Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Catbird9]

When I have bags when super dry edges, I buff the edges with a horse hair brush immediately after applying conditioner. I've had the best luck using an oil-based conditioner on these types of bags also (like Leather Therapy, Montana's Pitch Blend Oil, or Obenauf's Oil). I think the oils get in between the fibers of the leather better and brushing helps open the pores of the leather. Whateve's suggestion about Leather Honey is also a good one. I've had relatively good success with it, too. Although be careful not to overdo it because it can make your bag tacky if you use too much.

Thanks for the tip about brushing. I'll give that a try!

 

[Transported]

I got lucky and got mine at a local tack shop. I later saw it at a second tack shop, too.
It says distributed by Leather Honey on the bottle, so maybe they're a private company? Don't choke when you see the price - a little really does go a loooong way!

Thank you ( especially for the warning about the price) I will keep my eye out at the local tack shops and brace myself for the price.

 

[Transported]

When I have bags when super dry edges, I buff the edges with a horse hair brush immediately after applying conditioner. I've had the best luck using an oil-based conditioner on these types of bags also (like Leather Therapy, Montana's Pitch Blend Oil, or Obenauf's Oil). I think the oils get in between the fibers of the leather better and brushing helps open the pores of the leather. Whateve's suggestion about Leather Honey is also a good one. I've had relatively good success with it, too. Although be careful not to overdo it because it can make your bag tacky if you use too much.

Thanks for the tips... I will bust out my brush tomorrow and give it a try.... I am trying to resist the urge to keep applying conditioner. after conditioner... and trying to give everything a chance to settle and soak in. This bag was my first coach ... it has been with me a really long time. Other Bags I have no trouble rehabbing... this one is harder.

 

[Transported]

Thanks Whatever. I will look locally and if not will order on line.

 

[Ravvie99]

When I have bags when super dry edges, I buff the edges with a horse hair brush immediately after applying conditioner. I've had the best luck using an oil-based conditioner on these types of bags also (like Leather Therapy, Montana's Pitch Blend Oil, or Obenauf's Oil). I think the oils get in between the fibers of the leather better and brushing helps open the pores of the leather. Whateve's suggestion about Leather Honey is also a good one. I've had relatively good success with it, too. Although be careful not to overdo it because it can make your bag tacky if you use too much.

+1 on the 'Thank you!' for the tip about brushing!
In fact, I've meaning to ask for some general advice on brushing. I'm not using my horsehair brush much since I seem to get better results with elbow grease and a soft cloth. It almost seems like my brushing undoes the conditioning and leaves micro scratches but maybe I'm not doing it right? Or maybe my brush is low quality? I've been brushing in place of buffing, after the conditioner has soaked in, b/f applying the next coat - should I be doing something different? Should I also buff w/ the cloth after brushing? Any hints would be welcome!
Not that I've had time to rehab much - had to start earning extra $ to pay for all my thrift store finds!

 

[coach943]

Thanks for the tips... I will bust out my brush tomorrow and give it a try.... I am trying to resist the urge to keep applying conditioner. after conditioner... and trying to give everything a chance to settle and soak in. This bag was my first coach ... it has been with me a really long time. Other Bags I have no trouble rehabbing... this one is harder.

If the bag is really dry, it may take lots of coats of conditioner. You will be able to tell when it doesn't need any more. If it isn't soaking into the bag, then you have applied enough. If the bag is still absorbing it, then keep going. The first musette I rehabbed was so dry I must have used at least 10 applications of Leather Therapy on it. It was crazy how dry it was.

 

[coach943]

+1 on the 'Thank you!' for the tip about brushing!
In fact, I've meaning to ask for some general advice on brushing. I'm not using my horsehair brush much since I seem to get better results with elbow grease and a soft cloth. It almost seems like my brushing undoes the conditioning and leaves micro scratches but maybe I'm not doing it right? Or maybe my brush is low quality? I've been brushing in place of buffing, after the conditioner has soaked in, b/f applying the next coat - should I be doing something different? Should I also buff w/ the cloth after brushing? Any hints would be welcome!
Not that I've had time to rehab much - had to start earning extra $ to pay for all my thrift store finds!

I like to brush because I think it easier to watch TV and brush at the same time. If a cloth is working for you, then I think that is the way to go.

