Go Grey: Refinishing & Restoring The Allen Edmonds Cornwallis in Burnished Grey

Visit theelegantoxford.com for all of your shoe care needs.
Use code JUNEFRIENDS21 for 5% off your order.
Products I recommend/used in this video:
Saphir Leather Dye: theelegantoxford.com/collecti...
Saphir Leather Lotion: theelegantoxford.com/products...
Saphir Medaille d’Or Cream Polish: theelegantoxford.com/collecti...
Saphir Pate De Lux Wax Polish in Mahogany: theelegantoxford.com/collecti...
Saphir Horse Hair Brush: theelegantoxford.com/collecti...
Saphir Pig Bristle Brush: theelegantoxford.com/products...
Saphir Welt Brush: theelegantoxford.com/products...
Need help with a mirror shine? Here’s my in depth tutorial: A COMPLETE, DETAILED, & UNCUT GUIDE TO A MIRROR SHINE: A GUARANTEED SHINE
• A COMPLETE, DETAILED, ...
A guide to sole savers:
• MY LOCAL COBBLER INSTA...
My Experience at the Allen Edmonds Trunk Show:
• I GOT MY DREAM SHOE AT...
The Elegant Oxford is a Clothing & Apparel Project Offering Premium Shoe Restorations, Patinas, & Artisan Shines for Quality Men’s Shoes.
If you have any questions or would like your pair shined, email me at [e-mail]
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram at The Elegant Oxford.
Follow The Elegant Oxford:
INSTAGRAM: theeleganto...
FACEBOOK: / theelegantoxford
KZbin: / @theelegantoxford

[@tyronemccoy3102]

As usual you do great job. I’m an old military guy. I thought I wouldn’t learn anything from you …but you my friend thought an old dog new tricks. Thank you so much. Tyrone🎉

[@annie-marie]

Everytime I see a pair of shoes being restored so beautifully, I know there's still good in the world. Not all heros wear capes, man...

[@mwambasol9556]

You should go to Japan and enter the shoe shining competition. Your stuff is class A my guy

[@muffemod]

YO I WAS THERE!

[@thoughtful_criticiser]

One of the first skills taught in basic training,when I joined the army. Spooning the dimples in the leather to make them smooth then mirror shining the boots. Though we were not allowed special polishes or finishing wax, just basic Kiwi Black. They'd smash the toes if they caught you using Kiwi Parade Gloss or cheating with floor polish.

[@gabesphoto]

Love your work. Just as a by when I was in the Navy we were expected to mirror shine the whole shoe. Extremely time consuming but doeable. We kept the shoes in an old t-shirt in a bag till inspection where we would ware our inspection uniform. Yup this was also meticulously prepared and kept till inspection.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thank you for your service

[@vazz22]

Thank you for your Service to our grateful Nation 🇺🇸

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

Did you march or walk in those shoes?

[@scottyb.8710]

Preston live - heck yes! So happy for you given your new little guy!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks, Samuel!

[@Big_boom90]

His voice is so calming 🥱😴 love watching your videos before bed! Thanks 👍👏

[@imranuzzaman2566]

Thanks Preston, Through your videos, we make us think about the other colors available apart from the basic colors of formal shoes, That once they shine, they can be improved even further...

[@frfrpr]

Congratulations on your newborn! Welcome back!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thank you!

[@sammer2587]

Actually just polished a pair of McTavish in distressed leather grey. Some patina using light black polish, then grey/neutral polish throughout to give a shine to them but they are still distressed leather underneath. Mirror and light patina on the toe and now they are one of my favorite pair of shoes. Very unique look, and you can wear with business casual or causal.

[@schgar5184]

Good to have you back. Great stuff! Great shoe

[@cabininmanolo9633]

Hello, I believe if you haven't yet. I would consider investing into a grey card. Because that is usually what causes your grey shoes to have a tint of blue or grey jar to have a tint of green. What the grey card does is it adjust your exposure and white balance settings consistently by providing a reference point. This reference point will set a white balance, or color balance, point for a particular image set and all images captured thereafter. I hope this helps. I enjoyed seeing the grey shoes at the end

[@markvincent5241]

Wow, absolutely gorgeous. Thanks Preston.

