I used apple guard cleaner and an alcohol free baby wipe. For my speedy handles and the berri pm, I did re-condition them so the leather doesn't dry out.
Just got the Noe. Am I crazy to be "chill" about the vachetta?
- Thread starter sarahinthecity
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
I love a beautiful patina, but not large water marks. I've done it all. Leave it alone, sun the bag, and Apple Guard the bag. My favorite is to Apple Guard the bag. It keeps the bag from getting water spots, but will allow it to darken evenly and beautilfully. After I apple guarded my regular full sized Noe, I let it do it's thing and I love it.
No, it won't even out if you get a rain spot or water spot on a new bag. I've owned one of my NF's for ages, but it got rained on the first week I had it and I can still see the initial water spots. Now, if it got rained on again, no new water spots would show b/c it's patinated. But for sure I can still see those rain spots from a parking lot in NC while running to a rental car. And no, that's not a particularly fond memory. lol
No, it won't even out if you get a rain spot or water spot on a new bag. I've owned one of my NF's for ages, but it got rained on the first week I had it and I can still see the initial water spots. Now, if it got rained on again, no new water spots would show b/c it's patinated. But for sure I can still see those rain spots from a parking lot in NC while running to a rental car. And no, that's not a particularly fond memory. lol
I never put anything on my vachetta. I hold firmly to the belief that LV has spent over 100+ years perfecting their product. They didn’t leave the last two steps up to me to add baby wipes and apple guard.
The natural aging process of untreated cowhide (vachetta) was not perfected but Louis Vuitton. Its great that you choose to let the natural process happen as intended. They did however perfect their advertising
I have seen too many preloved Noes with water spots on the base. I pretreated my Noe BB with Apple to prevent that. I also don't put my bag on the ground or in carts so I guess I baby it a little. I like the look of an even honey patina without water spots
Speaking of vachetta - I’m thinking of getting an Azur piece and prefer the look of light patina on the Azur. Any ideas as to prevent the leather from getting too dark? Freeze it with a very light patina?
Congrats on your new Noe! This is such a beautiful bag!! 
I was gifted Noe in mono and use her as a work bag. The same as for my other vacchetta bags, I haven’t treated her (because I don’t want vacchetta to get that orange touch to the color that can often be seen on treated bags and prefer the natural aging process). But I also don’t take her out on a rainy day. If she would get a couple of marks here and there, I won’t care because that would give her more character 
I was gifted Noe in mono and use her as a work bag. The same as for my other vacchetta bags, I haven’t treated her (because I don’t want vacchetta to get that orange touch to the color that can often be seen on treated bags and prefer the natural aging process). But I also don’t take her out on a rainy day. If she would get a couple of marks here and there, I won’t care because that would give her more character Hi, I also just bought a Noé but in the bb size. This is my first bag with vachetta and I’m wondering if it’s normal to have tiny cracks on the base at the corners? Should I be concerned? Or is this going to happen anyways?
Attachments
I have been buying Louis bags for 20 years and have never treated any of them. I’m in the UK so they often get rained on. I use my bags with care but I do not baby them. I put them down when necessary and simply enjoy them. They all still look great. The Alma in my avatar is my oldest Louis bag. I agree if they needed coating LV would do it.
I’ve been buying LV for years and have never once treated any of my bags. I don’t tend to overly baby my bags, as I’m not spending thousands to look at them. I do have a 2 year old Noe BB and she is still pristine with a slight patina. My only advice would be to sun your bag for a week and always keep a shopping bag folded up in your bag. I keep one at the bottom of all my LV bags just in case of rain
I like patina, but not when vachetta starts looking dirty, and gross-looking. I spray mine with carbon pro, then don’t fret too much afterward. I would say it’s a balance between taking care to protect, then use. It also depends on your personal habits. Do you use a bag then sell it when/if it starts looking grungy, or do you prefer to keep your bags and not sell. That’s a big factor as well.
Update: I finally had a chance to use my new Noe this weekend! I have been sunning it the past few weeks, just waiting for an opportunity to go somewhere and wear it.
The good news is that I loved it and I can already tell that this bag will go on many adventures with me. The not as good news, I wore it with a black leather jacket and some of the color transferred onto the vachetta
It’s not bad (just a little black tint on one bottom corner and a little underneath the handle) and I don’t think anyone else would notice it, but I’m wondering if I should take a baby wipe to it now, while the “stain” is still fresh? Or, would you just leave it as is and let it continue to patina?
The good news is that I loved it and I can already tell that this bag will go on many adventures with me. The not as good news, I wore it with a black leather jacket and some of the color transferred onto the vachetta
It’s not bad (just a little black tint on one bottom corner and a little underneath the handle) and I don’t think anyone else would notice it, but I’m wondering if I should take a baby wipe to it now, while the “stain” is still fresh? Or, would you just leave it as is and let it continue to patina?
I think you should. The D-rings stain the inner part of the handle on mine, and I clean it with a baby wipe every few weeks.