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Lexol - Pump Spray or regular bottle?

Bob01

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Hey All,

Well just put my orders for my first Allen Edmonds and Edward Greens - now Im wondering about their care...

In addition to polish and creams, the consensus looks like a cleaner and conditioner is also needed (as well as sole/heel edger). Lexol (both the cleaner and conditioner) seems to highly endorsed by many on here. Perusing on ebay I notice it comes in a spray bottle and regular pour bottle - I would think the spray version would be better?

On the topic of cleaner and conditioners - can I get away with just using these 2 items for a while (ie a few months)?

Thanks,

Bob
 

DrZRM

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It does not really matter, as you are not supposed to spray Lexol directly onto the shoe anyway. The direction say to spray onto a sponge or cloth and wipe onto the shoes. It comes out in a pretty narrow stream, not a fine mist.

Are you asking if you can just condition and not shine for a few months? It shouldn't damage your shoes (I don't think) but a wax polish will cover and I think protect from scuffs and scratches.
 

Bob01

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Thanks! Haven't seen the back of the bottle.

For just using lexol, its comming from my laziness. Not sure I would actually polish/wax/edge my shoes every month or less. Then again, it looks like I better start getting into that habit...
 

Wes Bourne

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I have the Lexol cleaner as well as the conditioner, both in the small pour bottles. The conditionner is great, but I've found the cleaner to be a ***** to use. You're supposed to work the cleaner into the leather until a lather forms, then wipe it down with a damp cloth. Problem is, the cleaner doesn't really lather up and is penetrates the leather so quickly that it's hard to wipe away. I ended up just rinsing my shoes under running water to get rid of the cleaner.

I haven't used the cleaner since, opting for a full acetone rub down whenever I need to remove built up wax, followed by 2 liberal applications of conditioner before (re)waxing. Results are great!
 

NH_Clark

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this is a great topic as I have been contemplating how I ask the same/similar question. In particular, with brand new AE's fresh out of the box, would the steps be:

1. Conditioner
2. Wax polish
3. Buff shine and rewax as needed
4. On wax buildup go to step 1

??
 

Wes Bourne

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Originally Posted by NH_Clark
this is a great topic as I have been contemplating how I ask the same/similar question. In particular, with brand new AE's fresh out of the box, would the steps be:

1. Conditioner
2. Wax polish
3. Buff shine and rewax as needed
4. On wax buildup go to step 1

??


On any dress shoes out of the box, I go:

1. Conditioner, overnight drying time
2. Conditioner, overnight drying time
3. Light Wax polish
4. Buff shine and rewax as needed
5. On wax buildup, apply acetone (nail polish remover) with jumbo cotton pads to strip, overnight drying time, then go to step 1.

Admittedly, I am very OCD. I'm sure wearing them straight out of the box would be fine, unless you're talking about some vintage nos shoes dating from way back...

Forgot to mention that Crema Alpina is highly touted here as far as conditioners are concerned, no experience with it myself though.
 

sf_esq

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I typically apply two coats of meltionian shoe cream polish (black or brown, depending on shoe) prior to wearing. I'm partial to the cream polish because it accomplishes both moisturizing/conditioning and polishing in one step. My shoes have held up well doing this. I also apply edge dressing prior to wearing. My belief is that if you apply a couple of coats of polish, when you first scuff them, you're scuffing polish, not the finish.
 

paper clip

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I use Lexol wipes - for both the cleaner and the conditioner (the blue bottle shown below is for vinyl/plastic I use it on my crocs /wink/)

tolae_2017_8162503


You can get the wipes at auto parts stores.

I use 1 wipe per pair of shoes, depending on how dirty they are (usually not too dirty).

I wipe the cleaner on, then wipe it away with an old t-shirt.
Then, I wipe on the conditioner and let it dry, and then wipe with a t-shirt.
Then, I wipe on shoe cream the color of the shoe with an old t-shirt, let sit for a while and then wipe that off with a t-shirt.
Then, I apply a light coat of wax with a small horsehair brush, let that sit for a while and then wipe that off with a t-shirt.
I then buff with a horsehair brush.
 

Bob01

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Originally Posted by Wes Bourne
On any dress shoes out of the box, I go:

1. Conditioner, overnight drying time
2. Conditioner, overnight drying time
3. Light Wax polish
4. Buff shine and rewax as needed
5. On wax buildup, apply acetone (nail polish remover) with jumbo cotton pads to strip, overnight drying time, then go to step 1.

Admittedly, I am very OCD. I'm sure wearing them straight out of the box would be fine, unless you're talking about some vintage nos shoes dating from way back...

Forgot to mention that Crema Alpina is highly touted here as far as conditioners are concerned, no experience with it myself though.


Does Conditioner penetrate waxes/creams? For monthly/maintenance polishings, would you need to strip the polish/wax/cream before applying the conditioner?

Thanks,

Bob
 

grimslade

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I condition a number of my shoes more often than I polish them. I don't use Lexol though, and I'm not a big fan of it for footwear. YMMV.
 

Wes Bourne

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Originally Posted by Bob01
Does Conditioner penetrate waxes/creams? For monthly/maintenance polishings, would you need to strip the polish/wax/cream before applying the conditioner?

Thanks,

Bob


My guess is that if you want the conditioner to fully penetrate the leather and have the most beneficial effect, it might be best to strip any old polish/wax/cream before applying it. Mind you, I've never bothered stripping new shoes before conditioning them, although they do come waxed straight out of the box...

I've found a good waxing job goes a long way. I can usually go a few wearings before I need to go through the whole routine again; a quick brushing followed by buffing with old pantyhose is often enough to bring out the shine. It also wears down the last coat of polish/wax/cream you did apply, leaving you with less crap to strip next time your shoes are due for a full wax.

As much as conditioning can be beneficial, I guess you don't want to overcondition either. The frequency at which you need to do so probably depends on how often you wear a particular pair of shoes. Your climate likely has an effect as well.
 

Kaplan

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Do you apply conditioner to sides and/or bottoms of soles?

Why/why not?
 

Wes Bourne

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Originally Posted by Kaplan
Do you apply conditioner to sides and/or bottoms of soles?

Why/why not?


I don't simply because I've never felt they needed it; I've never noticed my soles getting dry or brittled. Also, I haven't seen it recommended by shoe care product manufaturers. I should get some edge dressing though.

Other, more advanced, shoe afficionados might be able to say whether there is an actual need to do so or not.
 

Kaplan

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Forgive my ignorance, but what is the purpose of edge dressing?
 

Wes Bourne

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Originally Posted by Kaplan
Forgive my ignorance, but what is the purpose of edge dressing?

Covering inevitable scuffs and wear to the sides of the soles? From my understanding, purely cosmetic purpose.
 

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