Polishing my Alden LHS

[bleachboy]

So I have a pair of burgundy shell cordovan Alden LHSs that could use a polish. Is this something that is done? Will polishing ruin the lovely contrast stitching, or do I just need to be super careful? Or should I just leave them alone and rock the patina?

Any tips/experience/horror stories would be appreciated!

 

[AlanC]

Mac method

 

[westinghouse]

I would use a neutral polish only.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Mac method
This. It really works.

 

[bleachboy]

Originally Posted by JayJay

This. It really works.

So basically I am just gonna dampen the shoes, brush the hell out of them, then buff 'em? I'll give 'er a shot.

 

[TheWGP]

Originally Posted by bleachboy

So basically I am just gonna dampen the shoes, brush the hell out of them, then buff 'em? I'll give 'er a shot.

Right on. The most important component is the brushing the hell out of them. Some people who don't want a high-gloss-shine finish skip the final buffing, or don't do it vigorously. Note that you should use paste wax once every 15-18 wears - when desperate, in other words - but NOT MUCH of it. See the link AlanC posted!

 

[factorial]

Originally Posted by westinghouse

I would use a neutral polish only.
Alden recommends against using neutral polish on their cordovan.

 

[lee_44106]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Mac method

This dude Mac over on AAAC has like 1000 pairs of shell.

His method is foolproof and best.

 

[Kevk]

In addition to the Mac method, I have had good luck using Allen Edmonds Cordovan Care Cream. $8.00 shipped on there web sight. Easier to work with than paste wax and really brought the shine out on a pair of vintage Florsheims. Wish they made the cream in colors other than burgandy and black.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by bleachboy

So basically I am just gonna dampen the shoes, brush the hell out of them, then buff 'em? I'll give 'er a shot.
Yes. Whenever I wear my shell, I simply wipe with a damp cloth and then buff. Works every time. I apply a thin layer of wax 2 or 3 times a year at most.

 

[Hoofit]

Originally Posted by Kevk

Wish they made the cream in colors other than burgandy and black.
It wasn't too long ago that they had a brown cordovan cream listed on their ebay website. It may be worth a call to AE if you need a brown cream.

 

[Kevk]

Originally Posted by Hoofit

It wasn't too long ago that they had a brown cordovan cream listed on their ebay website. It may be worth a call to AE if you need a brown cream.

Thanks for the heads up. Just got a call back from AE. They do have some brown cordovan cream left. $8.00 shipped.

With paste wax, it is easy to use too much and have a wax build up that is a pain to remove. With the cream I don't seem to have that problem and they come out looking great. Less work too...

 

[imatlas]

The colored creams are good for restoring color due to scuffs or sun fading; the wax doesn't add color in the same way.

 

[ld111134]

According to Sam at the Beehive Shoe Works in Chicago,

• Clean the cordovan with Meltonian All Purpose Cleaner & Conditioner (http://www.cedarshoetree.com/meltoni...er-p-37.html);
  
  
• apply a small amount of cordovan cream (such as Allen Edmonds' product - http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline...&imageType=2);
  
  
• brush with a horsehair brush; and finally
  
  
• buff with a soft cloth.