Did I mess up my new MacNeil 2.0's?

[illition]

Hi everybody, I fell in love with Allen Edmonds awhile ago when I picked up my first pair of Shell Cordovan Leeds. They were extremely comfortable and fit like a glove. I tried them in store and never looked back.

Recently, I picked up a pair of MacNeil 2.0's, but being based far far away from the U.S or any other official dealer, there was no way to try these shoes in person. I took a chance and ordered them anyway, without seeing them in person (either shoe or colour)

I went with the Walnut. When it arrived, I found the colour slightly too light / orangey yellow for my taste. It was difficult to match with khakis and seemed only suitable for more formal clothing.

Original Walnut:



Therefore, I ordered a tin of Saphir Medium Brown Wax Polish and took a big chance with these brand new MacNeils. I wanted to darken the shoes slightly so they could be used as a more casual pair.

I am inexperienced in polishing shoes to be honest, and messed up a little at the first bit, leaving a slightly dark stain in the middle of the toe of the right shoe. I then continued gradually building up a light polish all over both shoes (trying to avoid the dark spot) to try and darken the colour overall. After a painstaking 2 hours or so, I've finally managed to (kinda) cover up the dark spot and get a nice polished shine out of it. Only issue is the toebox area is slightly darker than the rest of the shoe, I tried to darken the rest of the shoe but it does not seem to be working as well.

What do you think? I know many would prefer the original Walnut colour, but overall I am pleased with the result (save the slightly dark spot in the middle)






Do you think the dark spot will even out over time, or will it help if I leave it out in the sunlight for a day or two to lighten the tone slightly?

Cheers!

 

[soaped]

They are fine. The polish will eventually fade. You can always use Saphir Renomat to take it off, but honestly they look fine.

I've seen AE shoes finished from the factory worse than that...

 

[BrooksLauren77]

+1. Shell does not need much polishing compared to calf.

 

[YRR92]

I wouldn't try to fade it. Just wear them, and keeping polishing (very sparingly) with the darker polish. I did something similar (not as thoroughly) with a pair of tan brogues, and they see dark brown wax polish every second time I do anything to them, with a bit of neutral polish on the toes for shine. Otherwise, it's neutral conditioner.

Don't worry about the toes being darker, that can look very good (AE's burnished leathers often have a slightly darker toe, as do many other shoes). In this case, it works pretty well.

I wouldn't say the original color was more suited to formal clothes, though. Generally, as you move up in formality, having shoes lighter than your trousers starts to look worse and worse.

Anyway, I like those a lot. I have MacNeils in tan grain leather, and they're about the color you ended up with. They are probably my favorite pair of shoes.

 

[Astaroth]

Its a slightly odd colour but looks fine, certainly have seen worse for sale and agree the original is very yellowy

Confused by you saying lighter colour shoes are more formal though, the exact opposite is the normal thinking

 

[illition]

Thanks for the replies everybody! The colour has evened out slightly over the last few days.

I'm going to let it sit for awhile and it if does not work out, I will have a go at Saphir Renomat.

Am I correct in saying that Renomat only removes any **Extra layers of polish applied

But will not affect the original colour or finish of the shoe?

Cheers

 

[YRR92]

Thanks for the replies everybody! The colour has evened out slightly over the last few days.

I'm going to let it sit for awhile and it if does not work out, I will have a go at Saphir Renomat.

Am I correct in saying that Renomat only removes any **Extra layers of polish applied

But will not affect the original colour or finish of the shoe?

Cheers

Renomat seems like a bad idea. The original color/finish was an applied one (note the burnishing at the toe), and that would be affected by stripping the shoe.

 

[philosophe]

Be cautious. Shell is tough, but it does not like all shoe care products. Have you checked the shoe care thread here? There is a lot of excellent advice.

 

[illition]

Be cautious. Shell is tough, but it does not like all shoe care products. Have you checked the shoe care thread here? There is a lot of excellent advice.

Sorry for the confusion in my opening thread.

My Allen Edmonds Leeds in #8 are in Shell Cordovan

These MacNeil 2.0's are in calf

 

[soaped]

As long as the original color was not built up using polish, you will be fine. You will lose the burnishing.

 

[jeremyleediaz]

I would just wear as normal, and polish lightly when needed. They honestly look pretty good and the dark spot isn't really visible. Like someone previously stated: "I've seen shoes from factory that didn't look as good as that."

Big risk seems to have paid off.

 

[illition]

Renomat seems like a bad idea. The original color/finish was an applied one (note the burnishing at the toe), and that would be affected by stripping the shoe.

What if i plan to use the renomat on just the darkened spot? and then repolish that area to get a more even tone throughout the shoe

 

[illition]

thanks for all the helpful replies everybody.

I have spoken to my local shoe maker, and he too says that the colour will lighten over time and just to wear it for awhile.

Over time as it lightens, I can polish the other areas of the shoe and eventually it will even out.

I also put it out in the sunlight sometimes to lighten the tone a little.