>>>Is this really something I can do myself?
If you have check out this forum, you will see how some DIY have done it smilingly.
I have personally done Chanel bags have can share with you my experience whatever the situation of the condition.
>>>What will happen to the lining if I saturate the leather with product?
I suggest you show a picture of the lining.
If they are the typical maroon color lining, this are the pigmented opaque finish as oppose to the transparent black aniline finish.
Before you saturate any leather, you should check the pH value of the products and only product ranges from 3 to 5 are safe to do so.
A leather-safe product can saturate the leather up to 72 hours to rejuvenate the leather for each hydrating and fatliquoring treatment to achieve the best result.
>>>The lining has some flaking
It is very common to see flaking in used Chanel bag and most of these are the pigment that peels from flexing can compression.
Some of these linking are leather as well and benefit from leather rejuvenating from Hydrator-3.3 and Fatliquor-5.0.
Leather dried of its fat and oil weakens and thus the finishes peel from the weakness of the leather rather than if the leather is strong it is due to adhesion.
To solve both cases, besides replenishing the fat and oil for structure softness and strength, an adhesion promoter Adhesor-73 is applied prior to the color matching maroon and seal with a matte or satin luster topcoat to match.
>>>I have seen some of their "restorations" and don't trust them to do that part
Which part, the outer surface?
Can you share your experience, so I know my recommendation would not be disappointing?
Roger Koh
[email protected]
Hi Roger,
Last question first...My concern is with Chanel doing the outside. The 3 bags I have seen that were "restored" by Chanel just looked like they had been conditioned a bit and then "painted" with something shiny? Did not perk up the quilting at all...it was still very concave. The leather felt rather grainy or sandy instead of the smooth finish you typically find on Chanel vintage bags. In other words, they "looked" better due to a more consistent finish but not really "healthier". I have recently found out that there are 2 or 3 places in the US that do repairs/restorations for Chanel and of the course the factory in Paris for certain repairs. I guess some do a better job than others but you never know where your bag is going to end up. Chanel will replace the lining rather than restore it.
I am attaching photos of some of the places where the flaking is occurring on the lining. I just have this feeling that the lining is NOT leather, although it is the traditional maroon. I understand that Chanel experimented with some synthetic materials over the years for the linings. Apparently they will replace the lining on many of the bags with these synthetic linings as they proved to be problematic. I have several other Chanel bags but none with the maroon lining so I can't compare but the lining in this bag feels too soft? I don't know how to describe it. It feels thicker than the linings in my other bags...almost "fluffy" or "spongy".
I was referring to your products when I said "saturate" the leather, which from my reading here...are the appropriate and safe Ph for leather... This is correct, yes?
Do you personally do restorations on Chanel bags?
Thanks again for your time...I really appreciate the help!!!!
Kindest regards,
DJ
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