Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Catbird9]

Hi ladies! I'm pretty new to rehabbing and have been researching and experimenting as I go. I have a few newbie questions and things to share.

I absolutely love E6000 adhesive for starters. I have an old large pink/purple tartan messenger bag from almost ten years ago that a friend gifted me. She gifted me a few. I haven't asked for it to be authenticated yet since I'm not too concerned about that due to the damage. It's not leaving my possession and I'm just using it to carry clothes back and forth in my car. One of the patent loops that holds the handle hardware and is sewn into the body of the bag detached at the cloth. I'm horrible at sewing, so I literally put the hardware back in the loop and just glued it back to the cloth. Super lazy... I know... lol. I can't tell that I glued it unless I look real close though which surprised me, and I have toted some pretty heavy stuff since then, and it has not so much as stretched or budged. Crazy impressive.

Another product I am loving is wood and stuff that someone mentioned here. I wanted to ask about this because of an article I recently found about the product: http://sacsmagnifiques.com/2015/02/trends-bad-bad-bad-trends-wood-n-stuff-leather-refinisher.html

Keep in mind, I do not touch vintage. I do not know anything about vintage, so I have been sticking to collecting bags from the last decade or so only. I also learned through trial and error not to use a brush, or if I do, immediately blend in with a cosmetic sponge. If it goes on too thick, a quick little bit of water smooths it and doesn't seem to affect the adherence. I also use tiny amounts not globs, don't fill in the seams with refinisher, and don't get it on the threads. Even so, is this stuff truly "plastic-y?" Do you think it hurts the leather when it already has a colored finish? I have used leather conditioner on the bags afterwards and I can't tell a difference between the corners I refinished and the rest of the colored leather. It seems to still condition and polish the same. I'm hoping that the reason that lady was so angry was specifically due to misuse of the product and not the product itself... cause I use a teeny tiny bit and it does amazing things.

Awesome fabric cleaner is the best for the fabric inside the bags. It removes everything, even pen and marker, with just a toothbrush. Do not however, use it on sateen or the denim-like fabric on some the poppy khaki patchworks. It leaves what looks like water stains on both and almost gave me a heart attack.

I have one particularly interesting experiment where I received a jacquard Hampton cute little turnlock purse, and much to my dismay the leather trim was patent... and not only patent, but tan patent... no cracks, but there were pen marks that had literally sunk underneath the patent finish. On the handles there was severe darkening to a nasty orange color. I figured I had nothing to lose at that point. I successfully stripped the patent finish using straight acetone on a piece of magic eraser. I don't know what the long term repercussions of that will be... I didn't rub all the way down to the leather intentionally, I just made it matte and stopped there. Then I sponged wood n stuff refinisher over it. The acetone removed the darkening with the patent, but not the ink marks. The refinisher covered the ink stains beautifully though. I'll post pictures when I'm all finished.

I bought Angelus leather sealer in matte (the matte is shiny) and I was going to do a coat of that when I'm finished. Its very watery and thin. It won't be patent, but they do have a high gloss one that I was thinking about ordering. Has anyone experimented with Angelus?

Annnnnnnd finally, quite a few of my bags I am repairing and rehabbing for me, but there are probably a few I will want to sell soon. What are the ethics of selling rehabbed items? Do you simply disclose that it has been rehabbed or altered and in what way, do you go into details and list everything you did to the bag with pictures? Disclose how or what products you used? When I get to that point I just want to be wise and fair about the listing.

For instance, I have a black patent spotlight tote that I loooovvveee. I don't want anything to happen to it and for it to last for a long time. I noticed that where the handles and cross strap attaches to the body (where the thread is) the weight of contents caused some tearing to start in the patent. I used a black fabric marker that is surprisingly shiny, colored in the tear areas, then applied some E6000 to hold the top layer and reinforce the material around the thread. If ever in the distant future I let it go, what would I say? "stressed areas where straps attach to the bag have been previously reinforced with E6000 adhesive to prevent heavy weight from causing tears to the material. This is not noticeable unless examined with a light and magnifier." lol,,, It sounds way worse than what it is. I'm extremely pleased with the modification but it doesn't sound good.

Thank you ladies

Thanks for sharing the results of your research! We can all learn from each other.

As for what to disclose when selling rehabbed bags. If you disclose too much it could discourage buyers, but if you don't disclose enough you risk SNAD claims.

