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

[patrick_b]



Looks fantastic. You should get the heel counters too.

It was only an hour conference call...I had to actually get some work done In truth, I get lazy.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I hear you!

 

[UrbanComposition]

Looks great. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Gdot]



Perhaps there's something about the droning voice of my senior VP of sales that allows me to get in the perfect rhythm to shine my shoes . I'll have to thank him one day.

Perhaps you may want to omit the word 'droning' when you thank your VP.

Seriously, the shoooz look great!

No offense to your AE's but I see this as a good example of how a little DIY can turn an average pair of shoes into something a little more special. And I like DIY projects.

 

[patrick_b]



Perhaps you may want to omit the word 'droning' when you thank your VP.

Good call.

Seriously, the shoooz look great!
No offense to your AE's but I see this as a good example of how a little DIY can turn an average pair of shoes into something a little more special. And I like DIY projects.

None taken...you are absolutely right.

 

[cbfn]



I promise that this will be the last of my "here's what I accomplished during my Friday conference call" posts. With that said, here's what I accomplished during my Friday conference call today.

Please don't, I always enjoy watching these! They give me motivation for my waxing sessions.

 

[Lear]

Patrick_B, I really like the graduated shine you get. The whole shoe looks properly polished and healthy (as if dead skin could ever be so). In contrast, my experiment with the RM's above, shows a well polished toe-box, with solid dividing line into a poorly polished upper.

Nice one mate. I'm taking notes

I also agree: well maintained and polished, can take a medium priced shoe to the next level.

 

[patrick_b]



Patrick_B, I really like the graduated shine you get. The whole shoe looks properly polished and healthy (as if dead skin could ever be so). In contrast, my experiment with the RM's above, shows a well polished toe-box, with solid dividing line into a poorly polished upper.
Nice one mate. I'm taking notes
I also agree: well maintained and polished, can take a medium priced shoe to the next level.

Thanks Lear. It's funny, I really thought the transition was too abrupt. It's been bugging me since this morning. I think one more thin coat right on the transition line would help tremendously...along with a lot of brushing and buffing. As you both mentioned, properly shined shoes certainly make a difference. Sadly it won't turn these into the Corthay Arca...but things like that pesky mortgage, kid's tuition, groceries, etc. just seem to get in the way of the fun stuff .

Thanks for all the kind words guys. Just finished processing the last few images.









A quick glance shows that my WB settings weren't consistent on all of the images. The last image is a tad warm but the others show the color fairly accurately. AE got the color right IMO. It was an easy choice over the walnut.

 

[b1os]

Yesterday the toe of one of my shoes made close physical contact with a stairwell. Now there is some bigger scratch which I don't know how to treat properly. All I find when searching is in fact how to treat scratches, mine actually is a small area of 1mm x 1mm where the upper layer of the leather is removed (approx 0.2mm). What to do? Multiple applications of the Sapphir cream, then multiple of the wax?

 

[cbfn]

Do anyone have sources for som extra large horse hair brushes? Don't need to cost a lot.

 

[Gdot]



Yesterday the toe of one of my shoes made close physical contact with a stairwell. Now there is some bigger scratch which I don't know how to treat properly. All I find when searching is in fact how to treat scratches, mine actually is a small area of 1mm x 1mm where the upper layer of the leather is removed (approx 0.2mm). What to do? Multiple applications of the Sapphir cream, then multiple of the wax?

Yes.

I would:

Condition, buff
Condition, buff
Polish, buff a few coats until it starts to 'level' off.

If the shoes are lighter in color than dark brown or black, use a polish that is slightly lighter than the color of the shoe.

Sounds like a small enough nick - time, polish and patina will solve all problems.

 

[Gdot]



Patrick_B, I really like the graduated shine you get. The whole shoe looks properly polished and healthy (as if dead skin could ever be so). In contrast, my experiment with the RM's above, shows a well polished toe-box, with solid dividing line into a poorly polished upper.
Nice one mate. I'm taking notes
I also agree: well maintained and polished, can take a medium priced shoe to the next level.

Lear,

For what it's worth. I've been doing a couple of good coats of polish over the whole shoe before I begin work on the toes and quarters. I don't worry to much about buffing (with a brush) them out overall until I'm nearly done with the bulled areas. I'm also finding that I like the shoe to look just a smidge 'dry' in the areas that aren't mirrored as the contrast between the two finishes is appealing to me.

As for the 'fade' I frankly don't give it too much thought - I just fade each coat back pretty roughly. It seems to pretty much take care of itself for me.

I'm still struggling with the getting the full on mirror effect quickly - but I'm happy with the fade and overall effect I'm starting to get with lots of coats.

Still struggling with how Patrick B is getting his so mirrored so quickly.

Starting to think more highly of a micro fiber buffing cloth than old t-shirts - but still not sure on that one.

-G

 

[b1os]

I just had the feeling/fear that I might rub off more of the leather when buffing. Any risk?

 

[Gdot]



I just had the feeling/fear that I might rub off more of the leather when buffing. Any risk?

shouldn't be any risk. you shouldn't buff with much pressure anyway.

 

[Gdot]



Lear,
For what it's worth. I've been doing a couple of good coats of polish over the whole shoe before I begin work on the toes and quarters. I don't worry to much about buffing (with a brush) them out overall until I'm nearly done with the bulled areas. I'm also finding that I like the shoe to look just a smidge 'dry' in the areas that aren't mirrored as the contrast between the two finishes is appealing to me.
As for the 'fade' I frankly don't give it too much thought - I just fade each coat back pretty roughly. It seems to pretty much take care of itself for me.
I'm still struggling with the getting the full on mirror effect quickly - but I'm happy with the fade and overall effect I'm starting to get with lots of coats.
Still struggling with how Patrick B is getting his so mirrored so quickly.
Starting to think more highly of a micro fiber buffing cloth than old t-shirts - but still not sure on that one.
-G

Ok - I'm going to reply to my own post with this.......

OMG - HOT WATER!

I started using water, nearly boiling hot, to dip my application cloth into. Reached a deep rich mirror in no time!