Hello, new here. Someone directed me to this forum. I inherited this
coach bag from my grandmother. (She is 99 years old and still stylish) She used it often and even recently. It's soft but worn. I know nothing about cleaning or conditioning. Some of the results I see on this forum are amazing. What products do you recommend and from the beginning, how do I go about bringing this piece back to life? AND What should i NOT do? I don't want to risk ruining or diminishing the bags value in any way.
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Welcome to the club!
You have inherited a beautiful bag that many vintage Coach collectors would love to own. If it were mine, I would treasure it not only for its value as a collector's item, but also for its personal meaning as gift from your grandmother. How wonderful that she's 99 and still stylish!
Here's what I would do: first carefully inspect the entire bag to locate any stains, holes, missing stitches, damage, verdigris on the brass, etc. Look for dry areas and breaks (strap edges?) or worn-through spots. Then you have to decide how (or if!) you want to deal with the problem areas.
If there are no problem areas to address, then I would use a very "minimalist" approach. I would remove the strap and vacuum out the interior and brush the suede lining with a clean brush (I use a nail brush). I would polish the buckles with Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths (mask off the surrounding leather so you don't get the solvent on it). Then I'd apply a light coat of Leather CPR cleaner/conditioner to the exterior leather with a clean sponge, including all edges, being careful not to get the conditioner on the suede lining. Do the strap the same way. Let it soak in. Then I'd use the bag, get a feel for it, for a few days or weeks.
You may decide you want to give the bag a bath ("dunk" is the term of art around here!) The main advantages of this are saturating the leather, opening up the pores to allow the conditioner to soak in, and restoring the shape of the bag. There is a small risk of changing the "feel" of the leather (not necessarily good or bad, just different), but generally the bag will benefit from the dunk.
Read as much as you can before you start, to pick up hints and tips on this thread. Here's a brief outline of my process:
1. Photograph the bag if you want to compare "before" and "after."
2. Fill sink with tepid water and liquid soap (I've used Dawn, generic dish detergent, and Dr. Bronner's Unscented Liquid Castille Soap). I would use very little soap, maybe a tsp., unless the bag is really soiled.
3. Immerse the bag (and the strap, separately) and gently scrub inside and out with a small brush (nail brush or toothbrush). Soak for 15 minutes.
4. Rinse generously.
5. Remove from water and allow to drain on thick bath towels. Gently reshape to dry. Stuff lightly with small towels - don't overstuff or the leather can stretch. Turn the bag as it dries.
6. When almost dry, brush the interior suede. Apply Leather CPR to the outside, wait for it to soak in completely (overnight is good) then a light application (I use my fingertips) of Black Rock Leather'n Rich as a final finish. Wipe off excess with a paper towel. Let that soak in overnight, then buff with a horsehair brush to bring out the glow.
7. Reattach the strap and take "after" photos.
Enjoy that lovely bag!
ETA: Be careful not to damage or remove the little metal Coach tag.
But good news in the glue! Pics of the 'after' attached 