Personally I disclose any significant repairs (either done by me or visible evidence of past repairs) but not go into great detail or name products used. I try to photograph problem areas and say something like "bag has been cleaned and conditioned," or if applicable "repairs to strap attachments" and let the buyer ask for more details if they want them.

Some sellers just use the word "distressed" in the title to cover all potential issues, which is another approach.

 

[Vasilisa Jade]

Thanks for sharing the results of your research! We can all learn from each other.

As for what to disclose when selling rehabbed bags. If you disclose too much it could discourage buyers, but if you don't disclose enough you risk SNAD claims.

Personally I disclose any significant repairs (either done by me or visible evidence of past repairs) but not go into great detail or name products used. I try to photograph problem areas and say something like "bag has been cleaned and conditioned," or if applicable "repairs to strap attachments" and let the buyer ask for more details if they want them.

Some sellers just use the word "distressed" in the title to cover all potential issues, which is another approach.

Thank you so much!

 

[Biermama]

This Prairie has been sitting for months as I searched for a way to lighten the couple of dark spots on the flap further. But now that I dressed it with hardware and a new charm, I love it! Thank you to the AT team for authenticating my first red.

It was cardboard-y dry when I got it, so I gave it a few coats of Leather Therapy and a coat of Leather Honey in addition to the usual bath + 2x CPR + 2x BR. While it was drying, I went totally overboard and fit strips of stiff cardboard in each compartment to shape the bottom and side curves. I also wrapped my buffing brush in a cotton jersey and buffed like crazy between coats. Steel wool + Flitz on the hardware.

oh my gosh, while your refub is fab, that bird!

 

[Biermama]

Blackrock Leather n Rich is best for covering scratches. You can also get some acrylic craft paint and mix it with conditioner and rub it in. For this, I use a thin conditioner like Lexol or Apple. Make sure your mixture is mostly conditioner rather than mostly paint or the texture and sheen will be wrong. The advantage of the second method is that it is more permanent. There is also a product called Leather Refinisher made by Wood n Stuff available online that has the correct sheen and texture for leather to be used by itself. For a small job like this you can get the sample size.

Yay. So glad to have found this info about the leather refinisher, I've thought about trying it but was worried about the sheen. Thanks!

 

[Bucketbagger]

My latest project, an NYC (glued in serial number) convertible clutch.

 

[whateve]

Hi ladies! I'm pretty new to rehabbing and have been researching and experimenting as I go. I have a few newbie questions and things to share.

I absolutely love E6000 adhesive for starters. I have an old large pink/purple tartan messenger bag from almost ten years ago that a friend gifted me. She gifted me a few. I haven't asked for it to be authenticated yet since I'm not too concerned about that due to the damage. It's not leaving my possession and I'm just using it to carry clothes back and forth in my car. One of the patent loops that holds the handle hardware and is sewn into the body of the bag detached at the cloth. I'm horrible at sewing, so I literally put the hardware back in the loop and just glued it back to the cloth. Super lazy... I know... lol. I can't tell that I glued it unless I look real close though which surprised me, and I have toted some pretty heavy stuff since then, and it has not so much as stretched or budged. Crazy impressive.

Another product I am loving is wood and stuff that someone mentioned here. I wanted to ask about this because of an article I recently found about the product: http://sacsmagnifiques.com/2015/02/trends-bad-bad-bad-trends-wood-n-stuff-leather-refinisher.html

Keep in mind, I do not touch vintage. I do not know anything about vintage, so I have been sticking to collecting bags from the last decade or so only. I also learned through trial and error not to use a brush, or if I do, immediately blend in with a cosmetic sponge. If it goes on too thick, a quick little bit of water smooths it and doesn't seem to affect the adherence. I also use tiny amounts not globs, don't fill in the seams with refinisher, and don't get it on the threads. Even so, is this stuff truly "plastic-y?" Do you think it hurts the leather when it already has a colored finish? I have used leather conditioner on the bags afterwards and I can't tell a difference between the corners I refinished and the rest of the colored leather. It seems to still condition and polish the same. I'm hoping that the reason that lady was so angry was specifically due to misuse of the product and not the product itself... cause I use a teeny tiny bit and it does amazing things.

Awesome fabric cleaner is the best for the fabric inside the bags. It removes everything, even pen and marker, with just a toothbrush. Do not however, use it on sateen or the denim-like fabric on some the poppy khaki patchworks. It leaves what looks like water stains on both and almost gave me a heart attack.

