Docride's Hermes vintage bag nightmares & Hermes leather care

[frou frou]

Docride, I'm interested in a bag in dyed Barenia .It has several large scratch marks .
I've been looking on threads and have found that scratching is part of the deal with Barenia but that in time the scratches form a patina .
I've also seen suburb results when an older Barenia bag has been revived with Hermès saddle Baume .
However these results have been on Natural undyed Barenia, and somehow even the scratches look more at one with the ethos of Natural .
Do you think it would be possible to use the Baume to rub out the scratches somewhat on the dyed Barenia?
Your help is much appreciated always , you are so generous with your time and knowledge.

 

[gbese]

I sorry Im not sure what your white spots are... if the are mold then put moisture absorbing packs in with your bags and see if that helps? Also there are mold killer wipes you can use if this doesn't work...
All the best doc
Let me know your thoughts.. OK?

Thanks Doc. I purchased some dry packs hoping these will do the trick. I will definitely try your tip and let you know the outcome. Thanks again

 

[momasaurus]

Doc, I have been looking at some vintage BBKs. Most of them are shiny, almost ridiculously shiny to my taste. Patina is one thing, but this seems like a distraction from the actual condition of the leather. Am I crazy? I know some people like this glaze. Is there a way to reduce this coating, if I do get such a bag?

Thank you for your patience and expertise!! [emoji253][emoji253][emoji253]

 

[casamia]

Hi Doc, I need your advice on a damage that I made myself to my Vache Naturelle bag

When I bought it second-handed, it had a smiley moon underneath the turnlock which was due to the hanging of the lock. I tried to remove that moon shape stain by using an eraser. Then I did a stupid thing - I applied some Obenaulf's to that area and it turned "black" immediately! :rain: I probably have used too much pressure and scratched for too long with the eraser and have damage the top surface of the leather. I was so frustrated and upset The slight moon shape stain now becomes a dark scratch....
I attach a picture below. It's after the damage was done :cry: I hated myself so much for being so stupid...

Is there anything I can do now to remedy the damage, hopefully to make the area less noticable?

Thank you Doc.

 

[Orangeboxgalore]

Hello again Doc
Im getting a new bag tomorrow! Its a Vert Claire Courcheval GHW in a B30. It is in very pristine condition and the color is divine! Any tips and tricks on how to maintain Courcheval bags? I learned my lesson from my water stain incident with my Vache Natural Kelly haha so now when i buy a new H bag i think it'd be most wise to consult the H expert (i.e. you ) for any advice or tips. Thanks in advance Doc! Xx Id post a pic when i get the bag tmr

 

[docride]

Docride, I'm interested in a bag in dyed Barenia .It has several large scratch marks .
I've been looking on threads and have found that scratching is part of the deal with Barenia but that in time the scratches form a patina .
I've also seen suburb results when an older Barenia bag has been revived with Hermès saddle Baume .
However these results have been on Natural undyed Barenia, and somehow even the scratches look more at one with the ethos of Natural .
Do you think it would be possible to use the Baume to rub out the scratches somewhat on the dyed Barenia?
Your help is much appreciated always , you are so generous with your time and knowledge.

Hi there,
I would NOT use a oil or grease on a dyed barenia bag... clarify what type of dye was used... and by whom...
To use Hemes balm on barenia that's been dyed is to end up with a mess...
Scratches wont go away by slathering on grease... conditioners can make scratches look less noticeable but they don't make them go away...
I'll check back to hear more ...
All the best,doc

 

[docride]

Doc, I have been looking at some vintage BBKs. Most of them are shiny, almost ridiculously shiny to my taste. Patina is one thing, but this seems like a distraction from the actual condition of the leather. Am I crazy? I know some people like this glaze. Is there a way to reduce this coating, if I do get such a bag?

