Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter greenpixie
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Thank you! That sounds really tricky. There are so many colored areas, very close to the white ones. It's scary because I'm not as talented & detail-oriented as many of you are. I washed it already & used a toothbrush with dish soap, focusing more on super-dirty areas.... It looks better for sure, though still not dry; however, I think I may need to redo the white sections or the whole thing. Does anyone know if OxiClean is too harsh (the original powdered kind)?
Yesterday I had a NYC basic bag authenticated, very happy about that, but... the strap clips are not brass, they are some kind of metal (I think) that is peeling off.
Logical conclusion is that they were replaced at some point, or the whole strap belonged to a different bag.
I asked how those clips could be replaced, and the leather covered pieces that wrap the strap near the ends should be it. I very carefully took one apart thinking I would find it the strap cut in two, and that's how the clips are attached, but no... it looked like only one piece of leather, may be they were glued before putting the clamp around it. I do not know.. it looks very professional job, no something somebody did along the way.
If anybody has any ideas of how to change those awful looking clips, PLEASE share.
Logical conclusion is that they were replaced at some point, or the whole strap belonged to a different bag.
I asked how those clips could be replaced, and the leather covered pieces that wrap the strap near the ends should be it. I very carefully took one apart thinking I would find it the strap cut in two, and that's how the clips are attached, but no... it looked like only one piece of leather, may be they were glued before putting the clamp around it. I do not know.. it looks very professional job, no something somebody did along the way.
If anybody has any ideas of how to change those awful looking clips, PLEASE share.
Yesterday I had a NYC basic bag authenticated, very happy about that, but... the strap clips are not brass, they are some kind of metal (I think) that is peeling off.
Logical conclusion is that they were replaced at some point, or the whole strap belonged to a different bag.
I asked how those clips could be replaced, and the leather covered pieces that wrap the strap near the ends should be it. I very carefully took one apart thinking I would find it the strap cut in two, and that's how the clips are attached, but no... it looked like only one piece of leather, may be they were glued before putting the clamp around it. I do not know.. it looks very professional job, no something somebody did along the way.
If anybody has any ideas of how to change those awful looking clips, PLEASE share.
At this point, it seems to me your only option is to remove the clamps, cut the strap very carefully, remove the old clips, install new brass ones, re-glue or sew the strap ends, and re-secure the clamps to hide the seams. A skilled leatherworker could probably do it without messing it up too badly. I have never done it myself! but I have owned the same style bag and am familiar with the strap and brass clips. It would be a delicate operation! I hope it works out.
Hopefully someone else will be able to offer other ideas.
Yeah this one's a toughie! Sounds like from the other thread that you plan to return it, but I'll still throw out the possibility of cutting it, replacing the clips, and turning it into the adjustable version of the strap. Weren't there two versions of the BB strap-I'm not dreaming, right? I'd definitely leave it to a pro leather person.
Curious what it looks like taken apart if you feel comfortable sharing...? I'm thinking of doing the above on mine b/c it's about 1-2" too short for a cross body.
Curious what it looks like taken apart if you feel comfortable sharing...? I'm thinking of doing the above on mine b/c it's about 1-2" too short for a cross body.
How would you turn it into an adjustable version? There was an adjustable strap available on recent basic bags but it wasn't the double skinny strap, it was a wider single strap with a buckle.
Apparently I dreamed up my own magical strap, lol! I thought the adjustable one was also double so that you could remove the end clamps and cut it to make a long single strap and then put some sort of little slider on one end. Thanks for setting me straight!
Your suggestion is the right one, but unfortunately I wouldn't even dare trying and where I live there is nobody that could do it for me professionally, thanks for the input.
Another good suggestion that could fix the problem, but this type of the double skinny straps, with brass hardware and same color.... I think I have better chances at winning the lottery, LOL
Yes I decided to return it, although I love the color and how old the bag is, I wouldn't enjoy it the way it is, and fixing it although doable, not really for my resources or expertise.
I only opened one side, I was afraid of breaking the piece and then I couldn't return it, so inside looked like whole, continuous straps, perhaps one cut at one point to put the clips, and then glued for reinforcement...? I think it could be done but it is very tight and hard to pry apart and if you break it, then no way to get the piece.
You were able to cut the metal? I guess the cheap metal or whatever it is piece that came with my bag could be broken, but how I cut the brass ones? Thanks for your idea as well, you all have been very helpful but the bag is going back. I will feel much better if they still have the other one I saw, but left because had no hang tag, (and I was short on cash...).
I used wire cutters. The kind a florist would use. The snap I cut was a good high quality original Coach snap so it was stout. I'll try and find the right shot of it and post. Even if you send it back, this may be useful for someone in the future.
(You can get the wire cutters in the gardening department at most stores. I think mine are from Dollar Tree for a buck.)
(You can get the wire cutters in the gardening department at most stores. I think mine are from Dollar Tree for a buck.)
I used wire cutters. The kind a florist would use. The snap I cut was a good high quality original Coach snap so it was stout. I'll try and find the right shot of it and post. Even if you send it back, this may be useful for someone in the future.
(You can get the wire cutters in the gardening department at most stores. I think mine are from Dollar Tree for a buck.)
Thank you! I see what you did now
I am pretty sure that your idea will be helpful if not now in the future.
Ok guys, here is progress. This bag may be beyond my help though. I managed to improve the main stain, but it still has some age spots/discoloration that may be old mold? I gave it a wash, with vinegar and soap but the specs- spots have not diminished. I am not sure if I should leave it as is and sell it or try and 'age' it uniformly. Tea stain it maybe or...I don't know. I was thinking of painting a daisy motif and "staining" with a paint wash on the front of the bag....don't know if I want to waste more hours on something I'm not in love with.