[@TheElegantOxford]

My pleasure

[@goodwill_hunting]

Those look incredible! That yellow stitching against the black just pops.

[@khoderabdel-hussein3032]

Welcome back good to hear from you

[@jaredross6786]

Stunning pair of shoes! Its so uncommon to see a grey pair especially where I am from. The burnishing and mirror shine really make the shoe stand out!

[@j.r.carroll8413]

Another Great video, keep up the good work. The Cornwallis was the first shoe I purchased from AE. The were so nice n comfortable I purchased 2 more. I now have a red pair , light blue pair n brown pair. Excellent shoe for casual or dress occasions.

[@wordinthehoodbringingtruth6294]

It's people like you that keep me from kicking my shoe addictions. lol, I see shoes like this and want another pair because now I feel like I need grey too.

[@scottyb.8710]

I may or may not have owned 14 pairs of Allen Edmonds at one point ;)

[@TheElegantOxford]

I hope you never kick the addiction.

[@alanpalomino6817]

Is it just me or it ended up looking like a pair that batman would wear? I mean, the color palette and even the sole texture... It's all there. Btw, absolutely gorgeous work right there.

[@chadparker1283]

Very beautiful shoe. Very beautiful job. A1 you are one of the greats. Anyone can shine a shoe. You do the color and fades to another level.

[@freddyfred7494]

Whoa! With a dark gray suit, that pair would tie it all in. Love the shading on the tip and the mirror finish makes it like subtle jewelry! Well done!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Glad you liked it!

[@lukepbriggs6225]

Beautiful shoes - fantastic job Preston.

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

Preston, I really like your use of the word “regal” to describe shoes and menswear. That’s something I rarely hear from anybody else.

[@67spankadelik]

Another well done job! Looks amazing!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks 🙏

[@mbshoedoc]

Beautiful...I want a Cornwallis in grey now!

[@FiuzasAutoDetailing]

Impressive and phenomenal turnaround!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks!

[@intox69]

Love the color of those shoes, wow.

[@emreekinci8634]

Welcome back, good video

[@marcvenegas5196]

Stunning!

[@tedhart7708]

Awright! You're back! Man, what a good looking pair of shoes.👍

[@TheElegantOxford]

Glad to be back Ted!

[@hewstone95]

Welcome back Preston! I've never given gray shoes a chance, this videos made me think I should! Saludos desde Chile!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks! I appreciate it!

[@juanarce6900]

Really beautiful work.👏

[@jeroenvaneekeren]

Glad you're picking up making video's again!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Glad to be back

[@satchrocks34]

Interesting timing! I just picked up a pair of grey boots from Viberg! I agree that grey is an underappreciated color for shoes! And I think it's gonna be pretty versatile as well! These shoes certainly look lovely once you're done with them!

[@RatdogDRB]

I like the Cornwallis. I have a black pair and a lighter brown pair. Those turned out quite nicely.

[@MNpicker]

Perfection at its finest👌🏼

[@TallerSartorial]

this is really amazing

[@joshuawalker301]

Whoa! They look fly AF.

[@miriamhavard7621]

Absolutely beautiful ❤️

[@masspyro5167]

gorgeous shoes great job man

[@antoniopadilla2152]

Hola Preston, great video I'm glad you are back on You tube. good looking shoes after your magic touch!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thank you Antonio!

[@davinarose2876]

I'm not a big shoe admirer, but those are some beautiful shoes! Great work!

[@sp2181]

Awesome video. I bought my first pair of allen edmonds after watching your videos.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Now that’s awesome!

[@TanyaTsukrova]

Welcome back!

[@MT-tu8qd]

Hello.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thank you Tanya, glad to be back

[@lenaguilar501]

Beautiful!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks!

[@vazz22]

I havent been getting your videos for months yet I am subscribed

[@TheElegantOxford]

It’s not KZbin‘s fault, I haven’t posted for months because of my newborn baby.

