I’ve had to return bags that were “perfect” condition because the seller attempted to make it so. Even though their policy was “no returns”, the platform sided with me stating “item not as described”. The seller didn’t disclose their refurbishment
Hi Michelle, thank you for these AMAZING videos! I've looked high and low for tips on restoring dyed bags - did you ever come up with anything? I have a pre-creed twin clutch that was dyed to absolute hell and not disclosed in the listing. I did a million soaks, and for the past couple weeks (patience is tough lol) have now been trying your solution for painted bags. The leather is coming back to life but still lots of dye :( Do you know of perhaps a solution to soak it in?
Debbie the Restorer talks a bit about her process of soaking in I believe a Rit Dye Remover in her blog on SacsMagnifiques. I recommend checking out that post. It is not something I have done personally.
Hi, what would you recommend to restore the color loss of light-colored bags if not paint or dye? I have a lilac Soho buckle bag that is in a very sad condition
I have not personally used these items and don’t have an opinion. I have tried other sapphire products that I don’t like too much. Haven’t dived much more into them.
I have a black nyc dinky that has been authenticated. When I got it I thought there was shoe polish. It had a brown hue. I swabbed it with acetone and nothing. I saddle soaped it and a lot of the brown came off. It still feels like something is on it. The outside feels plastic like. It’s not paint or shoe polish. Any ideas what this could be?
Could you share some pics either in the Vintage Coach Eyecandy group or my email birdybloom_rehab@yahoo.com There are some older NYC leathers that have a chewy texture. Different than the soft pliable leather. It’s actually one of my personal favorites (it’s so resilient) and I need to do a video on this! There are other leathers too. Vintage Coach leather varies by location, era manufacturing, bag, line. Please share so I can guide you better;)
Looks like they just applied a sealer to the bag.. if it feels textured it was probably saddle lac or leather sheen spray. You can still remove that and get it back to it original state. But yes, it’s work lol 😅
What a bummer! The companion bag is one of my favorites. What do you think about Meltonian boot and shoe cream? I’ve seen people on the coach rehab forum talking about it, and I’m interested to try it on one of my sad British tan bags!
Hello! I don’t personally use these products on the bag itself but occasionally will use a color cream to correct piping that has been rubbed raw. If you do go one of these routes then make sure you are conditioning the bag properly first. Some bags require more than others. I wait days between conditioning layers with buffing in between. This may improve the look dramatically. I tend to embrace the character of a leather bag vs. making it look flawless. Some bags need more help though and I understand. I just don’t go this route personally. Best wishes! Also, looks like I’m stuck with this bag so I will be doing a video on removing the finish that was put on this bag eventually!
@@birdybloom2 thanks! I’ll try the layers of conditioning first. Do you buff when the conditioner has absorbed but still damp? That’s an even bigger bummer! I am looking forward to that video though - I have one that was dyed too, and it’s also a companion bag!
@@birdybloom2 I’m surprised you’re stuck with the bag since the seller didn’t disclose they attempted to fix whatever it was they were hiding. I already commented about having to return a bag for the same situation
It’s very very difficult to remove shoe polish entirely and takes a lot of patience and time. I have a very old old bag that I’m trying to remove shoe polish on and it might just be destroyed because it does suffocate the leather so you are dealing with potentially very dry leather underneath and the process isn’t the most gentle. Paint can be easy to remove depending on the type. I’m going to do a video soon on this hopefully ;)
It kills me to see people putting shoe polish all over these bags to restore appearance and color. In case anyone is confused by the name, Saphir Shoe Cream IS still shoe polish.
I occasionally put shoe polish on mine bc I can no longer stand how matte it looks. And it always looks much better after I do . Next I’m going to paint it bc paint lasts longer then shoe polish does. And I do not feel that the shoe polish had any kind of negative effect on the leather. It just made it shiner until it wore off like it was supposed to.
I have a black leather coach bag that was purchased new about 25 years ago. It was one of my “office pocketbooks” that I had in rotation. I don’t work in an office anymore but sometimes I still want to use it if the bag’s style/ color goes with what I’m wearing. But I can’t stand how blah and matte it looks. I’m just over it. And I have put clear shoe polish on it to try to give it a little shine lol. I’m going to be painting it next. I don’t care if it won’t “feel the same” or “feel like a coach bag” It is a coach bag. Painting it won’t change that. As of now I never use it. If it’s less matte looking I will.
You have already hurt your bag by putting shoe polish on it. The waxes get into the pores and makes it so that your bag can’t absorb leather conditioner appropriately which is what it truly needs. Why people are obsessed with Vintage Coach leather bags is for the leather though and it’s feel. If you don’t care for it properly you don’t allow the leather to thrive and last another lifetime which it can and will with proper care. A painted Coach bag is not what others are after but of course, it’s your bag and you can do with it as you seem fit. I think you would be much happier with it if you remove that polish and give it a good conditioning.
