marks near zipper

I think it looks very good! I wanted to dye some shoes and I used Tarrago Nubuck Suede Renovator.

http://www.amazon.com/Tarrago-Suede-Renovator-Spray-250Ml/dp/B00MMEMHBC

I don't know if it would work on a bag, but it was really easy. (Not sure why the picture is gigantic)