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

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#631
Sylvain said:
Dear Docride,
I am looking a preloved Chevre Birkin. Unfortunately, I do not have better pictures from the seller, yet. The bag overall seems to be in fairly good condition, corner wear seems to be minimal, they do look a bit dirty but not rubbed. What I think I spotted are dirty/greasy handles, possibly a scratch in the front (but that could also be a vein/scar in the skin) and - what concerns me the most - the bottom. It is speckled with small spots, could be dirt, could be water/oil stains or ink marks (but then the pen must have exploded onto the bottom or a child got creative). From the admittedly poor picture quality - it looks as if the previous owner tried to rub out some of the stains. The color is still there, but the spine looks a bit less prominent, the area around the spot looks a bit blurred (like your smartphone gets greasy swipe marks). My question would be what can be fixed, I know ink marks stay, but what about greasy handles and settled dirt/stains? And what is the likelihood of Hermes Spa refusing to service the bag, if the previous owner tried a DYI spot removal? Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much and stay safe and healthy!View attachment 4700293
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Great Questions,
A full on color restoration to cover those lightened areas and stains isn't something Hermes would do in any case. Greasey handles can often be lightened but if color change has occurred as a result then they will remain darkened. Hermes might replace the handles for you is it worth it though things to consider. If this bag has too many flaws to have you enjoy the bag as is it might not be making sense to try and "make" it be the bag you want... Jusr saying ....
Hugs,doc
 
#632
storeberry said:
Hi doc, I recently gotten a beautiful black bolide fjord in 2006. I would like to know how do I care for it? I have meltonian delicate cream.
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Hi
I would not use melttonian delicate on Fjord. So how does the bag feel? What makes you think it needs any conditioners? Keep in mind too much conditioning can eat away at the leathers finish. For this reason I do not recommend slathering highly greasy Highly oily conditioners on finished leathers. I have a Hermes Leather care docride recommended products list in this section ....
in the mean time a nice light conditioning/cleanser combination lotion type product or wipe might be all you might want to have on hand. I would not get OCD and over do cleaning and conditioning on a finished leather daily/weekly unless you have had some kind of accident spills etc at whic point a water damp only cloth would be the first choice of care...damp mind you not soaking ....
OK? Congratulations that's a beautiful Boldie in a wonderful easy almost carefree leather!!
doc
 
#633
Louboutin Cat said:
Hi Doc! This 15 year old garden party needs some love. What would you recommend for her being thirsty and dry? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

View attachment 4686655 View attachment 4686656 View attachment 4686658
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Awe , I love that you will Lazarus this bag, a light conditioner would be my first choice after a gentle cleanser carefully done so as not to get products on the canvas. might want to use a soft small paint brush or old clean make up brush to apply the conditioner so as not to get spots on the canvas. I have a list of products I have personally tried with success on various leathers in another thread .... I hope this helps?
Good Luck
doc
 
#634
forever132 said:
View attachment 4678600 View attachment 4678600
I recently had a birkin that the handles became sticky, the wax resin is somehow sticky on handles and is not smooth/dry anymore.(some day feel fine, but other day feel stickiness) I wonder what make that happen, would it be the room I store my bag is too hot? I kept all my bag in box, in wardrobe and room is usually closed. But here, Sydney not usually humid except lately. And the bag is almost 10 years old. So I wonder if I need to keep air con/fan on, or should I get a humidifier for the room! Thanks
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May I ask is the resin less sticky when the bag is in a cold area? If so this may simply be the bees wax seal on the resin rims warming ... But its still possible its something else.. is the bag new to you from Hermes directly? Or bought from another source? Sometimes people have applied something to the bag or someone carried the bag without realizing they hand some lotion on their hands and it got transferred to the handles. ... what do you think? did you try to clean the handles?
doc
 
#635
Hello everyone,
I should have done this earlier, please forgive my tardiness. I just wanted to wish all my dear TPF friends best wishes during these stressful times! I personally have a feeling that we can make lemon aide out of lemons, and there is a silver lining in each cloud. We have a tremendous opportunity to unplug from the distractions and reconnect to our humanity and help each other . Even though many are house bound , we can can share a funny story or picture on social media, call and chat with our elders,or drop groceries and niceties on a door step or porch, maybe plant a garden or window box for someone? Come up with fun projects for children to stay busy at home and post them on social media ?
I encourage you to start spa-ing your bags in readiness for coming out into the light again when this is all over, maybe find some ways of showing whimsy in the meantime Maybe buy a rescue bag and post it here?
I will be checking posts twice a day until this lock down is over.. and will encourage you with your projects.
From my heart to yours, I wish you all the best!
your friend doc
 
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#636
Hi Doc

I got a bag in gris perle in swift leather and there seems to be two yellowish patches or stains. When i wipe that part, the colour turns dark and turns back yellow when it drys up. Wiping with leather cleaner doesn't help. Any thing else I can do? What do you think caused the stains?
 

