Docride's Hermes vintage bag nightmares & Hermes leather care

[docride]

Hello Doc,
Thank you for the world of information you have been offering to the community. I am new to Hermes, and reading your posts is really helpful!
This is my newest addition, 1979 Kelly 32 Rouge H in Box Calf. She looks great to me except for a few areas where the leather looks dry and faded. (The draw straps, corner of top flap)
Reading the posts you just answered above, should I try hydrating/conditioning them with Saphirr Renovant, Meltonian Baulm, or Tarrago Neutral Cream like you suggested?
I plan to use this Kelly regularly for a year or so before sending it to Hermes spa for refurbishing.
Do you think using the leather creams above will help with the dryness until then?
Thank you so much for your thoughts!
View attachment 3608086 View attachment 3608088 View attachment 3608089 View attachment 3608090

Hello, Lovely Kelly bag. Well to me it looks not just like dryness but also color loss due to dryness.. as the leather dries out the leather shrinks some and then the finish(the color applied to the top layer similar to a paint) starts to buckle (like ice on a lake) and flake off....even if very finely over time that can lead to color loss. So in this case conditioning will darken those areas up some in fact they may go quite dark, I think the bag needs deep conditioning and color restoration to those areas. A restoring spa kit for would be your best bet,try Googling that and mabe also a color touch up kit as well. But yes you can use a conditioner, in this case because you have color--loss I would stay away from greasy oily conditioners as they'll make those color loss areas go too dark (so no saphir renovant until after color restoration) Try Meltonian All Purpose instead.
Good luck, doc

 

[docride]

Hi docride... What an amazing thread. Such a wealth of information. Thank you!

I am seeking your advise re water marks on a Box Kelly. Recent I came across a 30 yr old Kelly in a Box leather colour and size that are on my wish list. Overall condition of the bag is good except for the water marks. There are some water marks on the back and bottom of the bag. The back has a few 3-5mm diameter spots and the bottom has one approx. 10mm spot. Photos are attached.

I understand that water marks are permanent. Is there any way to improve them? If no, while I understand that the acceptability of water marks are different for different users, what are your thoughts on a bag with them?

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Hi there,
Agh water marks, what a shame, this is why I believe in treating box calf to some protective conditioning, to prevent those. I tend to think you just leave them alone ... I would NOT say to wet the bag fully and hope it makes them less noticeable.
I think if they are small and or on the back of the bag or bottom I wouldn't worry about them, but each person is different on what would be unacceptable to them.
All the best,doc

 

[bagaholic88]

Hi

Firstly, apologies. It is a question re canvas versus leather.

My Herbag seems to have some very faint discoloured spots. I lived in the tropics and Esther is very humid. I have kept the bag in the Hermes box and haven't used it. It is probably mold or mildew. Any idea how I can remove them? I have tried to do a wipe down with baby wipes and place it under the sun. Not much luck.

Thanks.

 

[baghag21]

Hi there,
Agh water marks, what a shame, this is why I believe in treating box calf to some protective conditioning, to prevent those. I tend to think you just leave them alone ... I would NOT say to wet the bag fully and hope it makes them less noticeable.
I think if they are small and or on the back of the bag or bottom I wouldn't worry about them, but each person is different on what would be unacceptable to them.
All the best,doc

Thanks, docride. Will the Luxury Again Spa kit for Box Calf have the protective conditioning? I have other box bags which I should provide some moisture defence for.

 

[lovely2008]

Hi Doc, how are you doing? I need your help again. I just find this '92 natural fjord birkin (size 45). It look like it's in pretty good condition besides the worn corners, 1 long scratch, and gold hardware. I wanted to find out if the gold hardware just need some polish or is it totally tarnish? I read in previous posts that tarrago 20 (brown sugar) can be use to fix the color loss on the corners. Is #20 perfect or close-to-color for this natural fjord? Thanks so much for your help!

