Plastic protector on hardware

[danilux]

Hi friends!

Since I came across this thread, I decided to take off the stickers on my bags. This is unfortunately the damage that was left on my rose gold hardware. I live in a humid environment so the theory about weather causing the quick oxidation may be possible.

I’ve been hearing a few things I can do to fix this:
1. Use an eraser
2. Use a polish cloth
3. Get the hardware replaced

Does anybody have any positives or negatives about any of these options before I try? Thank you for your help! Lesson learned - taking off stickers the second I get my bags. Trying to do some steady breathing exercises to avoid going into panic mode

Ahhhh when did u purchase this bag?

 

[periogirl28]

@GlitterEyebags I use silver polish cloth gently on my bag hardware with no issues at all. I leave some plastic on sometimes bec I forget eg the runners on a C and sometimes on purpose like for the feet. In the end it's probably advisable to remove it. I have also got Rose Gold hardware which I find absolutely fine although some owners feels it is softer than PHW or GHW, so don't go too hard on it with the polish cloth. Good luck it should do the job.

 

[Yoshi1296]

Hi friends!

Since I came across this thread, I decided to take off the stickers on my bags. This is unfortunately the damage that was left on my rose gold hardware. I live in a humid environment so the theory about weather causing the quick oxidation may be possible.

I’ve been hearing a few things I can do to fix this:
1. Use an eraser
2. Use a polish cloth
3. Get the hardware replaced

Does anybody have any positives or negatives about any of these options before I try? Thank you for your help! Lesson learned - taking off stickers the second I get my bags. Trying to do some steady breathing exercises to avoid going into panic mode

Get gold polishing cloth. I peeled the plastic off of my GHW Birkin right away but experienced tarnishing in less than a month. I used the polishing cloth and it is completely gone. However the same tarnish spots do show up again but I polish it off with the cloth and its gone immediately.

@GlitterEyebags I am so sorry for you! This thread is making me think of bag storage. My friend who lives in NYC has a small closet close to her master bath. I wonder if humidity from the bathroom could tarnish the hardware with or without the plastic. I live in a dry environment and store my bags in a dry location but this makes me wonder if humidity could be a huge factor. I’ve heard both, remove the plastic/don’t remove the plastic. I have my plastic on with no issues and I’m ocd about scratches/fingerprints.

I live in NYC and my closet is in the basement with a bathroom that is used regularly for showering etc. I can confirm that I experienced tarnishing fairly quick on my bag (within 1 month of getting it.) but it buffs off with polishing cloth right away. It is definitely the climate here. But its no big deal tbh.

If I am judging your photos correctly, the tarnishing occurs at areas without the plastic covering so they are slightly darker is that right? I am not sure if this will be any help but this is from my own experience. I have a kelly clutch that started to have tarnishing on the hardware. There was no plastic protector on the hardware but it started to tarnish too. I circled the tarnish area in red here.

View attachment 4347824

I purchased a jewelry polish cloth from Amazon and started to try my luck at polishing it. It worked wonderfully for my case as you can see here. This photo was taken right after I polished the hardware.
View attachment 4347825

I recently have also encountered similar tarnishing issue on my 2009 Chanel flap with silver hardware. I noticed the silver hardware had turned to almost like ruthenium and then I tried the polishing cloth that I had again and the polishing cloth managed to clean up all the tarnishing for the Chanel hardware as well. It is like light and day after polishing.

For reference, this is the type of polishing cloth that I have used. I hope you may find this helpful and please update us if you manage to do anything to fix it.

Yes polishing cloth helps a lot! I use the connoisseurs one!

 

[rainypop]

Thank you for sharing. I just ran and took the plastic off my bag.

 

[PoppyLadyBird]

Get gold polishing cloth.
I live in NYC and my closet is in the basement with a bathroom that is used regularly for showering etc. I can confirm that I experienced tarnishing fairly quick on my bag (within 1 month of getting it.) but it buffs off with polishing cloth right away. It is definitely the climate here. But its no big deal tbh. !

you are now the second person I know who has tarnishing from storing your H in a closet nearby. Thx for the confirmation and for the tip on the polishing cloth!

 

[Yoshi1296]

you are now the second person I know who has tarnishing from storing your H in a closet nearby. Thx for the confirmation and for the tip on the polishing cloth!

No problem! Happy to help!

It happens fairly quick which bothered me a lot but it goes away right away. Also, the connoisseurs polishing cloth is double sided and buffing it with the darker side prevents tarnishing, which I have noticed, the same tarnish spots dont show up anymore or have gotten much smaller. I love it!

