Box Calf / Veau Box through the years #boxcalfnerds

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#575
Hi Jadeite,
Does the Renovateur have a strong fragrance? I bought Saphir's Nappa (recommended for box calf), Universal balm & Reptan (for exotics). Except for Reptan, which was odorless, the other 2 were heavily fragranced.

Was the Renovateur leaps and bounds better than B & O? Do either have a strong smell or the Hermes balm?

I'm looking to treat tiny surface cracks on the box calf of 2 Constances and would truly appreciate if you guys could help me find a good conditioner that preferably doesn't smell like anything or has a mild smell, as strong smells are my biggest migraine triggers :/

Great to find a group of people who adore box calf as much as I do!

Thanks in advance for any feedback :)
 
#576
blondissima777 said:
Hi Jadeite,

Does the Renovateur have a strong fragrance? I bought Saphir's Nappa (recommended for box calf), Universal balm & Reptan (for exotics). Except for Reptan, which was odorless, the other 2 were heavily fragranced.



Was the Renovateur leaps and bounds better than B & O? Do either have a strong smell or the Hermes balm?



I'm looking to treat tiny surface cracks on the box calf of 2 Constances and would truly appreciate if you guys could help me find a good conditioner that preferably doesn't smell like anything or has a mild smell, as strong smells are my biggest migraine triggers :/



Great to find a group of people who adore box calf as much as I do!



Thanks in advance for any feedback :)
Click to expand...


Hello. Yes renovateur has a fragrance, much like shea butter. Very moisturizing. Used sparingly on leather I don't find the fragrance overwhelming at all, for me it is barely there. Personally I like to work with renovateur better than anything else. Does wearing a surgical mask covering your nose help somewhat ?
 
#577
blondissima777 said:
Hi Jadeite,

Does the Renovateur have a strong fragrance? I bought Saphir's Nappa (recommended for box calf), Universal balm & Reptan (for exotics). Except for Reptan, which was odorless, the other 2 were heavily fragranced.



Was the Renovateur leaps and bounds better than B & O? Do either have a strong smell or the Hermes balm?



I'm looking to treat tiny surface cracks on the box calf of 2 Constances and would truly appreciate if you guys could help me find a good conditioner that preferably doesn't smell like anything or has a mild smell, as strong smells are my biggest migraine triggers :/



Great to find a group of people who adore box calf as much as I do!



Thanks in advance for any feedback :)
Click to expand...


You can try plain Vaseline. It has no odour. You have to use it it very sparingly, leave to soak in and then reapply if necessary. Finally buff with a soft new bristle shoe brush. There are special brushes for exotic leathers.

My DH works on all my shoes & leather items. He is currently restoring my fave ancient Belstaff leather jacket and I'll be wearing it as usual under a heavy travel coat. I've never had any problems. Remember you have to let the Vaseline soak well in to the leather and buff well.

A disclaimer. My H bags, I have a few, mostly bought new from H have never needed this treatment but my vintage Chanels and some other bags have had Vaseline.

I have very bad allergies so feel your pain. Leather products can be the absolute worst. Good luck blondissima 777!
 
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#578
purplepoodles said:
You can try plain Vaseline. It has no odour. You have to use it it very sparingly, leave to soak in and then reapply if necessary. Finally buff with a soft new bristle shoe brush. There are special brushes for exotic leathers.

My DH works on all my shoes & leather items. He is currently restoring my fave ancient Belstaff leather jacket and I'll be wearing it as usual under a heavy travel coat. I've never had any problems. Remember you have to let the Vaseline soak well in to the leather and buff well.

A disclaimer. My H bags, I have a few, mostly bought new from H have never needed this treatment but my vintage Chanels and some other bags have had Vaseline.

I have very bad allergies so feel your pain. Leather products can be the absolute worst. Good luck blondissima 777!
Click to expand...


Very useful tips. Thanks for sharing purplepoodles. Leather treatment is such an important work!
 
#580
Jadeite said:
Purplepoodles what else does your DH use with the Vaseline on the leathers?
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Meltonian All-Purpose Cleaner & Conditioner. Years ago the then manager at Chanel showed me the bottle he kept in the back of the store for minor touch ups to their stock so If Chanel use I'll that's that recommendation. It does smell, I couldn't use it but the smell does evaporate with a good airing.

The Meltonian goes on as a top coat after the leather has been nourished. The Vaseline will also clean the leather and you can go through a lot of paper towels and rags before there is no more dirt coming off.

Again I have to stress I have not needed to use these products on my Hermes bags as mine are mainly Clemence and other leathers that have a crisp dry hand.
 
#582
Jadeite said:
Hello. Yes renovateur has a fragrance, much like shea butter. Very moisturizing. Used sparingly on leather I don't find the fragrance overwhelming at all, for me it is barely there. Personally I like to work with renovateur better than anything else. Does wearing a surgical mask covering your nose help somewhat ?
Click to expand...

That doesn't sound bad. Saphir Nappa and Universal Balm have a strong perfume the minute you open the jar or pour some on a chamois.

The surgical mask is worth a try. I'm gonna buy the Renovateur from somewhere that has a return policy, in case the smell is too strong for me. I just got burned by the hanger project. Don't buy anything there. Very dishonest site. They won't even publish a 3 star review I wrote!

Thanks for the help, Jadeite!

I'll report back with the results as soon as I get the Renovateur. Cheers!

By the way, do you use the regular Renovateur or the Medaille D'or one?
 
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#583
Thanks a lot, purplepoodles!
I'll definitely try the vaseline with the vintage Chanels and get the brush for the exotics, as the chamois wasn't ideal because I had to pick lint off some spots. By the way, Saphir Reptan was great on alligator and crocodile and it was odorless. Hallelujah!

I feel your pain as well. My DH suffers from allergies, so I know how bad it can be :/
 
#585
Luccibag, H. for H.,
What a gorgeous collection!!!

I love your bags and regardless of age, they all look supple and luscious. I'm glad you guys appreciate and cherish vintage bags as well! To me there's something special about them that new bags (as exciting as it is to open a new box) will never have. To me, my grandmother's 1965 black croc poro Kelly, my mother's favorite Chanels and her black swift Constance with PHW are irreplaceable to me.

And well, since I'm a huge fan of box calf, I'm currently hunting down a vintage black Kelly Retourne 32. Hopefully I'll find one as beautiful as yours, Luccibag :)
 
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