Is there a way to speed up the patina process?

koukanamiya

koukanamiya

It is what it is
May 25, 2006
7,280
30
#1
I recently got a bracelet in the natural bridle leather. My SA said that with time and use, it'll darken. At the moment, it's a bit too light and since I have very light skin, there's barely any contrasts. Is there a way to speed up the darkening process? My SA said to put it under the sun but is there a better way?
 
#5
Use the saddle polish from Hermes, "Baume Renovant - l'Entretien pour le cuirs des sellerie".

Apply a coat, and then leave it in the sun for ten minutes. Wipe off, and instant PATINA!

I used it on my Barenia watch-strap and voila. Looks like I bought it years ago. When I get a 40cm Barenia Birkin(Darling, I truly hope you're reading this all the way in SG), it's the first thing I will do. I wouldn't want the straps turning black and the rest of the bag a totally different colour.
 
#6
just use it and enjoy the various stages. i wouldn't rush it. that will darken faster than you think. i would rather wear it and look at it and attribute the aging, etc. to use rather than a project i did to darken it.
 
#7
40 cm Barenia Birkin, you are KILLIN' me eric!!!
Nice to see you back, and I will definitely try the saddle polish on my new saddle (not my new bag)....cuz I want us to grow old together!!!

Eric Fam said:
Use the saddle polish from Hermes, "Baume Renovant - l'Entretien pour le cuirs des sellerie".

Apply a coat, and then leave it in the sun for ten minutes. Wipe off, and instant PATINA!

I used it on my Barenia watch-strap and voila. Looks like I bought it years ago. When I get a 40cm Barenia Birkin(Darling, I truly hope you're reading this all the way in SG), it's the first thing I will do. I wouldn't want the straps turning black and the rest of the bag a totally different colour.
Click to expand...
 
#9
Eric Fam said:
Use the saddle polish from Hermes, "Baume Renovant - l'Entretien pour le cuirs des sellerie".

Apply a coat, and then leave it in the sun for ten minutes. Wipe off, and instant PATINA!

I used it on my Barenia watch-strap and voila. Looks like I bought it years ago. When I get a 40cm Barenia Birkin(Darling, I truly hope you're reading this all the way in SG), it's the first thing I will do. I wouldn't want the straps turning black and the rest of the bag a totally different colour.
Click to expand...

Thanks Eric!! I'll check it out. Usually I like the leather color to remain light, but in this case I'd really like some contrast to my skin tone. I tried on the black one as well but that one was a bit too edgy for me.
 
#10
Dear Kou,


Am not too sure whether the polish would work. It really depends on the type of leather the bracelet is made. Box will slowly have patina - can't rush this one. While barenia will have show old-world patination immediately! Cuir Bride will also have a patina after treatment with the saddle balm.

I use John Lobbs leather creme on all my H Leather for deep cleaning - a once a year affair. Upholstery cleaner on my Garden Party and Herbag, and once every two to three months, the saddle balm for DEEP moisturisation. I use skincare principles for my face for all my H stuff.
 
#11
koukanamiya said:
Thanks Eric!! I'll check it out. Usually I like the leather color to remain light, but in this case I'd really like some contrast to my skin tone. I tried on the black one as well but that one was a bit too edgy for me.
Click to expand...

what about trying a different color? you didn't like the black but another color might come in that you would like better.
 
#12
^^:yes::yes:
Kou did you try rouge H? it looks really nice contrasting with light skin.

patina wise..did you try LV forum? they have tons of info and crazy ideas about patina.
 
#14
gigi leung said:
Years ago, I would do this whenever I got a new LV bag (those classic Monogram bags with natural vache leather handle & trimmings). I even hung the bag outside the window on the bamboo stick (the SG girls would know what I mean :P ), DH thought I was mad.

Anyway, it works. LOL!
Click to expand...

I agree with what Gigi says: light makes these vache naturelle leathers get darker, BUT, DO NOT put it in direct sunlight; direct sunlight damages all leathers, you can read it in the H care leaflet that comes with the bags. I have a LV Alma in total Vacchetta, and now I have a Birkin in Vache Naturelle aswell, and even if I'm not using the bag, I take it out of my closet for a few hours a day so that it gets some light. But I always make sure that the sun doesn't go directly on it.... Maybe with a small piece of leather (like your bracelet) it can't get much damage, but I certainly wouldn't leave a bag in the sun....
 
#15
^^ completely agree w/duna -- direct sunlight baking on your bag can be very damaging.

i take every piece of vache naturel and use my hermes saddle oil on it just as if it were a new bridle or saddle. this darkens the leather and gets the patina started -- and it also serves to protect the naked leather. it gets re-oiled occasionally but treated with leather baum on a regular basis. however, with all my years of cleaning and conditioning tack for the horses i'm pretty confident in my leather care skills -- it may not be for the faint of heart to start learning this stuff on hermes goods!

eric, you're lucky you can get the hermes baum -- it's no longer available in the US because of a tiny amount of a petroleum product which tags it as a potential terrorist shipment (or something like that).
 
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