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

[Jwcy22]

hey there.
Looks great! Yes easy fixes to spruce the little color loss spots .
Good luck and congratulations!
doc

Thanks so much, doc! That is reassuring and I will be picking it up soon!

 

[docride]

Thanks so much, doc! That is reassuring and I will be picking it up soon!

That's awesome News! Great find!

 

[nomdesac]

I have a question about an Hermes Amazonia Garden Party GM that I just bought on eBay. (Was it madness? Was it genius?) I bought it on the principle that more/bigger is better and because I love my Amazonia Garden Party MM so much (including the rubbery Amazonia smell.) The issue is that the interior is a wreck. (The exterior has the uneven worn look that someone on this site, I think, called "hypnotic." My question--and I hope it's okay to ask it in this space (if not, many apologies): will it be possible for me to clean the interior? Can you recommend a product and approach? I'd prefer not to send it out for a spa treatment, but I don't mind putting some work/time into it. (I'm not against the spa--I've used it for upkeep on bags I bought new years ago. But that's not what this bag is about.) Here is a link to the bag on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303559585372. And just in case that doesn't work: the canvas is speckled with red spots and smears. (And as I typed that sentence, I thought: uh-oh.) But I thinking they might be some sort of mold/mildew type thing? Taking all advice . . . including: the answer is "madness." Return that bad bag! (But it's Amazonia . . . !)

 

[docride]

I have a question about an Hermes Amazonia Garden Party GM that I just bought on eBay. (Was it madness? Was it genius?) I bought it on the principle that more/bigger is better and because I love my Amazonia Garden Party MM so much (including the rubbery Amazonia smell.) The issue is that the interior is a wreck. (The exterior has the uneven worn look that someone on this site, I think, called "hypnotic." My question--and I hope it's okay to ask it in this space (if not, many apologies): will it be possible for me to clean the interior? Can you recommend a product and approach? I'd prefer not to send it out for a spa treatment, but I don't mind putting some work/time into it. (I'm not against the spa--I've used it for upkeep on bags I bought new years ago. But that's not what this bag is about.) Here is a link to the bag on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303559585372. And just in case that doesn't work: the canvas is speckled with red spots and smears. (And as I typed that sentence, I thought: uh-oh.) But I thinking they might be some sort of mold/mildew type thing? Taking all advice . . . including: the answer is "madness." Return that bad bag! (But it's Amazonia . . . !)

`Hi there, Well this is an interesting bag and questions. I think you might use a bleach and water mixture on a sponge might help the canvas interior though i wouldn't expect it to become perfect and totally clean and im really not sure that the amazon material is tough enough to handle the bleach mixture as it seeps through from interior to exterior. Amazonian is a Rubber type of coated textile which when it is allowed to dry shrink and crack might not be restorable. You can use amazon wipes from Hermes or try some tire/rubber protecting type products ( I know weird right? But in a pinch).... personally this looks rough.... you want to take this bag knowing the limited amount of improvement you might be able to achive? I hope this helped?
Best regards, doc

 

[nomdesac]

Thanks so much for the speedy response! I agree that the bag looks rough--and it may go back, but your response gives me some hope that it might be possible to improve it. (I may post again after the bag arrives if I can get a better fix on what caused the spots on the interior. (My other Amazonia also looked not great when I bought it--but Armor All wipes helped enormously, more than I would have expected.) Thanks again!!

 

[docride]

Thanks so much for the speedy response! I agree that the bag looks rough--and it may go back, but your response gives me some hope that it might be possible to improve it. (I may post again after the bag arrives if I can get a better fix on what caused the spots on the interior. (My other Amazonia also looked not great when I bought it--but Armor All wipes helped enormously, more than I would have expected.) Thanks again!!

excellent yes armor all wipes for tires works great!
good luck!
doc

 

[Sylvain]

Hi There,
How bad is it?
You might want to see if you can place a piece of white paper to it and see if it lifts on to the paper at all ? Then try it again with like a gentle sweep of a finger tip over the paper over the area of the adhesive... try that.... first.
Check back in with results... and a photo maybe?
all the best,doc

Dear Doc,

I am not sure whether I made it worse .... I tried your tip with the paper, but the residue had already settled and dried. So I had the most brilliant idea (NOT) to use a blow dryer on the area as I thought it might make the glue soft again. And then, this is what happened: Before the Barenia was very light, almost with a whitish sheen. The blow-drying/heating darkened the leather (at one point I actually had a negative of my thumb holding it on the bottom). I then blow dryed /heated the whole bottom to get that even at least but since the Zoulou folds, the sides are now uneven with the parts that got close to the heat darkened. The glue residue got better, parts of the line seem to be completely gone, and while there is hardly a color difference left, there is only one very small part left that is still different to the touch. However, the grain of the parts that got most heat look a bit, I dunno, charred??? There are little dark brown almost black sprinkles in the grain. Did I do something that damaged the leather? Otherwise, I would just blow dry the rest to even it out.

