Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[houseof999]

Yeah, maybe...

but I already did it now. Some of the prongs ended up going through the lining but the thing with that is now those are the ones I could pull through the tightest. Overall they're all in pretty good I think. I am a bit worried that those prongs might be a little sharp and could potentially damage contents of my bag. I may have to glue little leather patches over them or something.

I never thought replacing feet was going to be so difficult! Live and learn I guess. I do love this bag anyway!

On to next hardware problem which is still trying to reconnect the kisslock in the watermelon bag to the leather. Can't pretend to know what I'm doing with that either!

You could use a purse organizer to keep your contents safe! I have this but I can't say for sure how it fits as I haven't tried it in my flight bag yet. It's about 11" X 7" X 3.5".
I think you'll like Multi-function Handbag Purse Organizer Insert Phone Cosmetic Bag in Bag Storage Case. Add it to your wishlist!

http://www.wish.com/c/54fed02d1c36ca02865f0557

 

[Belicious]

You could use a purse organizer to keep your contents safe! I have this but I can't say for sure how it fits as I haven't tried it in my flight bag yet. It's about 11" X 7" X 3.5".
I think you'll like Multi-function Handbag Purse Organizer Insert Phone Cosmetic Bag in Bag Storage Case. Add it to your wishlist!

http://www.wish.com/c/54fed02d1c36ca02865f0557

That's pretty cool! Great idea.

 

[Lake Effect]

Happy to help you out! I got my rehab process from this forum-it's a treasure trove of helpful advice!!
1. Bathed Willis in sink filled with warm water and a spoonful of Dawn dish soap. Let the bag sit in water for about 20 min. Since the water was so dirty, I drained and refilled the sink a second time with warm water/Dawn.
2. Rinsed well and dried with some towels. I stuffed the bag with crumpled paper towels to re-shape then put it in my basement where it's nice and warm.
3. I should've started conditioning the day after the bath while the bag was damp but didn't have time so the bag dried for 2 days before I started conditioning.
4. I used Brasso to polish all the brass.
5. Started conditioning/dyeing by mixing Saphir Juvacuir in black with Saphir Leather Balm. Since the bag was in such bad shape and so dried out I knew I would use a lot of conditioner for the first coat. I used at least a couple spoonfuls of dye mixed with about 1/8 cup leather balm. (I'm just guessing at amounts. In reality I squeezed a bunch of dye into a plastic tub and then added a healthy dose of conditioner!) Stirred the mix and applied all over the bag and straps with a rag. Used this mix on every smooth leather section of bag even the interior pockets. I use this combo of dye and conditioner because my local cobbler recommended staying within the same brand of products to mix dye and conditioner and she picked them out for me.
6. After first coat dried, I rubbed in 2 more coats of the leather balm letting the bag dry between coats and buffing with a horsehair brush.
7. Next I used my fingers to rub in Blackrocks all over, let dry and buffed with horse hair brush then a clean rag.
8. The tongue area on outside flap and the raised leather piece with the clasp were both missing the edge coating and had what looked like exposed brown cardboard showing so I cut up thin cardboard to shove under these pieces all around. Then I used Fiebing's Edge Kote in black with a tiny kids paint brush to coat the edges. It only took one coat. The dyeing process covered most of this damage.
9. I went back over all the brass again with a tiny bit of Brasso on a paper towel.
10. On the shorter piece of strap there was a tiny section (about one stitch in length) that was coming apart near the buckle and I knew I couldn't get a needle and thread through 3 layers of leather so I used Shoe Goo (from Target in the hardware section). I took a piece of jewelry wire, dabbed it into the tube of a Shoe Goo then pushed the glue into the section that needed to be adhered together. I weighted down that piece for an hour or so.

I wanted to mention there was a tiny section of piping on a corner that was worn out. After the dyeing and conditioning, you can't even see this worn area. I decided to let it go rather than make a mess using puffy paint or some other product.

That's about it! Hope this helps you out! Good luck with your Willis! This rehabbing is addictive-I need more Coach bags like I need a hole in my head yet every day I'm trolling through EBay looking for "treasures"!

What a great result and thanks for the detailed info. I have been doing more basic, easy rehabs, i.e. dunking and conditioning. I read your post awhile back with pics on your Bleeker family (luv them) and you mentioned Saphir products. From that post I did some looking on the internet. I am going to order one that is a combination of dye and conditioner. I have a black Plaza bag that is a little faded, but over all in excellent condition. I was hoping that Obenauf's and Blackrock would deepen it, but it did not. So I am going to look into the Saphir colorant/conditioner and I have a very very used black Bleeker tote that will be an excellent test case. Coach on!

 

[Sonoma]

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 came out gorgeous! You're a natural rehabber!

I agree, looks beautiful, congrats!

 

[Ravvie99]

Yes, the kiss locks are leather covered. I would love to hear about your experience. If you would report back that would be very helpful. The bag is a NYC bag with a glued in registration number.. I will try the vinegar, too. I did not know that, so thank you.

I didn't get to dunk the skinny tote this week, as I had a rehab go sideways and eat up all my time. It'll be an entertaining story soon. Hopefully this coming week...

 

[marleneryd]

What a great result and thanks for the detailed info. I have been doing more basic, easy rehabs, i.e. dunking and conditioning. I read your post awhile back with pics on your Bleeker family (luv them) and you mentioned Saphir products. From that post I did some looking on the internet. I am going to order one that is a combination of dye and conditioner. I have a black Plaza bag that is a little faded, but over all in excellent condition. I was hoping that Obenauf's and Blackrock would deepen it, but it did not. So I am going to look into the Saphir colorant/conditioner and I have a very very used black Bleeker tote that will be an excellent test case. Coach on!

Good luck! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what a big difference the dye makes-your bag will look like new!

