Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Ravvie99]

Time to request you input....

I just got authenticated the bag I exchanged for the basic one, with the bad snaps replacement on the strap, thank goodness this one was still there.

Flatiron Flap in very decent condition, but I would like to do the full treatment of the bath, conditioning, etc.. I am not worried about the liner as it is black as well, what concerns me is the strap.

The ends closer to the bag are really stiff, like some extra support is there...? I hope it is not cardboard or I imagine it would get ruined, any guesses? TIA

Just saw this over on the AT and it's cool - I've never seen this style! I wonder if it has the same sort of stiffener discovered in the Courier's tongue? Those seem to dunk just fine.

I've had pretty good luck even with non-Coach flimsy cardboard bottom and flap stiffeners. I just press out water with a towel after dunking and try to flatten with something heavy while drying, as with straps. For bottoms I cut out the same shape foam board for inside and weight it.

If you can unbuckle that strap, life will be a whole lot easier but I have confidence it will turn out just fine

ETA: Seeing Whateve's comment about this being rare, so I take it all back, lol!

 

[whateve]

Time to request you input....

I just got authenticated the bag I exchanged for the basic one, with the bad snaps replacement on the strap, thank goodness this one was still there.

Flatiron Flap in very decent condition, but I would like to do the full treatment of the bath, conditioning, etc.. I am not worried about the liner as it is black as well, what concerns me is the strap.

The ends closer to the bag are really stiff, like some extra support is there...? I hope it is not cardboard or I imagine it would get ruined, any guesses? TIA

I don't think they would use cardboard in the straps. I don't know if anyone has ever washed one of these. There are pretty rare. I would dunk it but wouldn't let the strap sit in the water for a long time.

ETA: they did use something like cardboard in stiff handles of briefcases and slim satchels. Those are a lot thicker though.

 

[go2girl99]

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOqrr0gg656tPQWCJELt3jBfCQDnIdxgUy9nn7B

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOqZxMb7Fg_TtS5svs5KCRch9txC9tm2aJx3gE3

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOjSmIL3VUFylb_M5vnFzgjC6cM5Go63K1XDyzh

can anyone see these photos???

 

[dstalksalot]

I am noticing that many of you use a leather conditioner, then add multiple coats of leather honey and or black rocks. What is the benefit of using the other. Does black rocks darken significantly or just add shine? Does the honey do something different? I've never used leather honey.

 

[whateve]

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOqrr0gg656tPQWCJELt3jBfCQDnIdxgUy9nn7B

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOqZxMb7Fg_TtS5svs5KCRch9txC9tm2aJx3gE3

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOjSmIL3VUFylb_M5vnFzgjC6cM5Go63K1XDyzh

can anyone see these photos???

No.

I am noticing that many of you use a leather conditioner, then add multiple coats of leather honey and or black rocks. What is the benefit of using the other. Does black rocks darken significantly or just add shine? Does the honey do something different? I've never used leather honey.

I only use Leather Honey for really dry bags. Occasionally I've had it give a mottled appearance to the leather and had to start all over. I don't consider Leather Honey to be an equivalent to Blackrocks. I think it is closer to mink oil.

Blackrocks is unique. I haven't discovered any conditioner that does what it does. It gives your bag a glow, not a shine, just makes the leather look and feel richer and softer. If I could only use one product, it would be Blackrocks. It might darken initially but after it absorbs, it returns to the original color.

 

[dstalksalot]

^ thanks for the clarification on the honey.

 

[WishingonaCoach]

Just saw this over on the AT and it's cool - I've never seen this style! I wonder if it has the same sort of stiffener discovered in the Courier's tongue? Those seem to dunk just fine.

I've had pretty good luck even with non-Coach flimsy cardboard bottom and flap stiffeners. I just press out water with a towel after dunking and try to flatten with something heavy while drying, as with straps. For bottoms I cut out the same shape foam board for inside and weight it.

If you can unbuckle that strap, life will be a whole lot easier but I have confidence it will turn out just fine

ETA: Seeing Whateve's comment about this being rare, so I take it all back, lol!

