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

[El Argentino]



The vigorous brushing has done the damage and taken the finish off. Try first applying some creme polish and then couple of thin layers of wax, buff lighty but thoroughly and see the results. AE cordovan creme in similar color is a good choice before Saphir.

Thank you for the confirmation of what I thought was happening. I have been moisturizing w/ Lexol conditioner over the entire vamp, and particularly the worn areas, and will proceed with the creams you suggested. Even with just the lexol and a bit of saphir cordovan creme, the blotches are already looking less menacing.

 

[patrickBOOTH]



Have you gone through all your GK conditioner already or just always looking for different products to try?

Just curious, that's all. Fwiw, I've never used GK conditioner on my shoes. It's very much a cleaner conditioner and for the most part I don't think it's all that necessary if you're using the polishes, which have a lot oils in them all ready.

 

[patrickBOOTH]



Thank you for the confirmation of what I thought was happening. I have been moisturizing w/ Lexol conditioner over the entire vamp, and particularly the worn areas, and will proceed with the creams you suggested. Even with just the lexol and a bit of saphir cordovan creme, the blotches are already looking less menacing.

I disagree with that assessment. Looks like good ole wax build up to me.

 

[El Argentino]



I disagree with that assessment. Looks like good ole wax build up to me.

Even with the texture change? The photo isn't super descriptive in that regard.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Just looks like gunky buildup.

 

[sstomcat]



I disagree with that assessment. Looks like good ole wax build up to me.

The creases may have some black wax left, certainly not the other areas of the vamp which has lost its finis.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I wouldn't say any of that finish is lost. I don't know why you say this.

 

[Cleav]

Apologies for x post

Used Lord Sheraton Leather Balsam, Saphir Beaute Du Cuir, Dasco Reno, Punch neutral solid wax and Colonil Supreme Creme de Luxe

C & J Shoe Shine Shunday! Ready for a busy week. There is a cuckoo in the nest however....

Spoiler: More

 

[Feryll]

Does this look like it needs a resole ?

 

[cbfn]

Nope.

 

[Cleav]

This

(miles of life)

 

[stevent]

Any idea what this is inside a new pair of shoes? Glue leftover?

 

[gettoasty]



Just curious, that's all. Fwiw, I've never used GK conditioner on my shoes. It's very much a cleaner conditioner and for the most part I don't think it's all that necessary if you're using the polishes, which have a lot oils in them all ready.

I actually picked up three jars of GK (black, dark brown cream, and cleaner/conditioner) under the impression you really liked the product. Also, stopped using Reno based on your ill experience over the years...

Regarding GK I use the cleaner/conditioner for only the vamp while cream polish for the toe. Been working fine though I'm going to tone it down on the cleaner and apply polish regularly. I probably should give it more time to rest (like 10 min as stated in the website) prior to brushing. I usually just brush after finishing the application on the second shoe.

Fwiw and I think some of the frustration new members have is getting a straight answer from more senior members and regular contributors with experience. That and perhaps less snark and sarcasm. I find pB tends to so this and being a large contributor, some may take it to heart

Regarding new shoes, what would you put on the cap toe for protection from say a nick in the leather? Happened to a brand new pair of shoes when I accidentally kicked a trolly while moving boxes. Nothing too deep, GK worked well in covering it up as I hoped, but a cobbler was busting my balls for not putting anything on the shoe prior to first wear. Considering the thickness of products, did he mean some wax so any surface blemishes would hit the wax first before touching the shoe finish? I would like to avoid an accident again if it means protecting my new shoes properly. But how? Fwiw I am usually very careful where I step...

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Well, I use the cream polish on everything except the toe and heel. For the toe and heel I use his high shine paste, which is just beeswax and carnauba. I just think the cleaner conditioner isn't really necessary unless you want to lift off some wax build-up and recondition under layers of wax. I feel like with once in a while applications of the regular cream polish this won't really be an issue on a regular basis. I also like that the cream polishes aren't solvent heavy at all, whereas the cleaner conditioner is (which is what makes it a cleaner).

If you're having shine issues it's probably because of frequent use of the cleaner/conditioner. There are tons of oils in it and it would be hard to get a shine if you're smothering the leather in that stuff. Speaking to Glen he said using a little bit of the cream is really all you need and every once in a while use the cleaner/conditioner as took much oils won't raise a shine.

 

[Munky]

Apart from cleaning shoes when they are scuffed or generally dirty, how many 'wears' do most people allow before they give them a polish? If you have a number of pairs of shoes and rotate them, you ain't going to wear them all that often. Do you rotate the polishing too? Again, if so, how often?