View attachment 3564189 Hello Docride,
If I may ask you a question, I recently purchased this vintage box Kelly For a very reasonable price and knowing it was not new by any means. Still, I hope with a little tlc to turn her into a beauty. See pic's below, what do you think? I am most worried about the cracking leather on the straps and the difference in color. Should I contition and waterproof and use dye or meltonian with color?
Hello there,
Yes I'd be concerned with the cracks also, you know those aren't going to mend with conditioners or glue... adding dye to a cracking area can often times just stress already stressed leather further... I guess the question is the reasonable price (add it in your head) plus the price of future repairs? Is it still a good deal? If you factored in the cost of the bag plus repairs couldn't you afford a Kelly in better shape? Sometimes or shall I say most of the time that's actually the less expensive option
The next question is how much use do you want to get out of this bag? Its breaking now... will your normal use cause it to further fall apart? Or will you use it gently and you like a shabby chic vintage feel? Some gals can rock this look... some can't. I'm not trying to be mean here truly... But if you aren't 20 something and or an artist or bohemian chic
then it maybe difficult to carry this bag without looking like you just found it in the back of grandmas closet...?
If you have a bag that is vintage and when you open it to get something out and someone throws some change in there for you.. you aren't looking shabby chic you maybe mistaken for a true vagabond... then the bag isn't helping you ... just saying. (hugs)
I do not recommend using colored polish on handbags those shoe polishes are best kept for shoes and boots, in my and many craftsmans opinions.. because colored polishes can slip off on to clothing and hands.. eek...
If you still want to try and save this bag.. and you cant return it.. I recommend cleaning it, a small amount of color restorer on the uneven parts (Tarrago is fine) , deep conditioning (try Meltonian baulm or Tarrago cream or another) and then neutral polish. There are some companies which make a restoration kit for vintage box calf with step by step instructions.. just google. Or get some leather cleaner, and conditioner and neutral polish . or send it to a restoration shop.
good luck
doc