**The Official Shoe Care Thread: Tutorials, Photos, etc.**

[clee1982]

And that's how you made mediocre shoes look pretty, you probably fetch 20 more dollars in those 15 minutes

 

[clee1982]



A nontrivial component that has been overlooked, or simply not mentioned, are the ecological benefits of quality shoes and taking care of them; less waste, less production byproducts, et al. From a business perspective, "Green" carries increasing cache to manufacturers and retailers as a corporate social responsibility marketing ploy that they are willing to invest in. Manufacturing in America is certainly more established in their green-practices than countries with cheap production. Couple that with all the benefits of centralized resources (quicker to-market, more harmonious collaboration across work-channels, combatting increasing wages offshore, ever-increasing transportation/oil prices and duties/taxes), a domestic labor-force willing to ignore basically +20-years of stagnate wages for steady employment, and rising consciousness of "made in usa", and there is a lot to be said for keeping production in America. 60 minutes and the Atlantic have ran stories about it, too, among others.

Nice shoes are just as wasteful, throwing out bunch materials because you want the best is not exactly green. Also are you telling me the magic bullet to saving US economy is to import back low skill factory jobs (i.e. large manual labor)? I highly doubt so, some add higher value, most don't if they were moved back to the US. No one is doubting manufacturing jobs are coming back to the US, but only to the extent you can automate it, that's at least the reality you see on the ground. We have seen return on capital much greater than return on labor for a while now, thanks (or not thanks) to advancement in technology...

Machine/computers will keep taking away more repetitive jobs, both at developed and developing world, it's just quicker in developed world, and the really low skills goes oversea. Factory jobs have never been the dream jobs, only because the recent recession has American start romanticizing about it.

 

[Petepan]

Nice shoes are just as wasteful, throwing out bunch materials because you want the best is not exactly green. Also are you telling me the magic bullet to saving US economy is to import back low skill factory jobs (i.e. large manual labor)? I highly doubt so, some add higher value, most don't if they were moved back to the US. No one is doubting manufacturing jobs are coming back to the US, but only to the extent you can automate it, that's at least the reality you see on the ground. We have seen return on capital much greater than return on labor for a while now, thanks (or not thanks) to advancement in technology...

Machine/computers will keep taking away more repetitive jobs, both at developed and developing world, it's just quicker in developed world, and the really low skills goes oversea. Factory jobs have never been the dream jobs, only because the recent recession has American start romanticizing about it.

Very nicely put.

How about people owning over 100 pairs of shoes? The epitome of waste. Either that or they are centipedes in disguise.

 

[chogall]

Or they just like to collect shoes. Nothing wrong with that as long as they don't rationalize as cost savings.

I know when I put down several K for a pair of bespoke shoes I am buying an artisan experience, not to save money or conservation.

 

[clee1982]



Very nicely put. 

How about people owning over 100 pairs of shoes?  The epitome of waste. Either that or they are centipedes in disguise.

I am not 100 yet, but I am certainly guilty of too many my point is we like nice shoes just because they're nice. There is no point to rationalize it to something it is not...

 

[Petepan]

Or they just like to collect shoes. Nothing wrong with that as long as they don't rationalize as cost savings.

I know when I put down several K for a pair of bespoke shoes I am buying an artisan experience, not to save money or conservation.

I am not 100 yet, but I am certainly guilty of too many

my point is we like nice shoes just because they're nice. There is no point to rationalize it to something it is not...

Well put gentlemen. Agree completely.

 

[MarioImpemba]

Nice shoes are just as wasteful, throwing out bunch materials because you want the best is not exactly green.

"Nice" shoes (ie quality) last longer than disposable shoes that aren't intended to be resoled or made with quality materials or construction. Also, natural materials like leather are much more sustainable and greener to process and manufacture than synthetic polymers and adhesives that leave behind nasty byproducts. We used to make products that last a lifetime. Now we make things to last until the next product cycle. This is much worse for the environment as you're compounding the harm of disposal and new production.


Quote:


I didn't imply low skill factory jobs anywhere in my statement. The production will be as you say, more automated based. This is a primary driver for bringing back production domestically. There is still job creation behind this. Please let me know how bringing back any business here is detrimental to the national economy in the short-term.

