Docride's Hermes Lazarus Thread (can this Hermes be Saved? )
- Thread starter docride
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Hi doc, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing all of your wisdom! I was thinking of purchasing a vintage (1991) Hermes black bolide in Ardennes leather, but was wondering what your opinion on the condition is. From the photos, the things that concern me the most are the marks on the front of the bag (circled in the second photo); I’m not sure if they are scratches or dents in the leather, but do you think it would be possible to get them out?
Also, there appears to be some peeling of the lining inside the bag (seen in the 4th photo) - would this compromise the structural integrity of the bag at all, and can it be fixed?
Thank you so much for your help!
Also, there appears to be some peeling of the lining inside the bag (seen in the 4th photo) - would this compromise the structural integrity of the bag at all, and can it be fixed?
Thank you so much for your help!
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Hi there,
Very cool Bolide! I love the two tone
Are you sure the color is original?
The scratches going across the grain on the exterior you have circled are going to stay as part of this bags patina they probably will show more and less depending upon the light and the angles.
The interior mark you call peeling looks more like a dried spill of something I would assume also that this will stay as a permanent mark even if cleaned. The lambskin interior does not do well with water or wet cleaning of any kind it does tend to shrink and pull away from the rest of the bag which can warp it
so best to avoid that.
All the best, doc
Very cool Bolide! I love the two tone
Are you sure the color is original?
The scratches going across the grain on the exterior you have circled are going to stay as part of this bags patina they probably will show more and less depending upon the light and the angles.
The interior mark you call peeling looks more like a dried spill of something I would assume also that this will stay as a permanent mark even if cleaned. The lambskin interior does not do well with water or wet cleaning of any kind it does tend to shrink and pull away from the rest of the bag which can warp it
so best to avoid that.
All the best, doc
Heya doc,
I bought a vintage B35 noisette in Fjord from 97 in great condition ...
except for the handles, which appear to be bending forward ...
Is this something that can be fixed or should I send it off to the spa for a handle replacement?
There are also scuffing on the sides, which I don't mind but the back of the bag has a dent/fold that causes it to slouch backwards.
I'm amazed at how put together it looks given it's 21 years old. Are these battle marks normal for one this age? How can I maintain this quality for another 20 years?
I bought a vintage B35 noisette in Fjord from 97 in great condition ...
except for the handles, which appear to be bending forward ...
Is this something that can be fixed or should I send it off to the spa for a handle replacement?
There are also scuffing on the sides, which I don't mind but the back of the bag has a dent/fold that causes it to slouch backwards.
I'm amazed at how put together it looks given it's 21 years old. Are these battle marks normal for one this age? How can I maintain this quality for another 20 years?
Hi
Looks like evergrain leather to me it’s soft buttery and slouchy I love it [emoji4]
The handles I would not worry just bend them the other way a few times it should get the handles to stand a bit straighter. The so called battle marks look minimal to me , easy to remedy those corner color loss areas. If you don’t want it to be so slouchy you can place a stiff bag insert inside .
That’s a really nice Birkin it’s got excellent craftsmanship; great find! Enjoy it in good health!
All the best doc
Hi doc, thank you for your reply! I ultimately decided to pass on the bag because of the scratch and the fact that it doesn't come with a strap. I did manage to order another one and it's being shipped to me soon so hopefully it will work out!
Hey thereHi doc, thank you for your reply! I ultimately decided to pass on the bag because of the scratch and the fact that it doesn't come with a strap. I did manage to order another one and it's being shipped to me soon so hopefully it will work out!
Sounds good
Best of luck
Doc
Hi doc, wanted to check with you, tarrago or fiebings dye have been mentioned for color loss touch ups. For scratches on box calf body (whitish even after conditioning), do you recommend both or only fiebings which I understand is a penetrating dye? TIA!
Hi , I do not recommend Feibings dye on box calf or any finished leather .
I do not recommend tarragon color paints or other color paints out on the panels corners or handles ok but in the middle of a panel no
Unless the bag is black
Show me the problem ?
