Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[whateve]

Has anyone had good luck getting gum out? I just had a wine colored station bag graciously authenticated by Hyacinth and am planning on rehabing it to give as a gift to my mom. I've only worked on navy and black so far so I am a little hesitant on this bag. And the kicker.. a gum spot on one of the corners. I've tried posting some pictures as well but seem to keep getting an error message. Here's the link for the authentication just to show the color (no close up of the gum though): https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach.889527/page-1411#post-31190974
Any advice on what you all have done in the past would be appreciated!

I have, and I almost threw up in the process! It was really gross!

I was about to suggest trying rubbing alcohol but then I saw the gorgeous color of that bag and now I am say "no alcohol"!. Without seeing a picture it is hard to say, but I think that heat and massage might be the best way to go. Try warming it up with a hair dryer and rubbing it off. Gum is disgusting stuff so you might want to wear gloves!

I was thinking the opposite approach with the gum. Although I have not tried this on a purse, I have been successful using ice on gum on other items. It hardens the gum so it can be peeled off easily.
I also agree with no alcohol. What a gorgeous bag you found. Love the color!

I agree. Heat is the worst thing for gum because it will make it gooey and it will extremely hard to remove. I know, because I dunked my gummy bag in warm water before I realized there was gum there. Ice is much better! Then you can use goo gone for any residue. If it is in the inside, you can sand the suede afterwards.

 

[whateve]

Hi! With my City Bag rehab where the front flap closes, it has a a large strip of dried/rippling(?) leather. I washed the bag and did 2 coats of Leather CPR (allowing at least 24hrs between coats). On the 3rd coat I put on way too much and ended up re-washing the bag and did a light coat while damp and did a 2nd coat yesterday. My question is will I ever get rid of the rippling with another product or should I just leave it as is? I was planning on using Blackrock as the final step, will this help? Thanks as always for your help!
View attachment 3647881 View attachment 3647883

I don't think a product caused the rippling and a product won't get rid of it. The leather is probably stretched out from use.

 

[whateve]

Help - more undisclosed damage!
Received a bag with holes/tears where the strap meets the back (both sides have the same problem). I can fill the holes but will the tearing likely continue? It's such a high stress and tight/fiddly area, is restitching even an option? Opinions needed!!
I've been searching for a small Courier and when I finally find one...

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I have this problem just starting on a couple of my 60s bags but I kept them because they are so rare.

 

[Ravvie99]

I have this problem just starting on a couple of my 60s bags but I kept them because they are so rare.

I was tempted to keep it!
BTW, does the buyer pay return shipping even on SNAD?

 

[katev]

...I agree. Heat is the worst thing for gum because it will make it gooey and it will extremely hard to remove. I know, because I dunked my gummy bag in warm water before I realized there was gum there. Ice is much better! Then you can use goo gone for any residue. If it is in the inside, you can sand the suede afterwards.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[whateve]

I was tempted to keep it!
BTW, does the buyer pay return shipping even on SNAD?

On a SNAD claim, the seller should pay to ship it back. If you bought it on ebay and opened a return request for not as described, it should happen automatically if the seller accepts the return, or ebay steps in and rules in the buyer's favor.

 

[Ravvie99]

Hi! With my City Bag rehab where the front flap closes, it has a a large strip of dried/rippling(?) leather. I washed the bag and did 2 coats of Leather CPR (allowing at least 24hrs between coats). On the 3rd coat I put on way too much and ended up re-washing the bag and did a light coat while damp and did a 2nd coat yesterday. My question is will I ever get rid of the rippling with another product or should I just leave it as is? I was planning on using Blackrock as the final step, will this help? Thanks as always for your help!
View attachment 3647881 View attachment 3647883

I don't think a product caused the rippling and a product won't get rid of it. The leather is probably stretched out from use.

I have a few with this ripple, too, and the ripples resisted all my efforts to smooth them out. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but seems like the smaller, rectangular flap bags in my herd are more prone to the ripple (?)

 

[dachsgirlknits]

I've worked my way through hundreds of pages of the old thread, and now I finally have something to post in this one! I picked up three vintage Coach bags from a local seller a few days ago, and couldn't wait to dunk them. Well, two of them. The Willis didn't take a bath. Here's the first one that got finished, a Brighton which whateve was kind enough to authenticate.

It really wasn't in bad shape, but in the before photos it just... doesn't look great.

[GALLERY=media, 2265]Before bathing by lauriebelle posted Mar 22, 2017 at 5:05 PM[/GALLERY]

[GALLERY=media, 2264]Before bathing, back of bag by lauriebelle posted Mar 22, 2017 at 5:05 PM[/GALLERY]

What I can't get over is how different it looks after a bath, a couple of coats of Leather CPR, and a single coat of Blackrock. The color got super dark when it went in the water, but as it dried and got moisturized, it's more like it lightened and mellowed. Now it practically glows!

