Hermes Vintage Bag Nightmares & Hermes Leather Care

[amd_tan]

Hi doc, I was just wondering if you have had any experience using Saphir/John Lobb products for Hermes bags? Do they give stunning results or are they the same as Meltonian? Will they cause any darkening of the leather?
Thanks

 

[Charm]

Hi doc, I was just wondering if you have had any experience using Saphir/John Lobb products for Hermes bags? Do they give stunning results or are they the same as Meltonian? Will they cause any darkening of the leather?
Thanks

I can offer some advice on JL products as I have used them a lot, also along with Black Rocks that Doc recommends. The JL shoe creams look very dark in the pot but they are actually of a very sheer, almost gel like consistency. I find they touch in small areas of colour loss very well with light repeated applications and they moisturize a bag, although Black Rocks is superior for conditioning. I personally haven't found the shoe cream to cause actual darkening of box, epsom or courcheval leathers but this is my experience, definitely test on a small area prior to use. I wouldn't use this product on exotic or natural leather.

As to results, you get a beautiful sheen on box leather. This is how JL told me to use the product. Apply very sparingly, let dry for 15 minutes then buff to a shine with a soft cloth. If your bag is very dry, you might be better using a more intensive treatment such as BR's prior to finishing with polish. You can build up the polish if desired to add another coat to boost the shine.

I hope this helps! Also, I don't know if you are aware, but Hermes now own John Lobb. Also, you might already know this but Hermes do not like clients to service their own bags, I just wanted to mention that in case you didn't know.

 

[amd_tan]

Hi Charm thanks for your advice. I don't need to recondition any dry leather but I am wondering if JL products can help with scuff marks/scratches or at least make them less noticeable.
Could you please recommend which specific JL product I should get for togo leather?
The thing about JL is that they have very few colour options so will the neutral have any effect on say orange or gold?
Yes I am aware of Hermes Spa policies. Thank you so much for that!

I can offer some advice on JL products as I have used them a lot, also along with Black Rocks that Doc recommends. The JL shoe creams look very dark in the pot but they are actually of a very sheer, almost gel like consistency. I find they touch in small areas of colour loss very well with light repeated applications and they moisturize a bag, although Black Rocks is superior for conditioning. I personally haven't found the shoe cream to cause actual darkening of box, epsom or courcheval leathers but this is my experience, definitely test on a small area prior to use. I wouldn't use this product on exotic or natural leather.

As to results, you get a beautiful sheen on box leather. This is how JL told me to use the product. Apply very sparingly, let dry for 15 minutes then buff to a shine with a soft cloth. If your bag is very dry, you might be better using a more intensive treatment such as BR's prior to finishing with polish. You can build up the polish if desired to add another coat to boost the shine.

I hope this helps! Also, I don't know if you are aware, but Hermes now own John Lobb. Also, you might already know this but Hermes do not like clients to service their own bags, I just wanted to mention that in case you didn't know.

 

[Charm]

Hi Charm thanks for your advice. I don't need to recondition any dry leather but I am wondering if JL products can help with scuff marks/scratches or at least make them less noticeable.
Could you please recommend which specific JL product I should get for togo leather?
The thing about JL is that they have very few colour options so will the neutral have any effect on say orange or gold?
Yes I am aware of Hermes Spa policies. Thank you so much for that!

Hi there!
It has been my experience that JL polish can minimize scuff marks and some scratches, provided they aren't too deep. For scuffs, I tap the polish onto the scuffed area, let it dry then buff. Repeat until the scuff is blended.

The neutral polish is just that, it doesn't add any colour, it would be best to have a coloured polish for touch ups of scuffed areas etc. JL do have a few brown and tan polishes so what I would do, give them a call and ask for Sam. He is extremely helpful, if you take a photo of the leather so that you feel the colour is well represented in reality ( you know how Hermes leathers are chameleons!), you could send it to him via email and he could match you up a polish so you can blend in the scuffs and other marks.

ETA - JL polish lasts forever if you keep the pot tightly sealed, I have pots that I have had for years now and they are still usable.

 

[docride]

I would think it is cowhide. I was worried that perhaps the dye wouldn't dye the material well after using conditioner...Thanks very much for your advise.
And I apologize - I didn't realize this is hermes only, just got a link from someone in the general handbag forum.

There are many leather types made from cowhide...if it is finshed leatehr meaning it has an over spray color on it it is very important to prepare the leather well befor dying using proper deglazer..try fiebings

 

[docride]

Hi doc, I was just wondering if you have had any experience using Saphir/John Lobb products for Hermes bags? Do they give stunning results or are they the same as Meltonian? Will they cause any darkening of the leather?
Thanks

High pigment colored polishes will add color to the leather to some degree... All of the polishes you mentioned are quite good and similar, best bet find the closest match in color you can between all of those makers. And always do a smal hidden test area first and wait a few hours to make sure you like the results before working the entire bag.

 

[poppyseed]

There are many leather types made from cowhide...if it is finshed leatehr meaning it has an over spray color on it it is very important to prepare the leather well befor dying using proper deglazer..try fiebings

Oh I see I am not sure. It might even be a natural colour without any or minimal colour treatment...anyway, thank you for your help. This thread is definitely great and very helpful and I will make sure I will read through it!

