HT Clean dirty BBag handles and dying metallic leather

Hello and happy holidays!
I have a dirty metallic silver Balenciaga bag and need to clean the handles. Attached is a photo. I saw the response to the LV bag owner regarding how to degrease and lighten-up the handles and am wondering if those instructions and recommendations would work for this Bbag. Also, could the metallic silver be restored on the handles?

If cleaning this metallic bag wouldn't fix the handle problem, I would consider dying it either dark grey or black. Can a metallic leather bag such as this be dyed?

Any information and recommendations you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,
Patricia

Degreasing:
To degrease the handles; you will need Degreaser-2.2 follows with Rinse-3.0 – that will remove the penetrated grease.

Rejuvenating:
Next is to rejuvenate the leather structure – see the cracks – it’s too dry – loses its suppleness – so when flex causes the cracks; you will need Hydrator-3.3 follows with Fatliquor-5.0

Repairs:
To repair the cracks you will need Impregnator-26 – to build back the smooth skin surface.

Refinishing:
To refinish it you will need Adhesor-73 as the adhesion promoter follows by the Metallic-98 (Silver M19) then topcoat protection with Topcoat Micro-72G.

Rub Resistant Protection:
Use the Leather Scent-B – a non-stick buttery feel with the classic leather scent to give you the rub-resistant protection for the longer wearing of the metallic finish.


The products you may need are as follows:

To do the Degreasing and Rejuvenating use this Leather Doctor® Aniline Leather Care Kit-A.c

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...AnilineKit.jpg
Leather Doctor® Aniline Leather Care Kit-A.c
Contents:
Degreaser-2.2 – 60ml
Prep-4.4 – 60ml
Cleaner-3.8 – 250ml
Rinse-3.0 – 250ml
Hydrator-3.3 – 250ml
Fatliquor-5.0 – 250ml
Leather Scent-B – 120ml
Leather (horsehair) Brush-1 – 1pc
3” Poly-Brush® - 1pc
Washable Rags – 5pcs


To repair and strengthen the leather structure to smoothen it use Impregnator-26 as shown in this picture.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../Repairer5.jpg
Leather Repairer (5)

Leather Doctor® Impregnator-26
It’s a Leather Surface Repairer for Pigmented and Aniline leather types.
This is a protein compact resin blend compound impregnator.
It’s for impregnating worn leather grains and micro cracks.
It’s to seal, strengthen and leveling out uneven absorption for further coating process.
It fills and tightens with good leveling properties that is film forming for improve abrasion resistance.
This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 0.5.
Thus a quart makes 1.5 quarts of Ready-To-Use product to save on shipping.
Ready-To-Use packing sizes are available in 60ml, 120ml, and 250ml and in Quart.
Concentrate packing sizes are available in quart (1.5 quarts).
Email [email protected] for prices.
Note:
For color skin repairs add colors accordingly up to ratio 1: 1.
Instruction:
1] Shake well, pad to saturate all weak and absorbent areas.
2] Concentrate on weak areas otherwise wipe off unnecessary excess to reduce buildup.

To have a strong foundation for the Metallic finish use this Adhesor-73

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...xiliary3-1.jpg
Leather Dyeing & Coloring Auxiliary (3)

Leather Doctor® Adhesor-73
It’s an auxiliary for Pigmented and Aniline leathers refinishing.
This is an aqueous compact resin adhesion promoter to ensure proper adhesion prior to color coating.
It’s also used after WaxEffect8.6 prior to top coating.
This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 1.
Thus a quart makes 2 quarts of Ready-To-Use product to save on shipping.
Ready-To-Use packing sizes are available in 60ml, 250ml and in Quart.
Concentrate packing sizes are available in quart (2 quarts).
Email [email protected] for prices.
Note:
Strip clean of foreign contamination prior to application – use Prep-7.7 > Cleaner-3.8 > Rinse-3.0.
Instruction:
1] Shake well, hand padding preferred to ensure better anchorage for non-absorbent leathers.
2] Fine airbrushing for absorbent leathers to reduce patchiness.
3] Let dry naturally or speed dry with blow dryer.
3] Proceed with choice of further coating.

This is the Metallic color effect in Silver-M19
Leather Doctor® Metallic-98
It’s for fashion leather color effect.
This is an aqueous metallic secondary color effect.
Standard colors available in Silver-M19, Gold-M20, Bronze-M21 & Copper-M22.
This product is available in 60ml, 250ml and quart.
Email [email protected] for prices.
Instruction:
1] Airbrush and let dry between coats until desired result.
2] Use gloss topcoat to match primary leather color types.

CENTER]http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...-Pigment12.jpg
Semi-Aniline Leather Coloring System (12)

Leather Doctor® Topcoat Micro-72G
It’s a gloss finish for Micro-Pigmented, Semi-Aniline leathers.
This micro-pigment topcoat is an aqueous soft polyurethane leather topcoat.
It is lightfast and non-yellowing.
It has excellent flow and leveling properties.
Recoatable and forms a flexible film coat.
It gives good performing results when used for fine semi-aniline effects.
This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 1.
Thus a quart makes 2 quarts of Ready-To-Use product to save on shipping.
Ready-To-Use packing sizes are available in 60ml, 250ml and in quart.
Concentrate packing sizes are available in quart (2 quarts).
Email [email protected] for prices.
Instruction:
1] Apply after color coat otherwise prep clean - use Prep-7.7 follows with Cleaner-3.8 then Rinse-3.0.
2] Satin finish - mix Matte with Gloss.
3] Fine spray evenly a panel at a time for even coverage avoiding drips and spits.
4] Buttery-feel, non-stick rub-resistant protection with a classic leather scent - use leather Scent-B.

Let me know of your interest to continue, I shall walk you through!

Roger Koh
[email protected]

Hello Roger,

Thank you for your prompt reply to the forum post.

Wow! So you don't think the handles are hopeless? Sounds good.

Also, would the application of these products still allow me to dye this bag black if I decide to do so in the future?


Yes!
You can change to black in the future.

By the way is the present finish absorbent (test with water drops, and see if it penetrates)?


Roger Koh
[email protected]