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

[Noo Guy]

I bowed out of the discussion after a small fracas developed on the board, but I wanted to let everyone know that I had gone through several applications of corn starch to draw out the oil from the leather, and I had then decided to take the shoes directly to my local cobbler first thing in the morning. He indicated that there was little to no hope, and insisted that degreaser would damage or alter the finish of the shoes...

Question for the forum: he indicated that I should coat very light shoes with a repellant in order to avoid stains. Thoughts?

I will post after pictures in case anyone is interested.

 

[denverbizman42]

A repellant I think would damage the leather. But I'm curious to see what the more experienced guys here say?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Why did you put corn starch on your shoes?

 

[kloss]

Will pure beeswax help to waterproof boots? Is it easy to remove (easier than Obenauf anyway)? And will it prevent my boots from taking a shine?

 

[Numbernine]



Will pure beeswax help to waterproof boots? Is it easy to remove (easier than Obenauf anyway)? And will it prevent my boots from taking a shine?

Pure beeswax is melted and brushed onto warm leather leather goods to make them water proof but it also makes them stiff and dark as hell .There are much better products for shoes imo.It will shine though and impossible to remove

 

[kloss]

Do you have any recommendations? I have heard bad things about Obenauf and I do not want to bake my boots, so Sno-seal is out of the question.

 

[RIDER]



Those are beautiful shoes Ben!

In regard to new shoes:I don't think that new shoes really need anything done to them right away, but I always like to go over a new pair with some cleaner/conditioner just to remove anything that may have collected on the surface in storage, and to give the leather a bit of a glow. Sometimes I will add a coat of cream polish, and bull the toe with some paste, if I want to start off with a full shine. It sort of depends on the shoe style. I never condition the sole, as I don't want to soften that leather.

Agree with this 100%.....rarely does a new shoe need any extra product.

BTW glenjay, I took a look at your product project - very interesting! How was it for you working with the FDA, EPA and DOT? Costs for approvals have gone crazy, I know.......

 

[Numbernine]



Do you have any recommendations? I have heard bad things about Obenauf and I do not want to bake my boots, so Sno-seal is out of the question.

Actually you do not need to bake your boots to use sno seal setting them in the warm sun works fine . If your primary objecive is to protect your boots from water and water borne contaminants than sno seal is imo one of the better products to use . As far as I know the only drawback is that it will darken the leather considerably . While this is only my opinion it is based on experiance with many of these protectants and I certainly respect the opinions of others and welcome differing points of view .That said it would help considerably if when making inquiries about a product one would be specific in exactly what one wishes to accomplish through the use of said products . No criticsm intended

 

[kloss]

Thanks for the advice. I'll look into Sno-seal again. I plan to use it on a pair of black leather rain boots (neither of the two pairs I mentioned in previous posts) so darkening should not be a problem. I plan on using those boots (in Vancouver) during light to moderate rain. They will not be used during heavy rain or snow, or when there is salt on the roads. Hopefully the leather will still shine and remain pliable after applying Sno-seal. I'd like to be able to condition them regularly as well. Hopefully Sno-seal does not interfere with that. Is Sno-seal removable?

 

[glenjay]



Agree with this 100%.....rarely does a new shoe need any extra product.

BTW glenjay, I took a look at your product project - very interesting! How was it for you working with the FDA, EPA and DOT? Costs for approvals have gone crazy, I know.......

Thanks Ron, I will shoot you an email on your Comcast address and we can discuss details.

 

[ChetB]



Tarrago self-shine color dye is the ticket here........

http://www.shoecaresupplies.com/Shoe_Dye_p/tarrago-color-kit.htm?gclid=CO6D0fjYpLcCFclj7AodrlkAog

Thank you, Ron. I appreciate the tip and will give this a try.

 

[glenjay]

Bespoke Burgundy Wingtip Adelaide with a little bit of high shine polish on the toe.

 

[OzzyJones]



Bespoke Burgundy Wingtip Adelaide with a little bit of high shine polish on the toe.

Stunning!

 

[chogall]



Bespoke Burgundy Wingtip Adelaide with a little bit of high shine polish on the toe.

Maker? DWFII?

 

[glenjay]



Maker? DWFII?

As a matter of fact, yes, these were made by DWFII.

Leather is Russian Calf.