I have one particularly interesting experiment where I received a jacquard Hampton cute little turnlock purse, and much to my dismay the leather trim was patent... and not only patent, but tan patent... no cracks, but there were pen marks that had literally sunk underneath the patent finish. On the handles there was severe darkening to a nasty orange color. I figured I had nothing to lose at that point. I successfully stripped the patent finish using straight acetone on a piece of magic eraser. I don't know what the long term repercussions of that will be... I didn't rub all the way down to the leather intentionally, I just made it matte and stopped there. Then I sponged wood n stuff refinisher over it. The acetone removed the darkening with the patent, but not the ink marks. The refinisher covered the ink stains beautifully though. I'll post pictures when I'm all finished.

I bought Angelus leather sealer in matte (the matte is shiny) and I was going to do a coat of that when I'm finished. Its very watery and thin. It won't be patent, but they do have a high gloss one that I was thinking about ordering. Has anyone experimented with Angelus?

Annnnnnnd finally, quite a few of my bags I am repairing and rehabbing for me, but there are probably a few I will want to sell soon. What are the ethics of selling rehabbed items? Do you simply disclose that it has been rehabbed or altered and in what way, do you go into details and list everything you did to the bag with pictures? Disclose how or what products you used? When I get to that point I just want to be wise and fair about the listing.

For instance, I have a black patent spotlight tote that I loooovvveee. I don't want anything to happen to it and for it to last for a long time. I noticed that where the handles and cross strap attaches to the body (where the thread is) the weight of contents caused some tearing to start in the patent. I used a black fabric marker that is surprisingly shiny, colored in the tear areas, then applied some E6000 to hold the top layer and reinforce the material around the thread. If ever in the distant future I let it go, what would I say? "stressed areas where straps attach to the bag have been previously reinforced with E6000 adhesive to prevent heavy weight from causing tears to the material. This is not noticeable unless examined with a light and magnifier." lol,,, It sounds way worse than what it is. I'm extremely pleased with the modification but it doesn't sound good.

Thank you ladies

I have also used leather refinisher with good results. The best results were on pebbled or slightly pebbled leather. I mixed the refinisher with conditioner and applied it thinly. It looked great on newer bags. I've never got it to work great on vintage glove tanned leather except just to touch up corners. I think this type of leather is too smooth. If the refinisher is put on too thick it can look and feel like plastic. It is acrylic based.

I remember reading that rant by Debi. Some of the bags she got had very thick coats of refinisher on them. I think if you caught an edge you could almost peel it off.

For adding back shine on your patent I've used acrylic gloss, found with the craft paint.

 

[WishingonaCoach]

I wanted to share some promising results using Jacquards Pearl Ex powdered pigments to restore metallic leather. You can mix them with any medium but I used CPR. The pigments are VERY pigmented so they cover well even when mixed with conditioner. Tried it on some shoes and after drying, I wiped away excess that hadn't bonded with leather and still had good coverage. I am pretty impressed after not having much luck restoring metallics in the past using metallic acrylics or paint pens. I'd never been able to get the bright 'Solid Gold Dancer' lurex-y gold like on Poppy Glams (these pics look much brighter in higher res.).
@WishingonaCoach I was thinking of your pearlized legacy bag...

View attachment 3459664 View attachment 3459665

Thank you so much for sharing and thinking that might help my bag. I have been away on vacation for a few days, I just saw this.

 

[itscindylou]

I bought this Mini Ergo online for a pretty low price but it arrived with what looked like cat scratches. I decided that, since I bought it cheap, I'd experiment on it and do something unconventional to remedy the scratches. I started by sanding then down with a white block used for manicures. I ended up doing it to the entire bag, removing all of the finish with the block and an emery board. Then I just did the same thing I've done with all my rehabs: dunked and finished it with Fibing's Aussie. I actually love the way it turned out, with a kind of rustic oiled leather look. It may not be everyone's taste, but I'm very happy with the results.

 

[Transported]

I bought this Mini Ergo online for a pretty low price but it arrived with what looked like cat scratches. I decided that, since I bought it cheap, I'd experiment on it and do something unconventional to remedy the scratches. I started by sanding then down with a white block used for manicures. I ended up doing it to the entire bag, removing all of the finish with the block and an emery board. Then I just did the same thing I've done with all my rehabs: dunked and finished it with Fibing's Aussie. I actually love the way it turned out, with a kind of rustic oiled leather look. It may not be everyone's taste, but I'm very happy with the results.

