What is shoe cream?

[shiny5437]

I've invested in a nice pair of tan brogues and when I bought them the lady in the shop sold me some 'traditional dressing' which I presume is shoe cream.

I've just stuck it on, rubbed it in, and given them a buff but they still seem dull. Do I keep buffing or is this as good as it gets? What's the difference between cream and polish. How much can I mess up my shoes with the wrong stuff?

I'm bit of a shoe newb but I really want to put in the effort on this pair.

 

[lovecraft68]

Aw man, I thought this was a foot fetish thread!

Sighs, kicks a can, and walks away.

 

[fire_breeze]

I've invested in a nice pair of tan brogues and when I bought them the lady in the shop sold me some 'traditional dressing' which I presume is shoe cream.

I've just stuck it on, rubbed it in, and given them a buff but they still seem dull. Do I keep buffing or is this as good as it gets? What's the difference between cream and polish. How much can I mess up my shoes with the wrong stuff?

I'm bit of a shoe newb but I really want to put in the effort on this pair.

Sorry, I only have a minor shoe fetish and not a foot one . That said, there isn't a straight direct answer.

Shoe polish contains wax and some chemicals that produces shine. Shoe cream generally have no wax and is essentially leather conditioner usually with dye in them. It will produce a shine if used well , but probably not a über-high shine (depending the brand - are you using Meltonian?)

Sometimes, shoe creams are your base - the conditioner, or prepper - for your leather. Sometimes the cream is enough for conditioning and shine. It depends on the product, it depends on the application and it depends on what you want.

Make sure that you strip the old polish by using a soft brush with natural bristles (some swear by a shoe polish remover, I just buff with a clean, soft brush). You're also cleaning old dirt from the shoes. Then with a soft cloth (some will use by a brush application, I don't), apply the cream to the shoe in light circles. Make sure it's well coated. Then let it dry for about 20 minutes. The cream needs to penetrate the leather to do its stuff.

Then using a natural bristled brush, buff until it's shiny. Now, some shoe creams don't produce that much of a shine and you will need a polish - however, if done right, you should have a shine (but this depends on the product, it should say on it if it does need a polish or not). If you need a polish, then same steps: apply, dry for 20 minutes, buff with a natural bristled brush.

Unlike polish, which sits on top of the leather, shoe cream goes deep into it if allowed to dry and prevents creasing and damage to the shoe. The products I use for my expensive shoes are only cream and sometimes oil (get your mind out of the gutter!), and I think I polished them once or twice, but I was-and am- satisfied with the shine. I bought them 10 years ago and they are still good as new.

You can also take your shoes and product to a cobbler and have them show you how to do it right for your shoe (to be honest, each one is different) with the product for the first time. It'll cost you like 10$ but it's very very much worth it to extend the longevity of your shoes. With some maintenance, good shoes lasts for a good 15, 20 years if not longer.

Good luck.

 

[Leigh81]

If this was on the Fetish & Sexuality Central board I think I'd know the answer.

L

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Shoe cream is when you go to the library and remove your shoes and some ugly kid masturbates inside your shoes. Its a prank Emerson invented.

 

[shiny5437]

Sorry, I only have a minor shoe fetish and not a foot one . That said, there isn't a straight direct answer.

Shoe polish contains wax and some chemicals that produces shine. Shoe cream generally have no wax and is essentially leather conditioner usually with dye in them. It will produce a shine if used well , but probably not a über-high shine (depending the brand - are you using Meltonian?)

Sometimes, shoe creams are your base - the conditioner, or prepper - for your leather. Sometimes the cream is enough for conditioning and shine. It depends on the product, it depends on the application and it depends on what you want.

Make sure that you strip the old polish by using a soft brush with natural bristles (some swear by a shoe polish remover, I just buff with a clean, soft brush). You're also cleaning old dirt from the shoes. Then with a soft cloth (some will use by a brush application, I don't), apply the cream to the shoe in light circles. Make sure it's well coated. Then let it dry for about 20 minutes. The cream needs to penetrate the leather to do its stuff.

Then using a natural bristled brush, buff until it's shiny. Now, some shoe creams don't produce that much of a shine and you will need a polish - however, if done right, you should have a shine (but this depends on the product, it should say on it if it does need a polish or not). If you need a polish, then same steps: apply, dry for 20 minutes, buff with a natural bristled brush.

Unlike polish, which sits on top of the leather, shoe cream goes deep into it if allowed to dry and prevents creasing and damage to the shoe. The products I use for my expensive shoes are only cream and sometimes oil (get your mind out of the gutter!), and I think I polished them once or twice, but I was-and am- satisfied with the shine. I bought them 10 years ago and they are still good as new.

