If you look at some of the other stickies in the care and maintenance sub forum there's a ton of info on caring for your Bal bag. (I had a Bal SA tell me to use Lubriderm on my bag and then was told through PF that it's not a good idea as it can harm the leather...so the experts aren't always expert when it comes to care and maintenance!). There are quite a few products recommended if you care to read through the "protecting your Balenciaga" and "moisturizing your Balenciaga" threads.
Rejuventating, Repairing or Restoring Your Balenciaga
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If you look at some of the other stickies in the care and maintenance sub forum there's a ton of info on caring for your Bal bag. (I had a Bal SA tell me to use Lubriderm on my bag and then was told through PF that it's not a good idea as it can harm the leather...so the experts aren't always expert when it comes to care and maintenance!). There are quite a few products recommended if you care to read through the "protecting your Balenciaga" and "moisturizing your Balenciaga" threads.
Ok thanks, will do. It was the leather store Balenciaga recommended I go to in order to get the extra holes punched. He told me about the sponge and he also said if I do need to moisturize the bag, to just get anything cheap off of amazon because it's all the same stuff. But I knew everyone here has certain products they like which made me question his advice.
Leather Honey comes up quite a bit although some feel it makes their leather feel oily and heavy. Collonil gel is another that I see mentioned frequently, I plan on trying it on one of my bags soon. Apple products are also mentioned a lot. I've used Sapphir Delicate cream on mine but I felt I needed to air it for a few days as the product left a scent behind. It did dissipate and there was no colour change with the product but I'm going to try the Collonil as the bag needs something a bit more moisturizing, it's still feeling a bit dry.
just thought this tidbit might be helpful to some. i bought a pre-loved city bag in need of tlc, and i was told by leather surgeons that the handles on the balenciaga bags are rarely fixable and cannot be replaced (at least by them). they were unwilling to work on the bag b/c they felt any restoration of the handles won't come out well at all and would compromise their quality service. they are a top-notch company and i've sent them many other designer bags, so i was sad to hear there isn't much they can do to save a bal bag. there were a few other issues too - like tarnished hardware, but they weren't receptive to any (major) bal repairs. my recent experience only.
Lovin My Bags' leatherologist is an expert in Balenciaga, especially handles and corners.. If the handles are stained beyond their ability, they can dye them. Unlike the body of the bag, the dye on the handles doesn't seem to change the "feel," of the handle leather, and in fact, seems to make the handles impervious to further darkening.
You should see lots of before and after postings in this sub-forum. Good luck, whatever you decide.
thank you. i did see their company mentioned and will look into it. i wanted some hardware replaced though.. do you know if they do that as well?
I'm sorry, I don't know. It may depend on what hardware. Some of the hardware would be difficult to obtain.
There are a couple of products I've found online but haven't tried...one is a stain remover that claims to remove the natural oils from hands and skin that darken and stain leather. The other is a Collonil product that days it can remove oil and fat-based stains. Actually the website has quite a selection of cleaning and conditioning products for leather.
http://www.valentinogaremi.com/stain-remover-hussard-avel-p-353.html
http://www.valentinogaremi.com/reiniger-stain-remover-and-cleaner-collonil-p-357.html
Thanks! These are products I haven't tried. I found the spray on Amazon and I'll let you know if I try it and it helps on handles.
The problem with the handles may well be that they are darkening, not from soil from the outside, but the glue used inside. It's been suggested that Balenciaga, especially for the older bags, used a glue inside the handles, whose chemical construction leeches out from the inside, causing the darkening. Notice that many of the dark handles are dark from end to end. None of us dirty handed folks hold our handles down by the rivets.
Thanks! These are products I haven't tried. I found the spray on Amazon and I'll let you know if I try it and it helps on handles.
The problem with the handles may well be that they are darkening, not from soil from the outside, but the glue used inside. It's been suggested that Balenciaga, especially for the older bags, used a glue inside the handles, whose chemical construction leeches out from the inside, causing the darkening. Notice that many of the dark handles are dark from end to end. None of us dirty handed folks hold our handles down by the rivets.
That makes sense, I had noticed the some of the handles were dark from end to end but didn't really give it much thought. I was looking through some of the other products and found another one that might work... Please do let me know if you try your product and if so how it works out!
http://www.valentinogaremi.com/stain-remover-liquid-avel-p-426.html
I'm looking into buying a lighter colored pink bal so I can restore her to a wonderful dark navy as I've seen many do such awesome things with it! I've dyed a leather jacket before so I assume it is the same process with a bag? I've been looking at quite a few threads and even though it is hard work- it seems very fun (I enjoy this long type of process).
So I'm looking into buying this purple bal but I feel like the handles are going to be pretty dark.. Anything you guys can suggest that would help with that?
Hi i got this preloved Black GGH City and i think she need some fixing if i decided to keep it. I have Resolvent and Black Edge Kote. I can do the fixing on the cracked sealant on handles and how about the cracked corners?
Overall the leather is a bit dry but i can do with some Apple Care i guess. Anyone can help? Thanks.
Overall the leather is a bit dry but i can do with some Apple Care i guess. Anyone can help? Thanks.
Hi i got this preloved Black GGH City and i think she need some fixing if i decided to keep it. I have Resolvent and Black Edge Kote. I can do the fixing on the cracked sealant on handles and how about the cracked corners?
Overall the leather is a bit dry but i can do with some Apple Care i guess. Anyone can help? Thanks.
There's leather filler you can buy. I know you can buy it from the Furniture Clinic, get the lightweight. You fill it in, let dry then I would condition with the rest of the bag. There's a Bal thread somewhere and the girl had a badly used beige Bal she made new again. Dyed it black, filled the holes in the corners and handles, and re-roped the handles. Amazing renewal, you can do it!