Saphir Shoe Care Reviews & Experimenting on Berluti Loafer with pics, Renovatuer, Renomat, & more

[shoelove]

Hello All!
I have been reading and lurking on SF for a few years now. I thought I would finally post some pics and Saphir reviews for all to see. I picked up an old pair of Berluti whole-cut loafers online a while back and had fun experimenting with them. I tested out many different shoe care techniques with pics below.
Enjoy!

1. As purchased. The soles were in great shape, the upper was a bit neglected.

2. ****** Kiwi Polish Job!!! My first polish job using Kiwi Neutral wax and old ignorant techniques.

3. Stripped. and conditioned with Shelper's shoe cream. I know the following may make some cringe, but after trying several techniques (rough rag, Renomat, & both) The suede brush (below) and Shelper's All-Pupose Cleaner & Conditioner have produced outstanding resulting. I have not seen any damage whatsoever about 5 different types of shoes. It usually takes 3-4 scrubbing sessions with the brush&conditioner followed hot water wash off, wipe off, and inspection to achieve a complete stripping.






4. Gloss Shined. Here they are gloss shined with Saphir Renovatuer conditioner as a base 3-4 coats, Saphir neutral polishing wax 4-5 light coats of wax on the entire shoes, and 3-4 extra light coats for the toe gloss shine.

5. Shined up Berluti Loafer compared to new unworn Berluti Gaspard.

6. Gloss Cracks. Yes, the gloss coat will crack, even when extra light on the folds. Just brush a few times and continue; folds are a fact of life.


7. Back to Matte! I never really wanted these loafers to be shiny anyway. This time I tested Saphir Renomat. I definitely prefer the suede brush w/conditioner technique. Renomat was very slow and required a great deal of time, elbow grease/strength, and a rough rag. As can be seen it will suck the color right out. I used this fact and antiqued the toes to my liking!

8. Finished! Renovatuered and brushed. This is what I prefer in the end for this pair. It was fun the entire time getting back to here.

 

[Dandy Wonka]

Well done.

I am too scared to strip off old polish so I would take the cowardly (and ineffective) route of piling polish on top of old polish.

I wish there was a really good show polisher in Sydney. At the moment I am having to send my shoes off to Melbourne to et polished.

 

[shoelove]

I was tentative at first, these were really a test bed for the others.

 

[shoelove]

Bump.
Any comments on the stripping technique?

 

[Shawl Lapel]

If you used less Renomat and a softer touch, would the wax come off but the color stay? I need to strip some wax off an old pair so I can re apply it but I don't want the color coming with it.

 

[shoelove]

The Renomat seams to disolve the first little layer of wax. It then gets really gooey. If you I wanted to use it again I would use a large old rag (specifically a rough old towel) and most the bottle of Renomat. I would get it dissolving then Use a clean or rather just dry section to wipe away the goo and repeat. That being said I wouldn't use it again. I tried it on both a very built up old John Lobb (not pictured, but classic lots of wax buildup) and on the glossy Berluti pictured which as you can see does not have any buidup.
I am no pro but i recommend the brass suede brush tecknique. It works wonderfully. If you do use this tecknique use a very liberal amounts/tons of a cheap conditioner. This provides an excellent lubricant.

 

[shoelove]

I don't know if a "softer touch/less Renomat" would make the color hold faster. What I describe above would definitely control the process much better. I am positive that most of the color loss is due to the patina coloring Berluti uses. I am willing to bet a very nice solid color shoe maker/leather would not lose color.