Docride's Hermes Lazarus Thread (can this Hermes be Saved? )

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#31
Hello,

I just purchased a vintage beauty. It looks good to me overall but there are two cracks in the leather handle. I do have an Hermes store near me so bringing it into a spa is not super difficult.

There is also some creasing on the sides but I was guessing that is normal due to the age of the bag? Because of its age and the fact I am getting it pre-loved with cracks in the leather on the handle I am wondering should I bring it to spa right away and then maintain it on my own afterward? Would they mess with those cracks or replace the handle? Should I just get a scarf for it to stop that from spreading/drying out?

I don't have the bag yet but there are links here for it the pictures zoom in and out so I can't figure out how to post them: https://www.fashionphile.com/hermes-vintage-box-retourne-kelly-32-chocolate-208085
 
#32
Hello! I was looking for card holders, and came across this. The price was good and I figure if it's not clean/fixable, I can always return it. Any advice on cleaning? I ordered some polishing clothes for the H, but not sure about the stains. The seams and stitching look good, and the inside looks clean. I don't mind a little "patina," but I want to get as much as the outside gunk off as possible. Thanks.
 
#33
NappingPig said:
Hello! I was looking for card holders, and came across this. The price was good and I figure if it's not clean/fixable, I can always return it. Any advice on cleaning? I ordered some polishing clothes for the H, but not sure about the stains. The seams and stitching look good, and the inside looks clean. I don't mind a little "patina," but I want to get as much as the outside gunk off as possible. Thanks.
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Hi there, That's a great card case design. I love it! Now as for resurrecting it; the hardware is pitted almost completely through the plating which has me wanting to say that you aren't going to simply polish those pits out with a jewelry polishing cloth. However, you can use polishing papers of like 1,2 and 3 microns or get a hardware polishing kit and give that a try. If the pits are still very noticeable you could polish more deeply for a brushed hardware effect or polish even more there by removing the plating altogether and having shiny polished base metal.

The dark marks do appear to be stains and those won't simply clean off so you might end up with a piece that would need color work most likely full color work ... if you wanted to make the stains not visible . Or you could just clean it up and enjoy it. Or send it to Hermes and they'll replace the hardware? I hope that is answering your questions?
All the best ,doc
 
#34
Pinkdiamondlove said:
Hello,

I just purchased a vintage beauty. It looks good to me overall but there are two cracks in the leather handle. I do have an Hermes store near me so bringing it into a spa is not super difficult.

There is also some creasing on the sides but I was guessing that is normal due to the age of the bag? Because of its age and the fact I am getting it pre-loved with cracks in the leather on the handle I am wondering should I bring it to spa right away and then maintain it on my own afterward? Would they mess with those cracks or replace the handle? Should I just get a scarf for it to stop that from spreading/drying out?

I don't have the bag yet but there are links here for it the pictures zoom in and out so I can't figure out how to post them: https://www.fashionphile.com/hermes-vintage-box-retourne-kelly-32-chocolate-208085
Click to expand...
Hi there, What a beautiful Kelly bag! Congratulations! If the handle base leathers are not tearing though and those cracks shown in the listing on the handle are the ones you are concerned about ... I would just condition the bag or send it to spa and then use it. It looks like from the photos the integrity of the bag is pretty much ok. It does not look overly delicate. I think you found a treasure.
You can always replace the handle down the road but it doesn't look like that's something it needs now, there are many layers in the handle and all the layers are most likely not cracked.
Hermes does not repair cracks as far as I know, but they do replace handles if the rest of the bag can support the repairs.
If it was me I'd just condition the bag myself and go and enjoy my Kelly. I wouldn't jack up the price by doing an Hermes spa or even costlier handle replacement at this point. After a year you may decide that this bag is truly your forever bag and you want to make those costly repairs , or maybe you'll find it isn't your forever bag or you would prefer a different size leather of color in the future.
See how you feel about your bag after using it for a year before even considering shelling out hundreds or thousands to restore it.
You might be surprised to see how quickly the bargain vintage bag can eat up your play money in costly upgrades and repairs. Often its cheaper in the long run to buy a bag which doesn't need the more costly repairs. Just saying....
I hope this helps? Just my 2 cents. Personally I very much like this bag I hope you will enjoy it :smile:
All the best,doc
 
#35
docride said:
Hi there, What a beautiful Kelly bag! Congratulations! If the handle base leathers are not tearing though and those cracks shown in the listing on the handle are the ones you are concerned about ... I would just condition the bag or send it to spa and then use it. It looks like from the photos the integrity of the bag is pretty much ok. It does not look overly delicate. I think you found a treasure.
You can always replace the handle down the road but it doesn't look like that's something it needs now, there are many layers in the handle and all the layers are most likely not cracked.
Hermes does not repair cracks as far as I know, but they do replace handles if the rest of the bag can support the repairs.
If it was me I'd just condition the bag myself and go and enjoy my Kelly. I wouldn't jack up the price by doing an Hermes spa or even costlier handle replacement at this point. After a year you may decide that this bag is truly your forever bag and you want to make those costly repairs , or maybe you'll find it isn't your forever bag or you would prefer a different size leather of color in the future.
See how you feel about your bag after using it for a year before even considering shelling out hundreds or thousands to restore it.
You might be surprised to see how quickly the bargain vintage bag can eat up your play money in costly upgrades and repairs. Often its cheaper in the long run to buy a bag which doesn't need the more costly repairs. Just saying....
I hope this helps? Just my 2 cents. Personally I very much like this bag I hope you will enjoy it :smile:
All the best,doc
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply! What kind kits would I need to condition it myself?
 