WOW It Looks Great!

 

[go2girl99]

I bought this Mini Ergo online for a pretty low price but it arrived with what looked like cat scratches. I decided that, since I bought it cheap, I'd experiment on it and do something unconventional to remedy the scratches. I started by sanding then down with a white block used for manicures. I ended up doing it to the entire bag, removing all of the finish with the block and an emery board. Then I just did the same thing I've done with all my rehabs: dunked and finished it with Fibing's Aussie. I actually love the way it turned out, with a kind of rustic oiled leather look. It may not be everyone's taste, but I'm very happy with the results.

Wow..looks amazing

Sent from my SCH-I545 using PurseForum mobile app

 

[CathyFB]

Hi there!

I'm a newbe and I must say, what an awesome club! While this is my first post, I'm not new to the information you all have so lovingly shared.

A little about me: I'm currently retired due to a lay-off and I am fortunate enough to be able to take some time off to decide what I want to do next - it's a little tight, but worth it. With two teenage girls, I'm busy with sports activites, etc. In the last 6 months or so, I've acquired some vintage coach bags. Oh my, how I loved my coach bags in the 80's. I've learned how to "dunk" and condition and WOW! what a difference that makes.

The first couple of bags I worked with were in fairly decent shape, so dunking and conditioning was all that was needed. I'm now ready to tackle more difficult bag(s). I really need to read this forum from the beginning - and take notes! I have been reading and my head is spinning a bit, so I decided it was time to introduce myself and ask for help.

Bag #1: Coach Rambler - 9061 - This poor bag may be permanently ruined, but I want to try to fix it. It looks like someone decided to use some sort of dye to cover scratches or who knows what. They did a horrible job. It is splotchy and uneven. I want to try to remove or strip off what is there and then maybe dye it. It has been dunked and I'm currently conditioning with a conditioner a local cobbler suggested - . (I'm getting ready to order some products suggested on this forum)

Can anyone suggest a method for stripping and dying? Or does anyone have another suggestion?

Will post about one other in a bit. Thank you!!!

 

[whateve]

Hi there!

I'm a newbe and I must say, what an awesome club! While this is my first post, I'm not new to the information you all have so lovingly shared.

A little about me: I'm currently retired due to a lay-off and I am fortunate enough to be able to take some time off to decide what I want to do next - it's a little tight, but worth it. With two teenage girls, I'm busy with sports activites, etc. In the last 6 months or so, I've acquired some vintage coach bags. Oh my, how I loved my coach bags in the 80's. I've learned how to "dunk" and condition and WOW! what a difference that makes.

The first couple of bags I worked with were in fairly decent shape, so dunking and conditioning was all that was needed. I'm now ready to tackle more difficult bag(s). I really need to read this forum from the beginning - and take notes! I have been reading and my head is spinning a bit, so I decided it was time to introduce myself and ask for help.

Bag #1: Coach Rambler - 9061 - This poor bag may be permanently ruined, but I want to try to fix it. It looks like someone decided to use some sort of dye to cover scratches or who knows what. They did a horrible job. It is splotchy and uneven. I want to try to remove or strip off what is there and then maybe dye it. It has been dunked and I'm currently conditioning with a conditioner a local cobbler suggested - . (I'm getting ready to order some products suggested on this forum)

Can anyone suggest a method for stripping and dying? Or does anyone have another suggestion?

Will post about one other in a bit. Thank you!!!

View attachment 3466714 View attachment 3466717 View attachment 3466718

Welcome! I would try acetone to strip it. You'll have to dunk again so I wouldn't bother conditioning until you get the dye removed.

 

[CathyFB]

Welcome! I would try acetone to strip it. You'll have to dunk again so I wouldn't bother conditioning until you get the dye removed.

Thank you! I'll try that.

 

[Biermama]

You know it's quality when you can fill it up good to know in case of a zombie apocalypse and you have no bottles handy

 

[houseof999]

So frustrated! I can't get damn ink marks out of the beige leather bag I just got. The leather is in good condition, no tears no wears just full of blue and black ink under the flap, red ink outside and black ink inside. I've washed the bag once and nothing came out with soap and water. After it dried, I tried rubbing alcohol, no luck. Hand sanitizer alcohol. Still no luck. Tried laundry pretreatment. Rubbed it in and washed it off. Ink marks are still there! [emoji20]