Louis Vuitton Speedy 35 – extremely dark handles . . .

[Questions!]

Hello, I purchased a preloved Speedy 35 and the handles are extremely dark.
I've tried to clean them with no success.
I'm wondering which of your kits would restore them.
The seller stated that she never treated the leather.
I've attached a couple of photos of what they looked like when I received it a week ago and now.
Look forward to your response.

#1



#2

[Roger Koh]

>>> I've tried to clean them with no success.

Could you describe what you have used to clean them with?

[Roger Koh]

Here is the general description of the kit you choose ... from this link:
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-v4-...g-removal-kit/


Leather Doctor® Kit V4 specialty problem solving kit include Vachetta-2.8 for browning removal and Degreaser-2.2 for body contact decontamination systems in a holistic approach. Kit V4 is a combination kit from Kit V3 and Kit V5.dr without duplicating of products for these common related problems.

Darkening appearance from body contact and browning from liquid stain are two main inevitable common problems associated with naked unfinished vachetta leathers. Leather being absorbent absorb and accumulates body moisture from contact and when neglected resulted in a darkening appearance. Besides appearance the sweat with traces of urea may cause the protein fiber from shifting ionic negative (-ve) manifesting as tackiness and reverting to rawhide.

Degreaser-2.2 solves the darkening effect by penetrating, lubricating and suspending the soiling particulates and simultaneously protonate the protein fiber ionic positive (+ve). The amphoteric protein fiber is further rinse and ionic positive (+ve) charge with Acidifier-2.0 to strengthen the ionic attraction between its other non-amphoteric ionic negative (-ve) leather constituents like the tanning agent and the fatliquor. This dual duty removes the unwanted soiling particulates and pH balance the pH chemistry integrity of the leather at the same time.

Browning of vachetta leathers is associated with alkaline over-exposure, vachetta being a lower pH value than most other tanned leathers averages pH 4 is more sensitive to alkaline cleaning or stains and even water at pH 7 will cause discoloration and browning.

Vachetta-2.8 with its low pH works by oxidation-reduction reaction to reduce the discoloration or browning effect to a more even appearance when the leather is left to dry naturally.

Leather rejuvenating is mandatory and comes next when appearance become satisfactorily. This is accomplished with Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 system. Hydrator-3.3 plays a significant role in absorbent leathers like vachetta where stains are usually penetrated. The hydrator’s surfactancy helps internal leather structure colloidal movement by moving suspended soiling particulates to the surface at each wicking process until exhausted and is often used as part of the rinsing process. Besides hydrator is used to check for surface tension and relax the leather fiber prior to ionic negative (-ve) charged Fatliquor-5.0 replenishing. Natural slow drying in between application until saturation produces a softer leather.

Protecting the leather with Protector-D impart a natural draggy-feel and reduces wear to the grain of the leather, conceal scuff with its healing properties that also allows transpiration to take place or breaths naturally. Note that the mentioned products suffix numbers denotes its pH value in this holistic approach to removing the common problems associated with vachetta, saddlery and veg-tan leathers.

[Roger Koh]

We will take this sequence of processes:


A) “Dry Process” - Surface Soiling Removal with Eraser-4
1. Use the sponge side of the Eraser-4 to ‘dry’ erase surface soiling. This is a non-abrasive sponge unlike the ‘magic eraser’ to remove surface soiling that is safe without eroding the fine surface grains.


B) “Wet Process” – Degreasing with Degreaser-2.2 + Horsehair Brush-1 + Eraser-4 + Terry Cotton Towel.
2. The Degreaser-2.2 is shake to gel, may be transfer to the Eraser-4 or Brush-1 and work on the leather.
3. Suspended soiling is extracted with a cotton terry towel until towel shows clean and repeat as soiling moves to the surface.


C) “Wet Process” – Acidifier-2.0
4. Acidifier-2.0 is used for rinsing off the Degreaser-2.2 and soiling residue until towel shows clean.


D) “Wet Process” - Hydrator-3.3
5. Below surface soiling will need the help of Hydrator-3.3 to saturate and flood out to move the soiling to the surface for towel extraction. This process need repeated after each towel extraction as the soiling keeps moving to the surface as long as there is sufficient solution.


E) “Wet Process” – Fatliquor-5.0
When the cleaning process with Hydrator-3.3 is satisfactorily and moisture content is towel extracted until the towel shows clean Fatliquor-5.0 is replenished. It is repeatedly replenished once the water content of the fatliquor evaporates leaving behind the fat and oil. It is recommended that it is fully fatliquored up to 14% of fat and oil when dry. This optimum fat and oil moisture level not only makes the leather supple and prevent from cracking, it also makes the leather less absorbent as the fibers are fully saturated with fat and oil, rather than body oil, grease and sweat. The leather is left to slow natural drying will produce a softer leather.

Note that the B), C), D) and E) are wet process, that is during the transition stages the total moisture level should be always around 25% or wet cotton towel extraction until the towel shows dry. Only allow to fully dry after the fatliquoring process.


F) “Dry Process” – Vachetta-2.8
Vachetta-2.8 is shake well, evenly spray and work to distribute out the application with either the foam brush or the towel T5. It is left to natural dry as the redox reduction-oxidation works to “bleach” out any sun tanning effect or browning discoloration.


G) “Dry Process” – Protector-D
Shake well Protector-D and spray and spread well with towel T5.

Any questions you may have?


Roger Koh
Leather Care System Formulator / Practitioner / Consultant / Instructor / Coach

[Kellae]

Thank you for responding, I am actively using the products as I'm typing this. I must say, I've seen a great improvement so far.

[Kellae]

Progress so far.