Saphir Products - Shoe Cleaning Noob

If you only feel like skimming, please scroll down to my questions. Okay okay.. I know this thread has probably been done twenty times this year, but I did some research and wanted to make sure I'm on the right track before I plunked down a chunk of change. These will be my first shoe care products. After reading through Rider's post (multiple times) on how to take care of shoes I've decided to purchase an assortment of creams / waxes in addition to shoe brushes & conditioners. Below is a link to this original post. If any of you newer member's are lost concerning the proper shoe cleaning process, I highly recommend you read his post. Thanks for that Rider. http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...ight=Shoe+care Now on to my question.. Here is what I'm considering purchasing from Saphir Creams Black Mahogany Light Brown Brown Waxes Black Mahogany Light Brown Brown Brushes Three - one for brown, one for black and one for mahogany Cleaners / Conditions Can't seem to find one on here! Link to the website http://www.francos.com/items/index.a...1&venID=119042 Questions 1) Do you think I should include neutral wax / cream? What is the benefit of using neutral? 2) Is mahogany a good choice for shoes that are reddish brown? 3) Does Saphir sell cleaners / conditioners for "normal" dress shoes? All I could find on Franco's website are ones for Reptile / Cordovan. If they don't, is there another brand you would recommend? 4) Do I need a different brush for mahogany / brown? 5) Does Franco offer a Styleforum discount? 6) Am I making a good choice by selection this brand? 7) Do they sell anything to fix water damage on shoes? This question might be most important. To anyone who takes the time to respond, thank you very much.

1) Yes. Some times you just need to polish them, without worrying too much about the colour. And anyway, a coloured polish alters the colour of the shoe. Using alternatively neutral and the appropriate colour, you can dampen that effect.

2)Depends on the shade. On a pair of dark brown I've been using bordeaux, and it just adds a little reddish sheen. On a pair of middle brown I've been using mahogany, and it has changed the hue.

3)Saphir Renovateur:
http://www.francos.com/items/item.asp?sku5=11629
Just a little does wonders for your shoes.

Also try to find Saphir Renomat. Use it when the shoes get dirty, when polish starts accumulating, and anytime you need to drastically clean them.

7)Depends on what happened. For waterproofing shoes, Saphir Medaille D'Or Super Invulner is great.

I've been using AE shoe care products,is Saphir any better?

I have used AE caranuba waxes. They give a very good shine too. But Saphir creams are definitely better.

Originally Posted by Modernist

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1) Yes. Some times you just need to polish them, without worrying too much about the colour. And anyway, a coloured polish alters the colour of the shoe. Using alternatively neutral and the appropriate colour, you can dampen that effect.

2)Depends on the shade. On a pair of dark brown I've been using bordeaux, and it just adds a little reddish sheen. On a pair of middle brown I've been using mahogany, and it has changed the hue.

3)Saphir Renovateur:
http://www.francos.com/items/item.asp?sku5=11629
Just a little does wonders for your shoes.

Also try to find Saphir Renomat. Use it when the shoes get dirty, when polish starts accumulating, and anytime you need to drastically clean them.

7)Depends on what happened. For waterproofing shoes, Saphir Medaille D'Or Super Invulner is great.

Modernist: You answered all the big ones. Thanks a ton, I really appreciate it.

So I think my revised list will replace light brown with neutral and mahogany with bordeaux (I will likely come back and pick up both of the dropped colors when I need them later).

The water damage isn't that bad. I just keep getting drinks spilled on or around my shoes at bars. I will definitely look for the product you mentioned. Any idea where I might be able to find it?

Originally Posted by KaiserSose

Click to expand...

Modernist: You answered all the big ones. Thanks a ton, I really appreciate it.

So I think my revised list will replace light brown with neutral and mahogany with bordeaux (I will likely come back and pick up both of the dropped colors when I need them later).

The water damage isn't that bad. I just keep getting drinks spilled on or around my shoes at bars. I will definitely look for the product you mentioned. Any idea where I might be able to find it?