 

[docride]

Hi

Firstly, apologies. It is a question re canvas versus leather.

My Herbag seems to have some very faint discoloured spots. I lived in the tropics and Esther is very humid. I have kept the bag in the Hermes box and haven't used it. It is probably mold or mildew. Any idea how I can remove them? I have tried to do a wipe down with baby wipes and place it under the sun. Not much luck.

Thanks.

Hello,
Firstly NEVER use baby wipes on your fine leather goods, baby wipes can remove the finish. Show me what the problem is ...OK? I'll check back...
All the best ,doc

 

[docride]

Hi Doc, how are you doing? I need your help again. I just find this '92 natural fjord birkin (size 45). It look like it's in pretty good condition besides the worn corners, 1 long scratch, and gold hardware. I wanted to find out if the gold hardware just need some polish or is it totally tarnish? I read in previous posts that tarrago 20 (brown sugar) can be use to fix the color loss on the corners. Is #20 perfect or close-to-color for this natural fjord? Thanks so much for your help!

Hello,
Your hardware is most likely brass not gold plated and therefore brass polish would remove the tarnish. You will most likely need to custom mix your colors to get a perfect match, and I could not say if tarrago #20 is correct or not Im sorry.. Try buying few colors and mix and match. Good Luck
doc

 

[docride]

Thanks, docride. Will the Luxury Again Spa kit for Box Calf have the protective conditioning? I have other box bags which I should provide some moisture defence for.

I am sorry but not allowed to speak about that product line here (you could ask the seller a question I'm sure they would help you), I am only allowed to recommend other brands as I would be breaking TPF policy and it could get me thrown off.
Thank you for your understanding, doc

 

[lovely2008]

Hello,
Your hardware is most likely brass not gold plated and therefore brass polish would remove the tarnish. You will most likely need to custom mix your colors to get a perfect match, and I could not say if tarrago #20 is correct or not Im sorry.. Try buying few colors and mix and match. Good Luck
doc

Ok. Any brass polish you recommend? Thanks doc for your fast response!

 

[docride]

Error

 

[docride]

Ok. Any brass polish you recommend? Thanks doc for your fast response!

I like a Cape Cod polishing cloth [emoji106]

 

[lovely2008]

I like a Cape Cod polishing cloth [emoji106]View attachment 3613301

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[baghag21]

I am sorry but not allowed to speak about that product line here (you could ask the seller a question I'm sure they would help you), I am only allowed to recommend other brands as I would be breaking TPF policy and it could get me thrown off.
Thank you for your understanding, doc

My apologies for the question, docride. Was not aware. Thanks for putting me in the right direction.

 

[Zencowgirl]

Hi doc, thanks again- my goal would be to jut condition the bags. Most of the bags I have are vintage- 1980's and 1990's, and so I want to avoid dryness and cracking, especially on the box leathers, but even the Ardennes. I want to keep the leathers conditioned. And I forgot, I have a newer swift (mid 1990's).

In terms of waterproofing, we don't get a lot of rain here, although it is supposed to be a big El Niño this year.

Do you no longer recommend B&O because of the stickiness it caused that was hard to get rid of (because I know I had that problem, which you told me how to fix ), or because it is too rich and softens up the leather too much, making it too vulnerable? Thanks again!

Hello, I would love to know what docride told you about fixing the stickiness issue after using B & O. Can you point me to that thread and posting, please? If not, I can approach Doc directly. Cheers,

 

[marbella8]

Hello, I would love to know what docride told you about fixing the stickiness issue after using B & O. Can you point me to that thread and posting, please? If not, I can approach Doc directly. Cheers,

Hi, I don't want to misquote her, as I can't recall exactly what she said. What really worked well for me, was I purchased the Cadillac Brand leather conditioner, sold at Nordstrom and recommended by Chanel, and only using a small amount on a soft cloth, conditioned the bags, and that removed the stickiness. I must say though that doc's b&o really revived a vintage courchevel I owned.