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

[jssdc]

^^ which is more or less how I interpreted pB's comments. Not that the rain damages the leather but that it looks like crap afterwards, so if the objective is to keep your shoes looking nice then shell's not the best bad-weather choice.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Yeah, your feet will be dry, but the leather will look like **** without an overhaul. In general shell with a thinner finish and not a lot of wax polish will look better than highly polished shell because it allows the water to evaporate without getting caught up in the wax.

 

[MGoCrimson]

I was trying to decide which pair of Marlows to wear today... and ended up with some Carmina calf brogues. Good thing, cuz it's raining out now and Marlows spot like no other shell.

 

[Munky]

MgoCrimson, it's nice to have the choice... When you wear your shoes, remember to keep your feet on the ground.

 

[dbhdnhdbh]

Apparently not all shell spots. Some samples do it a lot, some less, some not at all. Like blooming. Varies from lot to lot. So one could end up with shell that looks fine after the rain and some that will be covered with spots. No way to predict.

I don't think resistance to water spotting is a reason to buy these shoes.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Alden seems to spot less because they put a shellac over their shell shoes.

 

[tahonng]

Just bought a second hand pair of APC navy derbies. It's looking a bit faded, not quite navy anymore. Granted it could be the lighting, but I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to darken it back up.

Oh, I also cleaned it up with some leather cleaner, and some of the dye looks to have come off.

EDIT: second not send.

 

[PCK1]

Just bought a send hand pair of APC navy derbies. It's looking a bit faded, not quite navy anymore. Granted it could be the lighting, but I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to darken it back up.

black wax polish.

 

[linds_15]

got a pair of AE strands in walnut today and really like the look of them as is. what products would you guys recommend to use going forward that will maintain them well?

thanks

 

[tahonng]



black wax polish.

Curious - specifically wax, or would a cream be all right? Was looking at Saphir shoe cream, specifically.

 

[laufer]



Yeah, your feet will be dry, but the leather will look like **** without an overhaul. In general shell with a thinner finish and not a lot of wax polish will look better than highly polished shell because it allows the water to evaporate without getting caught up in the wax.

Interesting, would this mean I would be better off using shell cream for maintenance instead of paste wax.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I don't know, maybe. Give it a shot.

 

[kentyman]

Good advice. I'll continue to leave them out to dry, which will also give time to ponder my next move -- and possibly hear more advice. Thanks.

So after a week of "drying", the shoe looked the same. I decided to see whether more vinegar/water solution would slowly lighten them. It didn't seem to, so I decided to finish darkening that one panel. Surprisingly, the results are that bad:



I'd say this photo is a little more flattering than real life, especially at some angles, but it does get the point across. I think I have enough tools now to perhaps do a little more work in evening it out. I actually might give Reno'Mat a try on one of the darkest areas to see whether it will lighten it at all.

Thank you all for the advice in minimizing the damage of one stray onion from an oily Greek salad!

 

[patrickBOOTH]

It looks like a non issue at this point

 

[laufer]



I don't know, maybe. Give it a shot.

I will, I am not shell enthusiast but I bought a pair just to see what is it all about. I seem to remember Ron Rider specifically saying that shell should be worn in the rain. In addition some people claim that shell is virtually maintenance free but lately I have been hearing a different stories. I guess I will try it and see it for myself.