Shoe Care

[Neb]

Ok so I've been searching other threads and the more I look the more confused I get. If I'm reading right, there are a few options for leather care/treatment

Leather conditioner
shoe cream
shoe polish
shoe wax

I realize that the cream and polish basically treat the leather the same but give a different finish (higher shine on the polish) so I'm wondering if this sounds about right.

Always treat the leather with conditioner

Then depending on the finish you're going for you can either use the cream or polish.

But when should you use the wax? Always after the cream/polish stage?

Is there a need to let the cream/polish soak into the leather if the conditioner is doing that already?

I read over pt 4 of this page:

http://www.whatmakesaman.net/wordpress/category/how/

but there's no mention of conditioners. But then there's also talk of wax polish and then I get even more confused. It seems that there isn't a standard 'language' for different stages of care. (compared to say, a vehicle paint work - there's polish/wax/swirl remover etc)

Thoughts?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Wax is not a separate category, it is a type of polish. There are wax polishes, or cream polishes. Either is fine applied sparingly.

Condition, polish and buff is all you really need to know.

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

+1

 

[Neb]

Got it, so you'd never use a wax polish over top of a shoe cream?

Is there a good protectant you can use over the cream as it doesn't really repel water at all?

 

[TRA8324]

Originally Posted by Neb

Got it, so you'd never use a wax polish over top of a shoe cream?

Is there a good protectant you can use over the cream as it doesn't really repel water at all?

I think it's common to alternate wax polish and shoe cream when caring for your shoes. So use cream one time and then the next time you clean them use wax. This way you can still get the protectant properties of the wax.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

The best cream polishes are still beeswax based rather than silicone based. The one to use would be Saphir.

 

[Neb]

I just ordered some Grenson stuff actually. Was reading it's also pretty good.

The only problem I have with alternating is that I don't want a high shine on some of my shoes. I guess I could just not buff it as much?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by Neb

I just ordered some Grenson stuff actually. Was reading it's also pretty good.

The only problem I have with alternating is that I don't want a high shine on some of my shoes. I guess I could just not buff it as much?

I don't think you will have an issue alternating. Just don't bull them.

 

[sportin_life]

Probably answered in other threads, but don't creams affect the color and patina of the shoe? I tried a cream out and it destroyed a pair of my shoes because it made it a uniformly ugly shade of dark brown. Since then, I've stuck to waxes.

 

[Neb]

depends on the colour of the cream. I usually alternate between neutral and brown for my tan shoes..

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by sportin_life

Probably answered in other threads, but don't creams affect the color and patina of the shoe? I tried a cream out and it destroyed a pair of my shoes because it made it a uniformly ugly shade of dark brown. Since then, I've stuck to waxes.

Waxes will change the color of your shoes as well, it is just much slower. Best sticking with as close to the color of the shoes as you can.