Rejuventating, Repairing or Restoring Your Balenciaga

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Posted this in the chat thread, but it got overlooked
Maybe someone will notice it here? :shrugs:



So Q --

Is it worth it to send a bag to the spa or can you accomplish the same thing with some water wipes, leather conditioner/cleaner & a soft cloth? Does it really clean up/improve the appearance of a vintage bag if you don't have the handles retouched or corners repaired?
 
I've never sent a Balenciaga for professional cleaning, but from experience with other brands would say it depends on condition. If they're very dirty/scuffed or the colour's badly faded then a spa is probably worth while. If it just seems a little dirty, dry or dull then you can probably do it yourself
 
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Posted this in the chat thread, but it got overlooked
Maybe someone will notice it here? :shrugs:
I think it is 100% worth it for the handles (I just had 3 bags done) if the body of the bag is in good condition, if the body is really faded the only option is paint *I think* so if you can't live with it the way it is send it in for rehab. Do you want to show us the bag(s) you're thinking about?
 
I think it is 100% worth it for the handles (I just had 3 bags done) if the body of the bag is in good condition, if the body is really faded the only option is paint *I think* so if you can't live with it the way it is send it in for rehab. Do you want to show us the bag(s) you're thinking about?

I don’t mean a full on rehab
Overall the bag’s in great shape, but there are a few spots that I can’t remove
I’ve just seen a few people say that they’re sending new to them used bags to the spa & wondered if it was really worth it & if they’re able to clean it up more than I can with some conditioner, polish and “elbow grease” :lol:

Definitely doesn’t need handle and/or corner repairs
 
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I don’t mean a full on rehab
Overall the bag’s in great shape, but there are a few spots that I can’t remove
I’ve just seen a few people say that they’re sending new to them used bags to the spa & wondered if it was really worth it & if they’re able to clean it up more than I can with some conditioner, polish and “elbow grease” :lol:

Definitely doesn’t need handle and/or corner repairs
Out Damn Spots! 😆
Give it a try and in the worst case you can always send in for those few spots?
I always use the Cadillac select line of stuff but am going to try the leather honey on one bag I have that just seems so dull... tbd
 
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Thats my conditioner of choice too. I’ve been using Cadillac for years

I suppose I just wondered if a “day at the spa” is just an extravagance thats not really necessary and something most of us can do ourselves or if its really worth it
 
Out Damn Spots! 😆
Give it a try and in the worst case you can always send in for those few spots?
I always use the Cadillac select line of stuff but am going to try the leather honey on one bag I have that just seems so dull... tbd
Be careful with leather honey, if you don't already know. That stuff should only be used on dark colors and VERY sparsely. One member honeyed a RT or RV City and it looked terrible. Every tiny imperfection was suddenly visible and the honey went into every leather crease and pore. I think she threw the bag in the washer after to try and get rid of some residue. Can't recall how that story ended. Proceed with caution.
 
Hello all! Not sure if there's a thread for this, I was too lazy to comb through the whole sub. Sorry.
Vestiaire came back to me with their "inspection/authentication" result of my Metallic Orange First yesterday. Bag is not in new/unworn condition after all and shows some scratches in the leather (nothing horrible or too crazy, it's very minor and I'm just super picky as usual...). Bal metallics are gorgeous, but prone to the metallic finish rubbing off as we all know.
They gave me the choice to either accept or decline the bag. I thought for what I paid it was still a great deal, so I accepted
(and I had already ordered a strap before any of this...ack...!).
While hemming and hawing I started looking for leather dyes/paints to get rid of the scratches. I chose a couple colors from Angelus' acrylic leather paint (yellow, orange, metallic copper) to mix and use on the scratches only. I'm not going to dye the whole bag of course, only the booboos. Any thoughts on whether I chose the right brand or should I leave it be and JUST get over myself? LOL!!
Screenshots from VC's inspection.
 Front
Screenshot_20250809_074452_Gallery.webp

Back
Screenshot_20250809_074423.webp
I've never done this before, so please be gentle and nice. Thank you! :flowers:
 
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Hello all! Not sure if there's a thread for this, I was too lazy to comb through the whole sub. Sorry.
Vestiaire came back to me with their "inspection/authentication" result of my Metallic Orange First yesterday. Bag is not in new/unworn condition after all and shows some scratches in the leather (nothing horrible or too crazy, it's very minor and I'm just super picky as usual...). Bal metallics are gorgeous, but prone to the metallic finish rubbing off as we all know.
They gave me the choice to either accept or decline the bag. I thought for what I paid it was still a great deal, so I accepted
(and I had already ordered a strap before any of this...ack...!).
While hemming and hawing I started looking for leather dyes/paints to get rid of the scratches. I chose a couple colors from Angelus' acrylic leather paint (yellow, orange, metallic copper) to mix and use on the scratches only. I'm not going to dye the whole bag of course, only the booboos. Any thoughts on whether I chose the right brand or should I leave it be and JUST get over myself? LOL!!
Screenshots from VC's inspection.
 Front
View attachment 6212374

Back
View attachment 6212375
I've never done this before, so please be gentle and nice. Thank you! :flowers:
It may not be ac noticeable IRL?
 
