In Search of the Shoe Care Grail

[Omegablogger]

I've been long convinced that all the shoe nuts here are keeping secrets about shoe care. There must be something out there that is easy to use, quick to apply and gives a great finish.*They* know but just aren't telling. I've tried almost everything; I like the shine of a wax polish but dislike the way it cracks in the creases. I like the ease of use of a cream but feel the need for a glossier finish. I just haven't been totally happy with any product, and I've tried lots, until now. I picked up some Collonil Premium Diamant yesterday, described as "High-gloss cream in a pot with conditioning cedar oil: cleans, conditions and polishes valuable smooth leather." It's everything a shoe nut could dream of. Any other users here? Anybody else feel that in someway their life has become more fulfilling? Anybody with long term usage reports?

 

[trajan]

Good question. I'm searching for this too.

--trajan

 

[Niels]

I use the Diamant creme. Or used it. Looks like the only store here in Copenhagen who sold it has closed down. It is fairly good, gives a good gloss, better than any other creme i have tried. But at the end of the day it is still a shoe creme. If you want mirroir shine you have to use the procedure described her on the SF

 

[trajan]

Originally Posted by Niels

I use the Diamant creme. Or used it. Looks like the only store here in Copenhagen who sold it has closed down. It is fairly good, gives a good gloss, better than any other creme i have tried. But at the end of the day it is still a shoe creme. If you want mirroir shine you have to use the procedure described her on the SF

Can you point me to this procedure? thanks,

--trajan

 

[lasbar]

Guys ,if you can get it ...Saphir wax and creams....
No silicone ,only natural products and they have been used by Berluti,Lobb and many others for years....
The artisan making my bespoke shoes is using these products..

 

[Niels]

Originally Posted by trajan

Can you point me to this procedure? thanks,

--trajan


http://styleforum.pbwiki.com/MirrorShine

 

[trajan]

Thanks.

Our of curiosity, how much time does it take to make the mirror shine and how often do you do it?

--trajan

 

[soulstylist]

Omegablogger - no tricks just patience (polishing shoes = meditation).
Cream every now and then when I got the feeling the leather wants some 'food'. Wax often to give it a shine (fast) or the deep gloss (demanding time).
Using a mix of Avel (=Saphir) and Burgol products. No cracks in the wax with those. Burgol seems to shine up faster but a polish with it isn't as hardwearing as an Avel one ...

Trajan - time depens on where the mirrorshine is applied. Only the cap - maybe 10 - 15 minutes on a new shoe (as you have to build up a solid layer of wax in the first place. If the shoe had a mirrorshine already and you are only refreshing it - faster). A complete shoe can take up to an hour, depending on the leather's surface.

So - get the shoeshine kit out, put on some good soul, get yourself a good glas of wine (bottle of beer) and have a nice evening...

 

[Tarmac]

there's no magic potion in my opinion. Look in the Vass book and they have piles of plain jane Kiwi wax paste sitting around for use on their handmade $1200 shoes. There might be some small differences but it's far more important to condition and wax regularly, than which wax you use. I use Lincoln because they are based locally, Sunnyvale CA.

 

[DARLEY]

Originally Posted by Omegablogger

I like the shine of a wax polish but dislike the way it cracks in the creases.
You might rub a wax too much. I use it only on toes and heels and I do not rub it on a creasing area.

Originally Posted by trajan

Can you point me to this procedure? thanks,
Here is a movie with saphir wax.

Originally Posted by Niels

It is fairly good, gives a good gloss, better than any other creme i have tried. But at the end of the day it is still a shoe creme. If you want mirroir shine you have to use the procedure described her on the SF

I think so too.

 

[lasbar]

Do not rub the crease because the wax/cream will help the leather to crack....
Always use "organic" creams/wax and products not using silicone because silicone is creating a film and does not let the leather breathing properly...
Meltonian used to offer good products but they did change the formula....
Kiwi premium are ok but do check if no silicone is in the product...
Saphir medaille d'or/wax are the best products but are difficult to get in some parts of the world....

 

[soulstylist]

...well - on the tricks front:

- use only small amounts of wax at a time and built the gloss with many layers. Let each layer harden.

- use iced water for the polish. Basicly makes each layer of wax harden faster

...speedshine: wrap a soft cloth around a polishing brush so that the bristels don't come through, take away one of your girls nylons and pull over the whole thing - voila - easy polishing after pre polishing with a brush with bristles as soft as possible (goat's hair)...