PLEASE HELP - Q's about replacing Vachetta, preventing water spots and cracking? Saumur 30

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

P

PolishedLife

Member
Oct 25, 2016
16
0
#1
I have quite a lot of questions! :confused1:

Let me start by saying I bought my Saumur 30 second-hand. It was in good condition, nice patina, piping intact, no cracking, canvas perfect. It only had a pen mark on the strap and slight cut mark on the shoulder pad. I wore the bag to Greece and found my bag got very dehydrated from the extreme hot heats in June! Cracking began, I purchased apple leather conditioner but it has been getting worse since then.

I no longer wear the bag as I'd like to eventually change the vachetta as I'm afraid the crack will result in the entire strap breaking.

First question is in regards to getting vachetta replaced. Does anyone have price points on their vachetta replacement on the Saumur 30? I've seen prices from $300-$960 for Saumur 30, 35 and 43. If you have pictures that would be great too! Secondly, is it possible to get the vachetta replaced but using the same original brass hardware? I have read they change the hardware and use a non-brass material now ..

Now, when I change the vachetta, what are some methods I can use to prevent water marks and staining? I've read about using LMB (which has mixed reviews and darkens the vachetta, I have read about the Patina Champ method (good reviews, but OP says not to treat the bag, how will I prevent cracking?), and some people use various leather protectors like Kiwi (which are silicone based and over time can damage your bag more?)

Lastly, how do I prevent cracking? I've tried Apple Leather Conditioner but it did not help (maybe my bag was too far gone?). Should I just leave it be? Any other suggestions?

Sorry, I'm a newbie and this is my only LV bag that I have. :hrmm:
 
#4
Melfontana said:
Apple leather conditioner may not help the canvas because it’s not leather. Also they may not replace the vachetta if the canvas is cracked [emoji52]
Click to expand...

I think OP means the leather is cracked, not the canvas. Someone else posted in a another thread that they were quoted $960 to replace all the leather.
 
#5
Shining Monkey upholstery fabric protector was my holy grail for vachetta but I can no longer find it. WTH?

I’m also interested in a waterproofing spray that won’t change the color of the leather or damage the bag.

Also, will a week in Greece really damage a bag that much?! We’re going this summer...
 
#6
jellyv said:
My advice is sell it and, going forward, avoid exposing any LV to weather extremes, particular heat/dryness. The economics of replacing the vachetta make no sense for this bag. It would cost less to find another one in good condition.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice! I don't think selling it at this point is an option for me. I find it stressful selling and purchasing expensive items - I purchased mine for $550 CAD. If I sell and re-buy I am just running the risk of getting another bag that will need repairs down the road.

Thank you though, I'll take it into consideration. :smile:
 
#8
TaylorXavier said:
I think OP means the leather is cracked, not the canvas. Someone else posted in a another thread that they were quoted $960 to replace all the leather.
Click to expand...
Thanks - you are correct! It is the vachetta that is starting to crack. I saw the thread that quoted $960 and have seen some quotes in the same thread as low as $400! Was wondering why it ranges so much ..
 
#9
Gimmethebag said:
Shining Monkey upholstery fabric protector was my holy grail for vachetta but I can no longer find it. WTH?

I’m also interested in a waterproofing spray that won’t change the color of the leather or damage the bag.

Also, will a week in Greece really damage a bag that much?! We’re going this summer...
Click to expand...
I've never heard of that leather protector - I'll have to look into it!

So far from what I've read, seems like the most consistent results came from using the Patina Champ Method .. slightly darkens the leather but I think the results are a nice and even patina.

As for the weather in Greece. I went in June and wore my bag attempting to hike up to the Acropolis. I failed as the temperatures were feeling around 40 degrees Celsius and there was zero shade to protect my bag. Other than that one day I was on the cruise ship for the rest of my trip and left my bag in the cabin.
 
#11
I have viewed many videos ntage bags on eBay and have noticed some don’t actually show cracks but you can tell the leather is already dry and will crack with future use. I consider the leather to have more dry rot where it is just got no to eventually fall apart. This seems to be more visible with vintage bags from a humid climate bought from places like Japan resellers and may be difficult to notice. Or stored improperly in boxes and drawers with no air circulation. with the bag getting worse it is sounds like leather rot and no product will make it stop.

I don’t think a week in Greece caused the cracking in one week. Using the bag and if there were heavy items in it could have caused stress to any areas that were already weak. Can you post pictures of all the problems? This style is a great design. What parts of the bag need to be replaced?
 
#12
gillianna said:
I have viewed many videos ntage bags on eBay and have noticed some don’t actually show cracks but you can tell the leather is already dry and will crack with future use. I consider the leather to have more dry rot where it is just got no to eventually fall apart. This seems to be more visible with vintage bags from a humid climate bought from places like Japan resellers and may be difficult to notice. Or stored improperly in boxes and drawers with no air circulation. with the bag getting worse it is sounds like leather rot and no product will make it stop.

I don’t think a week in Greece caused the cracking in one week. Using the bag and if there were heavy items in it could have caused stress to any areas that were already weak. Can you post pictures of all the problems? This style is a great design. What parts of the bag need to be replaced?
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply! I purchased this back in January 2018 from a local seller (I'm in Toronto) and we do have pretty humid weather here during the warmer months. I store my bag in a dustbag, sitting on a shelf so it is still able to "breathe". I will start with posting images from the seller herself - which is how the bag looked when I first bought it. (I thought it looked pretty good?)
received_10105739312269282.jpeg received_10105739312224372.jpeg received_10105739312194432.jpeg received_10105739311625572.jpeg received_10105739311630562.jpeg received_10105739311885052.jpeg received_10105739311890042.jpeg received_10105739312458902.jpeg received_10105739312443932.jpeg received_10105739311740342.jpeg

When I get home I will post how my bag looks now. I don't put any heavy items in it because my back is always hurting and I always try to handle my bag with care. The cracking is starting to show on the strap and the closure tab.
 
#13
gillianna said:
I have viewed many videos ntage bags on eBay and have noticed some don’t actually show cracks but you can tell the leather is already dry and will crack with future use. I consider the leather to have more dry rot where it is just got no to eventually fall apart. This seems to be more visible with vintage bags from a humid climate bought from places like Japan resellers and may be difficult to notice. Or stored improperly in boxes and drawers with no air circulation. with the bag getting worse it is sounds like leather rot and no product will make it stop.

I don’t think a week in Greece caused the cracking in one week. Using the bag and if there were heavy items in it could have caused stress to any areas that were already weak. Can you post pictures of all the problems? This style is a great design. What parts of the bag need to be replaced?
Click to expand...
Here are more photos from the seller:
Screenshot_20171227-145933__01__01.jpg Screenshot_20171227-145928__01__01.jpg Screenshot_20171227-145923__01.jpg Screenshot_20171227-145914__01__01__01.jpg Screenshot_20171227-145919__01.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top