I bought a yellow LV Epi Noe bag on ebay (from 1994) and it looks tired as in the attached pics. There is some cracking and fading particularly at the top edge and the bottom corners. The drawstring is cracked and it looks like it has faded in general. What can I do to restore this bag? Thanks.Attachment 1605Attachment 1606Attachment 1607
This leather finishes is identified as Two-tone with Yellow as the primary color and Orangey-brown as the secondary color. Thus we use this Pigmented Two-Tone Leather Problem Solving Guide as reference especially to its finishes.
Attachment 1635
Pigmented (P.t) Two-Tone Finishes Leather Problem Solving Guide.
>>>There is some cracking and fading particularly at the top edge and the bottom corners. The drawstring is cracked and it looks like it has faded in general. What can I do to restore this bag?
Cracking:
Cracking of leather is due to diminishing of fatliquor (fat, oil and water) in those areas, typically needle holes or draw string that have the finishes wear out and the raw leather exposed to alkaline solution or even water when it gets wet and dry again stiffen the leather and when flexes cracks.
Solution to these problems is to hydrated with Hydrator-3.3 follows with Fatliquor-5.0 to soften it up prior to color refinishing. Prior to leather rejuvenating, it is recommended to degrease with Degreaser-2.2 follows with Acidifier-2.0 to those raw areas.
Nicks:
Nicks is similar to cracking when comes to refinishing.
Fading:
Fading is this case is actually the rub-off of the secondary coloring. Preventive maintenance includes the regular protecting it from friction rubs with Protector-B+ to impart a buttery feel.
Abrasion:
Abrasion down to the raw leather has eroded away the primary color, secondary color and the topcoat as well. Here again Protector-B+ will reduce such abrasion with regular protection.
To restore this leather may take this sequence of processes.
1. Degreaser-2.2 > Acidifier-2.0 to the raw areas and Rinse-3.0 for the general areas.
Degreasing process is to prepare the leather from foreign contamination that may impair finishes adhesion.
2. Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0
This rejuvenating system soften and strength the leather from getting stiff and cracking.
3. Leather Bond-3D > Bond-7A
This is an optional repair if any.
4. Adhesor-73
This is a sealer and adhesion promoter for both primary and secondary color.
5. Micro-54
This is the yellow as the primary color for the abraded areas.
6. 2-Tone-37
This is a hybrid secondary color system that produces a translucent appearance with some depth – colors need to mix to match.
7. MicroTop-54S
Satin topcoat seals the colors for better cleanability and wear.
8. Protector-B+
This protector helps prolong the wear of the leather finishes.
Note that the lining is also needed to be taken care - especially to sterilize them besides all the common stains associated with a bag lining.
Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
Thanks Roger.