J.Crew Rugged Boot darkening program

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 2:05 am

After seeing the post on putting Pecards on the Rugged Boot, I decided to give it a go. The leather on these boots is a kind of nubuck leather (suede-like) so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly (extremely) surprised at how they turned out! I did it in 4 stages. (click pics for large image)

1. Starting with a new pair of these boots,(I got them at bootbarn.com a couple months ago for cheap

) I put a coat of regular Pecards conditioner on one boot and let it set for 3 days. I wiped off the excess and it looked like this (next to an untouched boot for comparison)

[URL=http://img136.echo.cx/my.php?image ... .jpg[/img][/url]

2. Next, I coated them with a layer of Brown Pecards, and let them set another 3 days. After wiping off the excess, they looked like this( next to untouched boot, and an Alden for comparison). This is indoors.

[URL=http://img22.echo.cx/my.php?image= ... .jpg[/img][/url]

And this is outdoors.

[URL=http://img27.echo.cx/my.php?image= ... .jpg[/img][/url]

3. Then, I put a coat of Brick colored Meltonian(Alden color) on them and let it dry overnight.

4. Finally, I buffed that out, put one more coat of it on, let it dry for a minute or two and buffed that out to a beautiful luster! Here are the final pics!

[URL=http://img27.echo.cx/my.php?image= ... .jpg[/img][/url]

And one more by the Alden. You can see the subtle red/Alden color that is now in the J.Crew boot. I REALLY like how they turned out! They really didn't match the "Indy" outfit the color that they were. Now they are perfect. AND the leather is no longer nubuck-like. It is now a smooth leather and looks much more like the Aldens leather!

[URL=http://img207.echo.cx/my.php?image ... .jpg[/img][/url]

have a nice day.

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 2:43 am

Here ya go, Tone

http://meltonian.com/shop/enter.html

You're right, the Ruggeds look like totally different boots, now! I like it!

have a nice day.

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 3:15 am

You're very welcome!

have a nice day.

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 5:00 pm

Nice job Texas.

I had tried something similar!

I added brown laces, (though they need to be thinner). I do need to get some of that brick color polish.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 5:29 pm

Great work! And I even like the color.

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 5:41 pm

Thanks, 'Bama. Yeah, I added Aldens laces to mine as well. They're just not on the boots in the pics. I see that your Rugged Boots look great too! I also see that yours have the little D-rings instead of the lace hooks. Interesting. Mine have the lace hooks (similar to Aldens).

Thanks to you too, Weaver

have a nice day.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 7:22 pm

Oh yeah, I had noticed yours (I think I saw them before) had hooks and not drings. Mine have the drings too.

I think it was my thread that you mention at the begining. I've coated mine a second time with Pecards as the first time was just kind of lightly to try it and it started to "dry out" and lighten back up. I haven't tryied any actual pollish or anything, but just the Pecards certainly helps the look 100%. Changing the color is even better.

Are those older/original color Aldens you are compairing too? They don't look as orangy as I though new ones were.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:59 pm

IndyDoc wrote:Are those older/original color Aldens you are compairing too? They don't look as orangy as I though new ones were.

The new Aldens are no longer the 'orangy' color. The current color is very close to what is seen on screen.

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 12:11 am

Texas Raider wrote:Thanks, 'Bama. Yeah, I added Aldens laces to mine as well. They're just not on the boots in the pics. I see that your Rugged Boots look great too! I also see that yours have the little D-rings instead of the lace hooks. Interesting. Mine have the lace hooks (similar to Aldens).

Yeah, unfortuntately mine don't have the lace hooks.

I Really wish they would make the Deckers available again.

Going on camping/backpacking trip in a couple of weeks and I'm debating which to where the Ruggeds, or the Aldens. The sole of the J Crew is more appropriate and I've kept my ALdens "nice', only wearing them to work ... but ... they are so comfortable and I really want them to see some action.

Hmmm...

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 1:36 am

I'd go with the 'Crews. You never know what to expect on hikes, and unless you're 100% sure you want to break in your Aldens real quick, you might be better off with your handy (read 'cheaper'

) 'crews. Last hike I went on, rains suddenly came in, it got real muddy and slippery, and I had to cross a river with my boots ON because the current had gotten pretty strong! Had I had my Aldens on, I'd still be sitting on the other side of the river waiting for it to dry up! (or a chopper to fly in and pick me up). But that's just me.

have a nice day.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 4:16 pm

How are those Ruggeds holding that look? Did they keep there shine or kind of dull back down? I have tried just regular pecards on them before and it made them look good at first, but after a week or two they would go back to being kind of dull and suede looking again. (like they dried out or something)

I just actually dyed my Deckers yesterday and will post on that soon. I got tired of polish and such rubbing off on anything they touched...

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:58 am

They're holding fine. They've never gone back to nubuck, just stayed smooth. I really did a lot of rubbing on them initially, though. Also using Meltonian as well as Pecards.

TR

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 12:40 pm

They've changed leather type from what I can tell from pictures. The come smooth now. The color is about the same though. (or the same as if you Pecarded the old ones)

indybill · Post by **indybill** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:25 am

I agree. The current Ruggeds are perfect in color right out of the box.
The old newbuck looking ones lost their 'fuzzy' look pretty quickly with some adventurous wear though. I still have my pair from two years ago and they look...well used.

They still have some good miles left in them though. If only the Ruggeds could be resoled; it's a shame to lose the wonderfully supple upper just because there's no tread left.

Regards,
Indybill