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

[JezeC]

I haven't done a full re-sole before, just heels as they get worn out. 1) Do you think it's necessary to do a full resole for the shoes attached? 2) Will continue using these shoes without a full resole permanently damage the structure of the shoes? The bottom of the soles are not "squishy" nor does it look to be in a circular motion, which are signs that a resole is necessary.

 

[jaywhyy]

Looks like you've worn the sole to the point that your welt is getting worn. You would likely have to get those re-welted in addition to resoled.

 

[DWFII]



I haven't done a full re-sole before, just heels as they get worn out. 1) Do you think it's necessary to do a full resole for the shoes attached? 2) Will continue using these shoes without a full resole permanently damage the structure of the shoes? The bottom of the soles are not "squishy" nor does it look to be in a circular motion, which are signs that a resole is necessary. 

You definitely need a resole of some kind--a half sole (if you're one of those people ) would probably do it.

But you're almost though the outsole and damaging the welt and inseam in that one photo (from the side). Once you do wear though...and it could happen tomorrow...dirt and oils and so forth start entering into the space between the insole and the outsole and even more damage...irreversible damage...is to be expected.

 

[Munky]

I have a pot of Renapur, which contains: "Our formula of natural waxes and oils, such as Beeswax, Carnauba wax, Jojoba oil and Avocado oil. I have used it once or twice, with good effect. Does it sound like the sort of thing we should be putting on our shoes?

 

[mimo]

I have been using it for years, for shoes, bike leathers, all sorts. Just a tiny, tiny amount, and very rarely. It seems to keep leather very supple in these tiny amounts. I've had the same small pot since 2005.

 

[traverscao]

I have a pot of Renapur, which contains: "Our formula of natural waxes and oils, such as Beeswax, Carnauba wax, Jojoba oil and Avocado oil. I have used it once or twice, with good effect. Does it sound like the sort of thing we should be putting on our shoes?

Once per annual or semi annual, when your shoes are full of gummed up waxes and what not, after a long stripping and cleaning, you may want to apply the balm lightly with your fingers, and rub it in very very well. Le tit dry for a day or two, then polish. And that's pretty much how it can be use on dress shoes.

With casual shoes, just clean the shoes with a damp cloth, then wipe the stuff across.

 

[Zapasman]

I have been using it for years, for shoes, bike leathers, all sorts. Just a tiny, tiny amount, and very rarely. It seems to keep leather very supple in these tiny amounts. I've had the same small pot since 2005.

It seems a pretty good investment to me for 12 pounds.

. Do you condition your shoes just with that Mimo?

 

[traverscao]

@nutcracker , I recall a very, very long time ago, you posted a Japanese made shell cordovan wax dressing used for currying, just how does that work, for you, and for most users? And, to what degree of effectiveness would you say the product is?

 

[Mead]

I recently discovered that Suede shampoo is a great to clean suede shoes, and then use the spray

 

[mimo]

It seems a pretty good investment to me for 12 pounds.

. Do you condition your shoes just with that Mimo?

I bought it for 5 from a promo stand at a motorcycle show!

Yes, just brush, wipe down with a damp cloth, and then the faintest touch of this stuff on the standard sponge (silicon?). Then leave it for a while. It works its own way in over hours. Then I just polish them normally.

As I've said before, though, I don't think shoes need this very much - unless you get them soaked or something. I'd happily leave shoes for a year without any more attention than a horsehair brush.

 

[Munky]

A 200ml pot of Renapur costs £12 and is said to be useful for up to 500 pairs of shoes. For those who want further economy, or are going on a very long holiday, they also do a smaller 'travel' pot (50ml) for £5.99. If you have several thousand pairs of shoes, you can get the litre bucket for £48. Fun for all the family!

 

[DWFII]



I have a pot of Renapur, which contains: "[COLOR=666666]Our formula of natural waxes and oils, such as Beeswax, Carnauba wax, Jojoba oil and Avocado oil. I have used it once or twice, with good effect. Does it sound like the sort of thing we should be putting on our shoes?[/COLOR]

Munky,

What brings all those disparate ingredients together? The carnauba and beeswax won't mix with the jojoba and avocado oils by themselves. And the carnauba is particularly hard...by its nature.

Heat? A solvent?

The packaging materials doesn't say. Does that mean there are no other ingredients except those listed? I am doubtful. But if so, why couldn't you make your own?

--

 

[AAJJLLPP]

Munky,

What brings all those disparate ingredients together? The carnauba and beeswax won't mix with the jojoba and avocado oils by themselves. And the carnauba is particularly hard...by its nature.

Heat? A solvent?

The packaging materials doesn't say. Does that mean there are no other ingredients except those listed? I am doubtful. But if so, why couldn't you make your own?

--

No added solvent is needed to mix carnuba, beeswax, avocado and jojoba oil. They are all non-polar molecules which means they will soluble in each other, they really aren't very disparate, the difference between a wax and a oil is just the length of the carbon chain. They could easily be mixed by simply melting the solid beeswax and carnuba and stirring it together with the oils. The hardness is would simply be dependent on the ratio of oils to waxes.

It should be quite easy to make your own, if you wanted to I would think a double boiler would be best, and simply just play around with the ratios of the ingredients until you find something you like.

 

[DWFII]



No added solvent is needed to mix carnuba, beeswax, avocado and jojoba oil. They are all non-polar molecules which means they will soluble in each other, they really aren't very disparate, the difference between a wax and a oil is just the length of the carbon chain. They could easily be mixed by simply melting the solid beeswax and carnuba and stirring it together with the oils.  The hardness is would simply be dependent on the ratio of oils to waxes. 

It should be quite easy to make your own, if you wanted to I would think a double boiler would be best, and simply just play around with the ratios of the ingredients until you find something you like.

+1

 

[Zapasman]

I bought it for 5 from a promo stand at a motorcycle show!

Yes, just brush, wipe down with a damp cloth, and then the faintest touch of this stuff on the standard sponge (silicon?). Then leave it for a while. It works its own way in over hours. Then I just polish them normally.

As I've said before, though, I don't think shoes need this very much - unless you get them soaked or something. I'd happily leave shoes for a year without any more attention than a horsehair brush.

Thanks. I do not polish much my shoes. Lot of brush and some conditioners as a regular basis.