Can a cobbler change the bit on my loafers?

[rathebaindc]

I have loafers with a gold horsebit, but I'd prefer if the bit were silver. Is there any way to get the bit swapped out, or taken out and painted silver?

 

[Cary Grant]

Depending on the construction and their skills I'd assume it is possible to unsew and re-sew the shoe to replace a bit.

You'd either have to come up with a replacement bit from somewhere (maybe contact the manufacturer) or see if the gold bit could be replated by a firm that does plating. That's re-PLATED, not painted.

 

[Nick V.]

Try www.mjtrim.com. If they don't have them they may be able to direct you to someone that does. A competent cobbler can switch them for you.

 

[Lone Wolf]

You might also be able to have this done by a tailor. I had the one I use change out flat bows to pinched bows on a pair of opera pumps for about $50. He supplied the fabric.

 

[cgardel]

Perhaps you could use a cheap, possibly beat-up, pair of the same shoes from eBay or a thrift shop as sort of an "organ donor" for the replacement bit.

 

[acidboy]

it's possible to remove them by taking the seams off that thing that holds the bits... and if you do remove them you could try rubbing sandpaper on a small part of the bit to see if the gold color can be removed easily.