Docride's Hermes vintage bag nightmares & Hermes leather care

[buttonmushroom]

Hi there,
I would take it to a professional at this point sounds like you are getting into trouble
A good cleanser should help
But over rubbing is getting you in trouble
I think it's best to stop now and ask for a pro to step in
Colorloss also can be handled by a professional
Unless you are very handy.

Good luck
Doc

Hi doc,

Thanks for responding. For cleanser do you mean lexol? I did try meltonian but it didn't help. Was planning to gently clean the rest of the affected parts so that it wouldn't be too unsightly and I can continue to use it for a while before sending it away.

But will definitely leave the color loss to Hermes spa, which hopefully doesn't reject the bag

 

[SeeingRed]

Hi there
I think it's not cost effective to buy this bag and try and strip it and redye
The bag is gulliver or swift the paint will be deep into the pores so simple striping is not usually successful
I personally would pass or have the bag as is and maybe Doctor up the stain
Do keep in mind most places will just spray paint the bag with a color on top and then you'd have several layers of paint which may leave it plastic feeling and a cost of anywhere from 375 to 450 ? Guessing
Why not wait for a bag you want which isn't going to be such a project
Just saying
Good luck
Doc

Doc, I was hoping for more a more positive outcome I took your expert advice and backed out of the deal, within a matter of a few hours of the bag going back on sale it was snatched up at a higher price, bitter sweet! I completely trust your knowledge, and appreciate your help in this matter. Hope you have an amazing week! Thank you again!

 

[SeeingRed]

Hi Doc! I'm working on a 30-year-old VN Kelly and have a question. She arrived having lived a full life already, which is great-- I wanted a rugged patinaed look!-- but she definitely wanted some nourishment. She is already looking greatly refreshed after two ultra-thin coats of Hermes saddle baume (see the before and after below); her color hasn't changed, she just has a gorgeous glow, her scratches are blended, and the muck on her clochette has lifted off. I'd like her to be able to handle a little rain without fear-- is it okay still to Obenauf her? (I know your recommendations have changed a little, but I have a big jar of the stuff on hand). And if so, should I follow the Obenaufs with another layer of the Baume, or would Baume undo the waterproofing?
View attachment 3677415 View attachment 3677416

Your bag turned out AMAZING! So beautiful!!

 

[docride]

Hi doc,

Thanks for responding. For cleanser do you mean lexol? I did try meltonian but it didn't help. Was planning to gently clean the rest of the affected parts so that it wouldn't be too unsightly and I can continue to use it for a while before sending it away.

But will definitely leave the color loss to Hermes spa, which hopefully doesn't reject the bag

Hi there
It would help if you showed me the problem
Posting some photos would helping dissolves like
I caution against telling you to do anything because clearly you are already in trouble and having color loss which might be due to too much rubbing ? I don't have enough information at this point to sort you out and I can't help you without it
My gut tells me to tell you to simply stop and take it to a pro.
All the best doc

 

[buttonmushroom]

Hi there
It would help if you showed me the problem
Posting some photos would helping dissolves like
I caution against telling you to do anything because clearly you are already in trouble and having color loss which might be due to too much rubbing ? I don't have enough information at this point to sort you out and I can't help you without it
My gut tells me to tell you to simply stop and take it to a pro.
All the best doc

Hi doc,

It's quite hard to capture but this is showing color loss and some specks of dust trapped?
[GALLERY=media, 2549][/GALLERY]

Anyway, sadly it sounds like I better bring it in, would you know if Hermes will fix the color on the body instead of just the corners? Thanks a lot for your time and patience.

 

[lovely2008]

hi doc, can you tell what kind of leather is this birkin? seller said it's Kushubel. what is kushubel? It look so worn. is it just color loss for the handles? can you tell if there are any cracking? can this bag be save? thanks!!!

 

[blktauna]

hi doc, can you tell what kind of leather is this birkin? seller said it's Kushubel. what is kushubel? It look so worn. is it just color loss for the handles? can you tell if there are any cracking? can this bag be save? thanks!!!

I love that just as it is!

 

[docride]

Hi doc,

It's quite hard to capture but this is showing color loss and some specks of dust trapped?
[GALLERY=media, 2549][/GALLERY]

Anyway, sadly it sounds like I better bring it in, would you know if Hermes will fix the color on the body instead of just the corners? Thanks a lot for your time and patience.