I don't think they would use cardboard in the straps. I don't know if anyone has ever washed one of these. There are pretty rare. I would dunk it but wouldn't let the strap sit in the water for a long time.

ETA: they did use something like cardboard in stiff handles of briefcases and slim satchels. Those are a lot thicker though.

Thanks for your input ladies. I do not think it will be cardboard either, but to play it safe I am going to dunk it standing up, to the edge of the strap. The body of the bag is the one that needs the reconditioning the most. I will post a picture when I am done

 

[go2girl99]

ok ladies.....i finally got a bag that didn't cost too much, and I'm willing to use it as the test subject. Here is the original listing, their pics were not that great and there is more spots than I excepted.
ebay.com/itm/Coach-vintage-leather-purse-/182137812130?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=im3Npd8B9EoZZwW7CyzIMRLqYJo%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

I took a few pics myself. This bag is lined, and super slouchy which I love. what should be my first step??

style l5e-4916 for Italy

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207663680284785&set=pb.1075243144.-2207520000.1465403887.&type=3&theater

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207663679884775&set=a.10207663574562142.1073741853.1075243144&type=3&theater

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207663679484765&set=a.10207663574562142.1073741853.1075243144&type=3&theater

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207678521255800&set=a.10207663574562142.1073741853.1075243144&type=3&theater

 

[Sonoma]

ok ladies.....i finally got a bag that didn't cost too much, and I'm willing to use it as the test subject. Here is the original listing, their pics were not that great and there is more spots than I excepted.
ebay.com/itm/Coach-vintage-leather-purse-/182137812130?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=im3Npd8B9EoZZwW7CyzIMRLqYJo%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

I took a few pics myself. This bag is lined, and super slouchy which I love. what should be my first step??

style l5e-4916 for Italy

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207663680284785&set=pb.1075243144.-2207520000.1465403887.&type=3&theater

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207663679884775&set=a.10207663574562142.1073741853.1075243144&type=3&theater

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207663679484765&set=a.10207663574562142.1073741853.1075243144&type=3&theater

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207678521255800&set=a.10207663574562142.1073741853.1075243144&type=3&theater

Oooo, great find and price, and made in Italy too. I love this style bag, color, and that unstructured bottom (unlike the 1997 4927 with stiff bottom & piping).

Hard to tell what kind of stains and discoloration are going on here, and you probably won't know until you wash it. Here's what I would do, but there are lots of experts here so hold off for other ideas

I would start by soaking the bag (but not the strap) in warm body temperature water with a tablespoon of Dawn. Leave it until completely soaked through, may take a few hours. (Color will be more consistent that way when dry.) You might try very gently wiping surface with your hand to try and remove any surface dirt. Rinse well, blot gently, put towels in to keep shape (but don't overstuff). When almost dry and if looking much better, treat with Leather Therapy**; when fully dry a final coat or two of Black Rock.
(**On stained bags like this Leather Therapy may make some marks stand out, so you may want to skip this step and just use Black Rock which will even color out and add a light sheen.)

FYI
I've learned the hard way not to scrub wet pebbled leather. Also not to soak the strap - it will ruin whatever is inside it that gives it structure. I put my bag in the kitchen sink, place a large heavy mixing bowl on the counter next to the sink and wrap the strap around it so it doesn't accidentally get dragged into the water.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out!

 

[Ravvie99]

Oooo, great find and price, and made in Italy too. I love this style bag, color, and that unstructured bottom (unlike the 1997 4927 with stiff bottom & piping).

Hard to tell what kind of stains and discoloration are going on here, and you probably won't know until you wash it. Here's what I would do, but there are lots of experts here so hold off for other ideas

I would start by soaking the bag (but not the strap) in warm body temperature water with a tablespoon of Dawn. Leave it until completely soaked through, may take a few hours. (Color will be more consistent that way when dry.) You might try very gently wiping surface with your hand to try and remove any surface dirt. Rinse well, blot gently, put towels in to keep shape (but don't overstuff). When almost dry and if looking much better, treat with Leather Therapy**; when fully dry a final coat or two of Black Rock.
(**On stained bags like this Leather Therapy may make some marks stand out, so you may want to skip this step and just use Black Rock which will even color out and add a light sheen.)

