What else to darken boots...

IllinoisJones · Post by **IllinoisJones** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:55 pm

besides pecards? Can any shoe polish be used? I've got dark brown totes shoe cream here which is an all in one conditioner and super shining agent. I have this for my work shoes. Can this be used on the aldens, this color now is hideous. If not I guess I will order pecards. Illinois

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:22 pm

Sure, polish will work just fine. I use brown Kiwi polish on my Aldens. It has darkened them nicely. I've also put one coat of mahogany on them to get them a bit of a redish tint.

IllinoisJones · Post by **IllinoisJones** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:25 pm

But is dark brown too dark? Illinois

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:45 pm

Maybe. The polish I use is just plain brown and it has darkened my boots about as dark as I want them. The dark brown may indeed be too much. You can pick up a can of Kiwi polish at walmart or similar stores pretty cheap, so it may be best to get regular brown instead of dark brown.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:26 pm

How do you keep the pollish from coming off on your pants and such? I've had that problem trying to darken my J.Crew Deckers.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:28 pm

I use what Aldens recommends for their boots, and that Meletonian Shoe cream, that comes in a variety of tints and colors. I'd recommend you find some in a dark brown, and after application, seal the deal with an application of brown Pecard's standard dressing. I think it will do the trick for you quite nicely, and protect the boots as well!

Regards! Michaelson

Dr._J · Post by **Dr._J** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:30 pm

Do you have to buff the boots after you apply the Pecards? I find it get's sticky.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:35 pm

I do, yes. I just use a very thin application of Pecards, then let them sit over night. I buff them lightly with a clean cotton cloth (read 'old tee shirt'), then finish a final buff with an old pair of panty hose.

Before anyone asks, Jerry mails me his, but you can buy them just about anywhere. 8-[ OOoo, I'm going to regret this one.

Regards! Michaelson

LeatherneckJones · Post by **LeatherneckJones** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:54 pm

Not to worry, Michaelson... in the "Old Corps", we Marines used the same method to shine our black boots for inspection... (thank the heavens for the new brown rough-side-out combat boots!!)...

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:59 pm

LeatherneckJones wrote:(thank the heavens for the new brown rough-side-out combat boots!!)...

Yea, then they can just make you polish them until the nap is gone.

Its a no win situation.

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 3:47 am

Michaelson, if Jerry mails you his old t-shirt,,why don't you use that for the final buff too. You don't want to use your good panty hose, your legs will look mighty rough without 'em

hmm, Michaelson in a safari shirt, panty hose and freshly buffed Aldens- That's just a visual that'll give ya nightmares!

have a nice day.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:03 am

Humm. Might at that!

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Ken** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:09 am

I have known people to dye their boots before with great results.

Ken

LeatherneckJones · Post by **LeatherneckJones** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:55 am

Yea, then they can just make you polish them until the nap is gone. Its a no win situation.

Yup, that's about the long and short of it!

hmm, Michaelson in a safari shirt, panty hose and freshly buffed Aldens- That's just a visual that'll give ya nightmares!

Whoa... crazy images of Michaelson in full Indy kit, with the exception of him wearing a kilt instead of the trousers...

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 12:25 pm

Indiana Ken wrote:I have known people to dye their boots before with great results.
Ken

I've been wanting to dye my JCrew Deckers, but the shoe shop I went to said it couldn't be done because they were oiled leather or something. (and HE like the color) It's an old guy, upper 70's at least. Nice guy, but opinionated on what he'll do for you. Doesn't have a phone in his shop either. I've been thinking I'd take them else where and see what they say.

bastoon · Post by **bastoon** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:42 am

Indy doc write

they were oiled leather or something

"Cuir gras ou cuir lisse" ! I had the same problem as you for my alden : which leather it was ?

You have some special waxing for this kind of leather (oiled leather ) ! To tint or dye them should not be a problem

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 9:24 pm

Hmm, I thought I had replyed to this long ago...
I don't know what type of leather it is. It just says "Itialian".

I've been looking at dyes at tandyleather.com but they say they are for tooling leather only. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong dyes?

I've been thinking about geting some of the Meletonian Shoe cream like Michaelson mentioned. Or maybe some of the shoe color spray, but I just get the feeling that'll turn out to be cheap looking. Any experience on that? (such as the Nu Life Spray near the bottom of this page)

BTW, this looks like a decent source for leather and fabric dye, shoe polish, paint, etc. as well as a colletion of other nifty stuff. They even have a Distressing section!