All the best doc
Hi doc, thanks for the fast reply. I thought I saw a few posts on those products in the past but perhaps they are no longer recommended? It is black box though. Please see pic below.
Hi Docride! I'm interested in this swift pochette.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HERMES-Vau...d/254001258971?hash=item3b23a7a1db:rk:16:pf:0
What do you think of its condition? Will it get more slouchy with use? Does the leather look like it has some sort of sheen on top? I never had any experience with swift. What do recommend for cleaning/condition? Will the color loss take tarrago dye well?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HERMES-Vau...d/254001258971?hash=item3b23a7a1db:rk:16:pf:0
What do you think of its condition? Will it get more slouchy with use? Does the leather look like it has some sort of sheen on top? I never had any experience with swift. What do recommend for cleaning/condition? Will the color loss take tarrago dye well?
Hi doc, thanks for the fast reply. I thought I saw a few posts on those products in the past but perhaps they are no longer recommended? It is black box though. Please see pic below.
Hi again,
As I mentioned above febings dye is not recommended on finished leathers
Leather paints (like tarrago) and colored refinish type products are fine on finished leather .
As mentioned above I do not recommend these out on the middle of the panels but on the handles and corners is fine
Unless the color is black .
Ok I’ve repeated everything I mentioned in the prior post above .
So as stated because you have a black bag, this means yes you can use a colored leather paint out on the middle of a panel
I do not recommend doing DIY color touch up on places other than corners or discretely on the handles .
This is because can rarely if ever be made to look excellent unless done by a professional due to color matching issues
However because your bag is black you do not have to worry about matching a color you’ll just need to be sure about your application skills.
Are we good now?
All the best doc
Yes, got it doc: 1) NO fiebings, 2) tarrago is fine for black box panel but strictly at own risk.
Just to confirm, do I use the preparer on the scratch before applying the dye? Have already conditioned it with B+O (very very carefully to avoid trouble with the products
) to see if that would make it look less obvious, so the scratch is "covered" in a way right now, but not sure if the preparer will be too harsh.After applying the dye with a sponge on/around the scratch, to wait for the dye to dry and then apply neutral polish on the whole bag and buff? Is that the right procedure?
Sorry to have so many questions doc, and appreciate your time in sharing your expertise, thank you so much
Yes, got it doc: 1) NO fiebings, 2) tarrago is fine for black box panel but strictly at own risk.
Just to confirm, do I use the preparer on the scratch before applying the dye? Have already conditioned it with B+O (very very carefully to avoid trouble with the products
After applying the dye with a sponge on/around the scratch, to wait for the dye to dry and then apply neutral polish on the whole bag and buff? Is that the right procedure?
Sorry to have so many questions doc, and appreciate your time in sharing your expertise, thank you so much
Hi again
I would follow the directions in the box because each product may have its own application specifics
Yes If you have applied wax or oils or have polish on the area you will want to remove it before applying touch up color
Do Always pretest any and all products in small hidden areas first
Apply color touch up discretely
Use only A tiny amount
Blend very well
Allow to cure
Repeat if needed
Do not apply anything over this area for a few days
Just for the record This thread is about can this Hermes bag be rescued not actually teaching you how to rescue it yourself
Although I did do a thread like that in the past I found I was repeating myself and folks don’t follow directions even when clearly written thank you for understanding .
The thing about reading directions is it does not give anyone actual skills
For this reason I recommend more difficult restorations be handled by the professionals .
Best of luck
Doc
Hello there
It will get more slouchy it might even be stuffed in the photos ask the seller
Cleaning and conditioning information can be found in the thread in the reference section on that topic
The darkness on the corners probably are not going to clean off probably it wear with color loss
Color restoration on dark areas with lighter colors can be difficult I’d say use a professional on that
The sheen ? I’d ask the seller it could be the photo lighting or it could be an after market shine spray or something else.
All the best
Doc