Hermes Vintage Bag Nightmares & Hermes Leather Care

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

Status
Not open for further replies.
#4,786
cheapfrillnorth said:
Hi Doc,

I have posted the pics of my restoration project of the vintage matt havanne croc clutch pre and post dog chew. Now I am on the next stage of cleaning and nourishing. I have cleaned with Fiebings leather lotion conditioned with Blackrock cleaner/conditioner and it is certainly looking healthier. But I am not sure how much further I can go. I have applied Blackrock very sparingly a few times and then buff but I think I am taking away colour rather than dirt - is that possible? A few areas at the edge of the scales are very dry and the texture is almost like fibrous cardboard. I have dapped Blackrock into these areas and left to soak in and then buffed. is there any thing else I can do?

Other than that it has turned into a really lovely little clutch and whilst Hermes Paris condemned it to the scrap heat with your help and $30 to the local cobbler I now have a lovely little clutch.

Thanks,

Gill

The photo is before polishing as the polished bag is downstairs and I am currently upstairs in a small room trying to calm down 3 terrified dogs - it is Bonfire night here in the UK and the fireworks just go on and on and on.

View attachment 1518478
Click to expand...

What a lovely bag. It sounds like it was indeed in need of TLC the carboard feeling areas you mention sounds like you have some dry rot and in truth those areas might not improve much if at all. Do take care with the blackrock..apply gently then remove the excess with a cloth straight away...do not allow gobs of it to sit on the skin..OK?
Did you use the Fiebings for reptile skins?
 
#4,787
lala28 said:
Doc, have you ever heard of putting coffee grinds in a box, placing the bag on an elevated stand so that the bag doesn't touch the grinds, and then putting a lid on top of the box?
Click to expand...

If I were you I would put a box of baking soda inside the bag (the kind designed for inside the freezer which has mesh areas on the box). Before resorting to the coffee...which BTW, I have never attempted and so can not comment upon.
 
#4,788
docride said:
What a lovely bag. It sounds like it was indeed in need of TLC the carboard feeling areas you mention sounds like you have some dry rot and in truth those areas might not improve much if at all. Do take care with the blackrock..apply gently then remove the excess with a cloth straight away...do not allow gobs of it to sit on the skin..OK?
Did you use the Fiebings for reptile skins?
Click to expand...

Hi Doc,

Yes, I used Fiebings for reptile skin and apart from the dry areas I did remove blackrock straight away. I am guilty of dabbing the blackrock into the creases with a cotton budd and then leaving on for a few minutes before removing. I think that it is now as good as it it going to be so I am going to pop back into the dustbag and await the party season.

Thank you so much for all your help. You gave me the confidence and encouragement to tackle this project and I now have a beautiful little bag that is over 60 years old and going strong.

Regards,

Gill
 
#4,789
cheapfrillnorth said:
Hi Doc,

Yes, I used Fiebings for reptile skin and apart from the dry areas I did remove blackrock straight away. I am guilty of dabbing the blackrock into the creases with a cotton budd and then leaving on for a few minutes before removing. I think that it is now as good as it it going to be so I am going to pop back into the dustbag and await the party season.

Thank you so much for all your help. You gave me the confidence and encouragement to tackle this project and I now have a beautiful little bag that is over 60 years old and going strong.

Regards,

Gill
Click to expand...

oh - could you post photos please? before, after, during...:graucho:
 
#4,790
cheapfrillnorth said:
Hi Doc,

Yes, I used Fiebings for reptile skin and apart from the dry areas I did remove blackrock straight away. I am guilty of dabbing the blackrock into the creases with a cotton budd and then leaving on for a few minutes before removing. I think that it is now as good as it it going to be so I am going to pop back into the dustbag and await the party season.

Thank you so much for all your help. You gave me the confidence and encouragement to tackle this project and I now have a beautiful little bag that is over 60 years old and going strong.

Regards,

Gill
Click to expand...
Hello, In that case it sounds like you have done a top notch restoration! Congratulations! Enjoy your beautiful bag! Cheers!doc
 
#4,792
docride said:
If I were you I would put a box of baking soda inside the bag (the kind designed for inside the freezer which has mesh areas on the box). Before resorting to the coffee...which BTW, I have never attempted and so can not comment upon.
Click to expand...

Gotcha! I'm using the leather wipes now!
 
#4,794
Pretty well! I'm also trying the baking soda sachets. I cleaned the interior with the wipes, let it dry and air out. Now I have the sachets inside the bag.

I also laundered the dustbag :)
 
#4,796
DocRides,
I've been following your thread for quite a while, while saving up for my first vintage H. I am travelling/studying abroad soon and don't intend to take my new-to-me box kelly, what is the best way to prep/store it while I am gone so it doesn't get dried out, mildew, etc?

TIA! :) :)
 
#4,797
pinkandgreen said:
DocRides,
I've been following your thread for quite a while, while saving up for my first vintage H. I am travelling/studying abroad soon and don't intend to take my new-to-me box kelly, what is the best way to prep/store it while I am gone so it doesn't get dried out, mildew, etc?

TIA! :) :)
Click to expand...

Is it a Dark colored Vintage Box Calf Kelly?:smile1:

if so Obenauf's L.P. Heavy duty applied carefully without the heat method will keep the bag from drying out will retard mold and mildew...If you page through you will find directions for using this product and Blackrocks Leather N Rich which I also recommend using.
Then store your lightly stuffed with a some bubble wrap to help it keep it's shape,with the straps closed ,inside it's dust bag laying on it's back. Any questions?:smile1:
 
#4,798
lala28 said:
dear doc, I've always wondered whether there is anything I can do to remediate or minimize the musty/musky smell inside a vintage handbag (it's not a mothball smell). Putting mint or lavender sachets isn't strong enough to cover up the smell. Is there such a thing as a leather-fragranced sachet? Is there a leather conditioner that I could use on the inside to combat the musty/musky odor? Help?
Click to expand...


Not doc, but I used activated charcoal (found at pet store) in an open zip lock bag to remove the musty smell from a vintage evening bag.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top