#37
Hello,
I'm looking to purchase this gold togo messenger bag, but I was hoping to get your opinion on if I could fix the scratches on the bag and corner wear by myself. I read your other threads and it seems that I can fix the corners pretty easily, but I'm not 100% positive about the scratches. Thank you so much in advance!
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#38
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docride said:
Hi there, That's a great card case design. I love it! Now as for resurrecting it; the hardware is pitted almost completely through the plating which has me wanting to say that you aren't going to simply polish those pits out with a jewelry polishing cloth. However, you can use polishing papers of like 1,2 and 3 microns or get a hardware polishing kit and give that a try. If the pits are still very noticeable you could polish more deeply for a brushed hardware effect or polish even more there by removing the plating altogether and having shiny polished base metal.

The dark marks do appear to be stains and those won't simply clean off so you might end up with a piece that would need color work most likely full color work ... if you wanted to make the stains not visible . Or you could just clean it up and enjoy it. Or send it to Hermes and they'll replace the hardware? I hope that is answering your questions?
All the best ,doc
Click to expand...

Great news Doc!

I received the wallet today, and after a little work with a polishing cloth, a little cleaning, and moisturizer, it looks 100x better! Thanks for you care advice :)
 
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#40
cj0617 said:
Hello,
I'm looking to purchase this gold togo messenger bag, but I was hoping to get your opinion on if I could fix the scratches on the bag and corner wear by myself. I read your other threads and it seems that I can fix the corners pretty easily, but I'm not 100% positive about the scratches. Thank you so much in advance!
View attachment 3873212 View attachment 3873213 View attachment 3873214
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Hi There
Scratches do not go away they stay, however with some conditioning, polishing or color restoration they can often be made to look less noticeable. In this case some light conditioning might help blend these scratches in, If however ,they are very deep and you have missing color you might have a tougher job on your hands and be in need of a professional to help. Id say try the lght conditioning and see how it looks ?
All the best,doc
 
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#42
Hi there Docride, I am so happy to see you created this thread! This is my first post, so hopefully I am within guidelines.

I recently acquired a very damaged Hermes bag that I would like to try and darken. It has a somewhat distressed look from the trauma, so I would like to try and distress it all around without causing much more damage. I am totally lost, so any advice will be very appreciated!

Also, the clochette strap is broken, but I'm guessing there is no chance of repair for that :sad:

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#43
thelittleone said:
Hi there Docride, I am so happy to see you created this thread! This is my first post, so hopefully I am within guidelines.

I recently acquired a very damaged Hermes bag that I would like to try and darken. It has a somewhat distressed look from the trauma, so I would like to try and distress it all around without causing much more damage. I am totally lost, so any advice will be very appreciated!

Also, the clochette strap is broken, but I'm guessing there is no chance of repair for that :sad:

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Hello, What a wonderful find! Your bag looks like its very dry, yo will want to deeply condition this Kelly. Due to excessive dryness the tirtette is broken and yes it cant be repaired but Hermes could make you a new one.
When yo say you want to distress it ... I'm not sure I understand do you mean you would like to dark and deepen its tone to help blend in some of the marks ad spots?
If so , have a look at my leather care thread, it will list many products which I recommend for your Vache Natural leather Kelly :smile:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...-care-recommendations-list-no-chatter.972523/
If that's not what you meant then please clarfy and i'll do my best to address your question more properly.
All the best,doc
 
#44
docride said:
Hello, What a wonderful find! Your bag looks like its very dry, yo will want to deeply condition this Kelly. Due to excessive dryness the tirtette is broken and yes it cant be repaired but Hermes could make you a new one.
When yo say you want to distress it ... I'm not sure I understand do you mean you would like to dark and deepen its tone to help blend in some of the marks ad spots?
If so , have a look at my leather care thread, it will list many products which I recommend for your Vache Natural leather Kelly :smile:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...-care-recommendations-list-no-chatter.972523/
If that's not what you meant then please clarfy and i'll do my best to address your question more properly.
All the best,doc
Click to expand...

I will read up on that thread right now, thank you!

Sorry for the misunderstanding, distress wasn't the right word to use. There are big stains that I'd like to try and imitate somehow on other areas of the bag so that it looks less accidental, as well as darkening the bag a few shades. Hopefully that makes sense, I've attached a photo of something similar just in case
dscn1346.jpg
 
#45
thelittleone said:
I will read up on that thread right now, thank you!

Sorry for the misunderstanding, distress wasn't the right word to use. There are big stains that I'd like to try and imitate somehow on other areas of the bag so that it looks less accidental, as well as darkening the bag a few shades. Hopefully that makes sense, I've attached a photo of something similar just in case
View attachment 3885836
Click to expand...
Well that's an interesting query, I don't know what your original stains and marks are .. you can experiment I suppose.. however, given the state tht your bag's leather appears to be in I would caution you not to be hard on this bag. I would get to conditioning the bag, many stains will blend back into the patina when the color darkens. The patch of leather you show is beautiful , however you might never achieve this look on your bags leather...each skin kind of has its own level of translucent quality, some can look like the leather patch in your photo with time and conditioning and some won't. You can try using a good cleaner and a dam cloth to try and blend in some of the water marks and then when its fully dry start conditioning (check out my leather care thread) I prefer to do many, many very light applications of conditioners for Vache Natural and alternating between product types to get the prettiest results. Don't rush it; take your time.
All the best,doc
 
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