Is your brush soft? If not, then your brush might be the problem. I have several Kiwi brand like this and love them:

https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-100%-Ho...id=1469105908&sr=8-2&keywords=horsehair+brush

I brush in long gentle strokes and brush lots and lots of times. I sometimes brush right after applying conditioner, then usually brush several more times before applying the next round. The drier the bag, the more I tend to brush it. I usually only buff with a cloth after the final coat of Blackrocks.

 

[BlondieToHell]

look at this cutie that just came in! It's so crazy soft and squishy that I don't want to soak it, but the inside is dirty so I have to lol. I will update

 

[Ravvie99]

I like to brush because I think it easier to watch TV and brush at the same time. If a cloth is working for you, then I think that is the way to go.

Is your brush soft? If not, then your brush might be the problem. I have several Kiwi brand like this and love them:

https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-100%-Ho...id=1469105908&sr=8-2&keywords=horsehair+brush

I brush in long gentle strokes and brush lots and lots of times. I sometimes brush right after applying conditioner, then usually brush several more times before applying the next round. The drier the bag, the more I tend to brush it. I usually only buff with a cloth after the final coat of Blackrocks.

You read my mind - I want to brush while I watch TV!
My brush seems soft and it's definitely horsehair, but I'll do some comparison shopping. Most likely my lack of results is user error, so I'll try tweaking my approach.
Thanks so much for sharing your tools and method!

 

[prism]

received two bags, dunked them both and they're stuffed now, slowly drying.

had to remove the hardware (turnlock) on one bag cause the verdigris buildup as pretty gross. now my issue is that the leather slots where the pins of the turnlock go in are SUPER green. bottle green. verdigris green.

is there a way to remove that? or should i just cover it with clear nailpolish? i'm thinking about covering all the hardware with clear nailpolish. or simply write Coach to please send me a new lock lol

 

[whateve]

received two bags, dunked them both and they're stuffed now, slowly drying.

had to remove the hardware (turnlock) on one bag cause the verdigris buildup as pretty gross. now my issue is that the leather slots where the pins of the turnlock go in are SUPER green. bottle green. verdigris green.

is there a way to remove that? or should i just cover it with clear nailpolish? i'm thinking about covering all the hardware with clear nailpolish. or simply write Coach to please send me a new lock lol

You can clean the leather with vinegar. It might stay stained though. I guess you can paint over it. You can get new turnlocks which will look shiny and nice but won't be the same quality of the turnlocks on older bags. It depends on how old your bags are.

 

[Couturexec]

Not a Coach, but a friend dug this out for me to recondition. Do you think this a good candidate for dunking? The lining feels to me like 100% cotton. Do I fully submerge or do I 'try' not to get the linings wet?
Thanks for opinions in advance!

 

[whateve]

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Not a Coach, but a friend dug this out for me to recondition. Do you think this a good candidate for dunking? The lining feels to me like 100% cotton. Do I fully submerge or do I 'try' not to get the linings wet?
Thanks for opinions in advance!

That's a beautiful bag. Personally, I wouldn't dunk. I would pull out the lining and clean that with soap and water, if necessary, taking care to wipe any water off the leather immediately. In the pictures, the leather reminds of 2006 Legacy. I would stuff those pockets and try to steam them back into shape. Then just give it a really good conditioning.

 

[Couturexec]

That's a beautiful bag. Personally, I wouldn't dunk. I would pull out the lining and clean that with soap and water, if necessary, taking care to wipe any water off the leather immediately. In the pictures, the leather reminds of 2006 Legacy. I would stuff those pockets and try to steam them back into shape. Then just give it a really good conditioning.

Thanks Whateve. The leather is really soft and "thin" feeling for lack of a better word. I think it should clean up nice for her.

 

[BlondieToHell]

received two bags, dunked them both and they're stuffed now, slowly drying.

had to remove the hardware (turnlock) on one bag cause the verdigris buildup as pretty gross. now my issue is that the leather slots where the pins of the turnlock go in are SUPER green. bottle green. verdigris green.

is there a way to remove that? or should i just cover it with clear nailpolish? i'm thinking about covering all the hardware with clear nailpolish. or simply write Coach to please send me a new lock lol

I second the vinegar idea. I always add vinegar to all my Coach soakings now and the hardware comes out bright like brand new brass