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

[feifei123]

Hello Doc,
I'm wondering when you left fingerprints on shiny croc leather, can a craftsman in Hermes fix this? Also the stains from hand grease, can they be polished? Or there will be a patina covering all of them up.
Thanks in advance.

 

[BBNJ]

Hello Doc,
I would be grateful for your expertise. I just purchased a 1 year old Barenia Faubourg Birkin. One corner looks quite worn--it looks like the color has rubbed off in some parts and there are small black dots in another corner. While I still have time to change my mind, is this something that can be repaired? Do you think the Hermes spa would be able to work with it?

 

[docride]

Hello Doc,
I'm wondering when you left fingerprints on shiny croc leather, can a craftsman in Hermes fix this? Also the stains from hand grease, can they be polished? Or there will be a patina covering all of them up.
Thanks in advance.

Hi there, I do not think (I'm not sure) that Hermes de-greases darkened handles, or grease spots... but you can ask them. Some Luxury Handbag restoration shops do though. How about a picture or two?
As for finger prints ... they might clean off and if so then Hermes most likely will able to make the bag look wonderful again.
I hope this helps? For a better idea maybe post a few photos?
All the best,doc

 

[docride]

Hello Doc,
I would be grateful for your expertise. I just purchased a 1 year old Barenia Faubourg Birkin. One corner looks quite worn--it looks like the color has rubbed off in some parts and there are small black dots in another corner. While I still have time to change my mind, is this something that can be repaired? Do you think the Hermes spa would be able to work with it?

Hi there,
Generally unfinished (naked) natural leather which gains patina and or color change due to its organic nature (Vache Natural, Peau Porc, natural fauve barenia etc) are not fixed by applying color touch ups in the way a finished leather is. So I would say, worn away corners lighter in color will most likely not be color touched p by an Hermes spa (although you can ask them if the can help)
And as for black dots unless they are surface dirt will most likely remain and wont be able to be removed or covered over with color touch up.
A few photos can help me be more specific.
A the best,doc

 

[docride]

Hi docride
Have been reading your comments and appreciate your help. My very first time to seek your opinion.
I'm very interested in this box kelly but there's a leather crack as shown... I don't think H spa can repair it... What's your thoughts?
Thank you and wish you well.
View attachment 4716054

Hi there,
Correct Hermes I have heard will not do crack repairs they do replace panels and handles and such. I would check the handle bases for tears and cracks as well, those areas would be more worrying to me ( if severe) ... how does the rest of the bag look?
All the best,doc

 

[SakuraiK]

Hi there,
Correct Hermes I have heard will not do crack repairs they do replace panels and handles and such. I would check the handle bases for tears and cracks as well, those areas would be more worrying to me ( if severe) ... how does the rest of the bag look?
All the best,doc

Thank you for your kind reply. Attached are more photos.

 

[feifei123]

 

[docride]

Hi Can you reload your photo? I cant see it on my end

 

[feifei123]

Hi there, I do not think (I'm not sure) that Hermes de-greases darkened handles, or grease spots... but you can ask them. Some Luxury Handbag restoration shops do though. How about a picture or two?
As for finger prints ... they might clean off and if so then Hermes most likely will able to make the bag look wonderful again.
I hope this helps? For a better idea maybe post a few photos?
All the best,doc

First of all, thank you for your kind reply.
Since my mom has the bag, I couldn't get a clear picture from her. So I'm using this bag from Fashionphile as an example of the fingerprints I'm talking about. Could you see the fingerprints on the left, mostly upper left? Can it be polished off from the spa?

 

[docride]

Thank you for your kind reply. Attached are more photos.
View attachment 4718218 View attachment 4718219 View attachment 4718224 View attachment 4718223

Hi again,
The bag presents nicely enough, although its certainly got some damage, there are many cracks on the handle and its handle bases (these will eventually cause a sturdiness problem but it may not be for quite sometime) If the bag is price right and you will enjoy it as is rather than hoping that the cracks could be cured to make it like new I'd say go for it. It looks like a nice starter Kelly bag.
It will need some TLC for sure, as its been allowed to get overly dry in its past.
All the best,doc

 

[docride]

First of all, thank you for your kind reply.
Since my mom has the bag, I couldn't get a clear picture from her. So I'm using this bag from Fashionphile as an example of the fingerprints I'm talking about. Could you see the fingerprints on the left, mostly upper left? Can it be polished off from the spa?

Hello, Thank you for the photo (that's helpful). Fro what I see in this example I would say probably , yes.
And if it wasn't something Hermes would want to do , a trusted luxury leather handbag restoration shop should be able to do it for you.
I hope this helps?
all the best,doc

 

[feifei123]

Hello, Thank you for the photo (that's helpful). Fro what I see in this example I would say probably , yes.
And if it wasn't something Hermes would want to do , a trusted luxury leather handbag restoration shop should be able to do it for you.
I hope this helps?
all the best,doc

Thank you so much. Have a nice rest of your day!

 

[docride]

Thank you so much. Have a nice rest of your day!

Thank you !

 

[SakuraiK]

Hi again,
The bag presents nicely enough, although its certainly got some damage, there are many cracks on the handle and its handle bases (these will eventually cause a sturdiness problem but it may not be for quite sometime) If the bag is price right and you will enjoy it as is rather than hoping that the cracks could be cured to make it like new I'd say go for it. It looks like a nice starter Kelly bag.
It will need some TLC for sure, as its been allowed to get overly dry in its past.
All the best,doc

Thank you for your kind reply. I'll take it to H for spa and see if they can replace the handle. Well, I'll be prepared to accept as it is just in case.

Have a nice day!

 

[BBNJ]

Hi there,
Generally unfinished (naked) natural leather which gains patina and or color change due to its organic nature (Vache Natural, Peau Porc, natural fauve barenia etc) are not fixed by applying color touch ups in the way a finished leather is. So I would say, worn away corners lighter in color will most likely not be color touched p by an Hermes spa (although you can ask them if the can help)
And as for black dots unless they are surface dirt will most likely remain and wont be able to be removed or covered over with color touch up.
A few photos can help me be more specific.
A the best,doc

Thank you so much for your kind reply. I will have to decide whether I can live with these marks. Here are some pictures to better explain the wear I described.