**The Official Shoe Care Thread: Tutorials, Photos, etc.**

[ShoeWho]

I’m fairly certain Saphir products contain no silicone.

All the products have a materials safety data sheet at avel.com, listing the hazardous ingredients. But I have no idea whether silicone counts as hazardous.

 

[ShoeWho]

I agree will everything u said there

Hooray! Peace breaks out!

 

[Nader393]

I have almost a dozen cedar shoe trees from Nordstrom rack. I also have several pounds of brass pull knobs left over from my old kitchen cabinets before renovating.

These knobs use a machine screw that goes through cabinet doors. To mount them on a block of wood, they will need "hanger bolts.". They are an 8-32 machine screw on one end, with wood screw threads on the other end. I drilled a pilot hole into the shoe tree to avoid splitting it when screwing in the knob.

Here is the final result installed in a nice pair of Bally monk straps.

 

[Nader393]

If you're like me, you keep your treasures out in the open for your viewing pleasure, until you're over them. Soon, I will need a decent shoe cabinet to house these fine wares.

That second shoe tree demonstrates the importance of drilling a pilot hole.

 

[masterphotog]

I have a new pair of Enzo Bonafé chukkas on the way and I’d like to commission someone to put a light custom patina on the boots, just to highlight some areas of the shoe. I don’t necessarily want a complete makeover, but something to make it appear not stock or plain.

Any recommendations on businesses or individuals that can start these with a custom patina? I intend to simply maintain that look once applied. I just don’t trust myself to attempt this.

Thanks!

 

[DWFII]

Not sure if this question really stick with the topic, but guess I will ask it any way.

I have a couple pair of shoes that hurts the top of my big toes. I believe it's caused by the creasing of the upper vamp area. Maybe due to the toe box to be too big? Is there any way I can address this?

Some pairs are pretty snug elsewhere, and the vamp area doesn't feel so big as well, but still hurts my toe.

i don't know the make--you never said (don't tell me)--but sometimes the toe stiffener is is just too stiff. Meaning it hasn't been properly thinned over the toes such that it will flex with the the vamps. Sometimes it is too long...meaning it comes back towards the joint too far. Sometimes, as with shoes made with a toe cap that is in addition to, and over the top of the vamp, there is just too many layers of firm leather. I am not certain that a too high toe stiffener is the culprit.

FWIW, if the shoes fit properly, adding any kind of insert will not only tighten the shoes even more than you say they already are, but change the relationship of heel to ball and length of the medial long arch. Essentially altering/degrading fit--it's the 'orange peel' effect.

 

[Encore]

i don't know the make--you never said (don't tell me)--but sometimes the toe stiffener is is just too stiff. Meaning it hasn't been properly thinned over the toes such that it will flex with the the vamps. Sometimes it is too long...meaning it comes back towards the joint too far. Sometimes, as with shoes made with a toe cap that is in addition to, and over the top of the vamp, there is just too many layers of firm leather. I am not certain that toe stiffener that is to high is the culprit.

FWIW, if the shoes fit properly, adding any kind of insert will not only tighten the shoes even more than you say they already are, but change the relationship of heel to ball and length of the medial long arch. Essentially altering/degrading fit--it's the 'orange peel' effect.

Thank you, I think you are right - it comes back toward the joint too far, the crease push hard on my feet and hence cause the pain.

In fact, the shoes does seem big to me. I guess I will just have to find them new owners....

 

[ShoeWho]

I've bought boots a whole size too big because they were rare and I knew I'd never find them in my size. And I've made them comfortable with insoles and foam pieces at the toe and heel. It costs nothing to give it a try - assuming you have a spare pair of insoles lying around and bits of foam from packaging or a dead pair of trainers or wherever.

 

[Encore]

I've bought boots a whole size too big because they were rare and I knew I'd never find them in my size. And I've made them comfortable with insoles and foam pieces at the toe and heel. It costs nothing to give it a try - assuming you have a spare pair of insoles lying around and bits of foam from packaging or a dead pair of trainers or wherever.

Thanks, I bought 2 pairs in the same last/ size but now found it not fit me well. (I noticed this issue from very beginning but thought it'd get better after some wears. now ~ 10 times in but didn't get better)
Good thing I only worn one pair of them, will work on fixed the used one but sell the brand new one.

 

[EZB]

For those concerned about the harshness of Renomat, here are some pictures of what it does and how to remedy.

I took Renomat to the toe caps of my AE Park Avenues in Dark Brown to remove all the mirror shine. Here are pics of the shoe after Renomat:

Here are the shoes after the Renomat has been rinsed off with a cloth and then allowed to dry:

Notice that the cap is now really light; these were burnished dark brown--nearly black--when original. So you can see that Renomat is pretty harsh, but don't fret: The shoe is fine! It's just severely dried out. I then took some Renovateur to the shoe and brushed it after a couple minutes, and notice that the toes are nearly normal now:

Next, I applied two coats of Saphir Medaille d'Or in Dark Brown:

Finally, I applied and brushed Saphir Pate deluxe in Dark Brown:

Can you even tell that the shoes have had a Renomat treatment?


Thus, don't worry so much about Renomat. On a full-grain shoe with a proper burnishing, just remoisturizing the shoe will restore it to near normal. Apply a good polish afterwards, it is 100% good to go as original. However, do not apply Renomat to a shoe that is not full grain or has some kind of cheaper painting, as Renomat may completely remove that--permanently.

 

[benhour]

Despite the beautiful outcome you have clearly overdone with renomat !!

Some general info about renomat!!when you are using it on dark brown or black shoes its quite easy to fix any discoloration it may occur but on a tan or other colour shoes (especially without burnished toes) it wont be the easiest thing to recreate the factory finish!

 

[EZB]

Despite the beautiful outcome you have clearly overdone with renomat !!

Some general info about renomat!!when you are using it on dark brown or black shoes its quite easy to fix any discoloration it may occur but on a tan or other colour shoes (especially without burnished toes) it wont be the easiest thing to recreate the factory finish!

I had a ton of mirror gloss to tear off. It was my first shoe with mirror, and I had waaaaay to much.

 

[Poshak Man]

Can you even tell that the shoes have had a Renomat treatment?


Thus, don't worry so much about Renomat. On a full-grain shoe with a proper burnishing, just remoisturizing the shoe will restore it to near normal. Apply a good polish afterwards, it is 100% good to go as original. However, do not apply Renomat to a shoe that is not full grain or has some kind of cheaper painting, as Renomat may completely remove that--permanently.

Do you have any photos from before you applied renomat? The cap toe looks like the finish has been removed. I have had this happen to one of my shoes. After renomat application they drink up all the renovator or bick 4 and end up looking much darker and somehat blotchy then they did before the application of renomat.

 

[aj2603]

I would classify that as a harsh effect of renomat. It has pulled off most of the finishing. It is easy to replace the colour in ur particular brand and colour of shoe.

Dark brown and black are easy to do as @benhour said. It’s much more difficult if u have a crust leather with hand painted finishing. Or if u have a specific patina done by hand or a unique color.

PS: those are lovely shoes and I am happy to see u have got such good results.

 

[Munky]

A good trial run but as others have said, you have overdone the renomat. There must be simpler ways of removing wax from the toe. It all worked out in the end, though and you are back to having a beautiful pair of shoes!

AJ is right: never used Renomat on crust leather. In fact, to not use any renovating cream on crust. You will remove most of the finish. Crust leather shoes are quite difficult to care for and need only most gentle of creams. With best wishes, Munky