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

[Fenners81]

Hi all, I recently bought a pair of Loake Brogues with a handpainted finish. I've never owned a pair of shoes like this before--Loake is very insistent on a "water based" cream to condition/polish and wants me to avoid anything with a "higher solvent content." Of course, they recommend their own specially formulated cream developed by Saphir.

Could you all help me decode this? does "higher solvent content" mean "turpentine?" Should I be looking for something like Saphir's Cordovan cream, which doesn't have turpentine (even though the shoes aren't cordovan?)

I just want to make sure I'm caring for these shoes appropriately--I'd like to keep them a long time.

I have a pair which have factory burnishing on and it can be easily removed by products like renovateur so avoid this. I tend to use bick 4 or VSC on that pair.

 

[florent]

Hi all, I recently bought a pair of Loake Brogues with a handpainted finish. I've never owned a pair of shoes like this before--Loake is very insistent on a "water based" cream to condition/polish and wants me to avoid anything with a "higher solvent content." Of course, they recommend their own specially formulated cream developed by Saphir.

Could you all help me decode this? does "higher solvent content" mean "turpentine?" Should I be looking for something like Saphir's Cordovan cream, which doesn't have turpentine (even though the shoes aren't cordovan?)

I just want to make sure I'm caring for these shoes appropriately--I'd like to keep them a long time.

From Saphir you'd want to use the Nappa cream (I'm sure other brands offer similar products, depending on what's available where you live)

 

[Boggis]

Anyone have any experience dying suede? I quite like the Grenson Randall boot, and it's currently on sale... However I'm not remotely keen on the taupe colour it comes in. Could this reasonably be dyed dark brown or is this a terrible idea?

 

[Schweino]

Anyone have any experience dying suede? I quite like the Grenson Randall boot, and it's currently on sale... However I'm not remotely keen on the taupe colour it comes in. Could this reasonably be dyed dark brown or is this a terrible idea?

View attachment 2298537

Yes, I've dyed numerous suede belts and boots and it worked out fine with a good suede dye.

By the way, are you sure these are suede? They look like nubuck or roughout to me.

 

[Shawnc]

Anyone have any experience dying suede? I quite like the Grenson Randall boot, and it's currently on sale... However I'm not remotely keen on the taupe colour it comes in. Could this reasonably be dyed dark brown or is this a terrible idea?

View attachment 2298537

No different than dying calf if you’re comfortable with dye. These were snuff and I dyed to dark brown…….



Feiblings is the way to go…….

 

[ppk]

Not quite shoe care - I want to dye a belt from chestnut brown to dark brown. Two questions:

1. How does Angelus compare to Fiebings? Is it a good substitute? I can't seem to find Fiebings dark brown.
2. Should I use leather preparer/deglazer on the leather before applying the dye?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Boggis]

Yes, I've dyed numerous suede belts and boots and it worked out fine with a good suede dye.

By the way, are you sure these are suede? They look like nubuck or roughout to me.

They call it "rugged suede", perhaps it is roughout? Would the same type of dye work for either?

 

[Shawnc]

Not quite shoe care - I want to dye a belt from chestnut brown to dark brown. Two questions:

1. How does Angelus compare to Fiebings? Is it a good substitute? I can't seem to find Fiebings dark brown.
2. Should I use leather preparer/deglazer on the leather before applying the dye?

Thanks in advance.

I’ve used both and not found any discernible difference.

 

[Boggis]

I have these shoes with closed channel stiching. The "flap" that covers the stitching has worn away at the toe. I'm wondering is it time for these to be resoled or is there more wear left in them? The rest of the sole feels firm, it's not gone spongy and there's no other holes.

 

[JUAN MANUEL]

I have these shoes with closed channel stiching. The "flap" that covers the stitching has worn away at the toe. I'm wondering is it time for these to be resoled or is there more wear left in them? The rest of the sole feels firm, it's not gone spongy and there's no other holes.
View attachment 2313799

View attachment 2313801

I suggest resoling, if not you will damage them.

 

[florent]

I have these shoes with closed channel stiching. The "flap" that covers the stitching has worn away at the toe. I'm wondering is it time for these to be resoled or is there more wear left in them? The rest of the sole feels firm, it's not gone spongy and there's no other holes.
View attachment 2313799

View attachment 2313801

The full sole has worn away and you're grinding the welt here. You should stop wearing them now and bring them to a cobbler, maybe a partial repair is possible, difficult to say from a picture and it will depend on the cobbler's skills. You should consider putting toe taps next time

 

[taxgenius]

My shell cordovan has two issues. The visible cracking I assume is not repairable other than covering it up. Regarding the loose stitching on the vamp, does the entire vamp need to be redone or can a cobbler just fix the one loose stitch?

 

[actionjbone]

My shell cordovan has two issues. The visible cracking I assume is not repairable other than covering it up. Regarding the loose stitching on the vamp, does the entire vamp need to be redone or can a cobbler just fix the one loose stitch? View attachment 2313957

I hate to say this, but those shoes are basically ruined.

Nothing can be done to cover up or repair those cracks, there are way too many of them. The shell is in such bad shape that it will continue to deteriorate.

The stitching, in comparison, is a non-issue. Because the uppers are ruined, it's not worth trying to repair the stitching.

 

[Schweino]

I have these shoes with closed channel stiching. The "flap" that covers the stitching has worn away at the toe. I'm wondering is it time for these to be resoled or is there more wear left in them? The rest of the sole feels firm, it's not gone spongy and there's no other holes.
View attachment 2313799

View attachment 2313801

You can just have the toe piece replaced by a leather or rubber toe-piece. Should be a $10 job.

 

[Shawnc]

I have these shoes with closed channel stiching. The "flap" that covers the stitching has worn away at the toe. I'm wondering is it time for these to be resoled or is there more wear left in them? The rest of the sole feels firm, it's not gone spongy and there's no other holes.
View attachment 2313799

View attachment 2313801

I am not a fan of closed channel stitching and this perfectly illustrates why. First, I don’t agree that these need to be resoled. Toe taps will do the trick. The question is value. If these are treasured pieces, I would send them to someone like Aram and have his install integrated taps. Otherwise, a rubber nail/glue on should do the trick.