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Ask your shoe repair questions here:

Nick V.

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Tried brushing, didn't help :(

I very lightly dabbed the lotion on. Some were probably more sizeable than others. After it sat on the surface for a few minutes, I rubbed it in lightly with a Loth.

There was no additional polish or conditioner on this pair of shoes. Factory stain that I originally spilled on.

Oh, and the lotion is truly called: Saphir cleaning lotion. I wasnt trying to be generic!

Something isn't right.....
When you say "I lightly dabbed the lotion on. Some were probably more sizable than others". Did you apply it to the affected areas only or the entire shoe?
It should be worked into the leather on the entire shoe. The product should be applied with a cloth then, brushed out, not rubbed out with a cloth. Also, not sure what you mean by "factory stain that I originally spilled on".
I never used the product but use Saphir Universal Cream and Renomat every day. They are very effective and safe. Here is a description of the product you used:
https://www.afinepairofshoes.co.uk/products/saphir-cleaning-lotion-with-carnauba-wax-125ml
If you compare the products that we use to the product that you used you should be easily in the safe zone if used correctly.
At this point it's a trial and error process. First I would try the AE cream that you are expecting. If you are not happy with the results there are renovating creams available. The pigments in those creams are stronger than the pigments in typical cream (or wax) products. However, they are more difficult to use for the layman.

As mentioned above, I'm curious as well to know what brand shoes they are.
 

EZB

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Something isn't right.....
When you say "I lightly dabbed the lotion on. Some were probably more sizable than others". Did you apply it to the affected areas only or the entire shoe?
It should be worked into the leather on the entire shoe. The product should be applied with a cloth then, brushed out, not rubbed out with a cloth. Also, not sure what you mean by "factory stain that I originally spilled on".
I never used the product but use Saphir Universal Cream and Renomat every day. They are very effective and safe. Here is a description of the product you used:
https://www.afinepairofshoes.co.uk/products/saphir-cleaning-lotion-with-carnauba-wax-125ml
If you compare the products that we use to the product that you used you should be easily in the safe zone if used correctly.
At this point it's a trial and error process. First I would try the AE cream that you are expecting. If you are not happy with the results there are renovating creams available. The pigments in those creams are stronger than the pigments in typical cream (or wax) products. However, they are more difficult to use for the layman.

As mentioned above, I'm curious as well to know what brand shoes they are.
FYI, I read "factory stain that I spilled on" to mean the original state of the leather from the factory and then with the accidental spill on the shoe.
 

Nick V.

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FYI, I read "factory stain that I spilled on" to mean the original state of the leather from the factory and then with the accidental spill on the shoe.

I assumed that as well however, in his post #159 he used this "factory finish". Later he used "factory stain" instead of "finish".
I just wanted to be clear.
 

Jay MacCallum

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I assumed that as well however, in his post #159 he used this "factory finish". Later he used "factory stain" instead of "finish".
I just wanted to be clear.

They are Allen Edmond Fifth Avenue Firsts. I kind of say that tongue-in-cheek, as the shape of the heel is a little bowed and the workmanship isn't flawless by any means... but that has nothing to do with this issue!

Yes, the cleaner is less aggressive than renomat, or at least that's what I read. I only applied it to the affected areas, then wiped off (more like wiped in, because it seemed to be readily absorbed by the shoe). I had never conditioned or polished the shoes before the first wear, which I think led to the cleaning lotion to do more damage that it would have done if there were some layers of polish built up.

I'll try the cream polish next. I live in Canada and I'm going to my PO box across the border this weekend to pick-up the polishes; I'll give it a go this weekend. Any tips on how I should approach this? Sparingly, with multiple coats? As if this was any old pair of shoes needing a polish?

By the way, I meant the same thing when I said 'factory finish' and 'factory stain'. I was just trying to emphasize that there was very little between the spill or cleaning lotion and the bare leather.

Thanks for sticking with me on this one!
 

EZB

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They are Allen Edmond Fifth Avenue Firsts. I kind of say that tongue-in-cheek, as the shape of the heel is a little bowed and the workmanship isn't flawless by any means... but that has nothing to do with this issue!