@@birdybloom2 I’ve been a leather snob since sixth grade. I am not as impressed with coach leather as some others are. I agree the vintage bags over all seem to be better quality, but I don’t consider their leather to be better then any other bag that is made from quality leather. I get what you are saying about the shoe polish but it didn’t seem to hurt my bag at all. And I like my bag better with it. I’m not interested in what others are after lol. I like what I like. And I would like my coach bag better at this point in time if it had more of a shine to it. I bought the bag for the quality and the style of it. I still like the style of the bag but I don’t like the matte-ish finish the leather has on it. So I’m going to change it. I want it to look more like the black leather finish that some of the Burberry bags have. I think that would look better with the style of my bag then the finish that it came with.
@@bambooprincess3495 I’m wondering if you have a counterfeit bag……or maybe it’s not Vintage. I can assure you it doesn’t feel like plastic but a lot of non Vintage Coach absolutely does feel like plastic.
@@birdybloom2 none of my coach bags are counterfeit. The one I am currently discussing was purchased at Macy’s almost 25 years ago. So I guess it depends on the person if they consider it to be vintage or not. I don’t personally consider it to be vintage since it’s an early 200Os bag. But some may. To me the vintage ones are from the 80s and prior. And yes there is a difference in the way the leather feels on some of the non vintage coach bags. There are ones that definitely feel like “pleather” . And I wasn’t being literal about the vintage ones feeling like plastic. That was some “creative writing” I was trying to make it clear that vintage coach leather from the 80s felt very hard compared to some Burberry from the 8Os. Some 80s Burberry leather was super soft. The kind that would leave a finger print when you touched it even though it wasn’t suede.
Oh I’m so sorry. Sadly, this can happen a lot because vintage navy can be so dark that it looks black. Many people are happy to find this surprise but I can understand not being as well. I personally will accept returns if unhappy. I’m sorry that it didn’t work out for you 😢
This bag would have fooled me! It’s a beautiful bag, so sad! Thanks for sharing this info.
I’ve had to return bags that were “perfect” condition because the seller attempted to make it so. Even though their policy was “no returns”, the platform sided with me stating “item not as described”. The seller didn’t disclose their refurbishment
Hi Michelle, thank you for these AMAZING videos! I've looked high and low for tips on restoring dyed bags - did you ever come up with anything? I have a pre-creed twin clutch that was dyed to absolute hell and not disclosed in the listing. I did a million soaks, and for the past couple weeks (patience is tough lol) have now been trying your solution for painted bags. The leather is coming back to life but still lots of dye :( Do you know of perhaps a solution to soak it in?
Debbie the Restorer talks a bit about her process of soaking in I believe a Rit Dye Remover in her blog on SacsMagnifiques. I recommend checking out that post. It is not something I have done personally.
Hi! Thank you for this important information! Great video!! Thank you for sharing 💕
Hi, what would you recommend to restore the color loss of light-colored bags if not paint or dye? I have a lilac Soho buckle bag that is in a very sad condition
You can not restore the color on lighter bags. You can gently clean, upcraft and bling them out, accept them as is but the color will not return.
You should do some rehab videos for color fade!
I recently purchased a carnival bag and it has alot of fading, what would you suggest in addition conditioning to being back the severely faded edges?
Pictures would be very helpful. Can you share in our Facebook group Vintage Coach Eyecandy or on my email at birdybloom_rehab@yahoo.com
Hi, would you recommend using the sapphire saddle soap, and the sapphire universal cream?
I have not personally used these items and don’t have an opinion. I have tried other sapphire products that I don’t like too much. Haven’t dived much more into them.
Thanks for sharing💜
I have a black nyc dinky that has been authenticated. When I got it I thought there was shoe polish. It had a brown hue. I swabbed it with acetone and nothing. I saddle soaped it and a lot of the brown came off. It still feels like something is on it. The outside feels plastic like. It’s not paint or shoe polish. Any ideas what this could be?
Could you share some pics either in the Vintage Coach Eyecandy group or my email birdybloom_rehab@yahoo.com
There are some older NYC leathers that have a chewy texture. Different than the soft pliable leather. It’s actually one of my personal favorites (it’s so resilient) and I need to do a video on this! There are other leathers too. Vintage Coach leather varies by location, era manufacturing, bag, line. Please share so I can guide you better;)
What is the name of that bag, it looks so cute! Sorry you had to return it, would’ve been a great bag! 💕
It’s a #9300 Companion Bag
I have a few and will talk about them soon!!
Looks like they just applied a sealer to the bag.. if it feels textured it was probably saddle lac or leather sheen spray. You can still remove that and get it back to it original state. But yes, it’s work lol 😅
What a bummer! The companion bag is one of my favorites.
What do you think about Meltonian boot and shoe cream? I’ve seen people on the coach rehab forum talking about it, and I’m interested to try it on one of my sad British tan bags!
Hello! I don’t personally use these products on the bag itself but occasionally will use a color cream to correct piping that has been rubbed raw. If you do go one of these routes then make sure you are conditioning the bag properly first. Some bags require more than others. I wait days between conditioning layers with buffing in between. This may improve the look dramatically. I tend to embrace the character of a leather bag vs. making it look flawless. Some bags need more help though and I understand. I just don’t go this route personally. Best wishes! Also, looks like I’m stuck with this bag so I will be doing a video on removing the finish that was put on this bag eventually!
