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Polish/Conditioning my new CT Chelseas

Mr Sola

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I just got my new CT boots in, and I was wondering how I should go about polishing/conditioning them prior to their first wear. I have some Lexol conditioner and cleaner. Do I need to use these, or should I just go straight to polish? Also, should I wait to try antiquing?
 

Arethusa

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http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=15246
  • Wipe it down with a moist rag
  • Apply conditioner
  • Apply shoe cream
  • Apply polish
You can start antiquing right away. It's really a lot easier than it's been made to sound. I did it with a pair of boots over the weekend. Took a couple hours to do everything (first wear polish), but they came out extremely well. I applied a layer of brown polish, a layer of cordovan, a layer of black, and then another layer of cordovan. Just make sure to mix it up.
 

j

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If you're going to use acetone, IMO you should probably do it right away.

I don't suggest using black polish on brown shoes. I've done it, but it usually comes out blotchy IME. On the CTs I used some light tan, some dark brown, lots of cordovan, and later on some navy blue cream and bright blue polish.
 

Mr Sola

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Is there a technique for using acetone? Do I just put some on a rag and start wiping?
 

Flame

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I have a question. Is "conditioner" a waterproofing spray?
 

j

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Originally Posted by Mr Sola
Is there a technique for using acetone? Do I just put some on a rag and start wiping?
Pretty much. I use those little face pads. It soaks right through and if you use it for very long it will not be the greatest thing for your skin, so you may want to wear gloves of some kind. I found that on the CTs the acetone had the most effect on the hardened areas, i.e. the toe box and heel counters. It will take some of the color off, and then you can leave it lighter (use light tan polish to protect it) or add your own color to those parts. The parts you strip with acetone will take color from polish and cream much better than the other parts.
 

matadorpoeta

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Originally Posted by j
If you're going to use acetone, IMO you should probably do it right away.

I don't suggest using black polish on brown shoes. I've done it, but it usually comes out blotchy IME. On the CTs I used some light tan, some dark brown, lots of cordovan, and later on some navy blue cream and bright blue polish.


are there pics of these shoes?
 

j

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Originally Posted by matadorpoeta
are there pics of these shoes?
Yeah..

chelseas27cp.jpg


ct11zn.jpg
 

mbc

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J, those were all wax polishes, correct? No creams?
 

j

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Originally Posted by mbc
J, those were all wax polishes, correct? No creams?
Some navy blue Meltonian cream across the vamp because it started looking a bit dry after I wore them a bit.
 

Arethusa

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For what it's worth, black polish does not necessarily end up blotchy, but you will darken your shoes considerably. Helps to apply different colors underneath and on top to soften the effect and get a deeper color. j, can you explain how and why you had to go at those with acetone? How'd they look after you did, and what cream did you use for the color base?
 

j

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Originally Posted by Arethusa
For what it's worth, black polish does not necessarily end up blotchy, but you will darken your shoes considerably. Helps to apply different colors underneath and on top to soften the effect and get a deeper color. j, can you explain how and why you had to go at those with acetone? How'd they look after you did, and what cream did you use for the color base?
The black polish always seems to leave streaks or little grains of pigment around, and I don't like how it ends up. They get into any cracks and are hard to get out. I don't think I will use it on any shoes but black from now on.

The acetone I didn't feel I needed to use, but I wanted to strip any surface finish from the boots to make sure the polish I was going to use would adhere and make a good base.

I didn't use any cream on them until after I wore them a few times.
 

matadorpoeta

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j, they look very handsome. did you have to buy a new belt to go with them, or did you do a wax job on one you already had?
 

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