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

[JFWR]

Yes I think that's exactly right. I would take a picture but I just applied some saphir recolorant. I'm hoping since that's very dry it will seal it off.

Yes. I was going to recommend that. Hopefully it'll work!

 

[marlinspike]

Yes. I was going to recommend that. Hopefully it'll work!

Looks like the Saphir recolorant (Renovatrice) did the trick. That said, so I know what to expect in the future, does Reno'mat or any other of the stronger shoe cleaners strip the recolorant, or is that truly permanent?

 

[Goofy]

So, I wore my renovatrice-treated LWB last night.

The result was that the renovatrice just peeled off the cracks. It did not adhere at all: it came off like plastic film.

Did I put this on wrongly? It dried for 48 hours. It was completely adhered before I put it on - but afterwards, it just peeled off. I have had much less success with renovatrice than most other people have. Am I doing something wrong with the application? Do I need to add something to cure it so it completely adheres and becomes a hard resin?

I fear that the cordovan leather is simply to smooth and impermeable for the renovatrice to properly adhere to it. There is no Saphir bonding agent I am aware of.
Alternatively, you could try a product from a different brand that does, like the Angelus acrylic leather paint primarily designed for sneakers, but matching the color of the paint to the shoe may pose a challenge.

 

[JFWR]

I fear that the cordovan leather is simply to smooth and impermeable for the renovatrice to properly adhere to it. There is no Saphir bonding agent I am aware of.
Alternatively, you could try a product from a different brand that does, like the Angelus acrylic leather paint primarily designed for sneakers, but matching the color of the paint to the shoe may pose a challenge.

Would the leather paint fill in the tear?

Sadly: I also tore the LWB at the shoe lace hole last night. It seems these shoes are destined to become watch straps...

I have an idea: I am going to call up Horween tomorrow and see if I can't ask them what they'd recommend.

 

[JFWR]

Looks like the Saphir recolorant (Renovatrice) did the trick. That said, so I know what to expect in the future, does Reno'mat or any other of the stronger shoe cleaners strip the recolorant, or is that truly permanent?

Yes. Renomat removes renovatrice.

Renomat basically eats through anything it wants.

 

[florent]

So, I wore my renovatrice-treated LWB last night.

The result was that the renovatrice just peeled off the cracks. It did not adhere at all: it came off like plastic film.

Did I put this on wrongly? It dried for 48 hours. It was completely adhered before I put it on - but afterwards, it just peeled off. I have had much less success with renovatrice than most other people have. Am I doing something wrong with the application? Do I need to add something to cure it so it completely adheres and becomes a hard resin?

AFAIK no filler would hold on properly when the cracks are in a bending area. Sorry but I would call these shoes a lost cause
But I'd love to be proven wrong if you find a solution, that would be a game changer in shoe restauration!

 

[Goofy]

Would the leather paint fill in the tear?

Sadly: I also tore the LWB at the shoe lace hole last night. It seems these shoes are destined to become watch straps...

I have an idea: I am going to call up Horween tomorrow and see if I can't ask them what they'd recommend.

Sorry for laughing at your expense, but your watch strap comment had me laughing out loud. I could use me some shell watch strap, provided it’s sturdy enough and doesn’t fail. That would be a complete catastrophe. Imagine your high end watch tumbling to the floor because the strap tore. The thought alone makes me shudder.

On the subject; yes, Angelus offers a wide array of leather paints, including a line which is designed to repair damaged leather. Some of it even adheres to plastics. For reasons previously stated, I’m uncertain whether it would work.

P.S: You’ll find a plethora of Angelus shoe restoration video’s on YouTube.

 

[JFWR]

Sorry for laughing at your expense, but your watch strap comment had me laughing out loud. I could use me some shell watch strap, provided it’s sturdy enough and doesn’t fail. That would be a complete catastrophe. Imagine your high end watch tumbling to the floor because the strap tore. The thought alone makes me shudder.

On the subject; yes, Angelus offers a wide array of leather paints, including a line which is designed to repair damaged leather. Some of it even adheres to plastics. For reasons previously stated, I’m uncertain whether it would work.

P.S: You’ll find a plethora of Angelus shoe restoration video’s on YouTube.

