How do you shine your Aldens/keep them maintained

[Wipeout]

I've had my Aldens for a few weeks; love 'em. Quite comfy. I'm not as into doing the whole "distressed" look and want to keep them fairly well-kept. What polish/stuff do y'all use (if any). Is the Aldens stuff any good (I would assume it's there to match the color...)

[Michaelson]

Use Meltonian shoe paste in the color you have, finished with a light coating of standard Pecards, then buffed to a shine. Finish it off with a vigorous buffing with an old pair of panty hose.

I've had my Aldens well over 6 years, and they look better than they did the day I got them. They just get richer and richer in color.

Regards! Michaelson

[Wipeout]

Where might we find these items, oh wise one? The haberdasher I got my boots at doesn't appear to have it.

[Michaelson]

Here's one possibility.

http://www.shoeshineexpress.com/polish.asp

Scoll down the page for the list of colors and options.

Do a search on the internet to find your best deal.

Regards! Michaelson

[Wipeout]

Cool! Now I have to figure out which batch my Aldens are out of to figure out my color. Would pictures help, since I know all of you have good eyes for that sort of thing...

[Arok]

Pictures are always good.

However, it is pretty easy to tell the differance. The most resent colors are the red-brown (standard color for bricks), orange-brown (looks like a pumpkin) and brown (will look like the current picture on Alden's site). Since you just bought then I doubt they are red. Could be either of the other two though I suppose, but everyone should be running out of the orange sooner or later.

Hope that helps.

[Michaelson]

The reddish version (which mine are) DO take the 'brick' color paste.

Regards! Michaelson

[ij1936]

I wipe the dirt and dust off with a damp paper towel and then clean them with Kiwi Saddle Soap. I then brush the shoes to a high luster. I use the Melatonian from time to time to bring back the color.

[Forrestal]

I have always used the brick color shoe crème as well.
My Aldens are 5 years old and look great.
For new Aldens, I would suggest a good coat of Pecards left on for a day or two, buff that off and then come back with the brick color polish.

Regards,

Forrestal

[Kt Templar]

I have a question, is Meltonian preferred over say, Kiwi? And are we talking about the cream or the polish?

I always use Kiwi Polish on my black leather shoes and it's great, beautiful shine with a shoe brush. But it may just be the brand I'm used to.

[Michaelson]

We're talking about the creme.

Regards! Michaelson

[Kt Templar]

So cream is better than polish? And the reason is because?

[Dr._J]

It just is.

[Michaelson]

Creme tends to soak into the leather as it's polishing the surface, where the polish just, well, polishes.

It's a richer color than just standard polish due to the slight 'soak in'.

Regards! Michaelson

[Wipeout]

Anyone care to tell me what Meltonian they'd use for this color boot?

[Scandinavia Jones]

Anyone care to tell me what Meltonian they'd use for this color boot?

I'd go with the brick colour. Those boots remind of my Aldens when I first got them... I still have some Meltonian 'brick' that I polish them with now and then...

[Wipeout]

Thanks, Scandinavia. Not seeing a brick color, though...

http://www.shoeshineexpress.com/PopUp/m ... nchart.htm

[Scandinavia Jones]

Hmm. Maybe it's discontinued?

Here's mine...

[Ark Hunter]

Hmm, you may have to search and find another store. (search the fourms also, something like "alden darkening" maybe) I have the Red Mahogany which that store does have. It's quite similar to the brick IMO though maybe not as dark.

[Michaelson]

According to this site, 'Brick' still listed on the color chart issued by the company.

http://www.shoeshinekit.com/melshocreamc1.html

Right hand page, middle column, 3rd from bottom.

Regards! Michaelson