The LV Rescue Club
- Thread starter mmcgurgan
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Thank you for the advice and words of caution. I do plan to buy older bags, but definitely don't plan to take them to LV or anyone else for repair. I love quality craftsmanship and brining things back to life. It's just something I have always enjoyed and have done across various formats for decades. Bags are new new to me, but I have plenty of experience with leather and am not scared to try new techniques.
I have found a couple of rough looking items that I hope to acquire and begin the restoration process. It really is satisfying to take an item that was near death and making it beautiful and usable again. In my mind patina adds character and quality craftsmanship should be repaired and not replaced. I'm probably just weird like me that though.
totally understand, not weird at all, men always love to restore things, create things, such as buy homes, buy cars to renovate even if cost of renovation would exceed the value of the product, if I'm a man I probably would love doing that too, hope you find the items you love
I definitely think you are on to something!totally understand, not weird at all, men always love to restore things, create things, such as buy homes, buy cars to renovate even if cost of renovation would exceed the value of the product, if I'm a man I probably would love doing that too, hope you find the items you love
As I get older, I frequently choose to restore rather than buy new, regardless of the financial aspect of the decision. Partially because I enjoy the process and also because true craftsmanship is in short supply these days. I feel like my grandfather saying it, but for many things, they truly just don't make them like they used to!
So here is my first recovery of a damaged LV. My niece had a bottle of water spill in her bag. It has been sitting in this condition for a couple of years and she thought it was forever ruined. After a few hours of work it is back to life again. There are zero indications that it previously had water damage. I also polished her eyelets, which shined up nicely. Just a minor "rescue" but my niece is thrilled she can carry this bag again.
Apparently I can't figure out how to post pics. If anyone can give me a pointer I will try to get these loaded. I am selecting the "Attach files" button and selecting the pictures.
Instead of clicking the "Attach files" button below the box you type in, click on the smaller box above that looks like a tiny photo of mountains. Hopefully this screenshot will help. Can't wait to see your rescue!
No problem! What a great rescue! What product(s) did you use to lighten the Vachetta leather like that if you don't mind my asking?
I used Fiebing's saddle soap in the white can for the main cleaning. The white Fiebling's is a really gentle saddle soap that wont change the color or leave residue. I put it on heavily with a wet rag and then scrubbed with a soft bristle toothbrush. Saddle soap will dry the leather so you will need to condition after you clean the leather. I let it dry overnight after cleaning and then condition the next day. I do one coat of condition, let it sit 45 minutes, then do a second coat. If you need to condition more you should wait 24 hours between conditioning coats.
& what kind of conditioner do you recommend/use? It left the leather looking great!
I used Cadillac Boot and Shoe Lotion (I also like Saphiir and Venetian)). In my opinion, there is no need to pay double for the Cadillac Handbag conditioner. The boot and shoe cream works great and costs half as much as the handbag conditioner.
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