Antiquing black shoes

[RJman]

I was wondering if anyone had tips on how to antique a pair of new black shoes. Unlike most of the posters in antiquing threads on the forum, I am NOT seeking to add darker highlights to a shoe, but rather to lighten certain areas of a black shoe. Edward Green used to do this long ago on the shoes they made for Arnys 20 years ago. I believe Fosters and Berluti also do this. The aim is to have a patina somewhat like this (picture from Dimitri Gomez):

Can anyone help?

I no longer live in Freedom, so I can't take the shoes to one of the dozen or so cobblers/shoemakers who would be happy to do this.

 

[saint]

You are probably going to have to use acetone, which is difficult to work with. I'd contact Ron Rider (member Rider on this forum) and see what he'd charge to antique the shoes.

 

[luk-cha]

Fosters told me they use acetone to strip back the dye - just dont soak them in it

"i'd take a semi dry sponge and rub over the area you want to highlight let them rest a while a re repeat till happy" is what they told me!

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by saint

You are probably going to have to use acetone, which is difficult to work with. I'd contact Ron Rider (member Rider on this forum) and see what he'd charge to antique the shoes.

How difficult can it be? If I don't like the effect, what would stop me from simply re-polishing with black cream and wax polish?

luk-cha -- thanks.

 

[Shikar]

I had thought of this a while back and talked to Ron Rider. He was a little hesitant about doing this with the particular shoe i had, a new Edward Green. He was willing to try but was unsure of the outcome as he had not done black antiquing before and EG apparently made very good black leather. The impression I got was the EG black leather was too difficult to antique, he was willing to do it with other brands. I am sure he will chime in and give us his opinion.
I hesitated and didnt go through with the experiment.

Regards.
Black Grants.....nice
Black Antiqued Grants.....priceless!!

 

[itsstillmatt]

Shouldn't you have thought of this before you left?

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by iammatt

Shouldn't you have thought of this before you left?

These are not French shoes. In point of fact, these shoes are a thrice-remade special order from a non-French maker and were sent to me after my return from France. No, not Green.

 

[bigbris1]

This brings to mind the thread where someone used household bleach to do something like this. Pics included.

 

[NorCal_1]

check this out....

http://www.marcguyot.com/5.aspx?sr=2

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by RJman

Can anyone help? I no longer live in Freedom, so I can't take the shoes to one of the dozen or so cobblers/shoemakers who would be happy to do this.
That is stunning. The post on this was by sysdoc, so you should be able to find it. It was pre-crash. By the by, your last sig quote is my single most hated piece of ineffable doggerel. ~ Huntsman

 

[DocHolliday]

I'm planning to undertake a similar project. If and when I get it done, I'll report back.

 

[LabelKing]

I've always thought black antiqued with blue would be a nice look. In fact, I made a point to ask if Crockett & Jones Paris could do that on their Cowdray boot. They said they could.

 

[Egdon Heath]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

By the by, your last sig quote is my single most hated piece of ineffable doggerel. ~ Huntsman
And it isn't Janis Joplin. Those words were created by Kris Kristofferson.

 

[mr monty]

Originally Posted by Shikar

I had thought of this a while back and talked to Ron Rider. He was a little hesitant about doing this with the particular shoe i had, a new Edward Green. He was willing to try but was unsure of the outcome as he had not done black antiquing before and EG apparently made very good black leather. The impression I got was the EG black leather was too difficult to antique, he was willing to do it with other brands. I am sure he will chime in and give us his opinion.
I hesitated and didnt go through with the experiment.

Regards.
Black Grants.....nice
Black Antiqued Grants.....priceless!!


Black (w/screwed up antiqued job) Grants......worthless!!

 

[Kuro]

I was told that leaving the shoes in direct sun light will produce this result also, but it will take some time....