Not a problem. It is pretty amusing to think!

Good thing is: a good amount of this shoe is in good condition. There's a guy here on Styleforum that has made several watches out of old shoes. I don't remember his screen name, though. I'll try to dig it up.

 

[JUAN MANUEL]

Well, I thought this shoe had a crepe sole and Juan has confirmed this. Crepe soles are usually of stitchdown construction and - sometimes - a rand goes on top. As it happens, I have just ordered a made to order pair of desert boots with just this combination. There is nothing wrong with either of these features. I would be surprised to see a stormwelt on crepe soled light suede shoes.

Sanders, by the way, make great shoes! Best wishes, Munky.

Reporting form Sanders factory. The Archie suede shoe in crepe sole is GYW. Awsome shoe.

 

[MortimerHobbs]

I've searched the forums for an answer and unfortunately can't find any definitive answer on non-renovateur leather conditioners.

I'm looking at Cobbler's Choice, Bick 4, Venetian, and Blackrock and wanted to know which one is best at hydrating leather, providing some amount of weather proofing, and do what it can to fix scuffs. I've watched a ton of videos but those are never as good as folks with actual experience with the products.

 

[OldTown]

I've searched the forums for an answer and unfortunately can't find any definitive answer on non-renovateur leather conditioners.

I'm looking at Cobbler's Choice, Bick 4, Venetian, and Blackrock and wanted to know which one is best at hydrating leather, providing some amount of weather proofing, and do what it can to fix scuffs. I've watched a ton of videos but those are never as good as folks with actual experience with the products.

Bick 4 will be great for moisturizing the leather without darkening. It won't really give a shine though, that's what polish and wax are for. If you want weather proofing why aren't you using wax? If you want a small shine with your moisturizing then you can go renovateur. You are kind of asking for 3 products in 1 to be honest. Moisturizer will be one product, polish to get rid of scuffs another, and wax for a weather proofing.

 

[cristianivc]

Here's a detailed breakdown of a suede cleaning process I use, using some pretty readily available ingredients: https://www.purepolishproducts.com/blogs/shoe-polish-and-leather-care-blog/taking-care-of-suede

Thanks for the information.
I already try with shoe cleaner and it didn’t work. Do you think I should repeat the process with a more concentrated solution?

 

[DapperAndy]

Thanks for the information.
I already try with shoe cleaner and it didn’t work. Do you think I should repeat the process with a more concentrated solution?

My post doesn’t reference a shoe cleaner, so I can’t speak to anyone in particular’s cleaner. But it does recommend using a glycerine & coconut oil shampoo along with room temperature water. The glycerine in the shampoo will pick up the material, while the coconut oil will keep the leather supple and avoid drying out. The water will allow the spread, but will also act as a gentle solvent when coupled with the glycerine.

So, no, usually a more concentrated solution of something that didn’t work, isn’t going to help make something work more - just potentially run the risk of ruining the leather/suede.

 

[cristianivc]

My post doesn’t reference a shoe cleaner, so I can’t speak to anyone in particular’s cleaner. But it does recommend using a glycerine & coconut oil shampoo along with room temperature water. The glycerine in the shampoo will pick up the material, while the coconut oil will keep the leather supple and avoid drying out. The water will allow the spread, but will also act as a gentle solvent when coupled with the glycerine.

So, no, usually a more concentrated solution of something that didn’t work, isn’t going to help make something work more - just potentially run the risk of ruining the leather/suede.

I use Baxter of California protein shampoo, and it doesn’t have coconut oil. Do you think is better to buy a coconut oil and glycerin shampoo or any other shampoo with glycerin and oils should do the work?

 

[DapperAndy]

I use Baxter of California protein shampoo, and it doesn’t have coconut oil. Do you think is better to buy a coconut oil and glycerin shampoo or any other shampoo with glycerin and oils should do the work?

That ingredient list doesn’t appear to have any conditioning oils - which is important for ensuring the glycerine, solvents, etc. don’t totally dry up and ruin the suede.
I’d search for a 2-in-1 with a simple ingredient list.
And no, it doesn’t have to be coconut oil - but coconut oil is one of the best oils for keeping your leather conditioned and reducing oxidation and rancidity.