Hermes Vintage Bag Nightmares & Hermes Leather Care

[juliet827]

Hi there,
Yes so true you are correct there is part science,skill, artistry and a big heap of love that goes into fine luxury leather restoration and upkeep. You are well on your way to mastering some of it. Bring on another project when you are ready.

Those small white adhesive marks that responded to heat ; sounds like they were some waxy product or wax based build up which would infact work with some heating,if it were gum it would have moved deeper into the leather's pores and made more of a mark.

Ah, interesting! Good to know about the wax.

I will be looking for a new project - one which my budget permits! I'd like to learn how to use filler, and learn how to redye. Of course, I'm also mesmerized by your beautiful VN bags and their incredible patina. When my kids were very young I went through a stage of refinishing antiques and learning how to use shellac and apply painstaking layers of french polish - such a miracle to see a beautiful, mellow patina develop, whether working with wood or with leather...
It may not be possible to find a VN H bag within my budget, but I'll be on the lookout! I'm so inspired by the work done on this thread - just incredible. Thank you for your wisdom, doc, and thanks to all who have shared their projects.

 

[Boogee119]

You can keep them away from heat sources and direct sunlight or light streaming though windows for long periods of time. Each of the skins are quite different. Ostirch can be cleaned & conditioned when needed even at home care should be taken not to use high oil containing products as you will have streaky and blotchy results including darkening, shiney crocodile takes special care best handled by Hermes or trusted leatehr care specialist.

Thanks Docride. May I ask if you have any suggestions on products that I can try on ostrich? Thanks.

 

[docride]

Thanks Docride. May I ask if you have any suggestions on products that I can try on ostrich? Thanks.

Meltonian All Purpose works well but take care not to put it directly on the leather and leave set it can remove color and make drip marks Put the lotion on a soft cloth and then use the cloth to apply the product to your leather. The white Bottle reads Meltonian All Purpose Cleaner & Conditioner. Always test a small hidden area first and wait 24hrs to make sure you like the results.

 

[soxxy12]

Doc,

My grandmother passed away recently left me her amazing 1945 A stamped Hermes bag. I am not sure it can be restored but I want to try and give it my best shot. I don't know anything about Hermes bags but ever since receiving it I have done extensive research. I think it's a Kelly bag. Any other info would be great. I will post a few pics I took. It's Leather needs to be cared for ASAP so I need to know the best product to put on it. Thank you for your help!

Warm regards,
Lindsey

 

[soxxy12]

I can't get my pics to upload for some reason. I will try again.

 

[ladysarah]

Dear miss Docride, my beloved herbag is looking a little dry where the closing straps are. The main body of the leather and the handle is still pristine, but the closing straps I guess get all the strain from opening and closing. It could be aggravated due to the change from freezing weather outside and dry central heating indoors... Any suggestions to keep the straps wrinkle free a little longer? (That's a reference photo but similar problem)

hi docride - I was wondering if you saw my post. the straps on the her bag are looking a little dry and look about to wrinkle. The rest of the body is pristine. (i ve been cleaning it periodically with just a cloth and a dab of meltonian delicate as per your advice, but the straps may look extra help.)

 

[soxxy12]

Docride,

Ok, hopefully the uploaded pics will work this time. Like I said, this was my grandmother's bag, stamped A, which I looked up on purse forum to be 1945. I honestly want to try my best to restore it so I can carry it. It's a beautiful family heirloom. I think it's a Kelly, I'm sure you know...it's not that big either, so not sure about the sizing. Thank you for your help!!!

Regards, Lindsey

 

[elbereth]

Hi Docride,

I'm planning to use Fiebing's Edge Kote to replace the cracked coating on the handles of one of my bags but I'm having an extremely hard time finding color charts for the product. Would you know perhaps where I could find pictures of the different colors once dry, particularly the brown shades? Thanks a lot,

Elbereth

 

[docride]

Doc,

My grandmother passed away recently left me her amazing 1945 A stamped Hermes bag. I am not sure it can be restored but I want to try and give it my best shot. I don't know anything about Hermes bags but ever since receiving it I have done extensive research. I think it's a Kelly bag. Any other info would be great. I will post a few pics I took. It's Leather needs to be cared for ASAP so I need to know the best product to put on it. Thank you for your help!

