2018 shoe revival challenge

[Gosport]

Completed my restoration last night. Crown Imperial scotch/pebble grain black longwings. Happy with the result, but unfortunately as others noted, black shoes just dont have the wow factor like some of the brown shoes we are seeing in this challenge. But I needed a pair of black scotch grain longwings so this works for me.

Process - disinfect interior with lysol, alcohol, and very dilute bleach solution, wipe down and brush exterior, clean exterior with lexol cleaner, use toothbrush+lexol to clean welts, hit exterior with reno'mat, condition with lexol conditioner, submerge for 1 hour in water, let dry swapping out shoe trees twice on day 1, then once a day for two more days, further smooth creases with back of warm metal spoon, wrap in glycerin soaked rags overnight, let dry three days, sand sole edges and apply black edge dressing, two rounds of Bick 4, followed by brushing/black polish then a round of Collonil 1909 and buffing.

 

[CWOyaji]

Good restoration job! I got a pair of those earlier this year, they fit great. Very underrated brand of shoe in my opinion.

 

[Medicfourlife]

I thought I was in contention for 3rd place based on sympathy.

But this is just unreal.

What an incredible result! Bravo.

kilowatts

@Medicfourlife Wow!

Those are legitimately gorgeous. Very, very well done.

Thanks all. Wish there were several contests like this throughout the year, I quite enjoyed it.

On a side note...Anyone here that can wear a 11.5B?

 

[drlivingston]

Thanks all. Wish there were several contests like this throughout the year, I quite enjoyed it.

On a side note...Anyone here that can wear a 11.5B?

@Nobleprofessor

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Thanks all. Wish there were several contests like this throughout the year, I quite enjoyed it.

On a side note...Anyone here that can wear a 11.5B?

@Nobleprofessor

Yep. I was wearing 11.5B yesterday

 

[photo41]

After a few extra days the weather allows again to work outdoors so here it goes
two layers of conditioner on the uppers
today I have dealt with the rubber outsole: it was unglued and seemed uneven. I have tried some previous days to fix this with some elastic glue but it didn't work. Cleaned it, dried it thoroughly and still no good . I decided to go for a stronger solution to fix and as I don't have the conditions to put the shoes on a holder to nail into the soles, I went for small brass screws. As there were old problems in the tip of the sole I addressed those with a few drops of superglue.
The sole was scratched and deformed, so I had to cut it even then sand the entire surface.
About two hours later when the sanding was done I washed it thoroughly with white spirit. I actually love the tan of the sole so I'll figure out a way to protect the sole without changing much its colour. Maybe I'll find some oil. Any ideas?
I have bought the Oxblood Renovating Cream from Timpson and it looks a bit pinkish - I guess they know what they are doing - probably the colour will darken in the air.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Thanks all. Wish there were several contests like this throughout the year, I quite enjoyed it.

On a side note...Anyone here that can wear a 11.5B?

WHOA! Just a second. Those gorgeous brown LWB with the purple laces that you restored to former glory are 11.5B?

PICK ME! PICK ME! Yes, I’m 11.5B!

I’m interested!

 

[drlivingston]

WHOA! Just a second. Those gorgeous brown LWB with the purple laces that you restored to former glory are 11.5B?

PICK ME! PICK ME! Yes, I’m 11.5B!

I’m interested!

You finally caught on as to why I tagged you in that previous post.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

You finally caught on as to why I tagged you in that previous post.

Yes, apparently I was a little dense.

 

[Kamil1987]

AS for Peal&Co for Brooks Brothers.
Over 1h of renomat. Cleaning, drying. Leather balm, shoe cream, shoe wax and final effect. They only need a rubber outsole.

 

[eazye]

^^^Amazing!!!

 

[Mbaldinger]

AS for Peal&Co for Brooks Brothers.
Over 1h of renomat. Cleaning, drying. Leather balm, shoe cream, shoe wax and final effect. They only need a rubber outsole.
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Very nice!!

 

[photo41]

Here is my participation - Grenson - size 10.5? (UK) - sorry I don't know how to accurately measure them

As they are a bit long/large for me, they need to find and go to the better place (any ideas?)

I have applied a layer of Timpson Renovating cream and let it dry overnight. The colour changed to a light brown but I find it pleasant. Today I gave a cleaning buff - then I've cleaned all the clogged holes and ornaments and after a polish, I've put the new laces. After repeated conditioning and buffing I noticed that the contrasting sole effect was much diminished .
I feel they still need some time to fully mature the cream and then maybe address the sole colour according to the new owner's taste.

During this experience, I have learned a lot, and I now respect more the work around the shoes and their makers.

 

[wasmisterfu]

AS for Peal&Co for Brooks Brothers.
Over 1h of renomat. Cleaning, drying. Leather balm, shoe cream, shoe wax and final effect. They only need a rubber outsole.
View attachment 1020963 View attachment 1020964 View attachment 1020965 View attachment 1020966 View attachment 1020967

Those are now an enviable pair of Peal’s.

But I gotta know, what was going on with those before restoration. Was the finish partially gone? Or were they unevenly polished? Very strange state of affairs at the start.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Here is my participation - Grenson - size 10.5? (UK) - sorry I don't know how to accurately measure them

As they are a bit long/large for me, they need to find and go to the better place (any ideas?)

I have applied a layer of Timpson Renovating cream and let it dry overnight. The colour changed to a light brown but I find it pleasant. Today I gave a cleaning buff - then I've cleaned all the clogged holes and ornaments and after a polish, I've put the new laces. After repeated conditioning and buffing I noticed that the contrasting sole effect was much diminished .
I feel they still need some time to fully mature the cream and then maybe address the sole colour according to the new owner's taste.

During this experience, I have learned a lot, and I now respect more the work around the shoes and their makers.

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It’s hard to beleive those are the same soles you started with. Your shoes, by far, had the most difficult visible (as in not on the bottom of the shoes) sole issues of any entry here. You did an outstanding job making those soles look presentable again.

Keep in mind, you have 6 days before the official entry thread opens, so if you think they need a bit more buffing and time to settle, you’ve got just under a week.