Vintage Chanel - how do you tell if the leather has been retouched / redyed?

[pinkrose398]

hmm. Unless they've told you otherwise, I think Leather Surgeons would still work on your bag even if it's been repainted before. There's probably some stripping process anyway so I don't think they'd be too concerned about it unless it was a particularly fragile piece?

Here is a vintage beige double flap I had them work on 2 years ago. I wanted them to even out the color (get rid of the slight color transfer on the back), restructure the front so the flap is even.

Before:
View attachment 4753574

After (right when I got it back):View attachment 4753578

Before:
View attachment 4753573

After:
View attachment 4753575

Before:View attachment 4753577

After:

View attachment 4753579

Today (a few coats of Cadillac later - the last time I moisturized it was about a month ago, I should be more diligent about conditioning it but I think you can already see some of the gloss has come back, even though the wrinkling is also slightly more pronounced):

View attachment 4753585

Wow that is absolutely beautiful. You have a beautiful vintage collection. It looks so nice after being conditioned. I've added the stuff you've suggested to my cart and will check out soon. The Meltonian cream is available on Amazon.com too, for around $30. I might just get it shipped to Blaine and then keep it there until the border is open again. Thanks so much for all of your help!!

 

[ChanelCanuck]

Wow that is absolutely beautiful. You have a beautiful vintage collection. It looks so nice after being conditioned. I've added the stuff you've suggested to my cart and will check out soon. The Meltonian cream is available on Amazon.com too, for around $30. I might just get it shipped to Blaine and then keep it there until the border is open again. Thanks so much for all of your help!!

I am counting down the days for the border to open, solely to start shipping stuff to Blaine again! If you're gonna ship within the US, then maybe get one bottle of the green Cadillac and one bottle of the white/"premium" Cadillac and see if you can see a difference?

 

[LuxNewbie]

I'm gonna take some pics of the bag I had re-dyed at Leather Surgeons last year, it's also a vintage beige so might be more helpful for you! And I'll post pic of the bag I just got! (Doesn't look or feel re-dyed, I think the lack of shine is just from its age.)



LOL atta girl! And then it was you who told me you did multiple coats in one day, which is why I did Cadillac + Meltonian both last night! Gonna do another coat of each tonight! It's all about applying enough coats that the leather absorbs it without drying out, so keep doing those layers!

Yes! Thank you for the advice!

 

[pinkrose398]

I am counting down the days for the border to open, solely to start shipping stuff to Blaine again! If you're gonna ship within the US, then maybe get one bottle of the green Cadillac and one bottle of the white/"premium" Cadillac and see if you can see a difference?

Oh that's a great idea!

I have SO many packages in Blaine that need to be picked up. I've still been shopping in the US and getting it shipped there, I just haven't been able to pick up so they're just in limbo. Thankfully my package pickup place isn't charging for holds, and will hold it indefinitely until the border opens back up.

 

[kacie225]

If a leather conditioner like Cadillac lotion is applied to a black vintage lambskin bag and some of the black color is noticed on the cloth with only light rubbing, is that a sure way to tell if the bag has been redyed or painted? Or is this normal on a 25-30 year old bag?

Thanks for you help!

 

[fadeout]

If a leather conditioner like Cadillac lotion is applied to a black vintage lambskin bag and some of the black color is noticed on the cloth with only light rubbing, is that a sure way to tell if the bag has been redyed or painted? Or is this normal on a 25-30 year old bag?

Thanks for you help!

No, it's not a sure way to tell if a bag has been painted. I think the colour lifts on most vintage bags when applying and buffing out lotion. Often a bag will feel dry and rough if it has been repainted but the only way to really know is if the seller knows for sure. With vintage, it's difficult for obvious reasons.

 

[Mimi-2020]

If a leather conditioner like Cadillac lotion is applied to a black vintage lambskin bag and some of the black color is noticed on the cloth with only light rubbing, is that a sure way to tell if the bag has been redyed or painted? Or is this normal on a 25-30 year old bag?

Thanks for you help!

When my vintage Chanel bags first arrived, I wiped them with baby wipes to clean, their colors did come off some on my wipes.

The softer the leather, the more color will come off on my baby wipes. My bags are made in the mid to late 80’s.

One bag, didn’t transfer any color onto the baby wipes, was the one made with tougher skin, I believe it’s goat skin.

From the look of my bags, I really don’t think any of them have been redyed.

 

[kacie225]

Thanks for your reply. Have you ever noticed any color transfer to your clothes when wearing darker vintage bags?

 

[Mimi-2020]

Thank you! This was useful. I think the main difference is the gloss / sheen of the bag is significantly different now. What leather conditioner did you use? I bought this bag on ebay and it's on its way to me now: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/CHANEL-Dian...ag-2346243-Beige-Leather-AK41934/333610867617

It's looks pretty matte so there's a good chance it was redyed.



Thank you! That makes sense. I was reading that redyed bags have a lot more wrinkling, and it's likely because it's drier than the non-redyed bags. Do you have a recommendation for a good leather conditioner?

 

[phishfan]

Here’s my beige vintage flap which I got from What Goes Around Comes Around in NYC. I asked if this bag has been redyed and they said no, but I’m starting to think it has been redyed (main reason being the matte feeling).

Either way, I’ll try not to stress about this since what’s done is done. Might as well just enjoy this!

 

[Mimi-2020]

Here’s my beige vintage flap which I got from What Goes Around Comes Around in NYC. I asked if this bag has been redyed and they said no, but I’m starting to think it has been redyed (main reason being the matte feeling).

Either way, I’ll try not to stress about this since what’s done is done. Might as well just enjoy this!View attachment 4840791View attachment 4840792View attachment 4840793

I don’t think this bag has been redyed because the thread/stitches are still clean, and stitch holes are not covered with dye residue.
Also, the fine grains on the leather can still be seen.

This bag still has a sheen on it too. Very pretty.

I usually use French made mink oil base Saphir Renovateur cream on all my vintage Chanel bags.
Apply, let dry and puffer. It has given my bags a layer of protection and long lasting shine. Hope this help.

 

[Jaded81]

That's a gorgeous Diana! Good price too. I just got a Diana-esque (same era, slightly different design) yesterday in beige. I spent last night conditioning it with one layer of Cadillac, and one layer of Meltonian cream. I see you're in Vancouver too! This is what I ordered:

Amazon.ca

And it looks like Meltonian has been discontinued (I had to buy this on eBay a couple of years ago) -

FYI, Cadillac also has a premium line - I didn't know this because Amazon.ca doesn't show it, but some people on TPF use this instead:

https://www.amazon.com/Cadillac-Leather-Conditioner-Handbags-Furniture/dp/B012O1XJNC (it doesn't deliver to Canada )

did you use the colored meltonian?

 

[ChanelCanuck]

did you use the colored meltonian?

Nope, just the no-color cream!

 

[Jaded81]

Nope, just the no-color cream!

sorry do you mind posting which one - delicate or neutral?

 

[ChanelCanuck]

sorry do you mind posting which one - delicate or neutral?

I use #170 Delicate - https://www.ebay.com/itm/DELICATE-C...975240?hash=item21825bcd88:g:8zoAAOSwmFJf472A

Meltonian's been discontinued (I got my jar 3 years ago) but don't pay that price for it!