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

[Atemporal]

You don't really need to leave it that long. 10-30 min is fine, if you're short on time 5 min is also fine.

Don't over-use the Renovateur, you don't need to apply it every time you polish your shoes. If you're using it on a new pair where you don't know how the leather will react, test it on a small hidden spot first. There have been plenty of mishaps with this product, don't buy into the 'liquid gold' rubbish.

Thanks @te0o

I may leave it for some minutes more than the '3 min' mentioned so.
I have used Saphir Renovateur previously on several pairs. I am happy with it overall. Let's say I use it once per month.
It's just I wanted to know if I could apply a little bit more or more often during some time to soften a little bit the leather. It's tough walking all the day with relatively stiff leather shoes on cobblestone streets.

 

[takashi78]

The amount of Renovateur that Kirby uses on his shoes is ALOT, does anyone feel the same?

 

[Duke Santos]

Definitely think Kirby uses both too much and advocates using it too often.

That being said, every pair of (non suede) shoes that I've bought gets an initial application of it followed by a polishing. It really helped break in my C&J Boston loafers in country grain that gave me a horrible corn and are now quite comfortable. My rule of thumb is that, after that first application and barring any extra to aid in break in, calf shoes get it solely as needed. CXL boots get it once or twice a year. Once when they go into the box at the end of Winter and a second time if needed during the Fall/Winter season.

 

[Atemporal]

Definitely think Kirby uses both too much and advocates using it too often.

That being said, every pair of (non suede) shoes that I've bought gets an initial application of it followed by a polishing. It really helped break in my C&J Boston loafers in country grain that gave me a horrible corn and are now quite comfortable. My rule of thumb is that, after that first application and barring any extra to aid in break in, calf shoes get it solely as needed. CXL boots get it once or twice a year. Once when they go into the box at the end of Winter and a second time if needed during the Fall/Winter season.

Thanks @Duke Santos

I decided to apply two light coats of Renovateur (30 minutes in-between) with espacial emphasis on the ball/vamp area and a final polish with pommadier cream.
I have to say that the shoes are not comfortable enough yet but I noticed them a little bit less stiff on that ball/vamp area.
I assume it will take time to break in completely.
I don't think I will apply more Renovateur for the only purpose of soften them, at least in the short term.
Just wanted to share my experience.

 

[goatamous II]

Hi All

I have a pair of Church's canvas shoes that have some dirt spots on them and was wondering if anybody can recommend how to clean these
I tried a very basic approach of water + detergent, but it didn't do anything
my fear is i use something too harsh and it washes out the dye / fades the shoes

 

[JFWR]

Hi All

I have a pair of Church's canvas shoes that have some dirt spots on them and was wondering if anybody can recommend how to clean these
I tried a very basic approach of water + detergent, but it didn't do anything
my fear is i use something too harsh and it washes out the dye / fades the shoes

View attachment 1748678

Try a sneaker cleaner?

 

[fendermustang]

Hey there all.

I've worn through the lining around the heel in a pair of tricker's. It must have torn a while ago without me noticing. the hole is pretty large now and i'm wearing through layers of material in the heel- not sure if it's contained at this point or getting worse. i don't really notice it when the shoes are on but it's made taking the boots on and off more unpleasant.

i am wondering how big of an issue this is. i don't have much of a rotation and this is my favorite pair of shoes so there have been long periods of time where these were worn daily (i know this is not advised).

does this mean i have to give up on this pair at some point?
what are the potential repairs routes I can take? shoes fit well with a thin sock, i'm not sure i could handle more material anywhere.
is this an inevitable issue if you put a lot of wear on a pair?
how can i avoid this in the future?

 

[florent]

Hey there all.

I've worn through the lining around the heel in a pair of tricker's. It must have torn a while ago without me noticing. the hole is pretty large now and i'm wearing through layers of material in the heel- not sure if it's contained at this point or getting worse. i don't really notice it when the shoes are on but it's made taking the boots on and off more unpleasant.

i am wondering how big of an issue this is. i don't have much of a rotation and this is my favorite pair of shoes so there have been long periods of time where these were worn daily (i know this is not advised).

does this mean i have to give up on this pair at some point?
what are the potential repairs routes I can take? shoes fit well with a thin sock, i'm not sure i could handle more material anywhere.
is this an inevitable issue if you put a lot of wear on a pair?
how can i avoid this in the future?

Bring them to a cobbler, he will stitch a new piece of lining over the damaged area. It's better to not wait until you've broken the intenal reinforcement piece as it's not easily repairable.

 

[JFWR]

Bring them to a cobbler, he will stitch a new piece of lining over the damaged area. It's better to not wait until you've broken the intenal reinforcement piece as it's not easily repairable.

This^

 

[Chowkin]

Tricker’s does an amazing job repairing old shoes:

 

[dulynoted92]

Accidentally bought some yellow pate de lux...wondering how that would effect my copper, brown, or oxblood shoes. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm thinking a coat won't add much color since it is lighter than all of my shoes by a lot, but the pigment might catch some sunlight and add some warmth to them?

 

[dulynoted92]

You don't really need to leave it that long. 10-30 min is fine, if you're short on time 5 min is also fine.

Don't over-use the Renovateur, you don't need to apply it every time you polish your shoes. If you're using it on a new pair where you don't know how the leather will react, test it on a small hidden spot first. There have been plenty of mishaps with this product, don't buy into the 'liquid gold' rubbish.

I've been waiting about 10 minutes I think. Other than when breaking in the shoes when they were new. I also applied it on the inside of the shoes too and put the shoe trees back in, helped to soften the leather from the inside as well.

 

[giblets]

Quick question: picked up some Barker Albert for work, they have the ‘high shine’ corrected grain finish. The finish doesn’t seem particularly absorbent at all, so wondering will a cream polish or Renovateur have any effect? Or should I not waste my time and stick to wax polish?

 

[TweedyProf]

Folks, good sources of brushes for shoes? Appropriately priced for something of quality and good functionality? I like the look of the Kirby Allison brushes but prices are a bit more than I want to pay.

 

[JFWR]

Folks, good sources of brushes for shoes? Appropriately priced for something of quality and good functionality? I like the look of the Kirby Allison brushes but prices are a bit more than I want to pay.

Allen Edmonds has really nice brushes on sale pretty frequently. I think I bought one for five bucks at one point.