Any hope for this Coach bag?

[farefinta]

When I bought this bag I didn't see the imprints on the back until I got it home and was washing it with Lexol. The 3rd photo is what it looks like wet, much worse than when it is dry. The entire back is imprinted with a grid, it has dented the bottom piping and there is a black smear in the center of the purse. The bag is made out of cowhide leather. Any hope here?

[Roger Koh]

Is the bag bought “new” or “used”?

Is the leather absorbent - that becomes dark when wet?

Grid Imprints:
Test with a drop of distilled/tap water across the imprint to see if the absorbency differs. This test is to check if the topcoat is missing due to the imprint. If the test is positive topcoat refinish will rectify it. – Its either using Topcoat-59M (waxy matte) or Topcoat-79G (gloss) to match existing finish.

Piping Dents:
- If leather is absorbent it could be rectified with Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0

Black Smear:
– If this is derived from gum or other sticky residue removal is done with Prep-4.4 > Eraser-4 > Cleaner-3.8 > Rinse-3.0

What is needed to solve the above problems can be found in Kit A3.gs with the matching topcoat as add-on.

Roger Koh
[email protected]

[farefinta]

The bag is older and used. Here is a zoomed photo with some water on it. I don't know how to answer your questions, I can't really tell. There is nothing sticky on the purse.

[Roger Koh]

Please do a similar water test over the black smear:

1] How does it feel with your finger tips?

2] Do you think the finish is missing or something is on top of the finish?

3] Is it absorbent more than the grid line and the leather finish?

4] Is the hidden leather areas has similar appearance with the outside?

[farefinta]

Thank you for your help. The black smear appears to be on top of the grid and finish and seems less absorbent than the surrounding area. It also is not visible unless the purse is wet.

[Roger Koh]

There is a risk to remove this stain, if the stain has damage the leather finish beneath, removing it will reveal the damage that need to be rectified. So we can't tell until we are there!

Unless you are prepared to refinish the entire bag to look new again.

Where do you want to go from here?