Hi the color loss might have been there just covered with Polish or something else could have been the cause
Sometimes folks get too aggressive when cleaning
(I'm not saying you did ) but someone in the past might have or used an improper cleaning or conditioning product
For instance many folks listened to Martha Stuart about baby wipes which can absolutely remove the finish on an Hermes bag and result in color loss.
Some rules not to get into to trouble
And this is not directed at you its just a good place to add some tips and I'm glad you asked your questions thank you.

Never use baby wipes

If when you are buffing or cleaning or conditioning your fine leather and your pressure would bruise an apple it's too much

If a spot or mark isn't sweeping away with a gentle proper cleanser stop it's probably a permanent stain or mark. Scrubbing hard isn't going to help and can seriously harm your bag resulting in color loss and surface damage (you aren't cleaning a bath tub)

Always test a small hidden area with any product to make sure you like the product and its results before going on to whole visible areas


All the best doc

 

[docride]

hi doc, can you tell what kind of leather is this birkin? seller said it's Kushubel. what is kushubel? It look so worn. is it just color loss for the handles? can you tell if there are any cracking? can this bag be save? thanks!!!

Hi there,
Looks like Ardennes
It's pretty rough are you going for a distressed look? Do you mean saved to be functional or completely restored to look like a new bag ? Clarify please.
I'll need more photos to see the rest of the condition like the handle bases . Please ask the seller if the bag has cracks on the handles and or the side panels where the bag folds.
All the best doc

 

[buttonmushroom]

Hi the color loss might have been there just covered with Polish or something else could have been the cause
Sometimes folks get too aggressive when cleaning
(I'm not saying you did ) but someone in the past might have or used an improper cleaning or conditioning product
For instance many folks listened to Martha Stuart about baby wipes which can absolutely remove the finish on an Hermes bag and result in color loss.
Some rules not to get into to trouble
And this is not directed at you its just a good place to add some tips and I'm glad you asked your questions thank you.

Never use baby wipes

If when you are buffing or cleaning or conditioning your fine leather and your pressure would bruise an apple it's too much

If a spot or mark isn't sweeping away with a gentle proper cleanser stop it's probably a permanent stain or mark. Scrubbing hard isn't going to help and can seriously harm your bag resulting in color loss and surface damage (you aren't cleaning a bath tub)

Always test a small hidden area with any product to make sure you like the product and its results before going on to whole visible areas


All the best doc

I guess I was guilty of being a little aggressive when trying to get rid of the sticky dusty layer but ok, will leave it alone now and bring it to spa one day and hope they can fix it. Thanks doc

 

[lovely2008]

Hi there,
Looks like Ardennes
It's pretty rough are you going for a distressed look? Do you mean saved to be functional or completely restored to look like a new bag ? Clarify please.
I'll need more photos to see the rest of the condition like the handle bases . Please ask the seller if the bag has cracks on the handles and or the side panels where the bag folds.
All the best doc

hmm, can I answered "yes" to both questions? I'm ok with distressed look and functional, but wouldn't mind if I can restored it to look better. I know it won't look like a new bag after. I did ask seller few days ago, if there were any crackings. This was seller's response: "There is something wrinkles are on the way of being in breakage in leather." It's a Japanese seller. I am requesting more pictures and ask again about crackings and let you know what seller's response. Thanks!

 

[docride]

hmm, can I answered "yes" to both questions? I'm ok with distressed look and functional, but wouldn't mind if I can restored it to look better. I know it won't look like a new bag after. I did ask seller few days ago, if there were any crackings. This was seller's response: "There is something wrinkles are on the way of being in breakage in leather." It's a Japanese seller. I am requesting more pictures and ask again about crackings and let you know what seller's response. Thanks!

Hey there,
Ok this sounds reasonable
Shall I say your outlook seems very good
This appears tone a natural color Ardennes leather
I'll check back
All the best doc

 

[docride]

I guess I was guilty of being a little aggressive when trying to get rid of the sticky dusty layer but ok, will leave it alone now and bring it to spa one day and hope they can fix it. Thanks doc

You can private message me and I'll try and help
I just really don't want to keep going over and over not to use blackrock or obenaufs LP
Thanks
Hugs doc

 

[lovely2008]

hi doc, are these black spots mold? they are everywhere, both outside & inside and bottom. If not, can it be remove? thanks!!!

 

[docride]

hi doc, are these black spots mold? they are everywhere, both outside & inside and bottom. If not, can it be remove? thanks!!!

I would assume they'll stay there
And not miraculously disappear with a treatment
Any more photos ?
Is this box or vache natural or? Hard for me to tell
As to if its mold , or mildew it could be ... But I can't be 100% sure
I hope this helps ?
All the best doc