Love that you brought her back to life!This rehab was more about replacing parts than anything else. After Hyacinth kindly authenticated the bag I went to work trying to find the items I needed.
I took a drill-down pic of a BT Willis and showed it to an SA at the outlet and she gave me a hangtag and ball chain for free that are just like the ones in the DD pic. I then went online searching for the missing large D-ring. Silver Coach on ebay sells them but you have to buy 2 of them for $15 plus shipping, but I found that you can buy a single D-ring from Buckleguy.com for $1.76 plus shipping. I ordered a few other items from Buckleguy at the same time so my net cost for the D-ring was about $2.75. It was a perfect match to the other D rings and very easy to install, all you need is a small, flat-edge screwdriver.
All the while I was on the lookout for a replacement strap. I either wanted to buy a strap by itself or find a beat-up donor bag with strap that I could salvage. I also asked at the Coach boutique store, the outlet, and called Coach.com. Coach used to sell replacement straps for classic bags and I would have considered paying full price for an authentic new strap, but they all said the same thing - Coach doesn make/sell replacement straps any longer.
I struck out on eBay and other online sales sites. I also kept checking the local thrift stores but no luck. I finally bought a 1/2 inch width, non-adjustable BT strap on eBay (like a Station Bag strap) although I would have preferred the 5/8 inch, adjustable strap that originally came with the bag. The strap I got is a little bit darker but a pretty good match on the color and it is an authentic Coach strap with the brass trigger snap hardware that is commonly used for Willis bags.
I paid $26 including shipping for the strap but it came with an older BT hangtag (with the unfinished back), the ball chain, and 2 small D rings like you see on City Bags, so I got some more donor parts and I figured that it was a pretty good deal.
My total investment in this bag is about $36 plus my labor and rehab supplies, but I am still on the look-out for a better strap and will grab it if I find one in the future.
I actually already had a BT strap just like the one I bought online that came on a donor Companion Bag that I bought at the flea market for $1, but the color was quite a bit darker (British Tan shades vary so much with time and wear) so I decided to get the eBay strap instead.
After I had all the parts the rehab was quite straight-forward. I used alcohol to remove the ink marks and I got lucky, the ink came out without damaging the color of the bag - that doesn't always happen! Then I vacuumed out the bag and gave it a bath with Dawn and warm water and stuffed it with towels to reshape and dry it. Then I treated it with Leather Therapy Oil, Apple Conditioner, and Black Rocks. Finally, I used Wenol to polish up hardware and here she is - I am so glad that I was able to save this beautiful bag!
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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Thanks, it was a lot of fun working on her!
Well, the word "awesome" comes to mind! You have reason to be pleased and proud -- great job! This is what makes rehab worthwhile.
This is helpful to know! I have a bt flight bag I am too scared to touch a little pen line on. This gives me confidence to try.
Try it on an area that doesn't show first to see how the bag reacts to the alcohol. Good luck!
Who wants to rehab this spectator bag? I have never done piping so steering clear even though it doesn't look too bad.
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/282494129217
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/282494129217
Is this style in high demand? It didn't seem like it from the last grey one on auction. I have 3 still awaiting their baths. [emoji15]
No I don't think so. I am only considering it for the rehab challenge, not because I particularly like the style.
Here's an example of a vintage NYC bag that has been treated with shoe polish, as disclosed in the description. It's a good case study with lots of pics, showing how good intentions can go wrong:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-LEATH...339830?hash=item2cc026f5f6:g:MQoAAOSwjqVZLGyT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-LEATH...339830?hash=item2cc026f5f6:g:MQoAAOSwjqVZLGyT
Other than excessive shine, what else are you seeing that shows shoe polish? Just wondering.
Hey Katev, I read your posts about that strapless Willis and what do you know it happened to me. Today I found a strap-less red Willis in the bargain bin at a thrift store for $3. I bought it, of course. But where do I go for a red strap? I looked at the silvercoach ebay site; those have the wrong hardware (even if I could match the red). There is some Amish site with the correct hardware but no reds. I have two other Willises, olive and black, so maybe I'll borrow and do a mismatch.
Me too, those stripes.
Also the bag has an unnatural uniformity and depth of color in some places, like across the top, and on both side panels.
Hey Katev, I read your posts about that strapless Willis and what do you know it happened to me. Today I found a strap-less red Willis in the bargain bin at a thrift store for $3. I bought it, of course. But where do I go for a red strap? I looked at the silvercoach ebay site; those have the wrong hardware (even if I could match the red). There is some Amish site with the correct hardware but no reds. I have two other Willises, olive and black, so maybe I'll borrow and do a mismatch.
Wow! Great find! Lucky you!