Warm regards,
Lindsey

Dear Lindsey,
Firstly may I say I am sorry for your loss, my dear Gran had the most lovely handbags and I fondly remember her allowing me to carry them around wearing her pumps as a little girl it was marvelous! Your dear Grandmother's bag is such a precious item , I would be happy to assist you in caring for it. However I will need some photos so I can figure out what would be the best treatment plan for it's care. I look forward to your future posts and project's progress.
Sincerely,doc

 

[docride]

Hi Docride,

I'm planning to use Fiebing's Edge Kote to replace the cracked coating on the handles of one of my bags but I'm having an extremely hard time finding color charts for the product. Would you know perhaps where I could find pictures of the different colors once dry, particularly the brown shades? Thanks a lot,

Elbereth

Hello Elbereth, As far as I know Fiebing's Edge coat comes in brown,clear and black, possibly in other colors but I have never seen them. Edge coat will not replace the cracked coatings on your edges on your bags handles. The old edging would need removed and reburnished ,edge coat isn't going to do the trick in this case. You can send your bag to Hermes for this job you will get better results.

 

[docride]

Docride,

Ok, hopefully the uploaded pics will work this time. Like I said, this was my grandmother's bag, stamped A, which I looked up on purse forum to be 1945. I honestly want to try my best to restore it so I can carry it. It's a beautiful family heirloom. I think it's a Kelly, I'm sure you know...it's not that big either, so not sure about the sizing. Thank you for your help!!!

Regards, LindseyView attachment 2039854

View attachment 2039852

View attachment 2039853

Hello again, She is quite dry and dangerously so. I would immediately remove the shoulder strap from the bag carefully so it does not cause more stress to waekened leather. First thing I would recomend is getting a few Lexol PH leather wipes and very gently cleaning the bag and then follow with some Meltonian Delicate cream and begin conditioning this bag. You will want to be careful this bag looks dangerously dry you will not want to move the straps much or hold the bag by it's handle when it's in this state. So when cleaning and conditioning carefully work the areas that are in the slots also with doing minimal moving of the straps, the straps and others ares of this bag might tear easily due to over all driness...so very gentle care is called for. When you have completed this let's have a look and see what needs doing next.
You will need the following items and products:
1) rubber gloves the disposable thin ones ( you can buy a box full at the drug store)
2) Soft lint free cloths
3) Lexol PH Leather Wipes
4) Meltonian Delicate Cream
5) Tarrago Black color dye kit
6) A good Neutral Polish
7) some plastic sheeting to cover your work area
8) a soft polishing brush
9) Some old white cotton Tee shirt material cut into 4 x 4 squares
You can find most of these items on line here at
www.shoetreemarketplace.com

 

[docride]

Dear miss Docride, my beloved herbag is looking a little dry where the closing straps are. The main body of the leather and the handle is still pristine, but the closing straps I guess get all the strain from opening and closing. It could be aggravated due to the change from freezing weather outside and dry central heating indoors... Any suggestions to keep the straps wrinkle free a little longer? (That's a reference photo but similar problem)

Hmm, you could open the bag's parts completely remove the leather bits from the canvas and metal parts...then wet the strap down a completely and then flatten it out by bending it in the direction which smooths the wrinkles out . When the wrinkles look flat more or less put some paper towels above and below the strap and place a heavy weight on top..alllow it to dry slowly and naturally away from undue heat. See if that doesn't sort out your wrinkled leather strap.
All the best,doc
PS So sorry I missed your post. Always so nice to hear from you

 

[docride]

hi docride - I was wondering if you saw my post. the straps on the her bag are looking a little dry and look about to wrinkle. The rest of the body is pristine. (i ve been cleaning it periodically with just a cloth and a dab of meltonian delicate as per your advice, but the straps may look extra help.)

Hello there, Very sorry, but yes, I did miss your earlier post. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I have replied. Thank you for your paitence.
All the best,doc

 

[psaseattle]

Just a shout out to DocRide and to all the ladies here who have used Doc's B&O treatment to protect their precious H bags....I JUST got a lovely brique box B (actually FROM Docride too) and I immediately treated her to the tried and true B&O treatment. This morning, a woman next to me in a coffee shop SPILLED HER ENTIRE COFFEE ALL OVER ME AND MY BRIQUE BOX B!!!!!!!!!!!:throw up: I quickly whipped out the cloth I always carry in every H Box bag I own and wiped the coffee off.....and guess what. NADA. NOTHING. Not a stain, not a drop, not a shred of evidence that my brand new box birkin had just had a whole coffee dumped on her. GO DOCRIDE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[thyme]

Just a shout out to DocRide and to all the ladies here who have used Doc's B&O treatment to protect their precious H bags....I JUST got a lovely brique box B (actually FROM Docride too) and I immediately treated her to the tried and true B&O treatment. This morning, a woman next to me in a coffee shop SPILLED HER ENTIRE COFFEE ALL OVER ME AND MY BRIQUE BOX B!!!!!!!!!!!:throw up: I quickly whipped out the cloth I always carry in every H Box bag I own and wiped the coffee off.....and guess what. NADA. NOTHING. Not a stain, not a drop, not a shred of evidence that my brand new box birkin had just had a whole coffee dumped on her. GO DOCRIDE!!!!!!!!!!!

wow...glad it was all ok!! and yes docride is the best