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

[takashi78]

That is whole lotta lotion he is using!

 

[JohnnyMarr]

Other than a recommendation for London, you'll need to post a picture or two for any real help.

Depends on how deep those scratches are. As M635Guy said, a picture would help tremendously.

Having said that, there is a recent example over at the Edward Green thread:


http://www.styleforum.net/t/291745/...ures-info-and-where-to-buy/28050#post_8538499

Thanks chaps, should have thought of that before posting. I'll take a snap this evening and post.

Cheers

 

[1up]

I dropped a spattering of toothpaste on some suede boots. I tried rubbing with water and a cloth and then brushing with a suede brush, but it's still present.

I then tried using collonil bamboo extract cleaner, but now it seems like the stain is brought to the surface, and I still can't get it out.

Should I try soap + water?

 

[rbhan12]

I dropped a spattering of toothpaste on some suede boots. I tried rubbing with water and a cloth and then brushing with a suede brush, but it's still present.

I then tried using collonil bamboo extract cleaner, but now it seems like the stain is brought to the surface, and I still can't get it out.

Should I try soap + water?

Check a few posts back, there was some extensive discussion on suede cleaning with a water + shampoo solution. Works great.

 

[Betelgeuse]

Finally found a store around here that have Saphir products, I'm very pleased with the result.

 

[Betelgeuse]

Would you recommend using the Saphir cream on Red WIng boots (Fetaherstone leather)? Red Wing doesn't sell to other places their cream, they don't accept international credit cards. Or should Alden Boot Cream would work better?

 

[mreams99]



Without getting into the question of "why?", how difficult would it be to dye a pair of boots like this to be purple?

Thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions.

Normally, I would try some diluted blue dye. These are so red, I'm afraid that my results would be either very much "plum" instead of purple. And if I used enough blue to balance the red, I'm afraid they'd be nearly black.
Any ideas, suggestions, or comments would be appreciated.

 

[mreams99]



Normally, I would try some diluted blue dye. These are so red, I'm afraid that my results would be either very much "plum" instead of purple. And if I used enough blue to balance the red, I'm afraid they'd be nearly black.
Any ideas, suggestions, or comments would be appreciated.

If my question is beyond the scope of expertise here, could someone please point me somewhere else to ask this question?
Thank you.

 

[ace13x]

If my question is beyond the scope of expertise here, could someone please point me somewhere else to ask this question?
Thank you.

You could try and bleach them first. I'm pretty sure someone bleached and re-dyed a pair of shoes somewhere on SF. Sorry, I don't remember what they used to strip out the majority of the original color.

There is this old thread, but its not the one I'm thinking of.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/28204/changing-the-color-of-black-leather-shoes

And there was this guide on reddit, but again not the one I remember:

https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashio..._to_lighten_black_leather_shoes_to_a_natural/

 

[mreams99]



You could try and bleach them first.  I'm pretty sure someone bleached and re-dyed a pair of shoes somewhere on SF.  Sorry, I don't remember what they used to strip out the majority of the original color.

There is this old thread, but its not the one I'm thinking of.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/28204/changing-the-color-of-black-leather-shoes

And there was this guide on reddit, but again not the one I remember:

https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashio..._to_lighten_black_leather_shoes_to_a_natural/

Thank you. After reading these articles, it looks more likely that this is possible to do.
I've used acetone to strip the finish of a few other pairs in the past. It doesn't usually lighten the base leather much if it's been dyed.
I've read that regular bleach is not good for the leather. I've used a leather bleach (oxalic acid) in the past, and it did not achieve much lightening. Perhaps it was too dilute.
I haven't given up on this idea yet!

 

[ace13x]

Thank you. After reading these articles, it looks more likely that this is possible to do.
I've used acetone to strip the finish of a few other pairs in the past. It doesn't usually lighten the base leather much if it's been dyed.
I've read that regular bleach is not good for the leather. I've used a leather bleach (oxalic acid) in the past, and it did not achieve much lightening. Perhaps it was too dilute.
I haven't given up on this idea yet!

I'm pretty sure the guy I'm thinking of used something specifically for shoes or leather. If I find the article, I'll post a reply or PM you.

 

[firefit]

Alright, I'm slightly confused here. I have just recently bought a pair of used AE cordovan macneil's in cordovan shell, and I've been really hesistant to purchase products for it. People on the forums have said not to use cream polish, just wax polish. I was thinking about buying saphir renovateur medaille d'or 1925... But it says not to use a nuetral color for the cordovan shell? I'm really confused with this. Heres the routine I was thinking of doing (i had spoken to murlsquirl): Purchase two brushes, and one chamois... Use first brushes to clean/remove dust/dirt, then apply Saphir Renovateur medaille d'or 1925 (still nuetral?) and then proceed to buff it out evenly after it dries? Can you also link the products? Thanks!

 

[peppercorn78]



Alright, I'm slightly confused here. I have just recently bought a pair of used AE cordovan macneil's in cordovan shell, and I've been really hesistant to purchase products for it. People on the forums have said not to use cream polish, just wax polish. I was thinking about buying saphir renovateur medaille d'or 1925... But it says not to use a nuetral color for the cordovan shell? I'm really confused with this. Heres the routine I was thinking of doing (i had spoken to murlsquirl): Purchase two brushes, and one chamois... Use first brushes to clean/remove dust/dirt, then apply Saphir Renovateur medaille d'or 1925 (still nuetral?) and then proceed to buff it out evenly after it dries? Can you also link the products? Thanks!

I would say your hesitance is the right instinct. Are there scuffs? Discoloration a? Does it look really dry? If the answer to these questions is no, simply wipe down with a damp cloth and brush to a shine without any product. Some like a bit of paste wax on the toe to repel water drops.

I would say use a conditioner like Saphir cordovan cream (not Renovateur, that'll dry out the leather) maybe once a year depending on frequency of wear.

 

[cchaplow]

I would say your hesitance is the right instinct. Are there scuffs? Discoloration a? Does it look really dry? If the answer to these questions is no, simply wipe down with a damp cloth and brush to a shine without any product. Some like a bit of paste wax on the toe to repel water drops.

I would say use a conditioner like Saphir cordovan cream (not Renovateur, that'll dry out the leather) maybe once a year depending on frequency of wear.

Could you explain why/how renovateur would dry out the shell? Would it also dry out regular cowhide leathers? Curious since I have been using it periodically on a pair of my shell shoes and I would hate to be doing harm.

 

[rbhan12]

Could you explain why/how renovateur would dry out the shell? Would it also dry out regular cowhide leathers? Curious since I have been using it periodically on a pair of my shell shoes and I would hate to be doing harm.

I think he's alluding to Renovateur having turpentine in it, which is supposedly bad for shell.

Here's a good shell cordovan polishing guide by @hangerproject

https://www.hangerproject.com/shoe-care-guide/polishing-shell-cordovan/