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#637
Crystal20 said:
Hi Doc

I got a bag in gris perle in swift leather and there seems to be two yellowish patches or stains. When i wipe that part, the colour turns dark and turns back yellow when it drys up. Wiping with leather cleaner doesn't help. Any thing else I can do? What do you think caused the stains?
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Hi There! It almost looks like those areas have have had stains someone maybe tried to remove? and lost the finish (top colored finish coat in the process? Or some other thing happened to wear away the top coat of the finish on those areas? when you tried the clean they went darker like they absorbed the cleanser right?
If this is the case (missing colored top coat you may need o do color touch up to cover those areas.. color touch up in the middle of a panel is usually not recommended because color matching even if very excellent will usually be seen to the eye as the color touch up oxidizes at a different rate than the rest of the original finish and or the match isn't exact anyhow. this leads to why repair shops tend to recolor the whole panel instead of small color touch ups.
where is the the discoloration located ? If actual stains not worn away top coat the remedy would still be the same. and I would ask for professional help, corner touch ups can often be done at home with good matched colors but stains and color-loss out in the middle of a panel is best handled by the pros.
I hope this helped?
doc
 
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#638
docride said:
Hi There! It almost looks like those areas have have had stains someone maybe tried to remove? and lost the finish (top colored finish coat in the process? Or some other thing happened to wear away the top coat of the finish on those areas? when you tried the clean they went darker like they absorbed the cleanser right?
If this is the case (missing colored top coat you may need o do color touch up to cover those areas.. color touch up in the middle of a panel is usually not recommended because color matching even if very excellent will usually be seen to the eye as the color touch up oxidizes at a different rate than the rest of the original finish and or the match isn't exact anyhow. this leads to why repair shops tend to recolor the whole panel instead of small color touch ups.
where is the the discoloration located ? If actual stains not worn away top coat the remedy would still be the same. and I would ask for professional help, corner touch ups can often be done at home with good matched colors but stains and color-loss out in the middle of a panel is best handled by the pros.
I hope this helped?
doc
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Thanks alot for your reply Doc, yes I think you are right and I'll need to send it in for repair. Thanks so much!
 
#640
Dear @docride ,

thank you so much for your reply. Actually (also after having received additional pix), I do not think that the condition is that bad. The bag just seems to be a bit dirty overall. I understand some stains will not be able to be removed and this is fine, actually it gives me some peace of mind that I will not be the one depreciating the value of a BNIB bag by putting the first stain into it, am still hoping that the condition and wear might improve after spa. The one thing that I still need to evaluate for myself is the crease/slouch in the front. The seller informed me that this is due to improper storage of the bag and while the bank still stands upright, the creasing at pressure points and bulging at the front/sides is obvious. What is your take on this? Is this just a beauty flaw or will this damage the leather in the long run?
Thanks and stay healthy! Birkin 2.jpg
 
#641
Sylvain said:
Dear @docride ,

thank you so much for your reply. Actually (also after having received additional pix), I do not think that the condition is that bad. The bag just seems to be a bit dirty overall. I understand some stains will not be able to be removed and this is fine, actually it gives me some peace of mind that I will not be the one depreciating the value of a BNIB bag by putting the first stain into it, am still hoping that the condition and wear might improve after spa. The one thing that I still need to evaluate for myself is the crease/slouch in the front. The seller informed me that this is due to improper storage of the bag and while the bank still stands upright, the creasing at pressure points and bulging at the front/sides is obvious. What is your take on this? Is this just a beauty flaw or will this damage the leather in the long run?
Thanks and stay healthy! View attachment 4704582
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Hey there , Great color and looks like your stains are mostly on the bottom? So yes get i cleaned up at spa and then put a bag inset inside to help keep the bag from slouching if that bothers you. however the slouch or bend shouldn't be a functional concern nor contribute to its over all wear and sturdiness to any notable degree unless you really work the bend back and forth a-lot (*hard crazy OCD or generally out of control) where as you could possibly break additional internal fibers making it worse. But I highly doubt *that will any problem for you as you sound level headed.. My thoughts is this is a great bag and it's going to be even nice with a detailing. Enjoy your beautiful bag!Congratulations!
doc
 
#642
docride said:
Yes they can be made to look better with conditioner, I wouldn't jump to a full redye though, at this point see how the conditioning goes. If not as dramatic as you'd hope you can use some (matched color)touch up carefully just were needed.( I would shy away from places that will paint your bag) there aree trusted restoration people at Hermes or proper workshops that will apply pigments carefully and not ruin the integrity of the bag. Show me how it goes and then we can regroup :smile:
doc
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Thanks for your input!
I ended up sending it to Leather Surgeons, I didn't trust my rehab abilities on such an expensive item. :lol:
 
#643
docride said:
Hey there , Great color and looks like your stains are mostly on the bottom? So yes get i cleaned up at spa and then put a bag inset inside to help keep the bag from slouching if that bothers you. however the slouch or bend shouldn't be a functional concern nor contribute to its over all wear and sturdiness to any notable degree unless you really work the bend back and forth a-lot (*hard crazy OCD or generally out of control) where as you could possibly break additional internal fibers making it worse. But I highly doubt *that will any problem for you as you sound level headed.. My thoughts is this is a great bag and it's going to be even nice with a detailing. Enjoy your beautiful bag!Congratulations!
doc
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Dear doc,

thank you so much for the swift reply and sharing your knowledge so generously. It helps so much to have second opinion!
 
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