Hermes Vintage Bag Nightmares & Hermes Leather Care

[H_Luva]

Docride, I would really appreciate your knowledge and insight. I found a gold couchevel birkin that's in great shape and I am considering acquiring it. I am hesitant because it seems like it is one of the few gold couchevel bags for resale that is in good condition. Most of them look like they have been through hell. They have discoloration, color spottiness, color loss, water marks, scratches and excessive corner wear. The incidents of color loss, discoloration, and spottiness are more than I've seen for other vintage leathers. Can I get your opinion on couchevel? Compared to other Hermes leathers, is this leather not resilient and just more susceptible to scratches, wear and tear? I thought couchevel was safe against water stains? How well does it age? Does it not age as well in certain colors, like gold for instance? If so, how to explain all the sad couchevel bags out there? What should I be careful or mindful of to keep it from facing the same fate as the bags that I have seen? Will this leather benefit from your B&O method? Thank you so much for your advice and knowledge!

 

[kim_mac]

hi doc, i just purchased both B + O and going to work on my boots, H boots, H wallets, and H bags (in that order). i am terrified to do anything "at home" and usually leave to the professionals since i am terrible and have ruined many things (latest is shrinking wool sweaters by handwashing). but i am more afraid of my leather goods drying and damaging so i'm going to give it my best shot!

quick question - i have a blue jean togo birkin that has color loss on the corners. do i need to send to H spa to have them fix the color loss first? i don't really mind the corners but i don't want to ruin the bag by doing the B+O without fixing the corners first. maybe i can B+O for a couple of years and then fix the corners when they really bother me?

second question - do you still recommend the B (and O for waterproofing) every 6 months minimum?

thanks so much! you are so gracious to share your knowledge with all of us.
i'm really excited (and scared) to start when my products arrive!

 

[kim_mac]

sorry, one more question - i noticed that my white clemence bags have a slight powdery finish (compared to colored clemence) and maybe it's because H "paints" the white...

will the blackrocks change the finish of my white clemence bags? i think i want to keep the same finish...is there something else you'd recommend?

thanks in advance!

 

[docride]

hi doc, i just purchased both B + O and going to work on my boots, H boots, H wallets, and H bags (in that order). i am terrified to do anything "at home" and usually leave to the professionals since i am terrible and have ruined many things (latest is shrinking wool sweaters by handwashing). but i am more afraid of my leather goods drying and damaging so i'm going to give it my best shot!

quick question - i have a blue jean togo birkin that has color loss on the corners. do i need to send to H spa to have them fix the color loss first? i don't really mind the corners but i don't want to ruin the bag by doing the B+O without fixing the corners first. maybe i can B+O for a couple of years and then fix the corners when they really bother me?

second question - do you still recommend the B (and O for waterproofing) every 6 months minimum?

thanks so much! you are so gracious to share your knowledge with all of us.
i'm really excited (and scared) to start when my products arrive!

Hello, I don't recommend B & O for all leathers, you might want to just ask about each leather before you begin. I do not like O & B for Togo.
O& B is good for Box Calf,Charmonix and Vache Natural for instance....

Blue jean is a tough color to match you might want to just send it to spa for color touch ups when needed.

 

[docride]

sorry, one more question - i noticed that my white clemence bags have a slight powdery finish (compared to colored clemence) and maybe it's because H "paints" the white...

will the blackrocks change the finish of my white clemence bags? i think i want to keep the same finish...is there something else you'd recommend?

thanks in advance!

You don't want Blackrocks on white Clemence. What are you trying to achive?

 

[docride]

Docride, I would really appreciate your knowledge and insight. I found a gold couchevel birkin that's in great shape and I am considering acquiring it. I am hesitant because it seems like it is one of the few gold couchevel bags for resale that is in good condition. Most of them look like they have been through hell. They have discoloration, color spottiness, color loss, water marks, scratches and excessive corner wear. The incidents of color loss, discoloration, and spottiness are more than I've seen for other vintage leathers. Can I get your opinion on couchevel? Compared to other Hermes leathers, is this leather not resilient and just more susceptible to scratches, wear and tear? I thought couchevel was safe against water stains? How well does it age? Does it not age as well in certain colors, like gold for instance? If so, how to explain all the sad couchevel bags out there? What should I be careful or mindful of to keep it from facing the same fate as the bags that I have seen? Will this leather benefit from your B&O method? Thank you so much for your advice and knowledge!

