Highlights

[aficionado4321]

I have a tan (crust leather) shoe with dark brown "accenting" or "highlighting", if you will. The leather is of a high quality and NOT sealed (i.e., it is full grain leather with no plastic sealer over it found in lower quality shoes).

My question is: With WHAT and HOW do I reapply the dark brown accenting that came from the factory originally. As I condition/polish/wax the shoe, the highlighting has come off. Do I use dark brown wax? dark brown shoe cream? dark brown edge dressing? dark brown leather dye? I tried the leather dye. It looks good BUT I'm concerned that the leather is now "sealed" under the dye and won't take up conditioner. Do I use a brush? a rag? a special applicator? How many layers?

HONESTLY: As much as I love antiquing on shoes, I will never buy another pair again. I have had nothing but trouble caring for such shoes.

To anyone kind enough to respond, your learned input is much appreciated in advance.


All the best,

Aficionado

 

[well-kept]

The leather you describe will acquire a rich range of tones and colors naturally, just through wearing and polishing with a color close to the base color. Don't worry. Enjoy them. In a year or two they'll have all the highlights (and depths) that you could possibly desire and will look better than "antiqued".

 

[aficionado4321]

What I failed to describe properly is the nature of these "highlights". They are more like a painted border, about 1/4" in thickness running in different places on the shoe. The closest I can come to describing the effect is PINSTRIPING.

Thanks again for your response.