[GALLERY=media, 2266]After by lauriebelle posted Mar 22, 2017 at 5:05 PM[/GALLERY]

[GALLERY=media, 2267]After, back by lauriebelle posted Mar 22, 2017 at 5:05 PM[/GALLERY]

I don't think it's a bad result for my first try at rehabbing! This rehab thing is crazy addictive. I can't wait to find more bags to dunk. The vintage Crosby I bought at the same time is awaiting another coat of Blackrock and then needs some piping repair, and then I won't have any projects left. Clearly I need to hit up the thrift store!

That is gorgeous! Great job!

 

[whatevany]

I don't think a product caused the rippling and a product won't get rid of it. The leather is probably stretched out from use.

I have a few with this ripple, too, and the ripples resisted all my efforts to smooth them out. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but seems like the smaller, rectangular flap bags in my herd are more prone to the ripple (?)

Thanks guys! Thought I was doing something wrong. It doesn't look bad I just wanted it to look better.

 

[Belicious]

I was tempted to keep it!
BTW, does the buyer pay return shipping even on SNAD?

Seller pays shipping. I have that same problem on the same tongue bag. I have used it plenty and it hasn't got worse. I also have it on an original rambler and I have used that plenty too and it hasn't got worse. I did try pretty hard to repair it. I used some acrylic filler mixed with black paint and also super glue (not at the same time) but it didn't hold really. I did buy those bags on ebay but I was aware they had some issues so I don't care hugely so long as it doesn't get worse. It's not very noticeable when you used it.

 

[Belicious]

Update on my kisslock watermelon tote: I realised I was trying to stretch the leather into the frame of the kisslock but actually it was the frame that was the problem and I needed to push it into the leather as strange as that sounds. It is back to sitting in the frame now and it might easily slip out again. I might stick a little glue in there or just not use that bit of the bag. I find those little kisslock pockets aren't even good for keys as it makes a bulge there. Anyway, I cannot even believe the beautiful condition of the leather and especially the edges of this bag! I will share some pics later.

 

[AggieK]

Update on my kisslock watermelon tote: I realised I was trying to stretch the leather into the frame of the kisslock but actually it was the frame that was the problem and I needed to push it into the leather as strange as that sounds. It is back to sitting in the frame now and it might easily slip out again. I might stick a little glue in there or just not use that bit of the bag. I find those little kisslock pockets aren't even good for keys as it makes a bulge there. Anyway, I cannot even believe the beautiful condition of the leather and especially the edges of this bag! I will share some pics later.

I have a watermelon tote and I put receipts in the kisslock pocket. Even though I love it and was thrilled to find it at Savers, I don't use it very much. I really need a bag to have a long strap.

 

[Belicious]

I have a watermelon tote and I put receipts in it. Even though I love it and was thrilled to find it at Savers, I don't use it very much. I really need a bag to have a long strap.

I actually think I similarly will rarely use it because of the lack of strap. I could add one by hooking it to the handle rings I guess. I think i might take it out on a special occasion but it will mostly just go into my collection, not an everyday kind of bag. I have the other style of tote and it is quite useful, with the shoulder strap, like this:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/506691563/coach-cashin-nyc-kisslock-tote-shopper?ref=hp_rv

 

[Flossy72]

A friend asked me to try and rehab an old Willis for her that was in horrible condition. Verdigris in spots around the brass, scratches galore, stitching coming undone on the strap, piping worn through in one spot, edge coating worn off around the tongue (not sure what that part is called!), misshapen and totally dried out. I think she's going to be thrilled with the rehab!View attachment 3645042 View attachment 3645044 View attachment 3645045 View attachment 3645046 View attachment 3645047 View attachment 3645048

Id love to know how you got those scratches out! I've had not as good a luck as you no matter how much I condition...

 

[Ravvie99]

Seller pays shipping. I have that same problem on the same tongue bag. I have used it plenty and it hasn't got worse. I also have it on an original rambler and I have used that plenty too and it hasn't got worse. I did try pretty hard to repair it. I used some acrylic filler mixed with black paint and also super glue (not at the same time) but it didn't hold really. I did buy those bags on ebay but I was aware they had some issues so I don't care hugely so long as it doesn't get worse. It's not very noticeable when you used it.

Thanks so much for posting this - it's really helpful to know that kind of damage won't necessarily get worse with use. Might risk it in the future if I know about it ahead of time and can make an informed decision. But I'm off eBay for a long time as this return has gotten painful - ugh.