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I THOUGHT I was good at polishing shoes...

RangerP

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I decided to buy a lightly used (2-3 times) of AE Park Avenue's on eBay a while back for 60$ or something because although it's a staple for most closets, I simply don't have that many occasions to actually wear a black cap toe. I usually prefer brown shoes.

They came in excellent shape almost no noticeable creases, no scratches, almost no wear on sole. Got to wear them for the fist time over the weekend and didn't damage them at all. Had over shoes on them outside and wore them inside for like 3-4 hours.

Now, I decided to polish them today as I was doing another pair that I was going to wear tomorrow.

What I did:

1 - Horsehair brush just to clean the shoe at first
2 - Applied AE Conditioner Cleaner to the shoe with old t-shirt and let them dry
3 - Applied AE Shoe Polish with the applicator already on the tube and let dry
4 - Brush again just a bit and shine with old t-shirt

When I applied the AE conditioner, it exposed a lot of creases and defects in the leather as it naturally took off some of the polish that was already on the shoe.

Now, I can't seem to be able to cover the imperfections off with the polish.

It is quite clear that the seller of the shoe was WAY better at polishing shoes than I am.

What am I doing wrong here? I've always done this and never had any problems.

I even tried to reapply more polish but it still didn't do the trick. Should I try a paste?

Thanks!
 

poissa

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Call me crazy but ask the seller about his process.
 

viator

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If you want to get a real shine, you need to use a paste wax - the kind that comes in a tin.
 

Master-Classter

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after you put on the conditioner, did you give them a good rub to REMOVE any excess? if it hasn't soaked in or there's a lot left on the surface, it'll mix with your polish/paste and make it impossible to get a good shine.

I suggest using a cream most of the time but let it soak in and dry, then a light wax coat will give you bigger shine on top.

also, instead of using your t-shirt to get the final shine, try a lot of quick vigorous rubbing with the brush. i find that brings out the shine. I only use the t-shirt to either apply or wipe off condition/polish.
 

DerekS

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wax on, wax off.
 

Mac

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http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=212313
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ter1413

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Originally Posted by rebel222
Try a wax.

100%. That stuff in a bottle is only good for those white shoes that nurses wear!!
 

MyOtherLife

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First thing that came to my mind was the possibility that the seller used shoe trees, which is the right thing to do when a shoe isn't in use.
The fact that they were pre-owned will almost certainly guarantee that the shoes have developed some wrinkles, which is completely normal. After your own use of the shoes, did you also put shoe trees in the shoes to help maintain their shape? If not, then this will help.
 

RangerP

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Originally Posted by Master-Classter
after you put on the conditioner, did you give them a good rub to REMOVE any excess? if it hasn't soaked in or there's a lot left on the surface, it'll mix with your polish/paste and make it impossible to get a good shine. I suggest using a cream most of the time but let it soak in and dry, then a light wax coat will give you bigger shine on top. also, instead of using your t-shirt to get the final shine, try a lot of quick vigorous rubbing with the brush. i find that brings out the shine. I only use the t-shirt to either apply or wipe off condition/polish.
I didn't rub after applying the conditioner. I never have. I'll try that next time!
Originally Posted by pebblegrain
you lie
Not sure what you mean. I waited like 15 mins or 20 mins. Enough time to apply conditioner to the other pair of shoes I was doing and run down across the street to get a coffee...
Originally Posted by ter1413
100%. That stuff in a bottle is only good for white nurse's shoes!!
Is that your experience with the tube polish? I've read on here that some people really like the AE polish which is why I bought it in the first place. I'll definitely try a wax as most people have suggested it.
Originally Posted by Man Of Lint
First thing that came to my mind was the possibility that the seller used shoe trees, which is the right thing to do when a shoe isn't in use. The fact that they were pre-owned will almost certainly guarantee that the shoes have developed some wrinkles, which is completely normal. After your own use of the shoes, did you also put shoe trees in the shoes to help maintain their shape? If not, then this will help.
Well I really don't think the seller wore the shoes for more then a day. I have shoes that I've used one day that have more damage to the sole then the pair I purchased. He might have worn them inside the office only. The imperfections I'm talking about are somewhat typical of AE shoes from my experience. The only difference is that I can normally cover it up with the AE polish but this time I can't. Thanks for the advice guys.
 

CYstyle

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If you use a colored shoe cream, that would cover up imperfections. buff out any excess. Then apply your wax polish, I use a colored wax polish as well, but neutral would work as well. You need a bit of water, apply the wax, then you need buff it to a polish, You may need several coats of polish, but always buff after each coat.
 

Master-Classter

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for the record, i don't have extensive shoe polish knowledge but I've got a few of the AE ones and I find they work just fine. Then again I prefer a clean but relatively matte finish to my shoes.
 

ter1413

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i also just use some wax and let it sit until i wax(not heavily) my other shoe(s) and then brush with a horsehair bush. never spitshine. shoes look great. i do that appr once a week. IMO, people over "think" shining their shoes.
 

Reggs

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Originally Posted by Mac
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=212313

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later. I AGREE

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Fixed
 

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