Docride's Hermes vintage bag nightmares & Hermes leather care

[blktauna]

My images are too big

 

[louboutal]

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[docride]

Co

Hi docride, thank you so much for all of your helpful advice! I just purchased a new Constance in black box calf and will be following your Rx instructions for boxcalf to waterproof it.

My question for you is about what you think the best way to store my Constance bag is. Should it be kept lying down on its back (the way it comes in the box), or should it be kept standing up? I know for Birkins/Kellys you recommend that they be kept lying down on the back panel, but I was wondering if it's any different for a Constance. Thanks for your help!

Hello there!
Congratulations on your new Constance bag. Yes store it on its back is the best for it. Enjoy!
All the best,doc

 

[docride]

Hi!

New to this forum, which has been like taking a class in Hermes for me, educating myself enough to be able to buy my first vintage Kelly bag. Which I have now done. I am however not sure what the leather is. I thought it was courcheval, but when I got the bag, I realised that it was more of a natural type of leather, rather than a coated one. Any ideas of what type of leather this is? (Have started to polish the hardwear which is in brass. The bag is from 1970.) Great thread, and what an impressiv amount of knowledge gathered here on this forum!

Hi there,
There are several leathers which it could be including veau courchevel. Corchevel is an embossed finished leather , the texture is pressed on like stamping ... its still a natural leather... and as it ages often the finish or top coat thins or wears away .. so it may feel a bit different ? Perhaps this is what you are referring to?
All the best,doc

 

[docride]

Hi Doc, very new to Hermes but I bought this vintage Kelly 32 in box calf leather about a month ago. I didn't think of doing anything to it but it does have this scratch on the back. It seems very superficial and not deep but I didn't know if there's anything you recommend I try to minimize or get rid of it? Thank you!!
View attachment 3628175[/QUOTE
Hello there,
Cool vintage Kelly! The whole bag could use a restoring spa, cleaning & conditioning followed by a polishing.. all these things can help make the scratches look less noticeable
The indentation will still be there but after a few rounds of conditioning you might be able to rub the interior of the bag under the indent and get it to pop out a bit more.
Good luck, doc

 

[docride]

View attachment 3628246 View attachment 3628248 My images are too big

Hello,
A beloved bag is worth doing your best by, I say
Ok so this bag has a lot of cracking, and some color loss as well. You might consider having the strap replaced, however you might be able to get away with using some crack stabilizer or leather binder product and some color touch up. Google handbag Restoring kit . All the best,doc

 

[PJW5813]

Doc,
I'm sorry that you are always being asked the same questions about care in so many ways and I am now adding another but
could you confirm what I think I have understood from your advice especially post1029:
a good quality neutral polish can be used to help build up rain protection on box calf
or is there something better that you are not able to promote!

Thanks

 

[blktauna]

Hello,
A beloved bag is worth doing your best by, I say
Ok so this bag has a lot of cracking, and some color loss as well. You might consider having the strap replaced, however you might be able to get away with using some crack stabilizer or leather binder product and some color touch up. Google handbag Restoring kit . All the best,doc

mmm I will!
I have conditioned a bit and the moisture has returned somewhat. I'm unconcerned with the colour loss really as thats part of it's history, but I do want to protect it. Possibly will replace the strap but I'll have to go to Madison Ave and have them look at it. In the mean time I will use the restoring kit.

Many Thanks!

 

[docride]

Yes. Im very happy with it. The color loss areas are just faint now whereas they were obvious before. I think the Obenauf's in particular helped migrate some of the color. Thank you again!

Hi there,
I'm glad it worked out out for you
All the best doc

Just so folks know
again I am not recommending obenaufs any longer
Do not use this product as a do all for all leathers please
The same goes for blackrock
There are better easier products out there
Thanks !

 

[pursesandposes]

Hi there,
I'm glad it worked out out for you
All the best doc

Just so folks know
again I am not recommending obenaufs any longer
Do not use this product as a do all for all leathers please
The same goes for blackrock
There are better easier products out there
Thanks !

Hi doc,

Thanks so much for all of your advice, tips, and endless patience over these years with all of our restoration requests and questions!

I recently purchased a 19-year old Black Box Kelly. The bag is in great shape (not dry, great shine, and just a few scuffs here and there), and I primarily want to weather-proof it so that I don't have to carry my new bag in constant fear of water droplets or rain.

I see from your recent posts that you no longer recommend Blackrock and Obernauf's. I have already purchased both. However, I am also looking at purchasing the Luxury Again Weather & Stain Shield kit. If I purchase the Weather & Stain Shield kit, do I have to "pre-treat" my bag before using it? (For example, should I used a layer of Blackrock to condition the bag before using the Weather & Stain Shield kit to weatherproof it?)

Thank you very much!

 

[docride]

Hello
Due to tpf rules I am not allowed to recommend any of my own products
I can only recommend the competitors products which makes for difficulty.
Thank you for your understanding
Ask the seller of the kit you mentioned these questions directly I'm sure they'll be happy to help you
Thank you again!
All the best doc

 

[pursesandposes]

Hello
Due to tpf rules I am not allowed to recommend any of my own products
I can only recommend the competitors products which makes for difficulty.
Thank you for your understanding
Ask the seller of the kit you mentioned these questions directly I'm sure they'll be happy to help you
Thank you again!
All the best doc

Totally understand, doc!

(My apologies, too, mods! Feel free to delete my previous post as needed.)

 

[docride]

Doc,
I'm sorry that you are always being asked the same questions about care in so many ways and I am now adding another but
could you confirm what I think I have understood from your advice especially post1029:
a good quality neutral polish can be used to help build up rain protection on box calf
or is there something better that you are not able to promote!

Thanks

Hello
There are wonderful products which can help protect box calf from damaging weather and water
Truly a good conditioner followed by some proper neutral polish can be enough if it's up kept every few months
Or a weather and stains protective cream or lotion can be used and then follow with a proper polish for extra protection. If you google weather and stain shield or protection for leather handbags you should see many products available as well as handbag care kits to choose from
Always test a small hidden area when ever you try a product out in your bags before proceeding to larger areas
I hope this helps?
All the best doc

 

[PJW5813]

thank you
that is helpful and reassuring

 

[lovely2008]