Would you rehab this bag??

[Lake Effect]

I've been bitten by the rehab bug. No doubt about it. It's a lot of fun to take a bag that's been used and maybe neglected by a prior owner who did not know how to or was not motivated to clean and condition the fabulous glove-tanned leather that put Coach on the map. And often, one gets an amazing bargain as well. And I am in good company with a whole bunch of others who like to rehab Coach leather.
So while looking for bargains and Holy Grail bags online, I run across bags that bring the phrase Hot Mess to a new level! But one woman's Hot Mess bag is another woman's rehab challenge. How far gone is split piping before you throw in the puff/acrylic paint brush? Would you be willing to find someone to do luggage repair? It is really patina like the seller indicates, or is just a yucky stain? You decide. And possibly the two most dreaded words to a rehabber: shoe polish.
So go ahead and post links to bags. Bags that you might think would make a great rehab (but your pile is already too high), bags that you might like some feedback about how realistic a rehab would be (yes, I actually posted a link to a Barclay that had chewed dowels) and bags that just make you say "Really? Really?"
So let's get started. Take this bag. Now, I have a soft spot for British Tan. Really. Buttttt, it looks really dry, almost *crispy*. But I am none the less, intrigued.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Purse...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[Belicious]

I might be totally crazy but I think that bag would come up beautifully with a long warm soak and a few applications of obenaufs.

But I was just looking at this and split piping... no on this black kisslock tote. I have 2 in this style already where I have given up on trying to repair the piping. It's the angle of the corners that is just too hard to repair and seems prone to splitting:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-AUTH-...f038e9a&pid=100033&rk=2&rkt=8&sd=232405983883

Great idea for a thread. I have a few to add!

 

[Belicious]

I recently rehabbed one of these in black and it was just as scratched and rough looking and it came up perfectly after some TLC and I really love it: (no idea if it's authentic though)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Legac...976dd59&pid=100033&rk=5&rkt=8&sd=322597950690

 

[Ebkbay]

I might be totally crazy but I think that bag would come up beautifully with a long warm soak and a few applications of obenaufs.

But I was just looking at this and split piping... no on this black kisslock tote. I have 2 in this style already where I have given up on trying to repair the piping. It's the angle of the corners that is just too hard to repair and seems prone to splitting:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-AUTH-BLACK-LEATHER-VINTAGE-BONNIE-CASHIN-70S-SKINNY-TOTE-SHOULDER-BAG/322597950690?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=45397&meid=2dd99674107b4a129ee9b132bf038e9a&pid=100033&rk=2&rkt=8&sd=232405983883

Great idea for a thread. I have a few to add!

I had a look at the skinny tote which the seller refers to as in "very good vintage condition" with "scuffing". Really???

 

[Lake Effect]

I recently rehabbed one of these in black and it was just as scratched and rough looking and it came up perfectly after some TLC and I really love it: (no idea if it's authentic though)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Legacy-Duffle-Bucket-Bag-9186-Vintage-Red-Leather/352113474748?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=45397&meid=449d0e2b71e149a398921122b976dd59&pid=100033&rk=5&rkt=8&sd=322597950690

This bucket style comes up alot online (it seems in a few styles) and I have seen people show them rehabbed on the Rehab thread and they look lovely. Sigh, so many bags . . .

 

[Lake Effect]

I had a look at the skinny tote which the seller refers to as in "very good vintage condition" with "scuffing". Really???

Ikr, I would expect scuffing to mean some scrape marks at worst, not a piece of leather worn through and missing.
Note to seller: We have eyes.

 

[Lake Effect]

Here is my candidate for this week. Caution, you may want to wait 30 after eating before clicking this link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-VTG-D...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
What in the world could have caused that . . . discoloration?

 

[pearlsnjeans]

Here is my candidate for this week. Caution, you may want to wait 30 after eating before clicking this link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-VTG-Deep-Red-Leather-Saddle-Bag-Shoulder-Turn-Lock-Rare-NYC-DISTRESSED/132212797030?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
What in the world could have caused that . . . discoloration?

OMG! What a beautiful bag but looking rather unfortunate at this state. I think it can be restored if you have lots of time and patience and maybe cash if you have to send it out to a leather restorer.

Looks like it needs a good cleaning and conditioning.

 

[Belicious]

Here is my candidate for this week. Caution, you may want to wait 30 after eating before clicking this link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-VTG-Deep-Red-Leather-Saddle-Bag-Shoulder-Turn-Lock-Rare-NYC-DISTRESSED/132212797030?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
What in the world could have caused that . . . discoloration?

Sad. I have this exact bag in near mint condition. It's adorbs.

Here's a beauty of a stain on this baby, wouldn't attempt rehab IMO:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-70s-COA...1bbc2da&pid=100005&rk=4&rkt=6&sd=132212797030

 

[Lake Effect]

Sad. I have this exact bag in near mint condition. It's adorbs.

Here's a beauty of a stain on this baby, wouldn't attempt rehab IMO:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-70s-COACH-British-Tan-Leather-Bucket-Bag-Distressed-Shoulder-Purse-Sac-NYC/253011784461?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=2&asc=44757&meid=1a75349e77fb4735b422ca82b1bbc2da&pid=100005&rk=4&rkt=6&sd=132212797030

Yikes! At first I thought you meant photo #4, then I got to photo #6. Agreed, would not attempt.

 

[sanibelle]

.

 

[marissa214]

Do you think this one was run over by some bicycles?

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Coach-10399-Brown-Distressed-Leather-Shoulderbag-41894755.html

 

[Gingerone]

Sad. I have this exact bag in near mint condition. It's adorbs.

Here's a beauty of a stain on this baby, wouldn't attempt rehab IMO:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-70s-COACH-British-Tan-Leather-Bucket-Bag-Distressed-Shoulder-Purse-Sac-NYC/253011784461?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=2&asc=44757&meid=1a75349e77fb4735b422ca82b1bbc2da&pid=100005&rk=4&rkt=6&sd=132212797030

Wow.

I think they need to change the descriptor from "distressed" to "zombie". That poor bag I don't think there is any coming back for that one.

 

[Lake Effect]

OMG! What a beautiful bag but looking rather unfortunate at this state. I think it can be restored if you have lots of time and patience and maybe cash if you have to send it out to a leather restorer.

Looks like it needs a good cleaning and conditioning.

I don't even think I would know where to begin with this bag. I am just so, so curious about it got in this condition.

 

[Lake Effect]

Do you think this one was run over by some bicycles?

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Coach-10399-Brown-Distressed-Leather-Shoulderbag-41894755.html

Again, another bag that really makes me wonder, what in the world created those marks??