PLEASE HELP! Did I ruin my shoes?! Polishing mistakes

[FranDCG]

Hi, n00b shoe care issue here...These double monks were one of the first pairs of "nice" shoes that I ever bought and I think it's obvious I've made a big mistake during my attempts to care for them. I started out using this method: Lexol PH, then Saphir cream (same color), brush, Saphir wax polish (again, same color), brush, Lexol PH, brush...I was very generous with everything I applied to the shoes and applied both cream and wax polish to the entire surface area of the shoes. I thought I was doing great, however, after using this method for about 4-5 times, I noticed the shoes started developing really dark, almost black, tar-like stains all over them. I've tried to show this discoloration in the pictures, but my camera isn't great and my photography skills are even worse. The staining is all over both shoes and I'm confident it has something to do with my "care" for them because these were never exposed to bad weather or any other harmful conditions...What do I do? Have I ruined them? Can I fix this myself or do I have to send them somewhere? PLEASE HELP

 

[Patek]

Were you using a brush that was used for black shoes? That is what it looks like.

 

[acecow]

It might be the same "noob" mistake that I made. When I first polished my shoes, I did it too vigorously, essentially "burning" the leather black. I still wear the shoes, because I've started considering it sprezzatura. If you can't stand it, then you've ruined them.

 

[nmprisons]

you are using way too much polish, is my guess. i would strip and start over. or, better yet, if you are in a city with a high-end shoe-shine, go there and have them shined and watch and learn.

 

[rebel222]

Originally Posted by nmprisons

you are using way too much polish, is my guess. i would strip and start over. or, better yet, if you are in a city with a high-end shoe-shine, go there and have them shined and watch and learn.

I wouldn't suggest anyone who made the above pictured mistake try to strip their own shoes.