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Cordovan restore/care on shoes that are used - Video Request?

JCT22

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Jun 1, 2013
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There are many videos out there on caring for and polishing cordovan. But, most people willing to do shoe videos seem to show shoes that are new or extremely well cared for.

Are there any videos out there that start with well-worn or beat shell cordovan shoes with deep wrinkles, whitening, plenty of wear, etc that shows someone working them over and bringing them to board-room worthy state of polished patina perfection?

How much is too much or too little brushing, water, wax, creams, deer boning, polishing cloth, etc?

Top 2 photos aren't mine.





I think I have the right products but I don't know what I'm doing and am afraid to mess up my cigar shell chukkas. The 2 Florsheim pairs below have been worn in the rain, snow and walked through road salt. Even worse, the middle one has been abused by airport shoe shines. I'm less paranoid about those pairs than the Aldens.

L to R: 2x Vintage Florsheim PTB, Alden Cigar Shell Chukka



After some brushing:




Saphir Renovateur haze drying on Florsheim pairs before I take the brush to them again (I'm afraid to screw up the cigar shell chukkas so I only brushed them)



After brushing... this is as far as I've gone on shell cordovan shoes.
I'd really like to get them to a better place, smooth out the deep wrinkles and get brave enough to do something to the cigar shell chukkas.
 
Last edited:

JCT22

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Update: Spent 5 minutes using deer bone on left shoe in this pic, after applying renovateur and letting it dry and brushing it. I was not gentle in any way, I really got after it and am surprised at the difference it made. I'm a believer.

 

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