You can also take your shoes and product to a cobbler and have them show you how to do it right for your shoe (to be honest, each one is different) with the product for the first time. It'll cost you like 10$ but it's very very much worth it to extend the longevity of your shoes. With some maintenance, good shoes lasts for a good 15, 20 years if not longer.

Good luck.

Great info! Thanks for sharing. Looks like I need to leave the cream a bit longer to soak in. I assume you're using one brush to clean the shoe and another for buffing at the end. How long do you buff for?

I'm hoping if I look after them well they'll age into a cool pair of shoes.

 

[fire_breeze]

Great info! Thanks for sharing. Looks like I need to leave the cream a bit longer to soak in. I assume you're using one brush to clean the shoe and another for buffing at the end. How long do you buff for?

I'm hoping if I look after them well they'll age into a cool pair of shoes.

my pleasure.

Yes! A separate brush and cloth for every different step - there is no double dipping at all! And if you use different products for different shoes, separate everything for them.

That really depends on how much product you use, the type of product and the leather of your shoes. Remember, the shoes/boots I have doesn't really require a high shine, so for me it's more of a pampering the shoes than to achieve a shine.

If you really want a high shine, you might benefit from the cloth shine (again, depending on the product you use). Invest in a chamois cloth and use that to buff. There's a huge debate on whether you buff first with the brush and then with cloth, or just the cloth, but you should remove the excess product before you buff. I suggest that you try the two different methods and see what is

I am so sorry that there isn't any straight answers - it really depends on so many different things and what YOU want. For me, the whole process lasts a little more than a episode of Criminal Minds, so that's what? about an hour?

 

[shiny5437]

my pleasure.

Yes! A separate brush and cloth for every different step - there is no double dipping at all! And if you use different products for different shoes, separate everything for them.

That really depends on how much product you use, the type of product and the leather of your shoes. Remember, the shoes/boots I have doesn't really require a high shine, so for me it's more of a pampering the shoes than to achieve a shine.

If you really want a high shine, you might benefit from the cloth shine (again, depending on the product you use). Invest in a chamois cloth and use that to buff. There's a huge debate on whether you buff first with the brush and then with cloth, or just the cloth, but you should remove the excess product before you buff. I suggest that you try the two different methods and see what is

I am so sorry that there isn't any straight answers - it really depends on so many different things and what YOU want. For me, the whole process lasts a little more than a episode of Criminal Minds, so that's what? about an hour?

Any excuse to buy more cleaning stuff! I'm not aiming for a high shine but something that brings out the depth of colour of the leather. I'll give the hour long buffing a go.

Ta!

 

[Lord Pmann]

How has pmann not posted on this yet? *blink*

I just saw it, that's why. But, I can't really add much more to what she said.

But I will anyway. I'll say the following... Don't buy some cheap polish or shoe cream. Go to Johnston and Murphy or Allen Edmonds. If you get cheap shit, it just builds up and fucks up your shoes.

Good shoes can last for years and years. My favourite dress shoes are 12 years old. And they still look amazing.

 

[Lord Pmann]

You can also take your shoes and product to a cobbler...

The cobbler is typically next to the blacksmith and ye olde candle maker.

 

[hotforpolitics]

I just saw it, that's why. But, I can't really add much more to what she said.

But I will anyway. I'll say the following... Don't buy some cheap polish or shoe cream. Go to Johnston and Murphy or Allen Edmonds. If you get cheap shit, it just builds up and fucks up your shoes.

Good shoes can last for years and years. My favourite dress shoes are 12 years old. And they still look amazing.

Don't overlook the quality if the shoes, too. High quality shoes are defintely worth the investment. Mens shoes can be re-heeled and re-soled for a very long time. Like pmann I had a pair for nearly 20 years that were re-soled maybe 5-6 times until the leather got to where the shoes would not fit. The leather could not be stretched.

GeT good shoes and treat them well. It makes a big difference

 

[Lord Pmann]

Don't overlook the quality if the shoes, too. High quality shoes are defintely worth the investment. Mens shoes can be re-heeled and re-soled for a very long time. Like pmann I had a pair for nearly 20 years that were re-soled maybe 5-6 times until the leather got to where the shoes would not fit. The leather could not be stretched.

GeT good shoes and treat them well. It makes a big difference

I couldn't agree more. They look so much nicer than cheap ones too. I typically pay $250-400 for a pair of dress shoes. But they will probably last forever. And they are classic and they don't go out of style, because I'm the fucking Fashion Fairy.

Totally worth the investment.

 

[unregistered]

 

[Lord Pmann]

Pmann, I'm wearing Toms. Right now.

This is the best polish for them:

http://www.camping-gear-outlet.com/images/product/ac/6_20008.jpg

Then run a match near them for the bright shine.

 

[shiny5437]

I've a pair of Toms and the best thing about them is seeing other people also wearing Toms and then pointing out how cool and stylish we are. It's like a little exclusive club.