 

[chogall]

good luck bypassing all the red tapes and finding enough legal workforces to produce things at a decent cost. high value add jobs never left the US.

truth is, lets just left the pollution and enivironmental hazards to china, india, steal their best human capital, steal their fundings, and continue to focus on high value add jobs in science and engineering.

 

[El Argentino]

Hey all; a care question that is both embarrassing and maddening.

This weekend, I returned home from a wedding reception late. Upon removing my new saddle colored shell Carmina monks, I discovered a dried strawberry stuck to the leather - not the sole, but up on the side of the shoe. I quickly removed the berry remnants with a bit of water, but a very dark stain remained as pictured here.

Is there any way possible to get this stain out? A few users stated they may require complete refinishing, which is disheartening given the wedding festivities were their maiden voyage post-break in.

Anyone have any advice or any products you recommend to brush this out? I have Saphir Reno available, and that's traditionally all I've used beyond brushing.

I'm really in a quandary here, and more frustrated with myself than anything. And I didn't even eat strawberries, so somebody else has driven me to e-raging.

Thank you in advance for any help that can be provided.

 

[glenjay]



Hey all; a care question that is both embarrassing and maddening.

This weekend, I returned home from a wedding reception late. Upon removing my new saddle colored shell Carmina monks, I discovered a dried strawberry stuck to the leather - not the sole, but up on the side of the shoe. I quickly removed the berry remnants with a bit of water, but a very dark stain remained as pictured here.

Spoiler: Warning: Strawberry stain

Is there any way possible to get this stain out? A few users stated they may require complete refinishing, which is disheartening given the wedding festivities were their maiden voyage post-break in.

Anyone have any advice or any products you recommend to brush this out? I have Saphir Reno available, and that's traditionally all I've used beyond brushing.

I'm really in a quandary here, and more frustrated with myself than anything. And I didn't even eat strawberries, so somebody else has driven me to e-raging.

Thank you in advance for any help that can be provided.

It is always difficult to get a localized spot out of leather, because the cleaning impacts the surrounding area, and the cleaned area will be different that the rest of the shoe (less oils and so on).

I would recommend cleaning both shoes to keep the look consistent.

First you want a cleaner that will create some good suds but not be too alkaline. I would suggest mild dish soap (with an orange base if possible).

Don't put the dish soap directly on the shoe, but rather create a really good lather by putting the soap in a wet soft sponge and squeezing repeatedly. Then squeeze out as much water as you can out of the sponge, while still keeping most of the suds. Now take the sponge and rub down the shoe well until all the suds are gone (focus a little more attention on the berry stain, but not too much). Be sure to do both shoes to keep everything even.

Next, take a slightly damp clean sponge and go over the shoes to draw out any sulfates (suds), rinse the sponge and repeat until no more suds can be drawn out of the leather.

Have shoe trees in the shoes the whole time, so you have something to press against. Once the shoes have been washed let them dry overnight (on the shoe trees). The next day (when the shoes are completely dry) check to see if the berry stain has been removed or is very faint. If not then repeat the cleaning process. Once the stain is gone (or very faint) then rub leather conditioner (Lexol, or whatever brand you prefer) into the shoes to replace the oils flushed out by the soap and water. Wait a day for the oils to soak in and then polish with a coat of neutral cream.

Others may have better suggestions.

 

[cbfn]

Just to check; you know these are shell?

 

[glenjay]



Just to check; you know these are shell?

Shell of calf, I don't know of a better way to remove the stain.

 

[cbfn]

I was just wondering, to me it sounds like one of the better methods to remove a stain from shell.

 

[wurger]



good luck bypassing all the red tapes and finding enough legal workforces to produce things at a decent cost.  high value add jobs never left the US.

truth is, lets just left the pollution and enivironmental hazards to china, india, steal their best human capital, steal their fundings, and continue to focus on high value add jobs in science and engineering.

That's just cynical, but very true.

 

[Fang66]



good luck bypassing all the red tapes and finding enough legal workforces to produce things at a decent cost.  high value add jobs never left the US.

truth is, lets just left the pollution and enivironmental hazards to china, india, steal their best human capital, steal their fundings, and continue to focus on high value add jobs in science and engineering.

Why only have the poorz in other countries? You should be encouraging them in your country so you don't have to pay as much for gardeners, housekeepers, prostitutes etc.