Thank you for your patience and expertise!! [emoji253][emoji253][emoji253]

Hi there, wish I could see an example...
Sme folks and shops use a shiny spray and it gives a result which looks very different from a hand polished and buffed bag..
Try cleaning off the old polish or shiny spray.. then condition and don't apply polish .. this would give you a less shiny result.
All the best,doc

 

[docride]

Hello again Doc
Im getting a new bag tomorrow! Its a Vert Claire Courcheval GHW in a B30. It is in very pristine condition and the color is divine! Any tips and tricks on how to maintain Courcheval bags? I learned my lesson from my water stain incident with my Vache Natural Kelly haha so now when i buy a new H bag i think it'd be most wise to consult the H expert (i.e. you ) for any advice or tips. Thanks in advance Doc! Xx Id post a pic when i get the bag tmr

Oh how exciting! Cogratulations.
You will find veau courchevel is far more care free than vache naturelle. light conditioning spa is all that should be needed, but a weather shield kit might be nice too.
Please show me when you get it
All the best,doc

 

[docride]

Hi Doc, I need your advice on a damage that I made myself to my Vache Naturelle bag

When I bought it second-handed, it had a smiley moon underneath the turnlock which was due to the hanging of the lock. I tried to remove that moon shape stain by using an eraser. Then I did a stupid thing - I applied some Obenaulf's to that area and it turned "black" immediately! :rain: I probably have used too much pressure and scratched for too long with the eraser and have damage the top surface of the leather. I was so frustrated and upset The slight moon shape stain now becomes a dark scratch....
I attach a picture below. It's after the damage was done :cry: I hated myself so much for being so stupid...

Is there anything I can do now to remedy the damage, hopefully to make the area less noticable?

Thank you Doc.

Awe geez Im sorry.... No more obenauf's ...! You could try in this case only a small amount of acetone on a q-tip and carefully sweep gently over the area to try and dry out the oils which darkened the smile mark. Let me know how it goes..
Hugs,doc

 

[docride]

Dear Doc, Thanks so so much for your reply! I really should should should have came here before purchasing a vache natural. All my other bags are Clemence or Togo which are generally easier to maintain so when i got vache i didnt know why i didnt take any precautions i live in asia and i checked that lexol is not so widely available, i found a local store that sells the lexol ph in bottle form and not wipes. Does the bottle form work too? Also... I know i gotta live with the stains , but when the patina darkens will that make it less obvious? What can i use to waterproof my bag from further watermarks? Can i send it to the leather store for waterproofing? Thanks so so much for taking time off to reply, really appreciate it

Hi there again,
Yes you can use the liquid Lexol Ph cleaner instead but do be careful not to over do... read the directions on the container.
You can water shield with different products... but do not use the heavy plastic or acrylic over sprays... those kill the leather.
All the best,doc

 

[docride]

Yes you were helpful. The highlighted comments are new information for me and were things I need to consider. As much as I want a Rouge H Piano, I should probably pass on this one. That doesn't mean I will pass. If I go all stupid and still buy it, I will be back for guidance. Thank you for sharing your wonderful knowledge.

Hugs!

 

[Millicat]

Hi there, wish I could see an example...
Sme folks and shops use a shiny spray and it gives a result which looks very different from a hand polished and buffed bag..
Try cleaning off the old polish or shiny spray.. then condition and don't apply polish .. this would give you a less shiny result.
All the best,doc

Excuse me for butting into your conversation ladies ......
May I ask how you would clean off/reduce/remove that 'shiny spray' ?

 

[momasaurus]

Hi there, wish I could see an example...
Sme folks and shops use a shiny spray and it gives a result which looks very different from a hand polished and buffed bag..
Try cleaning off the old polish or shiny spray.. then condition and don't apply polish .. this would give you a less shiny result.
All the best,doc

A shiny spray would explain the unnatural look. Did not know there was such a thing. Like Millicat above, I'd be interested in some removal ideas. Thanks!

 

[ouija board]

I believe that using a polish like Meltonian all over, along with buffing, you will get the high shine as well. Think of military dress shoes, spit shined to a mirror finish. DH said when he was in the military, they were most certainly not allowed any shine spray to achieve that finish..it was all elbow grease! I like the more mellow glow on box calf that you get from Blackrock or other conditioners without polish.

 

[Orangeboxgalore]

Oh how exciting! Cogratulations.
You will find veau courchevel is far more care free than vache naturelle. light conditioning spa is all that should be needed, but a weather shield kit might be nice too.
Please show me when you get it
All the best,doc

Thanks Doc! i will do just that! Anyway here she is! I just got her and she is so pretty! The shade of the vert claire green is :love eyes: My H collection is filled with lots of basic and natural colours like Black and Golds, so this green is such a great pop of color that I'm hooked now. I am gonna inject more color into my H collection from now on! The colours i have my eye on next are anemone or blue atoll. Thanks once again for your valuable advice on how to care for my Hermes bags. I really appreciate it loads :kiss: