Stitching colour protection

[Raider Of The Lost Ark]

I’ve tried variations of words looking for this info, however I’ve not found anything. Apologies if I’ve missed it.

How do you keep the stitching, on the welt and top of your boots, clean / pale / contrasting? I’m assuming the same methods will work across the different makes / versions of boots. If it’s of any help I have the Wested boots. At some point they will need a polish and I don’t want to colour the stitching anywhere on the boots. It’s not an issue I’ve faced before, as any boots / shoes that needed polishing were black.

Do you use clear polish, is there such a thing?

[Michaelson]

The old ways was/is Meltonian shoe cream. It does come in neutral, and won't color the threads of your boots if you're just wanting to give you boots a 'polish'.

Regards! Michaelson

[Raider Of The Lost Ark]

That’s awesome. Thank you.

[MaverickFerg]

Alden actually makes a "neutral" boot cream that works well. Others swear by Bick 4 or Saphir Renovateur (both of which are also neutral).

Here's a link to the Alden boot cream: https://www.theshoemart.com/alden-mens- ... m-neutral/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Michaelson]

I kind of wonder if this Alden creme may BE Meltonian boot cream but with their label now? A small jar of Meltonian neutral is what they USED to include with every boot purchase back in the 90's and early 2000's.

Regards! Michaelson

[Cajunkraut]

I painstakingly mask the welt with blue painter's tape only because I use Alden's brown cream on the brick-colored 405s. It takes time, patience, precision and small pieces, but works perfectly if done right.

[Michaelson]

I've never bothered going through all that myself. It's waxed cotton thread, so unless they're really frayed, I've never experienced the thread taking the color of the polish to date.

Regards! M

[Cajunkraut]

Gotcha. I do it as much for the natural welt too. I'm not coordinated enough to keep the polish off of it.

[Michaelson]

Try doing it wearing BIFOCALS!

Regards! M

[Cajunkraut]

I'm not far behind ya, M!

[Michaelson]