darkening shell

[agoldf]

I am about to buy a pair of AE Randolfs and Bradleys in burgundy cordovan. Is there a way to darken them? I'd like them to be almost black with burgundy highlights.

 

[TheFoo]

Black KIWI shoe polish.

 

[Slewfoot]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Black KIWI shoe polish.

I'd start though by taking Burgundy cream and mix it with a bit of black cream. Then let that dry and then do some wax. It worked very well for a recent pair of Edward Green boots of mine. Good luck!

 

[TheFoo]

It's cordovan--you're not supposed to use cream on it.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Black KIWI shoe polish.
This. It really works over time.

 

[BdeRWest]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

It's cordovan--you're not supposed to use cream on it.

Really?

Good thing I haven't shined my cordovan longwings since I got them back from A.E. recrafting! I bought a can of cream polish and everything...

 

[Jay Gatsby]

Originally Posted by BdeRWest

Really?

Good thing I haven't shined my cordovan longwings since I got them back from A.E. recrafting! I bought a can of cream polish and everything...

Bought cordovan from AE?

 

[BdeRWest]

Originally Posted by Jay Gatsby

Bought cordovan from AE?

No, eBay. Turn your nose up at me all you want! They're good shoes that will last; I can't yet justify—to myself or my wife—spending $500 or more on a pair of shoes.

 

[Jay Gatsby]

Originally Posted by BdeRWest

No, eBay. Turn your nose up at me all you want! They're good shoes that will last; I can't yet justify"”to myself or my wife"”spending $500 or more on a pair of shoes.

Good buy sir! I'll only add that you must use just a little black polish at a time; a quarter as much as you would use on calfskin shoes.

 

[Slewfoot]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

It's cordovan--you're not supposed to use cream on it.

Really? I thought the Saphir Renovateur (sp?)That Ron Rider thinks is best for shell cordovan is essentially neutral cream. Is it something else?

 

[LynahFaithful]

Originally Posted by Slewfoot

Really? I thought the Saphir Renovateur (sp?)That Ron Rider thinks is best for shell cordovan is essentially neutral cream. Is it something else?

http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/index...l_cordovan.htm

Check this link. Alden does not recommend cream. I don't think that opinion is universal however.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Cream is a no, no, but the black wax recommendation is key. You have to do it over time though and through a lot of brushing. If you try and cake wax on the shoe you are goiung to gunk it up and ruin the finish and it won't take a shine. Many iterations of renovateur, buffing, and black wax and buffing will deposit the color over time.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by Slewfoot

Really? I thought the Saphir Renovateur (sp?)That Ron Rider thinks is best for shell cordovan is essentially neutral cream. Is it something else?

No reno isn't the same as neutral cream. Reno has a ton of shea butter, it has oxfoot oil, and mink oil. Neutral doesn't, it is very much a polish, not a conditioner.

 

[rebel222]

I use cream on my shell all the time. It doesn't hurt anything. If so, please tell me what the negative effects are.

BTW: Alden sells a cordovan cream.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

It is not going to hurt it by any means, but it does make the finish look dull almost cloudy and it is hard to get a real good shine after creams are used on it.