Spiderweb cracks on Shoe

[krawlxx]

The caps of my black leather lace-ups have small, spiderweb cracks. I don't think it's the leather that's actually cracking as the shoes are good quality, and fairly new. Instead, I think it's from too much polish. If I accidently scuff my shoe, or push on it, the cracking spreads out from the point that pressure was applied.

I don't polish my own shoes, as a man in my office tower comes around, and for $20 a month, will shine the shoes 4 times a week. But, that means that the polish is just continually piled on.

I guess my next step is to strip the polish off the shoe and start over.

Has anyone else experienced this? Have I diagnosed the problem correctly?

 

[MyOtherLife]

Please post photos so we can see. Thank you.

 

[Politely]

I've seen that once, on a new pair of Barker Blacks. It was definitely the leather, particularly around the brogueing on the toe. I could tell it was the leather because you could lift up the top layer with a pin and see the layer underneath.

 

[koolhistorian]

Originally Posted by krawlxx

The caps of my black leather lace-ups have small, spiderweb cracks. I don't think it's the leather that's actually cracking as the shoes are good quality, and fairly new. Instead, I think it's from too much polish. If I accidently scuff my shoe, or push on it, the cracking spreads out from the point that pressure was applied.

I don't polish my own shoes, as a man in my office tower comes around, and for $20 a month, will shine the shoes 4 times a week. But, that means that the polish is just continually piled on.

I guess my next step is to strip the polish off the shoe and start over.

Has anyone else experienced this? Have I diagnosed the problem correctly?

Strip the polish - turpentine is the best option (I am doing that once a season) - condition, cream, wax and polish. The best way is to do it yourself and to eliminate the previous layer (not when you strip all) with neutral wax or conditioner, apply the new layer and buff.

 

[Edicron]

Originally Posted by koolhistorian

Strip the polish - turpentine is the best option (I am doing that once a season) - condition, cream, wax and polish. The best way is to do it yourself and to eliminate the previous layer (not when you strip all) with neutral wax or conditioner, apply the new layer and buff.

Turpentine on leather? Couldn't that damage the leather even more?

 

[Stony32]

Originally Posted by krawlxx

The caps of my black leather lace-ups have small, spiderweb cracks. I don't think it's the leather that's actually cracking as the shoes are good quality, and fairly new. Instead, I think it's from too much polish. If I accidently scuff my shoe, or push on it, the cracking spreads out from the point that pressure was applied.

I don't polish my own shoes, as a man in my office tower comes around, and for $20 a month, will shine the shoes 4 times a week. But, that means that the polish is just continually piled on.

I guess my next step is to strip the polish off the shoe and start over.

Has anyone else experienced this? Have I diagnosed the problem correctly?

Do you mean the same pair 4 times a week? If so....yikes!