 

[amd_tan]

Thanks Doc! Much appreciated

Also I would like to know if Lexol wipes work the same as Macguaire wipes?
There are 2 different Lexol wipes, one is a cleaner and the other is a conditioner...am confused which I should get.
Please advise! Thanks x

High pigment colored polishes will add color to the leather to some degree... All of the polishes you mentioned are quite good and similar, best bet find the closest match in color you can between all of those makers. And always do a smal hidden test area first and wait a few hours to make sure you like the results before working the entire bag.

 

[amd_tan]

Thanks Charm, I will be trying a few of the JL products! Exciting

Hi there!
It has been my experience that JL polish can minimize scuff marks and some scratches, provided they aren't too deep. For scuffs, I tap the polish onto the scuffed area, let it dry then buff. Repeat until the scuff is blended.

The neutral polish is just that, it doesn't add any colour, it would be best to have a coloured polish for touch ups of scuffed areas etc. JL do have a few brown and tan polishes so what I would do, give them a call and ask for Sam. He is extremely helpful, if you take a photo of the leather so that you feel the colour is well represented in reality ( you know how Hermes leathers are chameleons!), you could send it to him via email and he could match you up a polish so you can blend in the scuffs and other marks.

ETA - JL polish lasts forever if you keep the pot tightly sealed, I have pots that I have had for years now and they are still usable.

 

[docride]

Thanks Doc! Much appreciated

Also I would like to know if Lexol wipes work the same as Macguaire wipes?
There are 2 different Lexol wipes, one is a cleaner and the other is a conditioner...am confused which I should get.
Please advise! Thanks x

Hello,
Lexol PH are a great gentle cleaner and conditioning wipe, I do not love Lexol Original formula wipes for handbags as this product can sometimes leave a sticky feeling. maguire wipes are get in a pinch for a quick cleaning wipe which leaves a bit of shine as well.The choice is up to you..my top choice is Lexol PH.

 

[amd_tan]

Great, thanks for your advice!
I will give Lexol PH a try and see how I go

Hello,
Lexol PH are a great gentle cleaner and conditioning wipe, I do not love Lexol Original formula wipes for handbags as this product can sometimes leave a sticky feeling. maguire wipes are get in a pinch for a quick cleaning wipe which leaves a bit of shine as well.The choice is up to you..my top choice is Lexol PH.

 

[ouija board]

Hi Docride! My Barenia Birkin is in need of a good cleaning, and while baby wipes work in a pinch, I'd rather use a specific leather product. I need to get a leather cleaner for my saddle (getting back to riding after a decade...ouch!), and was hoping to get a cleaner that can work for both the saddle and the bag. I prefer a liquid saddle soap like Lexol pH for my saddle, and just want to make sure, from what I've read, that I could use the same for a Barenia bag. I'm trying to remove some water/oil/liquid spots as well as clean the handles. Or am I asking for disaster and should go with Lexol pH wipes for the bag?

Thank you so much!!

 

[docride]

Hi Docride! My Barenia Birkin is in need of a good cleaning, and while baby wipes work in a pinch, I'd rather use a specific leather product. I need to get a leather cleaner for my saddle (getting back to riding after a decade...ouch!), and was hoping to get a cleaner that can work for both the saddle and the bag. I prefer a liquid saddle soap like Lexol pH for my saddle, and just want to make sure, from what I've read, that I could use the same for a Barenia bag. I'm trying to remove some water/oil/liquid spots as well as clean the handles. Or am I asking for disaster and should go with Lexol pH wipes for the bag?

Thank you so much!!

I like the Lexol PH liquid for big projects like saddles and major saddle leather projects cleaning Vache Natural or Barenia. But for very heavy oil marks and blackened handles you may need special products to remove them...I would say to wash down the bag with the lexol PH and rinse well according to the directions and pat to damp dry level,allow the damp bag to dry slowly shaped and stuffed with towels to keep it's shape..then see how much more you need to do after the drying process..OK? This should remove the water spots and most of the dirt...OK?
Congrats getting horseback again!

 

[ouija board]

I like the Lexol PH liquid for big projects like saddles and major saddle leather projects cleaning Vache Natural or Barenia. But for very heavy oil marks and blackened handles you may need special products to remove them...I would say to wash down the bag with the lexol PH and rinse well according to the directions and pat to damp dry level,allow the damp bag to dry slowly shaped and stuffed with towels to keep it's shape..then see how much more you need to do after the drying process..OK? This should remove the water spots and most of the dirt...OK?
Congrats getting horseback again!

Thank you! The few spots and darkened handles don't really bother me, but I know they are there and don't want to keep conditioning over them without a good cleaning. Off to the tack shop for supplies, dreading having to try on riding pants again after a decade and a baby

 

[docride]

Thank you! The few spots and darkened handles don't really bother me, but I know they are there and don't want to keep conditioning over them without a good cleaning. Off to the tack shop for supplies, dreading having to try on riding pants again after a decade and a baby

A small amont of meltonian color preparer on a cotton ball rubbed over the darkened handles will help lighten them and remove excess oils...Try not to dread the riding pants shopping,there's nothing like riding to make thighs toned and a rear perkier Go for it!