Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

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#11,446
Hello ladies, I have a quick question.

I got some cute shoes at a garage sale (I couldn't resist the price ;)) in great shape, but overall needing cleaning. They have the red fabric, white fabric, red leather trim, the brown leather insole, white rubber around the bottom... too many materials.

Do you think I could just put them in the washer? (I have washed sneakers with no problem before), should I put them in the sink or clean the parts separately. I do not want red on the white, etc...

Any input will be appreciated, thanks :smile1:

7b6968b9-9af7-4da8-9e31-ae60ba1fa08b_zpsmpvitzur.jpg
 
#11,447
WishingonaCoach said:
Hello ladies, I have a quick question.

I got some cute shoes at a garage sale (I couldn't resist the price ;)) in great shape, but overall needing cleaning. They have the red fabric, white fabric, red leather trim, the brown leather insole, white rubber around the bottom... too many materials.

Do you think I could just put them in the washer? (I have washed sneakers with no problem before), should I put them in the sink or clean the parts separately. I do not want red on the white, etc...

Any input will be appreciated, thanks :smile1:

7b6968b9-9af7-4da8-9e31-ae60ba1fa08b_zpsmpvitzur.jpg
Click to expand...


With handbags that have fabric/leather mixed, I've given up on washing them in the machine or in the sink. It seems lately they've all been bleeding leather dye onto the fabric (both Coach and Dooney bags have been doing this). What I do now is spray the fabric down with an auto carpet foam, wipe clean, then wipe the leather trim with leather cleaner. The foam overspray doesn't seem to hurt the leather and as long as I don't over saturate the fabric, they don't bleed either. I hope this helps!

Edit: Mr Clean magic eraser for the white rubber. Also, cute shoes :)
 
#11,448
BlondieToHell said:
With handbags that have fabric/leather mixed, I've given up on washing them in the machine or in the sink. It seems lately they've all been bleeding leather dye onto the fabric (both Coach and Dooney bags have been doing this). What I do now is spray the fabric down with an auto carpet foam, wipe clean, then wipe the leather trim with leather cleaner. The foam overspray doesn't seem to hurt the leather and as long as I don't over saturate the fabric, they don't bleed either. I hope this helps!

Edit: Mr Clean magic eraser for the white rubber. Also, cute shoes :)
Click to expand...

Thank you so much, I will follow your advice because definitely better safe than sorry. :smile1:
 
#11,449
Happy Saturday Morning!

I just received this bag that I bought on Ebay.

I would appreciate any opinions on the the funky strap alteration & if it can be glued or secured better. (see pics)

The strap was shortened to a 12" drop which is very upsetting, but usable for me.
The new end is poorly stitched.
But my real concern is the folded leather on the edge of the strap which has escaped from the stitching and been glued with something like rubber cement. This is the under part of the strap & would get the most wear and tear.

Someone here mentioned Tandy Leather Cement; also super glue, tho that would be too stiff for a strap. Any ideas appreciated!

FYI I'm thinking of keeping it as the bag itself is in pristine shape and a color & style I've been searching for - 4906 Buff! This would be a bag I would use a lot and I think I can live with the defects if I can keep them from getting worse.

But the seller has offered me a complete refund if I decide to return it.

TIA!
 

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#11,450
Sonoma said:
Happy Saturday Morning!



I just received this bag that I bought on Ebay.



I would appreciate any opinions on the the funky strap alteration & if it can be glued or secured better. (see pics)



The strap was shortened to a 12" drop which is very upsetting, but usable for me.

The new end is poorly stitched.

But my real concern is the folded leather on the edge of the strap which has escaped from the stitching and been glued with something like rubber cement. This is the under part of the strap & would get the most wear and tear.



Someone here mentioned Tandy Leather Cement; also super glue, tho that would be too stiff for a strap. Any ideas appreciated!