Courchevel is an easy care leather it goes through weather well if wiped down and not left in a puddle. Courchevel is quite tough and does not scratch easily. Most the bags you see in courchevel are older (about 10-14 years old) so some have been used alot and then come to auction

 

[H_Luva]

Courchevel is an easy care leather it goes through weather well if wiped down and not left in a puddle. Courchevel is quite tough and does not scratch easily. Most the bags you see in courchevel are older (about 10-14 years old) so some have been used alot and then come to auction

Thank you docride! You are so knowledgeable about leathers and its care and so generous with helping everyone out!

 

[bee_bianca]

Dear Docride,

I have found a Kelly bag I am interested it. It is made out of the Courchevel leather and has some scratches and signs of wear . Here are some pictures. Do you think it can be restored?

Thank you,

B

 

[designergoods]

First of all, hats down to such an outstanding, ongoing thread! This is such a resourceful tool for us "do it ourselves" type of people.
I am doing a home spa for my box calf birkin (2 blackrocks x 2 obenaufs x 2 blackrocks treatment) to protect and condition her. I have done some research and read on a few posts about finishing with a neutral polish. Could you please confirm if this is a necessary or important step to do on box calf. If so, I have Melotonian neutral boot/shoe cream polish. Would this work and may I apply by finger tip like the other products followed by buffing? I thought you had mentioned using a brush to polish, but I am not sure what type of brush and exactly clear how to go about doing this step.
I hope my question comes clear. Thank you for your help and hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[mp4]

Hi Doc....any hope for the spot on my new barenia bag?! I made it worse by trying to blot it with a slightly damp cloth...that worked on a spot I got on my barenia kelly dog bracelet....but it only made this mark larger.....grrr! You can almost see the original spot in one of the photos. I tried to take the photos in lighting and angles that accentuate the spot.

I'm worried to do anything else...but I find myself trying to gently rub it out with my soft shirts. I know in time it will blend in with other marks. I would love some advise! Should I learn to ignore it or do you think I can fix it? TIA

 

[kim_mac]

Hello, I don't recommend B & O for all leathers, you might want to just ask about each leather before you begin. I do not like O & B for Togo.
O& B is good for Box Calf,Charmonix and Vache Natural for instance....

Blue jean is a tough color to match you might want to just send it to spa for color touch ups when needed.

well, my plan was to use B on my frye boots (to practice), then move on to use B on my Hermes jumping boots. after some practice, i wanted to do my H bags in this order:

chevre wallet
togo
clemence (white)
and finally box

i thought i'd just use B on all of them, with the exception of box which i would do B+O

is this not right? i'm afraid i read many pages in the beginning of this thread and though this was recommended.

 

[kim_mac]

You don't want Blackrocks on white Clemence. What are you trying to achive?

i just want to make sure my bags are conditioned and won't dry out/get damaged.

 

[Tianvu]

Hi! I know this is for Hermes but I saw that you have helped other LV Epi owners! I recently got a pre-loved LV Epi Riviera from Japan. However it is in rough condition with wear on the corners , damage to the exterior, and peeling and damage on the inside but I am hoping to bring some life to it! I have no experience with leather care and would appreciate any advice as I go through the restoration process! I do not even know how to buff but will definitely Youtube it!

For the exterior, I read through the Epi posts and I was planning to get the Blackrock Leather N rich. However I have seen recommendations for the Apple brand leather conditioner, Lexol pH cleanser and conditioner, and Obenauf's LP Heavy Duty. I am not sure what to use first? Should I clean it first and then condition and protect. In what order (and which products), should I use?

What do you recommend to cover the marks on the top of the bag, around the handles, and the corners? Black Dye from the http://www.shoetreemarketplace.com/?

For the interior, I read Goo Gone might help with the stickiness? Any products your recommend for the interior stains?

I have also attached some pics and would appreciate any products you think would be useful in helping me restore this bag.

Thank you so much for being such a helpful resource! I was panicking a bit but after reading so many of your soothing and kind advice to others it calmed me and gave me a boost that I could possibly do this!! Thanks!

 

[purselover888]

Hi Doc, I was looking at a pre-owned bag in togo. The owner said that one corner had rubbed off and the color had been restored by an H craftsman. So what are the ramifications of a "flaw" like this? Would it rub off more easily in the future and have to be restored again? Thank you!!

 

[Couture Coco]

Dear Docride
Hope you had a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving!
Seems I'm having to add to the questions here for you - sorry!
Please can you tell if this Dalvy is VN? I'm not certain - the leather is smooth, thick and stiff even for a 1999 stamp. Thank you very much!