Will the metal bag hardware oxidize if the film is not removed?

The Significance of Caring for Bags and Passing Them On

Some people say, “Those who handle their bags with care are thinking about reselling them at a higher price in the future.” Buying bags is like leveling up in a game. When we reach a higher level, we naturally become disenchanted with some of our previous bags. Shouldn’t we sell them and save the money for our daughters? How can we give our daughters bags that we ourselves dislike? Metal bag hardware oxidize if the film is not removed

Many seasoned Hermès enthusiasts, after getting into crocodile leather, sell off their regular leather bags. A regular leather bag priced at 150,000 yuan can have a 50,000 yuan difference in resale value depending on its condition. To be honest, those who can afford crocodile leather know the hardships of making money better than us working stiffs.

Moreover, different leathers are not comparable. For example, Ms. A has only ever bought a Chanel bag made of alligator leather, and she looks down on Ms. B for carefully maintaining her Chanel lambskin bag. There’s no need for that. When someone owns both durable leather and delicate leather, it’s natural to cherish the delicate leather more.

If a little effort can keep the bag in beautiful condition, why not do it?

We often joke about leaving the bag to our daughters, but isn’t passing it on to a stranger who truly loves it also a beautiful form of inheritance? After all, I’m not sure if my daughter will even like Chanel—right now, she’s most into dinosaurs. (Moms of boys, I bet you’d rather sell it for cash than leave it to your daughter-in-law.)

Upcoming Topics and Today’s Focus

Future articles will discuss how to choose the right dust bag and how to keep the bag’s shape intact.

Today, let’s talk about metal oxidation and scratches.

Hermès Metal Protective Film: Rumors, Facts, Practices, and Truth

There are many opinions about Hermès metal protective film.

Rumor

You should immediately remove the film after purchasing the bag, otherwise the metal will oxidize easily. Some sales associates even remove the film immediately after the customer pays.

Fact

Some sales associates say there’s no need to remove it; you can wait until the film curls up before removing it. (Apparently, some stores proactively remove the film to prevent resale; there’s a significant price difference between Hermès second-hand bags with and without the film intact.)

Practice

After owning the bag for a year, some people remove the film and find the hardware intact, while others find severe oxidation marks.

Truth

Oxidation is a normal phenomenon, and the factors determining the speed and extent of oxidation are “air humidity.” In the dry climate of northern regions, oxidation occurs less frequently; during the rainy season in southern regions, the probability of oxidation is much higher. The manufacturer makes the hardware from an alloy, typically copper, iron, or steel, and coats it with a silver or gold-plated outer layer. The thickness of the plating layer is measured in micrometers (μm), where 1 micrometer = 0.001 millimeters.

Imagine how thin the plating layer is—a sharp object can scratch it, and the plating layer at the scratch site may disappear. Hand sweat can also corrode the plating layer. As the plating layer becomes thinner, the underlying alloy material comes into direct contact with air, causing oxidation.

If the plating is 24k pure gold, oxidation can be prevented, such as in vintage Chanel. For example, some high-end bags have hardware with a plating layer reportedly made of 18k gold. 18k gold is an alloy with a gold content of at least 75%, with the remaining 25% consisting of other precious metals such as platinum, nickel, silver, and palladium.

Therefore, even if the item is brand new and unused, it may oxidize in a humid environment. Does the adhesive in the film corrode the metal? It is not adhesive; everyone is familiar with phone screen protectors, which can be removed without leaving any residue. The adhesion principle of the metal film is similar to that of phone screen protectors. I don’t understand the specific technical terms, but in any case, it is non-corrosive. Some brands add an extra layer of “antioxidant” to the metal hardware, but this layer will also disappear, lasting approximately six months to a year, and is not permanently effective.

The film is unfairly blamed. If the film adheres well, it actually protects the plating layer. As shown in the figure below, the areas not covered by the film have oxidized.

Some people find that the oxidized areas are more severe where the film was removed. This is because the film shifts slightly due to friction during use, creating air bubbles that trap moisture inside.

Preventing Metal Oxidation and Handling Wet Bags

The solution is simple: buy a silver polishing cloth for 5 yuan, or a higher-quality one from MUJI for 20 yuan. For those living in the south, we can’t change the climate, but we can improve the environment at home. If possible, use a dehumidifier; if not, at least find a relatively dry spot in the house to store the bag. The rainy season is almost here…

Additionally, it is crucial to handle the bag properly after it gets wet. After the bag gets wet, immediately wipe off the moisture and remember to wipe the hardware when cleaning the bag body.

Addressing Scratches on Bag Hardware

Now, regarding scratches. In a discussion thread about hardware film, someone said, “There’s no need for hardware film. The bag is old, so it’s not surprising that the hardware is still new, right?”

Here’s a counterexample: the Dior Lady Dior bag, with its letters strung together. After carrying it a few times, many people notice severe scratches on the hardware, but the bag itself remains flawless. If I were to buy this model, I’d apply a protective film without hesitation. Another classic example is the Gucci Padlock series. This model features durable leather, but the metal buckle endures most of the wear and tear.


So you have to press it several times to get it right. This model features durable leather, but the metal buckle endures most of the wear and tear.

There are many other bags with similar issues, such as the LV Locky BB and Hermes Constance. The oversized buckles make a strong statement, but the cost is new scratches every day.

Practical Tips for Using Hardware Films

Nowadays, e-commerce platforms sell pre-cut hardware films for popular bag models. If you can’t apply it yourself, have your boyfriend do it—they have experience applying phone screen protectors.

Hermès’ original film has a slight white tint and isn’t very transparent. I applied a fully transparent film I bought from Taobao, and unless you look closely, it’s not very noticeable. ▽If the original film on the bag is highly transparent and doesn’t obstruct the view, don’t remove it immediately. Use it for a while, and only remove it once the edges start to curl. It’ll still look brand new when you peel it off.

Responding to Criticisms About Using Hardware Films

When someone questions, “You bought a new bag but can’t bear to remove the film,” “Are you a reseller?” or “You dare to buy but not use it?” I retort: You spend thousands of dollars on a phone screen protector, so why shouldn’t I use one on my bag that costs tens of thousands?