All Natural, Non-Toxic, Shoe Polish

[glenjay]



... Is it the fear of over oiling that you have?...

I wouldn't call it a phobia, but yes, you don't want to saturate the leather with too much oil. There is about 4 times as much oil in the cleaner/conditioner as there is in the cream polish, and the cream polish has a higher concentration of oil than a paste polish.

 

[traverscao]

I wouldn't call it a phobia, but yes, you don't want to saturate the leather with too much oil. There is about 4 times as much oil in the cleaner/conditioner as there is in the cream polish, and the cream polish has a higher concentration of oil than a paste polish.

Not so much a phobia, but more so of an awareness, and yes, thanks for the response.

My AE LaSalle had not seen anything more than your products (exclude the spit shine paste) for the last six months plus, and is still kicking the road around LOL! Although I guess I need to stand the conditioner down a bit.

 

[clee1982]

anyone ever tried the waterproof cream on shell cordovan?

 

[traverscao]

@patrickBOOTH had the experience with waterproofing cream on shell. Personally, I see either line is sufficient with shell. If you have cosmetic concerns then I'ma telling you, nothing can help.

 

[clee1982]

What do you mean by cosmetic concern? Like it's going to change the color?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

My experience with shell is that it spots up when wet and has to be stripped and re shined to get rid of the spots. Waterproofed or not.

 

[traverscao]

What do you mean by cosmetic concern? Like it's going to change the color?

Most likely for the sake of lighter color shell. Or else, whatever Pat says below.

My experience with shell is that it spots up when wet and has to be stripped and re shined to get rid of the spots. Waterproofed or not.

Yeah, so much for being stuffed without sufficient moisture content.

 

[clee1982]

hum, guess I will stick with my current regime on shell then (i.e.a bit cream and not much). I haven't run into water spot issue though (two from CJ, one from Ron rider, though both were on the darker side)

 

[Concordia]

I just tried GlenKaren for the first time-- to see if something could be done on some salt stains on black oxfords. A few years back, I'd walked over pavement that was getting some spring rain after a rather toxic winter. No harm, I thought, but then there appeared a few smears of white stain when it dried. I tried myself to use vinegar and water, then black polish. Not great, but perhaps OK for non-special wear. Then I had them in London and got stuck in a real rainstorm. I let them dry for a few days, and when the problem re-emerged, I decided to return them to the maker to see what they might recommend to really fix the problem. A month or so later I got them back. Lots of wax polish, but still an obvious scar and white film around the salt/water damage.

I tried a few things again myself, including some Saphir Renovateur and black shoe cream. No dice, and I was prepared to retire this pair after a mere 8 years. Then I tried GlenKaren.

Whoooee! First, I used acetone to get rid of any excess polish. I know-- only in last resorts. But I was desperate. Then the GlenKaren conditioner. The acetone didn't seem to have removed much polish, but the rag was thoroughly black after running that neutral cream over the shoes. These guys were thirsty, and took quite a lot. I let everything dry overnight, and then used the black/bentonite cream. The result now is that for the first time in a few years, the shoes are black. And rather attractive. If you catch the light just the right way you can still tell that there is a tad of water damage under the black, but the shoes have new life, and are now worth getting re-soled.

I've used the conditioner on a few other pairs, and have been struck by how much the leather changes its appearance. More plump, less glossy (a small casualty, perhaps), but much softer and springier. On a brown pair that had sort of a "willow grain" finish, the surface nearly smoothed out as much as regular calf, although it's coming back to the previous finish now that it has had a chance to soak in and dry over several days. The dark brown color is fantastic now even without other polish-- better even than what a famous polisher/blogger had left on them last year.

Anyway-- great stuff. I don't know if I will retire Saphir and some of the other good polishes, but this is a great addition to the kit.

 

[clarkyin]

My experience with shell is that it spots up when wet and has to be stripped and re shined to get rid of the spots. Waterproofed or not.

Hey Patrick, i got some water spots on my carmina wholecut single strap and it drives my crazy cause it's fairly noticeable, I am wondering what is your process for stripping them and getting rid of it?

I was told by some people either on here or Andy forum to get a deer bone but that didn't much/at all thanks.

Clark

 

[clarkyin]

Glen are you shipping to Canada ATM?
Not sure that the $4 I see through paypal is going to cover the shipping. Pls LMK

cheers

Hey, I am thinking of placing an order, do you live around toronto? if so, maybe we can split the cost ! Cheers.

Clark

 

[glenjay]

Well... I did it, I came out with a paste polish. It has all the colors of the cream polish, but in a harder wax concentration that the cream. The paste polish is not as hard as the High Shine (which should only be used on non-flexible surfaces), but will produce a higher shine than the cream..

The paste is only available in 2 ounce (60ml) screw top tins and sells for $9.95 USD. The paste can be purchased through the GlenKaren Care web site.

There is now also an option to purchase the cream and the water resistant polish in 2 ounce screw top tins for $9.95 USD as well.

-Glen

 

[Rand B]

Glenjay:

Greetings. I've perused your website and am particularly intrigued with the water resistant polish. It would appear to be the only product of its type apropos for fine leather shoes. My question is: In lieu of a grey polish (I have an anthracite pair I'd like to treat), might you have a neutral version in the works?

Thank you,
Rand B

 

[SlickTime]

Could one of you gents please tell me, what is the difference between the Glenkaren Paste and the Glenkaren water resistant polish in terms of shine? And can the High Shine neutral paste be used on top of the water resistant polish or regular paste?

Thanks!

 

[kbuzz]

Anyone heard from glen Karen recently. I wanted to try one or two of those products but the website has been down for a while and no response for a Facebook inquiry