TIA

 

[Sylvain]

Ps I also have the feeling that on the „charred“ part, the grain looks a bit bigger or rougher, but maybe that’s just me becoming paranoid

 

[docride]

Dear Doc,

I am not sure whether I made it worse .... I tried your tip with the paper, but the residue had already settled and dried. So I had the most brilliant idea (NOT) to use a blow dryer on the area as I thought it might make the glue soft again. And then, this is what happened: Before the Barenia was very light, almost with a whitish sheen. The blow-drying/heating darkened the leather (at one point I actually had a negative of my thumb holding it on the bottom). I then blow dryed /heated the whole bottom to get that even at least but since the Zoulou folds, the sides are now uneven with the parts that got close to the heat darkened. The glue residue got better, parts of the line seem to be completely gone, and while there is hardly a color difference left, there is only one very small part left that is still different to the touch. However, the grain of the parts that got most heat look a bit, I dunno, charred??? There are little dark brown almost black sprinkles in the grain. Did I do something that damaged the leather? Otherwise, I would just blow dry the rest to even it out.

TIA

Hey there,
Ok put the item on a table and step away from it ..... back up about 3-4ft..... close your eyes. await for about 30 seconds .... slowly open your eyes allow your eyes to to be partially closed and view the item through a blurr effect.....see it as though for the first time sense the shape, the over all color,the craftsmanship, the organic nature of the leather, maybe even its scent, see it as being perfectly what it is, rather than a flawed perfection which isn't quite fair is it? now walk over and pick it up and just feel the shape and weight in your hands, smell it's incredible aroma... sense it's special-ness Its not like any other of it's kind is it? And it's yours! Barenia is very special, and it gets marks, that's the nature of it, that's part of its charm. Try not to get wigged out ... the first marks are hard for all of us.. yes even me! But take a breath, this is the first of the many beauty marks to come, eventually they will all blend into it's unique patina! All is well. Stop beating yourself up, it could have been coffee spilling on it or some other initiation .... yours just happened to be a post it note and a blow drier. Its ok! I promise. Stuff happens ... and its not because you cant have nice things that its marked, its just the thing about barenia... its going to get marks... its very tough and will last for generations, it just gets a distressed casual look over time. Hang in the there.... all is well....enjoy your fabulous Barenia!
Hugs,doc

 

[docride]

Ps I also have the feeling that on the „charred“ part, the grain looks a bit bigger or rougher, but maybe that’s just me becoming paranoid

Whoa there.....!
Its ok, stop looking so close... its really beautiful and you and it are just starting on barenia initiations. There are more to come if you intend to use it as it was intended. Big exhale. I know this is hard , we all get unhappy and sad about the first mark on our barenia.....You are not alone.I promise. Im sure lots of the lovely TPF family can empathize.
THe change in color is due to the oils moving to the surface due to the heat, this happens with use also.. i doubt it charred.. you can leave it be, as it gets used the color tone will even out .
Bug hugs from me and probably from all of us Barenia lovers, welcome to the club of crazies that is us!
(no offense intended)

 

[storeberry]

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

Hi doc, carefree leather! Sounds like a dream! Thank for your advice!!

 

[Sylvain]

Dear doc,

Thank for your thoughtful reply and sympathy. It is hard to see the first marks, especially when you have a slight tendency towards OCD. When the color changed, I got really scared fearing I might have damaged something in the leather structure causing it to become brittle or anything like that. But I am relieved I caused no harm. Maybe I‘ll just blow dry the sides a bit as well to even the color out ....
Anyway, thank you so much and enjoy your day

 

[docride]

Dear doc,

Thank for your thoughtful reply and sympathy. It is hard to see the first marks, especially when you have a slight tendency towards OCD. When the color changed, I got really scared fearing I might have damaged something in the leather structure causing it to become brittle or anything like that. But I am relieved I caused no harm. Maybe I‘ll just blow dry the sides a bit as well to even the color out ....
Anyway, thank you so much and enjoy your day

Hello,
please don't blow dry it ...stop mucking with it ...if possible. That OCD streak can get you in more trouble. Jut enjoy t as is and stop hoping for even-ness and perfection its not a barenia trait anyhow.
Hugs,doc

 

[momasaurus]

Hey there,
Ok put the item on a table and step away from it ..... back up about 3-4ft..... close your eyes. await for about 30 seconds .... slowly open your eyes allow your eyes to to be partially closed and view the item through a blurr effect.....see it as though for the first time sense the shape, the over all color,the craftsmanship, the organic nature of the leather, maybe even its scent, see it as being perfectly what it is, rather than a flawed perfection which isn't quite fair is it? now walk over and pick it up and just feel the shape and weight in your hands, smell it's incredible aroma... sense it's special-ness Its not like any other of it's kind is it? And it's yours! Barenia is very special, and it gets marks, that's the nature of it, that's part of its charm. Try not to get wigged out ... the first marks are hard for all of us.. yes even me! But take a breath, this is the first of the many beauty marks to come, eventually they will all blend into it's unique patina! All is well. Stop beating yourself up, it could have been coffee spilling on it or some other initiation .... yours just happened to be a post it note and a blow drier. Its ok! I promise. Stuff happens ... and its not because you cant have nice things that its marked, its just the thing about barenia... its going to get marks... its very tough and will last for generations, it just gets a distressed casual look over time. Hang in the there.... all is well....enjoy your fabulous Barenia!
Hugs,doc

This post is why we love you, doc!

 

[docride]

This post is why we love you, doc!

I love you too !