Bad Polish Job

[gbrown_nyc]

I was wondering if some of the shoe experts here could weigh in on what I consider to be a recent shoe shine disaster. I was in the mood for shirking work so I ran across to the shine guy at the subway stop by my office. He polished the hell out of a pair of relatively new Bally's that I can only describe as being a rather 'dull' or 'natural' black. This flatter, or non-glossy look was the way they looked when I bought them and I quite liked it, subdued and fitting given their narrow toe.

Anyway I'm not paying attention and 10 minutes later I look down and I've got on a pair of tap shoes. My fault as I didn't specify that I wanted them cleaned and polished, not shined, but I'm wondering what would take that shiny, gloss look off? Hard work and elbow grease?

And while I realize that I'm a relative newcomer here, yet to prove my weight and really just asking questions, not answering, I do have a pair of old favourites coming back from a complete B.Nelson recraft tomorrow and will post pics and the results.

 

[sho'nuff]

polish and shoe shine are the same thing.

just take a little rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball or rag and buff off the shine.

 

[tom153]

Maybe cut it down with some water too. Just make sure that the rag is not dripping wet; just damp as if you were cleaning them with a leather cleaner before conditioning.

 

[gbrown_nyc]

Thanks very much. Great advice.

 

[ohm]

Next time ask for a matte shine.

 

[Bhowie]

Mmm, I was hoping this would be about Poland.

 

[sf_esq]

I had the same thing happen to me with a brand new pair of shoes several years ago. Let's just say that I wasn't happy when I looked down and could see my reflection on my previously matte shoes. Lesson learned. Better to just do it yourself, honestly. Good luck getting that shine out. I would suggest you take them to a shoe repair place to see if they can do it without drying them out or ruining them.

 

[sf_esq]

Originally Posted by Bhowie

Mmm, I was hoping this would be about Poland.

Classic.

 

[teddieriley]

Originally Posted by sho'nuff

polish and shoe shine are the same thing.

just take a little rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball or rag and buff off the shine.

really with the alcohol, nuff? I'd be weary advising someone with not much experience to put this stuff on their shoes. I wouldn't even do - i'd be too scared.

 

[sho'nuff]

Originally Posted by teddieriley

really with the alcohol, nuff? I'd be weary advising someone with not much experience to put this stuff on their shoes. I wouldn't even do - i'd be too scared.

id take your shoes in a second and apply rubbing alcohol to strip any polish with no hesitation and with high confidence. and i know you are bigger than me and can kick my butt, but im that confident it won't ruin your shoes.

 

[Ich_Dien]

Saphir Renomat would do the job I think.

 

[gbrown_nyc]

Its sounding like my best bet is to go see the pros, I'm too much of an amateur to take a risk! Thanks for all the advice. Its much appreciated.

 

[Irond Will]

I've found that a layer of Obenauf's LP knocks a shine down without really stripping anything off the shoe.

 

[koolhistorian]

I had very good results with La Cordonnerie Anglaise neutral cream - stripes all wax and cream without damaging the original color! It has a "petroleum" smell, so probably is based on petroleum gel. If not lighter fluid or turpentine (turpentine is the solvent on good waxes, like Saphir MdO), Renomat will do also the job.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

I usually polish my shoes with the blood of the unbeliever.