my first experiment

I bought this pair of brown (or brick-colored...) shoes three years ago. I've never maintained them properly and almost threw them away a few days ago. Instead, I decided to repair them and give them a new color, Cordovan (dark brown with a tint of purple, or "a rich shade of burgundy and a dark shade of rose" according to Wikipedia). I've never done this and have a very limited knowledge, so I simply checked out a few blogs and watched several youtube videos on how to repair/maintain/polish a pair of dress shoes. Please understand/correct me if any information given here is incorrect. Thank you!




Useful youtube videos/blogs

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ1k8mJt3iI
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWO2zYWSgLY&feature=plcp
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrzNkhJsJm8&feature=related
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMTyuIR2eLA&feature=relmfu
• http://the-shoe-snob.blogspot.com/
• http://www.styleforum.net/f/5/mens-clothing

1. Damage diagnosis
Scratched and faded... I also took out the original insoles a few months back...

 Ripped shoe laces...

Bottom sole falling apart... You don't need to put additional rubber sole - I think most people don't. But for me, it's always the first thing to do when I buy a new pair so that I don't slip.

2. How to fix broken sole

• Goodyear Neolite sole (Vibram is another option - better quality but more expensive)
• Shoe Goo (Glue; Barge Cement is another option)
• Cutter
• Sandpaper (got it from Ace Hardware; not shown in the picture)
• Disposable gloves (to keep my hands clean; not shown in the picture)
• Tacco leather insole (for insole replacement)

When applying Shoe Goo, make sure that surface is clean, dry, and dust-free. I used sandpaper to clean, wiped the surface with a damp cloth, and let the surface dry out.

Apply Shoe Goo on both surfaces and let it dry for 5 minutes or so.

Now, put them together, press them for a while, hit them with a hammer, and clip them together (very important not to leave any gap between them...).

It takes a day for Shoe Goo to dry. I put the table on top of the shoe to apply more force (also placed a cloth between them to prevent any further damage to leather). 

This was the most challenging part (it does require some skill). After the sole is solidly glued, cut out the rubber left sticking out... (be careful not to scratch the leather)

Now, take care of the edge by applying polish cream or wax... (I used black polish cream). Try not to leave any black wax on the leather.

Sole repair done...!  Let it dry for a while...

3. How to clean leather

• Brush (Horse hair; I got 2 Four Seasons brush)
• Leather lotion/conditioner/cleaner (I got a Meltonian Mink Oil cleaner/conditioner; be careful as this product tends to mak light-colored leather to darken)

Brush them to remove any dust or dirt.

Apply a thin coat into leather with a cloth (old t-shirts would do...). 

 

Brush them again (I heard brushes pick up excess oil and distribute evenly across the surface)...

Let it dry...

4. How to polish leather

• Meltonian cream polish (Cordovan; Kiwi and Lincoln are other options)
• Lincoln stain wax (Neutral)
• Water

This step is very similar to cleaning leather. Brush them to clean and apply cream (Meltonian Cordovan) with a cloth and rub them for a few minutes. Let it dry for a few minutes. Now brush again, but this time, apply a drop of water first.


Before vs. After...

This step may be unnecessary, but I think it makes quite a difference. Apply the second coat of polish wax (Lincoln Neutral wax) with a cloth and let it dry for a few minutes. Brush them again with a drop of water. Use old t-shirts to rub them for a few miuntes.

Let it dry for a while and tie new shoe laces (I got new brown laces from Nordstrom, but now I look at the color, I want to try purple laces...)

This took me about 5~6 hours. Overall, this was very fun and I think the result is quite succesful (although I'll have to see whether the color will stay since I  just applied polish cream and didn't really dye the leather).


Here are the before vs. after pics... What do you think?