 

[GlitterEyebags]

Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for your advice and warm words of comfort! I finally got a chance to try to get out the marks. Currently taking care of my mother who is in hospice care now so I sincerely appreciate the patience!

Just wanted to share some pics and results in hopes that this will help someone! It definitely took some work but it’s gone now! I did notice that there were 2-4 small hairline scratches afterwards so not sure if it was because I was being too rough or the rose gold is soft. Included a picture of the polishing rag I used. I actually just used the one that came with my glasses!

 

[Yoshi1296]

Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for your advice and warm words of comfort! I finally got a chance to try to get out the marks. Currently taking care of my mother who is in hospice care now so I sincerely appreciate the patience!

Just wanted to share some pics and results in hopes that this will help someone! It definitely took some work but it’s gone now! I did notice that there were 2-4 small hairline scratches afterwards so not sure if it was because I was being too rough or the rose gold is soft. Included a picture of the polishing rag I used. I actually just used the one that came with my glasses!

Looks great! Glad you were able to solve the situation. I don't see the scratches at all so I think you're good. But also keep in mind that hairline scratches are very normal for shiny hardware bags. Mine has quite a few already. Sending warm wishes to your mother as well!

 

[GlitterEyebags]

Ahhhh when did u purchase this bag?

About 2 months ago!

 

[GlitterEyebags]

Looks great! Glad you were able to solve the situation. I don't see the scratches at all so I think you're good. But also keep in mind that hairline scratches are very normal for shiny hardware bags. Mine has quite a few already. Sending warm wishes to your mother as well!

Thank you for the reassurance! I was so glad I got rid of the marks, I’m not even crying about hairline scratches anymore!

Thank you for the kind words re: my mom!!

 

[GlitterEyebags]

@GlitterEyebags I use silver polish cloth gently on my bag hardware with no issues at all. I leave some plastic on sometimes bec I forget eg the runners on a C and sometimes on purpose like for the feet. In the end it's probably advisable to remove it. I have also got Rose Gold hardware which I find absolutely fine although some owners feels it is softer than PHW or GHW, so don't go too hard on it with the polish cloth. Good luck it should do the job.

I think I’m with you on the theory that rose gold may be softer! Thank you for the comforting words of encouragement - it worked!!

 

[GlitterEyebags]

@GlitterEyebags I am so sorry for you! This thread is making me think of bag storage. My friend who lives in NYC has a small closet close to her master bath. I wonder if humidity from the bathroom could tarnish the hardware with or without the plastic. I live in a dry environment and store my bags in a dry location but this makes me wonder if humidity could be a huge factor. I’ve heard both, remove the plastic/don’t remove the plastic. I have my plastic on with no issues and I’m ocd about scratches/fingerprints.

I’m betting on the humidity now! I’m also ocd about fingerprints. This made the Constance super hard for me to keep!

 

[GlitterEyebags]

If I am judging your photos correctly, the tarnishing occurs at areas without the plastic covering so they are slightly darker is that right? I am not sure if this will be any help but this is from my own experience. I have a kelly clutch that started to have tarnishing on the hardware. There was no plastic protector on the hardware but it started to tarnish too. I circled the tarnish area in red here.

View attachment 4347824

I purchased a jewelry polish cloth from Amazon and started to try my luck at polishing it. It worked wonderfully for my case as you can see here. This photo was taken right after I polished the hardware.
View attachment 4347825

I recently have also encountered similar tarnishing issue on my 2009 Chanel flap with silver hardware. I noticed the silver hardware had turned to almost like ruthenium and then I tried the polishing cloth that I had again and the polishing cloth managed to clean up all the tarnishing for the Chanel hardware as well. It is like light and day after polishing.

For reference, this is the type of polishing cloth that I have used. I hope you may find this helpful and please update us if you manage to do anything to fix it.

This was super helpful!! Thanks so much for sharing!! That eye candy was also very much appreciated

 

[LadyCupid]

This was super helpful!! Thanks so much for sharing!! That eye candy was also very much appreciated

I am glad you managed to clean it up so now you can enjoy your bag.

 

[PoppyLadyBird]

No problem! Happy to help!

It happens fairly quick which bothered me a lot but it goes away right away. Also, the connoisseurs polishing cloth is double sided and buffing it with the darker side prevents tarnishing, which I have noticed, the same tarnish spots dont show up anymore or have gotten much smaller. I love it!

Ill be sure to purchase one! Thanks!