Shoe Damage Report & Shoe P0rn Central - Part II

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Originally Posted by Wes Bourne

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Agreed. How's the video of the mirror shine on those Monmouths coming along?

What video? That was your idea, not mine. You'll have to take it up with my agent. It might be worth pointing out that in the C&J video they mention that the first time you do it, it will take at least half an hour per shoe. Less the next time (they say fifteen minutes but I find it much less for subsequent polishing)

Originally Posted by jefferyd

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It often looks better when there is a more subtle transition from very shiny from not so shiny. Plus, the heel should be done as well.

I've done the quarters also, but I was too lazy to take photos.

Originally Posted by Wes Bourne

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I think it's a matter of personal preference really; some seem to prefer a duller allover shine. I've only taken to mirror shines rather recently myself as I like the way it looks. I don't really have any plaintoes so that sorta takes care of that. While it's easy to use the cap(toe) to delineate(?) the area to be mirrored, some apply this finish only to the very tip of the toe area, whether on caps, wingtips or plaintoes.

In my last picture, I've got two styles without caps and I think I've got the area correct.

I was just wondering what people thought in general.

Cheers

Clint

Originally Posted by jefferyd

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It might be worth pointing out that in the C&J video they mention that the first time you do it, it will take at least half an hour per shoe. Less the next time (they say fifteen minutes but I find it much less for subsequent polishing)

+1

Originally Posted by jefferyd

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It might be worth pointing out that in the C&J video they mention that the first time you do it, it will take at least half an hour per shoe. Less the next time (they say fifteen minutes but I find it much less for subsequent polishing)

Yup, touch ups/maintenance take much less time.

Originally Posted by clintonf

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In my last picture, I've got two styles without caps and I think I've got the area correct.

I think what you did with those 2 wingtips looks great. Even appears to have some of the gloss fading that jefferyd mentioned.

Very softcore prOn. C&J Sydney.

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

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I STILL can't get it to work. I tried this last night on a pair of my crockett and jones and I ended up with a dull dry toe that I had to deglaze and refinish because I couldn't get them to shine at all after I did what he said. I guess I used too much wax and caused buildup?

I've seen a few C&J polishing videos and they get a brilliant mirror shine all the time in the videos. I have to say this though, I've got a pair of C&J Cliffords which can't be given a mirror shine. I might have seen a few Cliffords with their toes/heel counters mirror shined but I have no idea why mine doesn't work.

Before you dismiss what I'm saying, I've got shoes from other makers which I can easily give a lovely mirror shine..reflect time on your watch kinda shine, to be exact. So it's not as if I don't know how to polish or I've never done a mirror shine before. I used Saphir wax, I've tried circling for hours when I first got the shoes..trust me. In the end, I got Saphir cream and gave it a mediocre polish..enough to reflect slightly in the sun but not mirror shine standards.

Some of you might be shocked because you're able to give your C&J-s perfect mirror shines but I just had to chip in here, letting patrickBOOTH know that I've had the exact same problem (dull dry toebox and heel counter). Does anyone know why the leather on some C&J-s just do not take well to wax? Shocking but...inferior leather, maybe?

Originally Posted by Parker

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Very softcore prOn. C&J Sydney.

i like.

ok, since this has turned into the shoe shine thread, let's talk about products.
what conditioner/cream/wax/etc do the pros use ?

I would say Saphir.

Wow Clintonf (I won't quote the pics again), looks like you really listened during the advanced mirror polishing class. It almost brings a tear to my eye. Very nice indeed.

Lear

Originally Posted by fritzl

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i like.

+1.......very nice!

Thank you. I've been trying for some time now to achieve a high gloss shine look and it's not until Wes' post that it finally came together.

I have had advice from some professional finishers as well as watch several videos. However, Wes' post did the trick.

BTW, I used Saphir (Black tin - Medaille D'or) .

Although I have got Kiwi and even Woly for hard to find colours.

Originally Posted by Lear

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Wow Clintonf (I won't quote the pics again), looks like you really listened during the advanced mirror polishing class. It almost brings a tear to my eye. Very nice indeed.

Lear

Lovely buy there, Parker. Well done.

Originally Posted by Parker

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Very softcore prOn. C&J Sydney.

Those look great. I've been thinking about getting a pair recently.