Reference: Vintage Bag nightmares? leather care info

[docride]

Originally Posted by ladydior815

Hi Docride! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us! Do you know the best way to care for vintage crocodile bags and chevre? Thanks in advance!

Chevre Rx:
Same basic process Blackrocks treatment 2-3 times, check a small area at the bottom of your bag first (I actually use blackrocks on chevre with great results.

Vintage Croc,Lizard and Gator Rx:
First off if your bag is Hermes let them at the spa infuse the hide with moisture for you..it's a special process...
However if your bag or shoes are not Hermes then I would use Blackrocks... Here are some some 1960's Gator and 1950's lizard shoes which were cleaned up and made soft again with Blackrocks...

[docride]

Color change and tapping on color where it's gone>>>
First off agin if you have an Hermes bag let them fix your color on your corners for you...If your bag or small accessory has bald corners and it's not Hermes is it possible to cover this area? The anwer is yes>
Color restoring products are out there...Some are aweful and very hard to work with...some are fairly easy to work with...
Oil based dye/stains by FIEBING'S shown in the large Products approved photo's in this post can be used on Box Calf type leather Such as old English riding boots (but again Hermes will not like this) So only do it if A) your old bag is NOT Hermes or You can get some good results You will need Acetone to remove any waxy or oily surface before tap dying* (tapping with a dye dipped damp not saturated wool dauber). and then later when it dries use Blackrocks all over and buff the article.
Bright colored rubbed bald spots on such leathers as Togo/Clemance etc (again let Hermes do this for you if your bag is Hermes) can be Tapped dyed with acyrlic leather paints (they come in tons of colors and can be mixed to get the exact shade you want) such as those shown in the picture..again use ACETONE to prepare the leather first>>> Here is a an old 1915 change purse which has seen better days was a nasty greenish brown puke color but was stroke dyed and changed into this bright sunny yellow>>> so yes you can have a lovely rainbow on the cheap this way as you see this oldy has a very nice hing and kiss clasp..and was very nice in it's day...

[trishaluvslv]

what products/procedures do you recommend doc for for just cleaning/mainting/conditioning clemence bags? should she be cleaned before she is put away in her box between wears? I do not use my clemence birkin as an every day bag, more for trips or special events! thanks!

[docride]

Originally Posted by trishaluvslv

what products/procedures do you recommend doc for for just cleaning/mainting/conditioning clemence bags? should she be cleaned before she is put away in her box between wears? I do not use my clemence birkin as an every day bag, more for trips or special events! thanks!

Clemence Rx:
Maintaining and cleaning this leather is just simple Brackrocks treatment..if you live in an area prone to mildew or mold and damp humid temps..try Obenaufs LP after a Blackrocks treatment before storing her away.

[bms2205]

Hi Docride,

Thank you for your helpful tips.

How do I get rid of an unpleasant odor coming from the straps of my crocodile bag? Thank you!

[docride]

Originally Posted by bms2205

Hi Docride, Thank you for your helpful tips. How do I get rid of an unpleasant odor coming from the straps of my crocodile bag? Thank you!

Stinky Handles Rx:

Probably you have an over growth of bacteria from your hands on the handles... (this is normal to some degree as we all touch door handles during the day (gosh that's alotta bugs were are exposed to) OK , see if you can just clean off the handles with a baby wipe. or antibacterial handy wipe (wipe pat off excess moisture quickly) if the stinkiness is gone then just touch up your handles with some Blackrocks and buff. BTW if that does not do the trick..come on back...before using blackrocks...OK? We don't want to seal in the stinky KWIM?

[bms2205]

Thank you for your reply.

I doubt the smell is from handling as it comes from the horizontal straps on my crocodile birkin and only from the parts that are located on the sides of the bag. I have tried to use baby wipes. It seemed to diminish the smell temperarely but then it came back. It drives me mad! Thanks again!

[docride]

Originally Posted by bms2205

Thank you for your reply. I doubt the smell is from handling as it comes from the horizontal straps on my crocodile birkin and only from the parts that are located on the sides of the bag. I have tried to use baby wipes. It seemed to diminish the smell temperarely but then it came back. It drives me mad! Thanks again! Stinky Croc Straps Rx Continued:

Rub some Obenaufs on them (try the back of the straps first to test it should be ok but I always like everyone to be extra careful) and then quickly wipe away..Sounds like it could be spores as from Mold or Mildew or it could still be some Bacteria..in anycase it will kill it off and stop it in it's tracks Bonus it will leave a nice honey smell...
I think you will be very pleased with the results..you'll be back in love with your bag Lickity Split >>> Thank you for asking such a good question :o)

[docride]

Hello Jag, I have been seeing many of these questions concerning leather coming up time and time again... and maybe it will clean up the forum a bit if Perhaps you could make this a care ref thread? Thank you :o) Kind regards,doc

[docride]

Question> Can Hermes restore this bag even though I didn't buy from the shop?

Ans> If your bag is an authentic Hermes most of the time they can fix your bag. Hermes can do wonders but can not fix scratches, spills, water marks, without replacing whole sections of a bag..can they replace handles and hardware? Yes. They can also restitch NEVER allow anyone but an Hermes craftsperson to stitch your bag or it will be forever denied servicing by Hermes..same said for redying or over dying...It is possible that a bag is too far gone to repair See info on Dry Rot at the begining of this thread...

I hope ths helps?

[docride]

NASTY Yellowing handles on white bag Rx;

If you take your bag to Hermes and the results don't look better and you think all you can do have the handles replaced..or you could use a white acrylic leather paint and touch up those handles..Will they look like new? Yup. PS> If you didn't like the look later you can remove the white touch up with a bit of Acetone.

[kenzie1980]

You are a wealth of information! Thank you!

Any TLC tips on how to maintain a togo bag?

[bms2205]

Tha you, Docride! I will try Obenaufs.

[bms2205]

I meant: Thank you, Docride! :-)

[beaumonde]

Wow! THE DOCTOR IS IN!!!