FYI I'm thinking of keeping it as the bag itself is in pristine shape and a color & style I've been searching for - 4906 Buff! This would be a bag I would use a lot and I think I can live with the defects if I can keep them from getting worse.



But the seller has offered me a complete refund if I decide to return it.



TIA!
Click to expand...


Is there any way you could bring the bag to a cobbler for restitching? They would be able to do it well and you will feel very secure about the strap not coming apart again.
 
#11,452
whateve said:
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.
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when you guys talk about "dunking" a bag..are you talking about a bad that does not have a fabric lining and what is the reason for the dunking?? I just recently look a leather carving class and I'm trying to learn all i can about leather.
 
#11,454
go2girl99 said:
when you guys talk about "dunking" a bag..are you talking about a bad that does not have a fabric lining and what is the reason for the dunking?? I just recently look a leather carving class and I'm trying to learn all i can about leather.
Click to expand...
Normally when we talk about dunking, it is the all leather unlined bags, but I have dunked some lined bags with success. I would be wary to do it with a newer bag or with another brand. Once I dunked a Fossil and it stained along the seamlines. I guess there was some kind of glue in there that melted. I dunked a vintage Gucci with success.

Dunking not only cleans a bag but also helps plump up the leather and makes it so conditioner will soak in better. We also dunk in order to reshape a bag that has been squished. Most leatherworkers are shocked when they hear that we dunk our bags. I've been told more than once by a leather shop that water and leather don't mix. Way back in the 70s and 80s, Coach used to include washing instructions with their bags that included using soap and water, so we aren't doing anything radical. But only certain types of leather can be treated this way. Newer leathers often have a coating or are painted so washing can destroy the surface. Vintage glove-tanned Coach bags are dyed all the way through. When we dunk, it restores moisture through the leather, often refreshing a faded color. Then conditioning helps hold that moisture in.
 
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#11,455
whateve said:
Normally when we talk about dunking, it is the all leather unlined bags, but I have dunked some lined bags with success. I would be wary to do it with a newer bag or with another brand. Once I dunked a Fossil and it stained along the seamlines. I guess there was some kind of glue in there that melted. I dunked a vintage Gucci with success.

Dunking not only cleans a bag but also helps plump up the leather and makes it so conditioner will soak in better. We also dunk in order to reshape a bag that has been squished. Most leatherworkers are shocked when they hear that we dunk our bags. I've been told more than once by a leather shop that water and leather don't mix. Way back in the 70s and 80s, Coach used to include washing instructions with their bags that included using soap and water, so we aren't doing anything radical. But only certain types of leather can be treated this way. Newer leathers often have a coating or are painted so washing can destroy the surface. Vintage glove-tanned Coach bags are dyed all the way through. When we dunk, it restores moisture through the leather, often refreshing a faded color. Then conditioning helps hold that moisture in.
Click to expand...

Actually I don't find it all that crazy....during my first class when we were learning to stamp leather it has to be wet to accept the stamp otherwise trying to stamp and carve dry leather was IMpossible....and i can see how the moisture could maybe plump up a scratch to make it less noticable :D
 
#11,457
#11,459
go2girl99 said:
ok I need an opinion on this wallet i just bought.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131801175646?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Has anyone "dunked" a wallet??? otherwise what should i clean it with??
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Dunking doesn't help much with wallets since the leather is so much thinner that it doesn't plump. I still think you can get aggressive with water based cleaners as long as you get it evenly wet. I would avoid getting it soaked.

The seller is lying - that is not in "great condition."
 
#11,460
whateve said:
Dunking doesn't help much with wallets since the leather is so much thinner that it doesn't plump. I still think you can get aggressive with water based cleaners as long as you get it evenly wet. I would avoid getting it soaked.

The seller is lying - that is not in "great condition."
Click to expand...
yeah i laughed at the great condition part...but even with shipping it was 14.95. I would pay that for a wallet at target...so all in all it was an ok deal :cool:
 
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