[@vazz22]

@@TheElegantOxford congrats on the new addition to your family....I suppose if Allen Edmonds made a toddler shoe your newborn would be sporting a pair with a mirror gloss👞

[@starkyvill]

Glad your puting more videos

[@TheElegantOxford]

Glad to be back

[@MichaelVickery1]

Another great video. Thanks. You have commented about colors appearing differently on camera than in real life before and I wanted to pass along a bit of info. When dealing with pigments to create color, there are a few limitations, like there is not a true black. Black is always a combination of pigments, usually with a red or blue base. Just think of faded black clothing. I was surprised to see that the grey Saphir polish seemed to have a green base on camera, which is interesting.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Good eye Michael! There is a green tint there

[@scottdoane3290]

Dude, I saw you with Kiby Allison. Great Job.

[@Yes-ml4bw]

I got a pair in walnut from the sale for $152. I also bought two other pairs but the attention to detail is pretty bad on all of them but the Cornwallis are so stunning that I am going to keep them. It's the only brogue shoe I actually like.

[@SolaFide802]

I really enjoy your channel with the tutorials and quality commentary. I’ve worn Stacy Adams most of my life and generally stay with that brand because they fit. I would like to dabble with higher end but always working on my 38 Chevy leaves little for $$$ for new shoes. I am considering preowned like my Chevy and vintage 30s-40s clothes and fedoras too. What is the best way to sanitize preowned shoes prior to restoration? I bought a pair of preowned Paul Stuart two tone white with gray cap toes size 8 but they are too large, more like size 9 at least. Buying preowned from online is a hit and miss if the sizing varies from one brand to another. Any recommendations? Thanks Michael

[@edwardwright8096]

Lovely

[@TheElegantOxford]

I appreciate it

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

Freaking lovely ❤️❤️❤️

[@Jershaun]

Hi Preston, great video as usual. With regard to the colour from your camera, you may want to white balance your camera with a grey card. I'm not sure if you've tried this.

[@sungk2689]

I have the same shoe in midnight navy, and I am not sure how AE painted the leather, but when I used renovateur it took of black coating? It brought out more blue tint, which looked better in my opinion. Overall, It's an awesome shoe for business casual.

[@mossberg8676]

Those look great!1111

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks Moss!

[@EPiK277]

Amazing shoes. Where can I find them that color is so nice and different

[@244534]

Preston you complete me, you had me at Zaphir you had me at Zaphir!

[@kyleessex6301]

If I am looking to re create these on a pair of shoes. Can it be done from a black pair? I know that usually you never want to go dark to light, but the lighter of black would likely work well for a medium gray, at least on paper. Would it work do you think? or better to stick with medium or lighter browns?

[@darrenmcfarlane6789]

Do you recommend the same color creams for Allen Edmonds Carbon Grey shoes?

[@englisy6079]

Preston, Can you advise us on mirror shining our belts? The one showcased in the video seems a little too shiny :) Is it the leather or a mirror shine on it?

[@poodlefilmstrailer]

If you are using neon lighting or daylight led spots t he color temperature of those are blueish (around 5600 degree kelvin), the light might have added that blue you see. Do you white balance your camera with your light set up before shooting?

[@ShitShitPampas]

Hi. Do you have a video on how to use airbrush properly? Thanks.

[@douglascampbell6482]

If one were to remove the factory finish from a pair of brown cap toes could they then dye the whole shoe grey before burnishing?

[@jkranites]

Are you using the Mirror shine polish for the finish or just the grey and buffing it with water

[@Prophecy23JC]

I have a spot I have issues with that is lighter than the rest of the shoe due to an oil stain years ago. When I use enough cream polish to get it to blend, there is too much wax in it. When walking it bends and gets whitish. Is there a cream polish that doesnt have any wax?

[@ksgould1992]

Tarrago sells an olive shoe cream that works on my olive green AE Park Avenues.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Hey, Kevin. Saphir also makes an olive green cream but I was referring to wax polish for mirror shines, which no company makes unfortunately

[@JediMasterHilljr]

With all the hand sanitizing….I spilled a drop on my shoe and it made a spot of lighter color, it looks like it faded in that one spot. What’s a good fix for it?

[@ariefrakhman5204]

Hey , can you explain how to clean veggies tan leather shoes ?

[@mariaangelicatenorioleonar6346]

Saludos de PERU

[@TheElegantOxford]

Gracias!