@@birdybloom2 thanks! I’ll try the layers of conditioning first. Do you buff when the conditioner has absorbed but still damp?
That’s an even bigger bummer! I am looking forward to that video though - I have one that was dyed too, and it’s also a companion bag!
@@czelesny I have no idea how to remove dye. Buff once the conditioner is fully absorbed and the bag is dry.
@@birdybloom2 I’m surprised you’re stuck with the bag since the seller didn’t disclose they attempted to fix whatever it was they were hiding. I already commented about having to return a bag for the same situation
@@JackieHagge sometimes I can but sometimes I can’t. Just got stuck with another shoe polished bag from Depop sadly:/
Is it possible to remove paint or shoe polish from these bags? How sad!
It’s very very difficult to remove shoe polish entirely and takes a lot of patience and time. I have a very old old bag that I’m trying to remove shoe polish on and it might just be destroyed because it does suffocate the leather so you are dealing with potentially very dry leather underneath and the process isn’t the most gentle.
Paint can be easy to remove depending on the type. I’m going to do a video soon on this hopefully ;)
It kills me to see people putting shoe polish all over these bags to restore appearance and color. In case anyone is confused by the name, Saphir Shoe Cream IS still shoe polish.
I occasionally put shoe polish on mine bc I can no longer stand how matte it looks.
And it always looks much better after I do .
Next I’m going to paint it bc paint lasts longer then shoe polish does.
And I do not feel that the shoe polish had any kind of negative effect on the leather.
It just made it shiner until it wore off like it was supposed to.
I have a black leather coach bag that was purchased new about 25 years ago. It was one of my “office pocketbooks” that I had in rotation.
I don’t work in an office anymore but sometimes I still want to use it if the bag’s style/ color goes with what I’m wearing.
But I can’t stand how blah and matte it looks.
I’m just over it.
And I have put clear shoe polish on it to try to give it a little shine lol.
I’m going to be painting it next.
I don’t care if it won’t “feel the same” or “feel like a coach bag”
It is a coach bag.
Painting it won’t change that.
As of now I never use it.
If it’s less matte looking I will.
You have already hurt your bag by putting shoe polish on it. The waxes get into the pores and makes it so that your bag can’t absorb leather conditioner appropriately which is what it truly needs. Why people are obsessed with Vintage Coach leather bags is for the leather though and it’s feel. If you don’t care for it properly you don’t allow the leather to thrive and last another lifetime which it can and will with proper care. A painted Coach bag is not what others are after but of course, it’s your bag and you can do with it as you seem fit. I think you would be much happier with it if you remove that polish and give it a good conditioning.
@@birdybloom2 I’ve been a leather snob since sixth grade.
I am not as impressed with coach leather as some others are.
I agree the vintage bags over all seem to be better quality, but I don’t consider their leather to be better then any other bag that is made from quality leather.
I get what you are saying about the shoe polish but it didn’t seem to hurt my bag at all.
And I like my bag better with it.
I’m not interested in what others are after lol.
I like what I like.
And I would like my coach bag better at this point in time if it had more of a shine to it.
I bought the bag for the quality and the style of it.
I still like the style of the bag but I don’t like the matte-ish finish the leather has on it.
So I’m going to change it.
I want it to look more like the black leather finish that some of the Burberry bags have.
I think that would look better with the style of my bag then the finish that it came with.
@@birdybloom2 and vintage coach leather feels like plastic compared to vintage Burberry soft leather
@@bambooprincess3495 I’m wondering if you have a counterfeit bag……or maybe it’s not Vintage. I can assure you it doesn’t feel like plastic but a lot of non Vintage Coach absolutely does feel like plastic.
@@birdybloom2 none of my coach bags are counterfeit. The one I am currently discussing was purchased at Macy’s almost 25 years ago. So I guess it depends on the person if they consider it to be vintage or not. I don’t personally consider it to be vintage since it’s an early 200Os bag. But some may. To me the vintage ones are from the 80s and prior.
And yes there is a difference in the way the leather feels on some of the non vintage coach bags.
There are ones that definitely feel like “pleather” .
And I wasn’t being literal about the vintage ones feeling like plastic.
That was some “creative writing”
I was trying to make it clear that vintage coach leather from the 80s felt very hard compared to some Burberry from the 8Os.
Some 80s Burberry leather was super soft. The kind that would leave a finger print when you touched it even though it wasn’t suede.
I have purchased from Poshmark and will never buy again. Sent a Curtis navy bag but was advertised as black. Poshmark did not back me.
Oh I’m so sorry. Sadly, this can happen a lot because vintage navy can be so dark that it looks black. Many people are happy to find this surprise but I can understand not being as well. I personally will accept returns if unhappy. I’m sorry that it didn’t work out for you 😢
I have a painted coach bought on ebay that I could not return. Never use it.
I have a video up now on how I remove paint from Vintage Coach Leather if you wanted to give it a go!