**The Official Shoe Care Thread: Tutorials, Photos, etc.** - Page 232

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis XIV 

Gute Arbeit an den Red Wings, hast ihnen auf jeden Fall eine Menge neues Leben eingehaucht.

Vielen Dank! 

For cleaning chamois leather shoe, which of the following methods should I use?

1. Brush the shoe with horse hair brush using baby power cornstarch

2. Rub the shoe with Obenauf's Leather Oil using horse hair brush

3. Rub the shoe with Leather Honey Leather Conditioner using horse hair brush

Which is correct?  Could I use a combination of these method to achieve the best effects?

Gents,

I just wanted to get a clarification on this as the thread outlines many different processes and it's quite frankly got me a bit confused now. I was under the impression that either a cream or wax polish is to be used, but I'm now seeing that people are using both?

This is what I have purchased already and was going to proceed as follows:

1) Use a damp cloth to do a quick once-over to clean the shoe and remove dirt/dust/debris/etc.

2) Use the AE conditioner/cleaner, applied with a different cotton cloth

3) Use the AE polish in the tube, in its respective color, and apply with a different cotton cloth

4) Use horsehair brush after the polish dries (5-10 mins)

5) Use another cloth to wipe and buff

After seeing how much people tout the Saphir Reno, I've been wanting to pick that up as well, but does it serve the same purpose as the AE conditioner/cleaner?

Also, is the AE polish considered a cream polish? Should I get the Saphir Pommadier Cream Polish in the respective colors to replace the AE polish, as well as the Saphir Pate de Luxe Wax Shoe Polish (in neutral only or should I get different colors too)? A post a few pages back outlined the procedure of using Reno, then 2 coats Cream, then 2 coats wax. Is going cream only/wax only not as preferable?

Also, was the process I outlined above for regular maintenance of the shoe? I see people saying not to polish unless it's necessary (when is it necessary? is it when the color gets dull or problem spots need to be covered/treated?).

Since I have a lot of new shoes that I haven't worn yet, what is the process for these new shoes as opposed to maintenance on a shoe I've already worn? Just take out the polishing step and condition/clean and then use a horsehair brush?

I realize there are a lot of questions in this post...I'm just really confused haha. Hopefully someone can clear this up and hopefully it'll help other new users.

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karembeu 

Gents,

 

I just wanted to get a clarification on this as the thread outlines many different processes and it's quite frankly got me a bit confused now. I was under the impression that either a cream or wax polish is to be used, but I'm now seeing that people are using both?

 

This is what I have purchased already and was going to proceed as follows:

[etc.]

Karembeu,

I feel the same way...been researching a lot since I went on a mad holiday purchasing spree and there are a lot of variations depending on what you're going for and what products you're using. 

Regarding the differences between wax and polish I found Post #15 from this very thread explained it pretty succinctly: http://www.styleforum.net/t/228153/the-official-shoe-care-thread-tutorials-photos-etc/0_100#post_4178770

Here's a handy guide from the Hanger Project that seems to fall in line with a lot of the advice on these forums (very descriptive and with pictures):  http://www.hangerproject.com/closet/presidential-shine/

Also, Post #50 (courtesy of Lear) from this thread has a bunch of useful tips condensed into one post:  http://www.styleforum.net/t/228153/the-official-shoe-care-thread-tutorials-photos-etc/0_100#post_4181704

I have a question of my own for you all...

I've been reading a lot of the boot threads (most notably by Crane) and he discourages products that use mink oil because, as he explains, it is an animal fat and will decay and go rancid eventually.  This makes sense to me, however, it seems a lot of people also vouch for Saphir products, which advertize authentic mink oil.  I could see that if you treated shoes with a product that contained mink oil and then let it sit in a closet for a few months that you might come back to find a nasty smell emanating from the surface...has this been the case for any of you?  I figure that if you regularly clean and condition your shoes then you should'nt have any problems with products that contain mink oil or other natural animal fats....what are your thoughts?

Also, is polishing with creams and polishes enough to water-proof your shoes against light rain and snow?  Again, I found Crane's instructions on thoroughly water-proofing boots with Sno-seal to be very informative but with all the product claims about water-proofing I'm wondering if it's sufficient to use creams and wax polishes to protect dress shoes and boots without having to use Sno-seal.  I will definitely use Crane's method on the boots that I wear to the field during training exercises but for the most part my other footwear won't see as much abuse so I feel it's safe to assume I don't have to go that extra step...do you gentlemen concur?

Thank you

~Johnny

I think the warning against mink oil has to do with the fact that some of the cheaper things sold as mink oil may not be pure or processed correctly and can give the problems you've described. Pure mink oil will work perfectly fine and Saphir products won't give you those problems.

I would not use sno-seal, Obenauf's, etc. on dress shoes. Just keep them out of the elements by either wearing boots / shoes that are designed for inclement conditions or wear rubber overshoes to protect them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gdot 


I don't think I'd scrub 'em.
I think I'd just moisturize both shoes thoroughly. You'll probably find that the spot starts to fade some as the oils distribute around the shoe a bit. But frankly I'm not sure it's going to come out completely.
Any one else have an opinion?

Yeah, I'd just hit 'em with Venetian Cream and lots of brushing

Quote:

Originally Posted by sstomcat 



Is this part of the natural tanning process for cordovan ? or is something that can be removed?

Try removing with conditioner, if it doesn't go away I'd consider those shoes seconds.