 

[Lake Effect]

Good luck! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what a big difference the dye makes-your bag will look like new!

I am looking forward to it. Those Bleekers and the Willis looked fabulous. I still need to order it and will put that on my to do list for this week. This having to work for a living thing is interfering with my rehab time lol. I will let you know when I get it and will def take some before and after pics. Stay tuned.

 

[Zuggy]

I don't know if this is the best place for this post but I'm looking for some advise. I recently received a NWT Magenta Bleecker leather Duffle. 11423 from 2007. Who holds a bag for 10 years and never uses it? Anyway, the leather on the body of the bag is a different color than the leather on the strap and trim pieces. I've tried to capture the difference in the photos but I'm not sure it's as obvious as it is IRL. I'm still deciding if I can live with it or not. My question is, can I or should I treat the body of the bag? If so, what should I use and can I expect a color change? I feel that the bag would definitely benefit from a moisturizing but am a little nervous. Ideas and suggestions most definitely will be appreciated!

 

[whateve]

I don't know if this is the best place for this post but I'm looking for some advise. I recently received a NWT Magenta Bleecker leather Duffle. 11423 from 2007. Who holds a bag for 10 years and never uses it? Anyway, the leather on the body of the bag is a different color than the leather on the strap and trim pieces. I've tried to capture the difference in the photos but I'm not sure it's as obvious as it is IRL. I'm still deciding if I can live with it or not. My question is, can I or should I treat the body of the bag? If so, what should I use and can I expect a color change? I feel that the bag would definitely benefit from a moisturizing but am a little nervous. Ideas and suggestions most definitely will be appreciated!

View attachment 3655531 View attachment 3655532

That's normal with these bags. I've never had a magenta Bleecker but all the 2007 Bleeckers I've come across have the same problem. They used a different type of leather for the trim and it took the dye differently. You can condition this leather. I don't know if it will change color but I think it won't.

 

[Zuggy]

That's normal with these bags. I've never had a magenta Bleecker but all the 2007 Bleeckers I've come across have the same problem. They used a different type of leather for the trim and it took the dye differently. You can condition this leather. I don't know if it will change color but I think it won't.

Thanks! I was hoping to hear from you. I have the same bag in bottle green and sand? It's a light brown. Both have the same differences in color in the leather. It just seems so much more obvious on this one. You think just Coach moisturizer for it or something else? Thanks again

 

[whateve]

Thanks! I was hoping to hear from you. I have the same bag in bottle green and sand? It's a light brown. Both have the same differences in color in the leather. It just seems so much more obvious on this one. You think just Coach moisturizer for it or something else? Thanks again

My favorite conditioner for these is Blackrocks Leather n Rich. It helps hides the scratches and might even out the color a little. You need to put it on sparingly and buff the excess off with a paper towel or it will feel sticky.

I just remembered - I rehabbed a tan Bleecker large flap. By the time I finished, the color deepened a lot, so much that it was a completely different color. If your leather is very dry, it might work for you too. If it is really dry, I would use Leather CPR first, and then use Blackrocks at the end.

 

[Catbird9]

I'm posting this (not my listing) NYC duffle here for any potential rehabbers to take note: the rivet on at least one of the straps goes through the strap itself as well as the buckle anchor, making it impossible to remove the strap completely. If not for that, it might be a worthwhile rehab challenge. Although red can be difficult...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-TOMAT...073192?hash=item3615543168:g:vDQAAOSwhQhYyaWU

 

[whateve]

I'm posting this (not my listing) NYC duffle here for any potential rehabbers to take note: the rivet on at least one of the straps goes through the strap itself as well as the buckle anchor, making it impossible to remove the strap completely. If not for that, it might be a worthwhile rehab challenge. Although red can be difficult...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-TOMAT...073192?hash=item3615543168:g:vDQAAOSwhQhYyaWU

Odd. I wonder if they did that to give it more stability after it broke? You won't be able to adjust it either. Luckily I already have this style in red, and mine is in better condition.

 

[Lake Effect]

I'm posting this (not my listing) NYC duffle here for any potential rehabbers to take note: the rivet on at least one of the straps goes through the strap itself as well as the buckle anchor, making it impossible to remove the strap completely. If not for that, it might be a worthwhile rehab challenge. Although red can be difficult...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-TOMAT...073192?hash=item3615543168:g:vDQAAOSwhQhYyaWU

Odd. I wonder if they did that to give it more stability after it broke? You won't be able to adjust it either. Luckily I already have this style in red, and mine is in better condition.

Hi girls Funny you bring up this auction. I saw it last week and was interested and actually emailed the seller about what appeared to me to be rivet through the strap. She emailed back promptly assuring me it was adjustable. Maybe meant the the other side?? But I decided to pass on it based on the spotting I could see up close and the binge buying of bags I did at the beginning of February lol. Then the auction ended. And then I saw it come back and you guys are bringing up the rivet too.

That being said, I do have a shoulder sac in British tan I love. I know I will get it a sister at some point.

 

[Catbird9]

Odd. I wonder if they did that to give it more stability after it broke? You won't be able to adjust it either. Luckily I already have this style in red, and mine is in better condition.

Hi girls Funny you bring up this auction. I saw it last week and was interested and actually emailed the seller about what appeared to me to be rivet through the strap. She emailed back promptly assuring me it was adjustable. Maybe meant the the other side?? But I decided to pass on it based on the spotting I could see up close and the binge buying of bags I did at the beginning of February lol. Then the auction ended. And then I saw it come back and you guys are bringing up the rivet too.

That being said, I do have a shoulder sac in British tan I love. I know I will get it a sister at some point.

I'd like to find one in British tan or red too. The large duffle sac is too big for me, but this one looks like it might be a better fit.