Try Crema Nubiana (or Alpina, as it is rebranded for Bata), excellent product. I also use Neutral (02) for taking out accumulated wax and cream.
About the OP question - you can be more creative in the choice of colors for your shoes - dark brown (even medium brown) can get more hues from black and blue or red cream (with parsimony) or wax, they will get a richer patina. If your french is good, there is a Forum dedicated to shoes - Depiedencap.eu - or give a PM to vitix, he is a member also on this forum, he is very knowledgeable!

Originally Posted by KaiserSose

Click to expand...

If you only feel like skimming, please scroll down to my questions.

Okay okay.. I know this thread has probably been done twenty times this year, but I did some research and wanted to make sure I'm on the right track before I plunked down a chunk of change. These will be my first shoe care products. After reading through Rider's post (multiple times) on how to take care of shoes I've decided to purchase an assortment of creams / waxes in addition to shoe brushes & conditioners. Below is a link to this original post. If any of you newer member's are lost concerning the proper shoe cleaning process, I highly recommend you read his post. Thanks for that Rider.

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...ight=Shoe+care

Now on to my question.. Here is what I'm considering purchasing from Saphir

Creams

Black
Mahogany
Light Brown
Brown

Waxes

Black
Mahogany
Light Brown
Brown


Brushes

Three - one for brown, one for black and one for mahogany


Cleaners / Conditions
Can't seem to find one on here!

Link to the website

http://www.francos.com/items/index.a...1&venID=119042

Questions

1) Do you think I should include neutral wax / cream? What is the benefit of using neutral?
2) Is mahogany a good choice for shoes that are reddish brown?
3) Does Saphir sell cleaners / conditioners for "normal" dress shoes? All I could find on Franco's website are ones for Reptile / Cordovan. If they don't, is there another brand you would recommend?
4) Do I need a different brush for mahogany / brown?
5) Does Franco offer a Styleforum discount?
6) Am I making a good choice by selection this brand?
7) Do they sell anything to fix water damage on shoes? This question might be most important.

To anyone who takes the time to respond, thank you very much.

Thanks for the PM. Ok,

1) Yes, neutral is good to have on hand, and good to use between coats of colored polish.
2) Yes, as well as Bordo
3) Yes...Renoveteur and Crema Nubiana are both very good - Reno a little harsher for cleaning and CN more 'milky' for conditioning
4) No
5) No, sorry....freight charges kill me on the price anyway - and why I can't wholesale it...no profit.
6) I think so
7) water damaged? You mean spotted? Blend them in with darker creams is probably the best answer for that one.
Thanks!

Ron

Thanks guys. I placed a large order through Franco's this morning for everything. The only thing I still need (and can't seem to find anywhere) is Saphir Medaille D'Or Super Invulner. Anyone know where I can find this at a reasonable price?

Are these two products conditioners or just simply creams? http://www.valmour.com/cleaning-prod...ream-saphir,41 http://www.valmour.com/cleaning-prod...edaille-dor,46 I'm close to spending an awful lot on Saphir products but just want to get it right first time.

Placed an order from Ron and it will arrive on the 26th. I thank SF for referring Saphir products!

We should encourage Ron to put together a group buy. Yesterday I ordered a bottle of Nubina from Franco's.

I really wish I could just buy a kit.

Originally Posted by jimmyoneill

Click to expand...

Are these two products conditioners or just simply creams?

http://www.valmour.com/cleaning-prod...ream-saphir,41

http://www.valmour.com/cleaning-prod...edaille-dor,46


I'm close to spending an awful lot on Saphir products but just want to get it right first time.

Just cream. The Renovatrr (spelling?) is the conditioner.

http://www.valmour.com/cleaning-prod...edaille-dor,47

Originally Posted by Modernist

Click to expand...

Just cream. The Renovatrr (spelling?) is the conditioner.

http://www.valmour.com/cleaning-prod...edaille-dor,47

Thanks

Originally Posted by Modernist

Click to expand...

Just cream. The Renovatrr (spelling?) is the conditioner.

http://www.valmour.com/cleaning-prod...edaille-dor,47

Not sure if you're aware, if your order with Valmour totals more than €75 you get free postage (instead of €15). I bought a large supply!