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

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Docride, I’m hoping you’ll be able to help me save this Herbag…

I purchased it from a seller in Japan, and what looked like minor wrinkles has turned into cracking leather very very quickly…I think the bag has sat in storage without being used for years?

I’ve taken it apart and applied Obenaufs and Blackrocks, and I’m just horrified by the state of things as they are now
.image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg

The boutique nearest to me is in the process of being rebuilt, and I’m not comfortable sending it off to be rehabbed at the spa without actually taking it in. Is there anything I can do to improve the situation? (Other than take better pictures, I’m sitting under a harsh light)
 
Docride, I’m hoping you’ll be able to help me save this Herbag…

I purchased it from a seller in Japan, and what looked like minor wrinkles has turned into cracking leather very very quickly…I think the bag has sat in storage without being used for years?

I’ve taken it apart and applied Obenaufs and Blackrocks, and I’m just horrified by the state of things as they are now
.View attachment 5149705View attachment 5149706View attachment 5149708View attachment 5149709

The boutique nearest to me is in the process of being rebuilt, and I’m not comfortable sending it off to be rehabbed at the spa without actually taking it in. Is there anything I can do to improve the situation? (Other than take better pictures, I’m sitting under a harsh light)
Hi there
The photos make me think the bag has some treatment or possibly coating or paint on the leather ?
Can you show better photos? Looks like you have many cracks …you aren’t going be able fix the cracks with conditioners. Does the leather move a d flex or is it very stiff and dry ?
All the best
Doc
 
Barenia leather c18? I had used the lexol ph balance wipes to try to a clean a little spot on the bag where there’s a very small pen mark and now after trying it, there’s a mark where I was cleaning it. What should I do? Should I use the wipes to completely wipe the whole bag back and front thoroughly? Please help! Thank you
Click to expand...
Hi there,
lexol ph balanced (?cleaner or conditioner ?) I guess you figured out that a pen mark will not let off of an unfinished leather. I’m sorry I know this can be heart breaking.

Just for everyone here reading :
Pen marks will not lift off by applying regular leather cleaning or conditioning products or baby wipes( which by the way I do not recommend) the application of these products can actually drive the ink further into the leather making ink removal more difficult. So I know it’s a quick reaction to a mark to grab those products but in the case of ink don’t .
and in addition permanent inks like sharpies do not respond to ink killers…

Ink killers /ink removers if used in the first few hours have the best chance of getting the ink out but this is not a universal fix.
Never use ink killers/ink removers on unfinished leather these will make your stain worse.
Ink killers often will leave an area which could need color correction.
It’s best to leave ink removal to the professionals in general.
Regarding your bag as it is now please let me know exactly the product type you used
For her record I do not recommend lexol conditioner for hermes hand bags
The lexol cleaner is acceptable but not my first choice.
Ok I’ll stand by to hear back which product you used so far ok?
Your bag might require some spot degreaser rather than covering the whole bag with the same product.
Spot degreaser would be best handled by a professional.
I’ll check back in a bit.
All the best
Doc
 
Hi there
The photos make me think the bag has some treatment or possibly coating or paint on the leather ?
Can you show better photos? Looks like you have many cracks …you aren’t going be able fix the cracks with conditioners. Does the leather move a d flex or is it very stiff and dry ?
All the best
Doc
The handles are soft and flexible but the top is stiff and now even worse than before. There were no cracks when it showed, but I guess it had been sitting in a closet or storage for years and using cracked it :(

image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg
 
The handles are soft and flexible but the top is stiff and now even worse than before. There were no cracks when it showed, but I guess it had been sitting in a closet or storage for years and using cracked it :sad:

View attachment 5157853View attachment 5157854View attachment 5157855
Well it looks serviceable from here , try a nice light lotion type conditioner . Always test a small hidden area before doing large areas. I would not use any oily type conditioner, I would not use mink oil or Hermes or other saddle care products. Meltonian all purpose cleaner conditioner would be my recommendation the kind in the white bottle. Or Cadillac lotion the white creamy lotion they sell. There are other great products out there as well im just trying to give you a couple I would personally use if I had them on hand in this particular instance.
All the best, doc
 
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Hi Docride,

Many thanks for this wonderful thread - it's been a bag-saver for me.

Couple of questions:

1. How often should a bag be cleaned & conditioned? Does this vary for exotic leathers? Should lizard be conditioned more frequently then other bags?

2. Any suggestions for cleaning the fabric inside leather Garden Partys? Is there a waterless cleaner you recommend?

3. What do you recommend as a bag filler when a bag is not in use? Wool pillow, plastic bag shaper, or the like.

4. How should older bags (10+ years) be stored? (Of course in dust bags), closed or open & expanded to give leather more breathing room?

