The official "Ask Man of Lint" resurrection thread. - Page 5

Originally Posted by capnwes 

Funny, I get all of my supplies from that guy. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Brianpore 

I just chose the cheapest / best feedback and was very impressed how fast it got here.
 

 

 

Originally Posted by PipersSon 

Great thread.
MOL, I have recently bought a Temple Of Jawnz VTG Collared Moto jacket, like the one seen below.

I find it a beautiful piece, but right now it is tough as nails and stiff (stands upright on it own). There are a few recommended ways to soften this jacket, the most common methods involving the use of Obenauf's oil.
Poster Dellath has done some great work on his TOJ VTG jacket if you see his posts on the TOJ thread in SW&D. This is a pic he posted a while back, after a few applications of Obenauf's and general wear.

My question to you:
I think Dellath has done a great job and I will most likely try and emulate him. But I wanted to check if you have alternate suggestions on how I can get this jacket to soften up, acquire deep/ 'interesting' colors?
Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by Brianpore 

Mr. MOL, I am having major concerns about my new (old vtg) shell cordovan shoes. This is my first pair so do not know how these should look. I have applied conditioner and brushed them for about 10 minutes. They look great. Wore them around the house for a few minutes but noticed that where the creases are the color becomes very light. This is a concern after seeing the picture of the dry rotted pair of shell from a few weeks ago that ripped along the seam. Is the lighting of the color normal for dark colored shell or should I cut my losses before any major damage occurs rendering them worthless and look for a new pair. Thanks as always!

Originally Posted by capnwes 

OOPS Wrong thread,

Originally Posted by mikeH 

MOL, I know you've claimed not to be a shell expert, but perhaps you can, nonetheless, help out here if you know anything about edge dressing.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/295596/edge-dressing-and-vintage-shell-cordovan/0_30#post_5350379

Originally Posted by mikeH 

I recently bought a pair of vintage Florsheim SC v-cleat longwings in pretty nice condition, the original heel is hardly even worn down much. Only problem, somebody tried to apply edge dressing to the soles and got a little (lot) sloppy with the stuff. I'm assuming that this was done in an attempt to make the soles look fresher for an ebay auction (why oh why?) so it wouldn't be very old in that case. Regardless, what do I do. I read a thread suggesting Afta, now called Guardsman, but does the same rule apply to Shell? Shell experts, please weigh in.

Originally Posted by Man Of Lint 


Place a black dot in the middle and turn it into a poppy.

Originally Posted by Man Of Lint 

I can only tell you what I would do if they were mine.
If that will be acceptable, this is what I would do:
1) Remove the laces and take the shoes in my hands. I would feel the leather. This is to test pliability or how easily the leather bends. You don't have to be rough but, for example, bend the tongue of the shoes. See if the shell still has enough of its natural oils and strength. If you sense that it is too brittle, then do not proceed any further.
2) If it is determined that the shell is still tough enough and pliable, I would wet a terrycloth, ring out the water, so make it damp, then apply leather lotion to the shoes and let them sit for an hour. Then wipe off any excess.
3) Then, in a well ventilated area (or better yet, outside in daylight) wearing rubbler gloves (the kind you wash dishes with is fine) Take some Acetone on a DRY terrycloth and swiftly pass over the blackened area. If the dye has not penetrated the shell, it should come off. If the sye HAS penetrated the shell, you can try a second pass with a refreshed application of acetone on a terrycloth.
If the colour of the shell lightens in that area (it may or may not happen on the first pass) then you'll have to do the entire shoe to maintain a consistent colour.
DIsclaimer: Personally, I have never done this on shell but the acetone is your only hope if you can't live with the black marks, then you should be able to get most of it off.
4) The worst that can heppen is that you have lightened the shoes and minimised the black.
The best that can happen is to be completely successful and lose the black marks altogether but still lighten the overall shoe colour.
5) If successful or not, you must get moisture and oils back into the leather. Shell or not, acetone wil WILL remove oils so you need to apply leather lotion or whatever special lotion you would use on shell to prevent cracking. You may have to apply a few times over 24 hours just to make sure.
Again, this is what I would do if they were mine and only if the shell is in good strong condition.
Before starting any project like this one, I would be at the pont of 'do it or I'll never wear them'. This is what gives the courage to experiment in that one is willing to lose the shoes to gain the knowledge. The final choice is yours ofcourse. Personally those black marks would bother me and I would proceed, but that is me being a perfectionist about it.
You may want to contact Nick V or DWF and see what they have to say as they have far more knowledge and hands-on experience with shell.
Be patient and get as much input as possible before deciding what course of action to take.
Hope this helps....if you do proceed and it works, the post photos!

Originally Posted by Brianpore 



Thanks for the advise. The black dot helped it sell on ebay!