It may not be ac noticeable IRL?
See, a rational thinking person would have waited until they actually received the bag and see the damage for themselves. But not me . Naaaaahhhh! I have to make a fuss and take measures before knowing all details. :lol::lol:
The colors just arrived and I'll try out the bronze metallic I ordered on my bronze Day to see how it goes. Baggie definitely needs some touch ups.
 
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See, a rational thinking person would have waited until they actually received the bag and see the damage for themselves. But not me . Naaaaahhhh! I have to make a fuss and take measures before knowing all details. :lol::lol:
The colors just arrived and I'll try out the bronze metallic I ordered on my bronze Day to see how it goes. Baggie definitely needs some touch ups.
Be careful!!!

I have faith in you, but @haisley tried to fix her 04/5 Orange Metallic City and it didn't fully work out...

 
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See, a rational thinking person would have waited until they actually received the bag and see the damage for themselves. But not me . Naaaaahhhh! I have to make a fuss and take measures before knowing all details. :lol::lol:
The colors just arrived and I'll try out the bronze metallic I ordered on my bronze Day to see how it goes. Baggie definitely needs some touch ups.

Be careful!!!

I have faith in you, but @haisley tried to fix her 04/5 Orange Metallic City and it didn't fully work out...


For what it’s worth, I’d just leave it be — and if it really bothers you, get it professionally taken care of by someone you trust.
 
Be careful!!!

I have faith in you, but @haisley tried to fix her 04/5 Orange Metallic City and it didn't fully work out...

Thanks! I read it like the happy accident with the rubbing alcohol didn't work on her MO City, though?
I saw in the photos that one of the tassels on my MO shows some wear too. I will try the acrylic stuff on there before even thinking of touching the bag.
 
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Hello all! Not sure if there's a thread for this, I was too lazy to comb through the whole sub. Sorry.
Vestiaire came back to me with their "inspection/authentication" result of my Metallic Orange First yesterday. Bag is not in new/unworn condition after all and shows some scratches in the leather (nothing horrible or too crazy, it's very minor and I'm just super picky as usual...). Bal metallics are gorgeous, but prone to the metallic finish rubbing off as we all know.
They gave me the choice to either accept or decline the bag. I thought for what I paid it was still a great deal, so I accepted
(and I had already ordered a strap before any of this...ack...!).
While hemming and hawing I started looking for leather dyes/paints to get rid of the scratches. I chose a couple colors from Angelus' acrylic leather paint (yellow, orange, metallic copper) to mix and use on the scratches only. I'm not going to dye the whole bag of course, only the booboos. Any thoughts on whether I chose the right brand or should I leave it be and JUST get over myself? LOL!!
Screenshots from VC's inspection.
 Front
View attachment 6212374

Back
View attachment 6212375
Hello all! Not sure if there's a thread for this, I was too lazy to comb through the whole sub. Sorry.
Vestiaire came back to me with their "inspection/authentication" result of my Metallic Orange First yesterday. Bag is not in new/unworn condition after all and shows some scratches in the leather (nothing horrible or too crazy, it's very minor and I'm just super picky as usual...). Bal metallics are gorgeous, but prone to the metallic finish rubbing off as we all know.
They gave me the choice to either accept or decline the bag. I thought for what I paid it was still a great deal, so I accepted
(and I had already ordered a strap before any of this...ack...!).
While hemming and hawing I started looking for leather dyes/paints to get rid of the scratches. I chose a couple colors from Angelus' acrylic leather paint (yellow, orange, metallic copper) to mix and use on the scratches only. I'm not going to dye the whole bag of course, only the booboos. Any thoughts on whether I chose the right brand or should I leave it be and JUST get over myself? LOL!!
Screenshots from VC's inspection.
 Front
View attachment 6212374

Back
View attachment 6212375
I've never done this before, so please be gentle and nice. Thank you! :flowers:
Ohhhh... I am really curious about how this works out because my 05 pink metallic has some spots that could use a little touch up that I have been too scared to even think about what I would use.
 
No experience with this particular brand of dye or metallic touch up in general. But have played around with color trying to avoid expensive professional rehab for tiny flaws.

One piece of advice about mixing any colors. Test spots can not be trusted until 100% dry. So need to record percentages just in case your mixture is actually perfect. :huh:
 
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