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

[Indyoshi68]

Just finished my own DIY/Independent/Leap of Faith patina process on a pair of NEW (maybe 4 wears) Magnanni balmorals; I just didn't like how they were creasing, and the color was more difficult to match to polish than I (or my shoe topy guy) could imagine.

Here's how they started, with my applied shoe polish patina (sandalwood and red mahogany Meltonian Creme, brown & black Kiwi wax), and before prep (deglazing):




And here is what I did with acetone, bleach, dyes, cream polishes, wax and stain acrylic finisher:






Sooooooo much better now...
I used green, gold, red and dark brown dyes, red mahogany and sandalwood creme, with dark brown wax and satin finisher to top it all off. The shoes just looks brown when you see it, but if it catches ANY light...beeea-uuu-tiful colors emerge, like this toe shot!

I need to take some shots with my digicam, but for now the crappy cell pics will have too suffice... Still waiting for finisher to dry so I can polish the rear of the shoe to match shine of front.

Thoughts? Impressions? I want to do every plain or boring shoe I have now... A new obsession is being born, I think, but at least this one can make me money rather than empty the coffers!!!

 

[Cleav]

Indy, a labour of love that paid you back in spades. Nice work

 

[Indyoshi68]

Indy, a labour of love that paid you back in spades. Nice work

Thanks, Cleav - now that I've crossed the threshold, I don't know if I'll be able to stop myself from doing this to lots of my shoes. People are already asking for something similar for their shoes - men and women...

Now I want blue shoes... green shoes... shoes with Pierre-Paul Hofflin/Paulus Bolten elements... My brain is flooded with ideas.

Now, to chronicle my process for future reference... Hope I can remember it all!

 

[Cleav]



Thanks, Cleav - now that I've crossed the threshold, I don't know if I'll be able to stop myself from doing this to lots of my shoes.  People are already asking for something similar for their shoes - men and women...

Now I want blue shoes... green shoes... shoes with Pierre-Paul Hofflin/Paulus Bolten elements... My brain is flooded with ideas.

Now, to chronicle my process for future reference... Hope I can remember it all!

Take pics and share Indy, you got a talent there

 

[Indyoshi68]

Take pics and share Indy, you got a talent there

Gotta download DIGICAM pics - they tell the story. When I get home, it will be done!

 

[Dingusberry]

Does anyone know if the Tarrago Nano Protector is actually bad for the leather?

 

[Isolation]

Dumb question: you're not supposed to add soles inside your shoes for comfort or whatever right? Is it bad for the shoe if you do? I have some for correcting slight feet problems, but I don't know if that's bad for the shoe.

Or are you supposed to add insoles to new shoes anyway? I see them selling some at pediwear.

 

[tifosi]



Dumb question: you're not supposed to add soles inside your shoes for comfort or whatever right? Is it bad for the shoe if you do? I have some for correcting slight feet problems, but I don't know if that's bad for the shoe.

Or are you supposed to add insoles to new shoes anyway? I see them selling some at pediwear.

The only dumb question is the one not asked.

Fairly certain that is what insoles are for... Should not harm the shoe at all.

 

[PCK1]

I thought I'd post this here because it would interest some members...

On Tuesday I visited the Saint Crispin's trunk show at Leffot to make an order and speak with Phillip Car of St. Crispin's.

I asked him what the recommended maintenance program was for Saint Crispin's and he told me exactly this, "Just use wax, no cream or any of that reno-****".

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Yep. I have had the same conversation with him.

 

[Isolation]

Do people normally add insoles/are we supposed to? I have been just wearing them out of the box.

 

[patrickBOOTH]



Dumb question: you're not supposed to add soles inside your shoes for comfort or whatever right? Is it bad for the shoe if you do? I have some for correcting slight feet problems, but I don't know if that's bad for the shoe.

Or are you supposed to add insoles to new shoes anyway? I see them selling some at pediwear.

The only dumb question is the one not asked.

Fairly certain that is what insoles are for... Should not harm the shoe at all.

They could throw off the fit however. Good shoes are meant to be worn with their own insole. Putting anything in them throws off the proportions inside. I'd find shoes that fit you best without the need of those silly insoles that actually probably contribute to your foot problems.

 

[Munky]

I don't have the experience that you have, Patrick, but what to do when shoes, off the shelf, don't fit you so well? If you can't afford bespoke shoes, it seems reasonable, to me, to use additional insoles, if you need them. I only have one pair of shoes that haven't needed arch support insoles. Off the shelf shoes must be made to a 'standard' size and that is going to rule them out as automatically fitting the feet of everyone who buys them.

 

[patrickBOOTH]



but what to do when shoes, off the shelf, don't fit you so well?

Don't buy the shoes. Look for another maker.

 

[Munky]

Fair enough.