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

[bradp]

These museum calf carminas are on their way to me: http://www.skoaktiebolaget.se/products/carmina-oxford-in-museum-calf

Can I assume it's still a good fall back to use saphir reno or is there a different conditioner I should use?

Also, does anyone have a recommendation on what color polish I should be using for the museum calf?

 

[traverscao]

Lexol as a conditioner would be nice.

If you want to go bold, apply neutral cream and then neutral wax afterwards. It really kicks the effect. Or else, go for light tan.

 

[bradp]

thanks. I'm not all that familiar with reno vs. lexol. is there a reason lexol is a better choice for museum calf?

 

[traverscao]

Museum is just a finish. Almost all calfs (except crust calf) are alike to each other.

Lexol is better because it won't sit. Reno is too much a polish.

Try do further reading if you can. MUCH further back.

 

[bradp]

thanks. seems like I shouldn't worry about "ruining" the finish based on what you're saying if I stick with mainstream products.

and yes I see quite a debate about reno. but what do you mean by lexol "won't sit." (it seems many object to reno because it's too polish-like and will crack your uppers.)

 

[traverscao]

Not that Reno cracks your upper. It won't nourish properly.

Lexol, if applied on un-polished leather, will absorb well inside, and will nourish the shoes as needed.

 

[waynewei]

HI man, I got same condition with your shoes as the toe seem rougher and cannot be polished.when I applied wax, it will be absorbed and getting darker. I was wondering how do u handle it finally? thanks!

 

[traverscao]

Perhaps try to remove and rebuild the finish with all what you've got...

 

[sleepyinsanfran]

These museum calf carminas are on their way to me: http://www.skoaktiebolaget.se/products/carmina-oxford-in-museum-calf

Can I assume it's still a good fall back to use saphir reno or is there a different conditioner I should use?

Also, does anyone have a recommendation on what color polish I should be using for the museum calf?

Lexol or Bick 4 would be the way to go I think. But some museum calf-skins lose their finish a bit easily, so I would use small amounts of conditioner to start with

 

[bradp]

Thanks. Is the defining difference from Reno the mink oil?

 

[traverscao]

Museum is sorta semi-antique, isn't it? Damn antiquing, they're some of the hardest to work with. Sometimes I asked myself whether to **** them up or to try and preserve the finish itself.

 

[jaywhyy]

Isn't museum calf aniline? It'd be rather difficult to lose the finish.

 

[sarteaga]

Guardsman makes an excellent product for removing built up wax:
http://www.shopguardsman.com/detail/TCL+470800
It's safe and effective.
Make sure that you condition and polish after using it.

Amazon has the wipes and with Prime shipping. Just as good or stick to the liquid?

 

[traverscao]



Amazon has the wipes and with Prime shipping. Just as good or stick to the liquid?

Don't ever use wipes because they leave lints all over the surface. Furthermore, you can always regulate the amount with a cloth and the product.

 

[sleepyinsanfran]

Thanks. Is the defining difference from Reno the mink oil?

Lexol is mostly comprised of a compound that mimics sperm whale oil, per an interview that was linked on this thread.
Reno is a mix of many undisclosed ingredients- don't klnow if mink oil is one of those