my cordovan looks terrible

[sum1else]

These are my RL wingtips in cordovan. I got them in November, wear about 3x a week. The creases look absolutely horrible, they are gray in color and very grainy. I thought they might be dirty, so I just had them polished, but its just more visible now. In the sun, the shoes are hideous. At night or indoors they still look fine. Has anyone else seen this? Can I do anything? Thanks

 

[geoffmartin17]

1.) Take a damp cloth to them
2.) Brush the hell out of them for about 25-30 minutes

Mainly 2.)

 

[TRA8324]

9.5D...I guess you could always sell them to me at a deep discount

Honestly though, I would wipe them with a damp cloth to try and remove any polish that may have caked up there along the crease. After that, just brush the hell out of them. Apply a light coat of wax polish, brush some more, and then polish with a slightly damp cloth.

So in summary, what he said^^

 

[sum1else]

You think thats just a build up of gunk, and not a loss of color? I hope so. By brushing you mean horsehair brush? Firm pressure?

 

[DocHolliday]

Don't polish yet.

If brushing doesn't fix it, try a small amount of Saphir Renovateur.

 

[rebel222]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Don't polish yet.

If brushing doesn't fix it, try a small amount of Saphir Renovateur.

+1 on the Renovateur.

 

[sf_esq]

Brush that area vigorously and with firm pressure and they should improve.

 

[malat]

Looks like too much polish/not enough brushing, perhaps. I happen to be wearing mine today. Have had them since October/November I believe. I wear them every week, rain or shine. All I do is damp cloth them and brush the hell out of them once a week. No polish ever touches them. (Ignore my laces, I'm wearing a cast underneath

 

[NAMOR]

This has happened to me in the past and it was a result of too much waxing paste. First check to see if you have too much wax on there. You can do this by taking the back of your fingernail and running it against the leather. If you see a buildup on your nail then you have too much polish/wax on your shoes. Try to remove as much as you can with your nail and then try using a damp cloth. Then proceed to use a horse hair brush. A good 5-10 minutes will do wonders.

Also, search for the C&J RL Darlton thread. Its a thread dedicated to this particular shoe. GL!

 

[NAMOR]

Looking good Malat

 

[AboveBeyond]

I got the same issue!

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=234503

 

[pgd3]

With Cordovan shoes, when new there are waxes and oils that get pushed out of the material.

Particularly in the areas of creasing.

Try a paper towel. Then brush/cotton rag.

I think the paper towel has a good "abrasiveness" to it for that task.

I wouldn't use any sort of polish on them, cordovan is so oily that you can often just wipe and brush them.

Once that stops forming I'd go for some sort of cream, like allen edmonds or as mentioned above.

 

[pgd3]

Will need soles soon apparently.

 

[sho'nuff]

Originally Posted by sum1else

These are my RL wingtips in cordovan. I got them in November, wear about 3x a week. The creases look absolutely horrible, they are gray in color and very grainy. I thought they might be dirty, so I just had them polished, but its just more visible now. In the sun, the shoes are hideous. At night or indoors they still look fine. Has anyone else seen this? Can I do anything? Thanks

huh? wha??

those shoes just look like perfect worn-in cordovan darltons. absolutely beautiful and the patina and the contrast of light reflection on the vamp is what adds to the depth of the leather. happens to all cordovan or even calf shoes.

 

[NewYorkIslander]

Originally Posted by malat

(Ignore my laces, I'm wearing a cast underneath

DAMN! Thats dedi-*******-cation! You my friend are now the owner of the SF Poast of the Year (well, in my book at least).