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

[chogall]

Looks great! It was my RMW Craftsman in yearling that got me started on all this myself.

Good shine but I don't like such a high shine all over a pair of boots/shoes. It's just me. Maintaining that shine will be fairly time consuming without a weekly coating habit..

 

[patrickBOOTH]



Is it possible to clean the welts on my Alden 403's?
I tried searching this thread and may have missed it.
Thanks in advance.

Of course, you can get a welt cleaning brush. I dab some renovateur on it and brush away. Let it dry a bit and then buff briskly with a regular brush.

 

[Cold Iron]

Glenjay,
I don't know if I ever told you this, but I learned to spit shine in the Army Airborne as well...however it was a little before your time (in the 60's).
I spit shine with cotton flannel if I can get it. I never dip the cloth in water because over the years I have found that if the cloth gets wet (I mean soaked) it will ruin the spit shine. Basically, I "raspberry" the area I'm shining...distributing tiny droplets (probably around 1 mm in diameter)of spit (as in "spit shine") on the surface...and about every third or fifth time, I just breathe heavily on it. I also learned from an MP that, especially for a quick renewal of a spit shine, nothing works better than flat stretching a section of a woman's nylon between your hands and fast light buffing.

Aye and that is spot on IMO. But instead of stretching the hose I cut the foot end of the stocking off and put it over my hand being careful not to have a seam facing the shoe. A couple of minutes of fast and furious burnishing will have them glowing but only after they basically have a perfect shine to start with. Besides renewal of the shine I also finish all of my spit shines that way. After 20 years of polishing my boots and shoes in the Navy found that to be the most effective for me anyhow.

Except for my AE Sheltons and black calfskin Leeds I use cream on most of my shoes and then brush them out and have come to appreciate the lack of a really high gloss shine. Still takes some work to make them glow (reflect light) without the shinny mirror look but I'm starting to like it better on some leathers. A lot of great info on this thread.

 

[DAASL]

Guinness?

Yes but water just isn't as much fun as spirits.
So, since I used bourbon while polishing brown shoes, shall I use vodka or something lighter when polishing tan shoes?
And then there is black, I can't think of anything to use for black as all of the really dark spirit concoctions seem to be quite sugary, which will not do...................this might require extensive research!

 

[Gdot]



Guinness?

 

Well, far be it from me to rain on your parade. Sure give it a try! But I have to tell you I expect the alcohol to sugars ratio will be too low and you might not be happy with the result. But, again I've not tried it - so don't let me stop you!

 

[patrick_b]



...Maintaining that shine will be fairly time consuming without a weekly coating habit..

Some people play golf..

 

[bik2101]

just bought these in burgundy - http://vip.zappos.com/cole-haan-caldwell-burgundy

i already have saphir reno but thinking about getting a wax for it too.. if i did, what color should i get? neutral? or is it even needed? thanks

 

[fritzl]



Good shine but I don't like such a high shine all over a pair of boots/shoes.  It's just me.  Maintaining that shine will be fairly time consuming without a weekly coating habit..

+1

 

[__PG__]

In this video from the Crockett and Jones website , they recommend conditioning the soles. Can some of the experts explain the theory behind why this is a good idea?

 

[fritzl]



In this video from the Crockett and Jones website , they recommend conditioning the soles. Can some of the experts explain the theory behind why this is a good idea?

i cannot offer a theory, just practical experience. ask yourself, why wouldn't they need care? it keeps them pliable for the comfort and resistant to the surface you walk on. why do you treat the uppers? you could get away without. would it be clever?

 

[Gerry Nelson]

^^^ He makes it look so easy!

 

[__PG__]



i cannot offer a theory, just practical experience. ask yourself, why wouldn't they need care? it keeps them pliable for the comfort and resistant to the surface you walk on. why do you treat the uppers? you could get away without. would it be clever?

But you don't want the soles to get wet. When the soles get damp and pliable they can pick up stones/pebbles etc. which can really scuff/damage the soles.

Wouldn't conditioning the soles make them soft and pliable, instead of hard?

 

[gyasih]

I see people mention applying Reno with your fingers, how much is too much in one application? Thanks

 

[Gdot]

Conditioning the soles also helps them resist moisture absorbtion, which is a big plus.

 

[patrickBOOTH]



Conditioning the soles also helps them resist moisture absorbtion, which is a big plus.

It also keeps them from literally cracking, which can happen if they are exposed routinely to water. It has happened to me. I wouldn't think you need to do it as routinely as regular care, but if you are walking in the rain after letting them dry for a day rubbing them down with Lexol sure can only help them.