[@Agerskiold]

What colour of pants will they fit? (Grey flannel, Kaki chinos, white or anthracite jeans?) I love the Cornwallis, but for me grey seems to be hard to fit

[@0040636bf109e]

Amazing, but I have a question, could you or why do you, not use the airbrush to tone the toe, dark to a light flick of a finish ?

[@sinister4lyf]

What air brush your using pls?

[@jazzmanjazzman6306]

Does anyone know where I can purchase Grey leather dye? Or know what colors çan be mixed to create Grey. The only Grey dyes I'm finding are acrylic or the ones made for suede.

[@texangentlemen3115]

Preston for President. C’mon man….we know you could easily win it.

[@PBSviaPNW]

My goodness those are beautiful soles

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks!

[@xxdv03xx]

I have these same pair and would like to get it done just like this, how do I get in contact with you to get this done?

[@Tmanaz480]

These would be great for a "dress jeans" look.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Yes absolutely

[@ikkiiiieee]

Can cheap white vinegar work as an alternative to remove old polish?

[@TheElegantOxford]

I’m not sure, I’ve never tried it but I wouldn’t think so

[@RobertLibberton]

Can you take a black pair to dark brown?

[@kchiang4]

Where on the website can we request for patina work?

[@suckgames]

Hello Preston, nice video. I had a question though, is it possible to shine the entire shoe, I think it will look better than having just the toe shiny

[@TheElegantOxford]

I don’t recommend it. Wax placed over flex points will crack. Only areas like the heel, toe, and maybe sides should be mirror shined.

[@firemansteve829]

Is it possible to turn black shoes grey/charcoal?

[@gcolbert573]

Another great video. I suggest you get some sort of natural lighting to reduce the false color effects. I paint and it helps me to see true colors when I mix them.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Good idea

[@Htowncars]

How can I get my shoes worked on?

[@RobertLibberton]

Could you take brown to grey?

[@frederick.jackson]

I didn't even mirror shine and the wax was cracking when I walked. Luckily I had a travel brush.

[@joseluisbisteni5003]

Hi Mr Preston how are you question I have a black pair of Edmond shoes I would like to have change them from black to gray and navy blue just like your video how much would you charge me I hope to hear from you soon

[@Nafregamisrocanob]

Possible solution to appearance of blue in your video: Daylight will appear blue when using auto-white balance in artificial light situation. If you’re mixing light sources, i.e. daylight, LED,CFL, incandescent, the auto-setting will not know which temperature (Kelvin) to adjust to. Solution is too change all lighting sources to daylight bulbs then perform a custom white balance in camera prior to shooting. White balance cards are available online.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thank you! I will try it

[@bigal3619]

Is it possible for leather to be too soft for mirror shine I mirror shined shoes Then after a few hours without wear It has lines in it

[@j.pendergrass9805]

“Try the gray stuff it’s delicious!”

[@TheElegantOxford]

It’s good!

[@karem9605]

I know this is a rare request, I wonder if you make an exemption and show how to clean and keep desert boots for women. I saw the video where you polish your wife's DM boots. Any advice would be wellcome

[@l1zrdking]

Another channel YT unsubbed me from, weird. However, what a great looking shoe.

[@DonPato1911]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@benhoughtonmusic]

the colour thing might be to do with the white balance settings of your camera?

[@TheElegantOxford]

Yes I think that’s right! Thanks

[@zaulocana120]

Great Video, the reason your colors look different in video. Is because your white balance is a bit off. If you reach out I can help you with that, is not that hard. Or you can also fix in Post, also a simple fix.

[@kimballscarr]

Having gray shoes, fav color, one has some concerns. Grey is very easily scuffed especially with dark marks. Gray is very difficult to match or very easy to match depending on how you go about it. And, it's very easy to over accent grey, so if you want a lot of black or black accent... start with a black shoe and using acetone or other chemical strip it, maybe several times where you want lighter and accept that heavy black accenting is not possible without the shoe looking tacky...

[@Javi_C]

👍

[@josejoaquintrujillorios5199]

Hola 🙏😷👍

[@Macaco_Branco]

Nice Seiko 6309-7049 or is it a 6306? ^^

[@TheElegantOxford]

It’s a 6309. It was my uncles and is over 40 years old.