Docride's Hermes vintage bag nightmares & Hermes leather care

[Hermes Nuttynut]

Hi doc!!

The description of this bag says "cracked and peeling". Please let me know if you think it's too far gone to restore.

Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[jyyanks]

Hi doc - me again!!! I was hoping to get your advice on a chamonix bag that has water droplets. I understand that there's no way to get the stains out but was wondering if there was a way to blend them in or "weather" the bag similar to the vache natural bolide you worked on a while ago. I don't need a perfect bag and prefer one with character but wondering what can be done with chamonix that has water stains. Can it be weathered to have a honey colored "patina"? Thanks in advance.

 

[docride]

Hi doc!!

The description of this bag says "cracked and peeling". Please let me know if you think it's too far gone to restore.

Thank you so much for your help!!

Hello there,
Well regardless of what you do it looks like its going to have those cracks and that's the state of it... So I think its whether you will be comfortable with those cracks or not. There are better trim bags out there and can be found reasonably priced if you hunt around. I'd say keep hunting...unless you don't mind the fact that transformation with restoration is fairly limited.
All the best doc

 

[docride]

Hi doc - me again!!! I was hoping to get your advice on a chamonix bag that has water droplets. I understand that there's no way to get the stains out but was wondering if there was a way to blend them in or "weather" the bag similar to the vache natural bolide you worked on a while ago. I don't need a perfect bag and prefer one with character but wondering what can be done with chamonix that has water stains. Can it be weathered to have a honey colored "patina"? Thanks in advance.

Charmonix is basically a matte version of box calf , natural charmonix is a color in this case the color of a finished leather,
so it is not an unfinished leather which would be capable of darkening with time...like vache naturelle which is an unfinsihed leather.
I hope it hasn't made things more confusing.


So Vache naturelle is an unfinished leather and it can darken with time and conditioning. gets water spots /stains if untreated. The Hermes paris stamp will be blind (no color and no gold or silver leaf in the leathers)




Veau Charmonix is a finished leather (has a top coat of color) does not go deeper in tone with time and conditioning like an unfinished leather, when the word natural is added it describes the color, it gets water blisters rather than water spots/ stains. The Hermes Paris stamp will be brown in color (there is will no gold or silver leaf in the letters)




OK?


All the best,doc

 

[Hermes Nuttynut]

Hello there,
Well regardless of what you do it looks like its going to have those cracks and that's the state of it... So I think its whether you will be comfortable with those cracks or not. There are better trim bags out there and can be found reasonably priced if you hunt around. I'd say keep hunting...unless you don't mind the fact that transformation with restoration is fairly limited.
All the best doc

Thank you for your advice!! I think you are right. I'll skip it.

 

[jyyanks]

Charmonix is basically a matte version of box calf , natural charmonix is a color in this case the color of a finished leather,
so it is not an unfinished leather which would be capable of darkening with time...like vache naturelle which is an unfinsihed leather.
I hope it hasn't made things more confusing.

So Vache naturelle is an unfinished leather and it can darken with time and conditioning. gets water spots /stains if untreated. The Hermes paris stamp will be blind (no color and no gold or silver leaf in the leathers)

Veau Charmonix is a finished leather (has a top coat of color) does not go deeper in tone with time and conditioning like an unfinished leather, when the word natural is added it describes the color, it gets water blisters rather than water spots/ stains. The Hermes Paris stamp will be brown in color (there is will no gold or silver leaf in the letters)
OK?


All the best,doc

You're the best doc!! Thank you so much for your detailed reply - so helpful!

 

[fineprint]

Hi doc! I was thinking of buying this barenia bag but there are some noticable scratches and there also seems to be an oil mark on the lock straps (left side, below the handle straps). I attach pictures below.

Do you think these can be removed with some leather cleansing or conditioning? Thanks!!

Thank you so much!!

 

[PJW5813]

Docride, I am considering a 20 years old Vache Naturelle bag that appears to have a good patina and no stains or marks. I know that you have warned about rain spots and the like, but I also thought that you have mentioned having VN bags yourself that have built up a resilience to water marks.
I not been able to find that comment again. Is my memory correct? Regardless of that what kind of product do you use for regular conditioning and care of VN?
Thanks as usual for your help and advice.

 

[docride]

Docride, I am considering a 20 years old Vache Naturelle bag that appears to have a good patina and no stains or marks. I know that you have warned about rain spots and the like, but I also thought that you have mentioned having VN bags yourself that have built up a resilience to water marks.
I not been able to find that comment again. Is my memory correct? Regardless of that what kind of product do you use for regular conditioning and care of VN?
Thanks as usual for your help and advice.

Oh I adore Vache Naurelle ! And it is indeed a rare and special leather! Lucky you! Yes it can be conditioned to the point of carrying with abandon in weather do not fear!
There are some great products out there... Look for Weather and Stain shield products out there. Do you want to avoid any plastic like or heavy acrylic type products
You will want make sure the bag you get does not have a heavy acrylic coating on top.. sometimes they look great in the photos but its because they coated in plastic.. true! Ive seen it... so make sure you check it out carefully before committing.
OK? Also consider if you want the bag to darken more when selecting a product some products will darken your leather more than others.
All the best, doc

 

[docride]

Hi doc! I was thinking of buying this barenia bag but there are some noticable scratches and there also seems to be an oil mark on the lock straps (left side, below the handle straps). I attach pictures below.

Do you think these can be removed with some leather cleansing or conditioning? Thanks!!

Thank you so much!!

With barenia in secondary market only buy it in condition you will be happy with as is... not with a mind to be able to lift out stains or remove scratches. I would say that the stain may be permanent... Think of it like that... its possible it might lighten with cleaning but I would NOT count on it....
Good luck, doc

 

[fineprint]

With barenia in secondary market only buy it in condition you will be happy with as is... not with a mind to be able to lift out stains or remove scratches. I would say that the stain may be permanent... Think of it like that... its possible it might lighten with cleaning but I would NOT count on it....
Good luck, doc

thanks for your advice doc! i appreciate it.

 

[bagLoVera]

Hi Doc,
I got a goo all over the handles of my Togo Birkin. Any recommendations of what I should use to remove it? Also, I have some dark spots on my handles and on one spot of my bag. Any recommendations of what I can use to clean it?

Thank you!

 

[rediska]

Hi Doc,

In addition to the question posted by bagLoVera, could you suggest the best ways to care for brand new B and K in Togo? I mean in terms of possibly needing to wipe off handles, bottom and sides from time to time and if so, what wipes to use (or just use a soft and moist with water tissue/fabric)? Thanks in advance!

 

[anantic]

Dear Docride,

First of all, please accept my apologies if this question had been posted in the past.
Do you have any advice on how to start with cleaning the leather and the toile? I might consider doing it myself.
Docride, thank you for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it.


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[luciabugia]

Hi, Doc! Hope you are doing well. Please if you could spare some time, take a look at this scuffing and condition on Courchevel leather and I would appreciate your opinion on if it could be fixed with Luxury Again kit or any other product for that matter? Much appreciated.