PunctualAlex
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2006
- Messages
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I was perusing the local Salvation Army the other day and these jumped out at me. I mean they literally fell off the shelf and hit me in the head. They're brown Johnston & Murphy wingtips and that is all that I know about them. This is what they look like:
Oh Lord, they're hideous! That's probably what you're thinking right now, and for the most part I agree, but for $5 I couldn't pass up the opportunity to maybe do some learning. I have nothing to lose on this one, gentlemen. I'd like to fix these shoes up a bit, to the point that they're wearable in polite company, without spending too much money. Basically, I'm wondering if this is even possible and if so, how I should go about it!
As you can see, they're very scratched up on the medallion and the inside of the toe, as well as the heel. They have goodyear rubber soles on the front and the heel which has started to wear through in places, so I assume that will need to be replaced. The medallion is filthy and will need to be cleaned, and there are some gouges in the leather. Other than that, they're in great shape.
So how should I go about fixing these, and restoring some sort of shine to them? From perusing these forums, I've gathered that an awl can make quick work cleaning the medallion, the rubber soles will probably need to be replaced by a cobbler (at what cost, do you think?) and that no matter how much work I put in, these are still never going to look incredible. But I'm young and stupid and I have a little too much time on my hands, so I'd like to try anyway.
Thanks for your help!
Oh Lord, they're hideous! That's probably what you're thinking right now, and for the most part I agree, but for $5 I couldn't pass up the opportunity to maybe do some learning. I have nothing to lose on this one, gentlemen. I'd like to fix these shoes up a bit, to the point that they're wearable in polite company, without spending too much money. Basically, I'm wondering if this is even possible and if so, how I should go about it!
As you can see, they're very scratched up on the medallion and the inside of the toe, as well as the heel. They have goodyear rubber soles on the front and the heel which has started to wear through in places, so I assume that will need to be replaced. The medallion is filthy and will need to be cleaned, and there are some gouges in the leather. Other than that, they're in great shape.
So how should I go about fixing these, and restoring some sort of shine to them? From perusing these forums, I've gathered that an awl can make quick work cleaning the medallion, the rubber soles will probably need to be replaced by a cobbler (at what cost, do you think?) and that no matter how much work I put in, these are still never going to look incredible. But I'm young and stupid and I have a little too much time on my hands, so I'd like to try anyway.
Thanks for your help!