FYI
I've learned the hard way not to scrub wet pebbled leather. Also not to soak the strap - it will ruin whatever is inside it that gives it structure. I put my bag in the kitchen sink, place a large heavy mixing bowl on the counter next to the sink and wrap the strap around it so it doesn't accidentally get dragged into the water.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out!

These are great pebbled leather tips - thanks for such a thorough description! I will be rethinking how I've been using Leather Therapy, esp. on stained bags.

 

[Sonoma]

Oooo, great find and price, and made in Italy too. I love this style bag, color, and that unstructured bottom (unlike the 1997 4927 with stiff bottom & piping).

Hard to tell what kind of stains and discoloration are going on here, and you probably won't know until you wash it. Here's what I would do, but there are lots of experts here so hold off for other ideas

I would start by soaking the bag (but not the strap) in warm body temperature water with a tablespoon of Dawn. Leave it until completely soaked through, may take a few hours. (Color will be more consistent that way when dry.) You might try very gently wiping surface with your hand to try and remove any surface dirt. Rinse well, blot gently, put towels in to keep shape (but don't overstuff). When almost dry and if looking much better, treat with Leather Therapy**; when fully dry a final coat or two of Black Rock.
(**On stained bags like this Leather Therapy may make some marks stand out, so you may want to skip this step and just use Black Rock which will even color out and add a light sheen.)

FYI
I've learned the hard way not to scrub wet pebbled leather. Also not to soak the strap - it will ruin whatever is inside it that gives it structure. I put my bag in the kitchen sink, place a large heavy mixing bowl on the counter next to the sink and wrap the strap around it so it doesn't accidentally get dragged into the water.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out!

These are great pebbled leather tips - thanks for such a thorough description! I will be rethinking how I've been using Leather Therapy, esp. on stained bags.

Thanks Ravvie99 for reminding me to clarify that these steps are based on my hands-on experience with Sonoma pebbled leather only. It may work with other pebbled leathers too.

Also, these rehab ideas came from the many patient and generous expert rehabbers on this site. My thanks as always to them and I'm happy to be able to pay it forward!

 

[Bucketbagger]

Latest rehab -- 1970s Crescent that was the driest bag I ever saw. I took Ravvie's advice and put leather therapy on it -- I think it is still seeping in because it darkened the bag. Oily stuff that! but here she is, with another thrift-shop charm subbing for her long-gone hangtag -- a glass butterfly. I was a miserable teen in the 1970s, but I still look back on the styles with nostalgia.

 

[dstalksalot]

I love these bags, they seem to be my favorite to rehab and carry. I love the shape and hardware.The butterfly is perfect for this bag. The charms you find, are they vintage pendents or earrings that you repurpouse/up cycle?

Here is my latest, to be fair, it did not need much work, a soaking, some Leather CPR and a dremmel to the hardware with a good polish.

 

[oldbaglover]

I love these bags, they seem to be my favorite to rehab and carry. I love the shape and hardware.The butterfly is perfect for this bag. The charms you find, are they vintage pendents or earrings that you repurpouse/up cycle?

Here is my latest, to be fair, it did not need much work, a soaking, some Leather CPR and a dreamed to the hardware with a good polish.

wow! looks like a new bag-good job!

 

[Bucketbagger]

I love these bags, they seem to be my favorite to rehab and carry. I love the shape and hardware.The butterfly is perfect for this bag. The charms you find, are they vintage pendents or earrings that you repurpouse/up cycle?

Here is my latest, to be fair, it did not need much work, a soaking, some Leather CPR and a dreamed to the hardware with a good polish.

They're pendants, scarves, key rings and even feathered hair ornaments; I've never used an earring but I suppose you could if it were big enough. I've seen folks on the vintage chat thread use charm bracelets. You could use religious paraphernalia like scapulars, rosaries or worry beads if you were so inclined. In NYC where I live many women seem to hang fur pom-poms from their bags. Also little stuffed animals.