Yes, the cleaner is less aggressive than renomat, or at least that's what I read. I only applied it to the affected areas, then wiped off (more like wiped in, because it seemed to be readily absorbed by the shoe). I had never conditioned or polished the shoes before the first wear, which I think led to the cleaning lotion to do more damage that it would have done if there were some layers of polish built up.

I'll try the cream polish next. I live in Canada and I'm going to my PO box across the border this weekend to pick-up the polishes; I'll give it a go this weekend. Any tips on how I should approach this? Sparingly, with multiple coats? As if this was any old pair of shoes needing a polish?

By the way, I meant the same thing when I said 'factory finish' and 'factory stain'. I was just trying to emphasize that there was very little between the spill or cleaning lotion and the bare leather.

Thanks for sticking with me on this one!

It’s possible your spill caused a permanent stain, but the leather cleaner won’t affect then factory finish. I’ve taken renomat to my AE shoes many times and then run polish over it to restore things.
 

Nick V.

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At this point it doesen't appear to be a stain. Seems more like the color was pulled out in certain areas.
 

Nick V.

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That's likely for vinegar. Sounds like it may be time to add a patina with some color mixes. What color was the original from AE called?

If it's from the vinegar, applied correctly, a conditioner would help blend that in. Color cream would also help.
If that fails renovating cream is the last option (short of a color spray, which I don't like).
 

EZB

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If it's from the vinegar, applied correctly, a conditioner would help blend that in. Color cream would also help.
If that fails renovating cream is the last option (short of a color spray, which I don't like).

Agreed... last resort—renomat, followed by renovateur, followed by a good cream polish with a couple good colors... should blend away to patina over time
 

Jay MacCallum

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The original colour was coffee. AE said that their brown polish should be used - that's what I ordered.
 

Jay MacCallum

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Tried the cream polish. Seemed to help a bit, particularly on the toes; however, the spots on the side are still quite visible.

I'm wondering if the Saphir cleaning lotion, which has carnauba wax, may have inhibited the dyes from reaching those spots? Or is that nonsense?

I'm also wondering if a straight up wax polish would be better, as it isn't 'diluted' with conditioner. I suppose over time the layers of polish may hide these spots more, but I'm looking for some instant gratification, which it seemssim unlikely to get.

Ideas for next steps? Sort of thinking of bringing it in to a local shop and have them take care of it - I don't want to take these shoes past the point of salvageable, if they aren't already.

15492103307147459419564596144071.jpg


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15492104172258927702497787486683.jpg
 

Luigi_M

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Tried the cream polish. Seemed to help a bit, particularly on the toes; however, the spots on the side are still quite visible.

I'm wondering if the Saphir cleaning lotion, which has carnauba wax, may have inhibited the dyes from reaching those spots? Or is that nonsense?

I'm also wondering if a straight up wax polish would be better, as it isn't 'diluted' with conditioner. I suppose over time the layers of polish may hide these spots more, but I'm looking for some instant gratification, which it seemssim unlikely to get.

Ideas for next steps? Sort of thinking of bringing it in to a local shop and have them take care of it - I don't want to take these shoes past the point of salvageable, if they aren't already.

View attachment 1119103

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View attachment 1119106
You have already made them better.
I understand your hurry, but with this kind of things you have to be patient.
Good luck! Luigi
 

Jay MacCallum

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You have already made them better.
I understand your hurry, but with this kind of things you have to be patient.
Good luck! Luigi

Haha, some positivity! Thank you, this has been a very frustrating endeavor.

So should I keep applying the cream once a week and see if there is any progress? I'm a little wary of wearing them because it is still fairly noticeable. Luckily it's most noticeable on the sides, which are less visible in most situations. I've yet to decide if I'm willing to go out in public with them in the state they are in.

I'm very pleased how helpful everyone has been on this forum. People seem to have the perception that the community on SF are very elitist and snobby - I haven't seen an instance of this yet, so that's good news!
 

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