5. If I wanted to use a degreaser to lighten dark bag handles (vache naturel, chocolate ostrich) what do you recommend and how would you do it?

6. Any suggestions for removing sun screen stains from both interior/exterior bag leathers?

Thanks so much for considering these!
 
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Hi Docride,

Many thanks for this wonderful thread - it's been a bag-saver for me.

Couple of questions:

1. How often should a bag be cleaned & conditioned? Does this vary for exotic leathers? Should lizard be conditioned more frequently then other bags? This is relative ... can you can show the bag in question ? what environment s it exposed to ... is it dry already?

2. Any suggestions for cleaning the fabric inside leather Garden Partys? Is there a waterless cleaner you recommend?
Ask a trusted dry cleaner I'm not a fabric expert

3. What do you recommend as a bag filler when a bag is not in use? Wool pillow, plastic bag shaper, or the like. Again its relative , I dont like plastic.

4. How should older bags (10+ years) be stored? (Of course in dust bags), closed or open & expanded to give leather more breathing room? This you will find in the care thread with the link below

5. If I wanted to use a degreaser to lighten dark bag handles (vache naturel, chocolate ostrich) what do you recommend and how would you do it? I would not say this is a home spa project this say you should have done by a professional

6. Any suggestions for removing sun screen stains from both interior/exterior bag leathers? This is for a professional to handle IMO.

Thanks so much for considering these!
Hi There , Expand your quote above I wrote some responses in red behind your questions :)
I ran a ran a thread called Hermes vintage bag nightmares for many years on tpf where I answered the questions you are asking very often,
however the thread is specifically for
The Docride's Hermes Lazarus thread:https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/docrides-hermes-lazarus-thread-can-this-hermes-be-saved.972522/
Here you can post questions and links and photos of Hermes leather bags and accessories and ask if they can be restored fixed or used as a planter ?
I look forward to answering your questions

I also have a thread for Hermes care > Did you check this thread?

I hope this helps
All the best doc
 
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Hi Docride,

I recently purchased a birkin 25 in chevre de coromandel. There are some minor cracks in the leather and resin falling around the edges. What are your recommendations and do you think taking it to the Hermes spa will help?

Thank you in advance.PXL_20210829_131249949.jpgPXL_20210829_131219750.jpgPXL_20210829_131205686.jpg
 
Hi Docride,

I just purchased this vintage "brown" 1996 box calf birkin. I think that the color is "brique." It looks in great condition. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow. Nevertheless, I'm going to B & O it along with several others.


My query to you is: do you know of a polish color that works with box calf brique or shall I mix several meltonian shoe cream colors and mix up my own? Should it not need color, I'll just use the neutral meltonian.

Thank you for taking your time to create these wonderful care threads. Our bag would not look as wonderful without your expertise, especially for those of us who adore box calf. Thank you, thank you!
 
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Apologies if this has been covered already, but Lexol does not appear to make a specific pH wipe now (perhaps the old one was discontinued?). There is the Lexol Equine wipe which purports to be pH-balanced, is designed for saddle care and "ideal for smooth leathers" such as the below:


Separately, there is the Lexol All-in-One formula which appears to have a conditioner & cleaner in one wipe:


Can you please clarify which is the Lexol wipe being recommended now?
 
Hi Docride,

I just purchased this vintage "brown" 1996 box calf birkin. I think that the color is "brique." It looks in great condition. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow. Nevertheless, I'm going to B & O it along with several others.


My query to you is: do you know of a polish color that works with box calf brique or shall I mix several meltonian shoe cream colors and mix up my own? Should it not need color, I'll just use the neutral meltonian.

Thank you for taking your time to create these wonderful care threads. Our bag would not look as wonderful without your expertise, especially for those of us who adore box calf. Thank you, thank you!
You don’t wa t to use colored polish on your bag as it can silo off or melt in warmth/heat. If you have color issues take it to a professional and let them fix the color. If it’s only corners and you can do a perfect match a color correction with a leather paint can be done.
All the best doc
 
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Apologies if this has been covered already, but Lexol does not appear to make a specific pH wipe now (perhaps the old one was discontinued?). There is the Lexol Equine wipe which purports to be pH-balanced, is designed for saddle care and "ideal for smooth leathers" such as the below:


Separately, there is the Lexol All-in-One formula which appears to have a conditioner & cleaner in one wipe:


Can you please clarify which is the Lexol wipe being recommended now?
Hi
I am not specifically recommending ; the lexol cleaner which was called lexol ph in the past. In addition I especially do not recommend baby wipes which can break down the finish on finished leather.
all the best, doc
 
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