Restoring terribly salt stained J&Ms with Patina

In this video I attempt to restore a pair of Johnston & Murphy Melton cap toe oxfords that were almost ruined with terrible salt staining! The process includes washing with saddle soap, stripping with Saphir Reno-mat, treating with a solution to neutralize the salt, massaging the leather, stripping the finish, airbrushing on a dye/patina, and a multi-stage wax finish. How do you like the result?

[@FrancisBalgos]

Just yesterday, I watched a video of Steve from Bedo's Leatherworks restoring an Allen Edmonds with salt stains too. He called it Swedish bath, he cleaned it with white vinegar, then soak the shoes in water, filled the shoes with tissue paper.. also covered the salt stained area with tissue and kept it inside a plastic bag for 2 days. It did the trick. Nice pro tip that I might use with my own shoes.

[@richardbradshaw]

This was very cool. I love it when a person takes something that’s basically worthless and makes it something I’d be proud to own.

[@williammarshall7750]

If at first you don't succeed, dye, dye and dye again. Thank you for posting this.

[@goaztecs7549]

Whoa buddy, I think you're being too modest. That rivals a lot of the pro's! Happy New Year! Thanks for another great video.

[@robert368]

Had the same bumpy trail on both of my boots,used your method and they have come up great,thanks for posting.

[@CobblerBob]

Glad to hear it helped!

[@russelklassen9174]

Trial and error, the only way you learn. Great work.

[@TheHanspeter8]

Your videos are all incredibly helpful. I hope you keep doing this and will gather much more subscribers on the way.

[@GONZOFAM7]

You worked some magic there.

[@Kgraham500]

Good job Mr Powers. Engineering to Finance to Car Geek to Shoe Restoration and all around good guy!!! I’m proud to have had the opportunity to work with you and call you my friend.

[@CobblerBob]

Thank you Kevin, you're too kind!

[@tcsadt]

Nice. That was classy.

[@roythunderplump]

Brilliant result and you are only doing it as a hobby.

[@CobblerBob]

Thank you!!

[@DavidSaintloth]

Great job on that restoration. It also shows just how badly you can damage a shoe and still recover a near new look using the right tools. I live in NYC and dread the winter months for the danger they pose to my shoes heading in and out to the office....this year I plan on just buying a pair of "wear ever" boots that I'd throw on when rain/snow/slush refuse to give footwear a break!

[@thomasweaverling1396]

Dude, i absolutely love the end result! Nicely done sir!

[@chuckboyle8456]

Amazing restoration effort, thanks for your attention to detail.

[@tastycorpse666]

I had a customer bring back an all leather (veg tanned) radio harness that I built him. It needed to be repaired after 3 years of use/him sweating into it. It was salt stained. I soaked it in water a few times to get the salt out and used Leather New on it, it fixed the smell too. Also an oil dye would allow you to build up the color more slowly than alcohol based dyes.

[@kristint1576]

You are a true artist. Very impressive. I kept waiting for a before and after comparison at the end. 😊

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

Wow.. J&M are pretty well constructed shoes. I did not expect that.

[@Caozman2k]

Great work !

[@meh-hair-Vaughn]

Yours is one of the better youtube channels for quality dress shoes! Keep up the good work!

[@CobblerBob]

XxHardcorexxGamerxX 🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@laryanstewart]

Great job, Bob!

[@woodlandchurchofchrist8173]

I think the shoes look great! You mentioned something about light sanding and it made me think of something. Sometimes the car detail guys will use magic erasers for that purpose on car leather. It is basically equivalent to super high grit sandpaper. Just thought it might be worth trying maybe. Regardless, can't argue with the results. Thanks for the video. Just stumbled across the channel today.

[@kgatelyjr]

Great restoration!

[@stevenroche9874]

Great Job, Robert! Awesome restoration 👍👞!

[@stevenstewart3414]

They are beautiful now! You did a remarkable job. I'd be very proud to wear those shoes. You said that you are not a professional, that it is only a hobby. But you certainly could do this professionally if you chose to! And I agree with smakfu's comment. The shoes are better looking and more interesting after your work. I like how the shading changes from the toe to the sides.

[@tarahkayschomburg]

Beautiful !!

[@shogun545]

I don't know why you have so many dislikes - I can't imagine why anyone would dislike this video. You've done a great job - most people would completely throw in the towel once they notice bumpiness or texture on the leather. Lightly sanding and re-dying was 100% the correct thing to do for a well-broken in and well liked pair of shoes.

[@CobblerBob]

shogun545 🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@earlenepeterson8065]

Interesting. Good info. Good job on your part!

[@snudder.s.m.l.5026]

Great video 🤗 I like the color difference, that is so elegant. Hugs from Denmark 🇩🇰 🌹 🌺

[@ianbutler1983]

Why is it that anyone who posts a YT video is subjected to armchair warriors who are always ready to tell him how he did it incorrectly and how he should have done it. The critics usually have no videos of their own, they just take shots at people who take the time and effort to educate and entertain others. Mr. Powers, I appreciate your videos and I think you have a lot of knowledge. Please ignore the critics and the sarcastic comments. These twits do not speak for the majority of us. Thanks, Ian

[@CobblerBob]

Ian Butler thank you for your observation and kind words! Sometimes I think people need to chop other people’s “trees“ down to make themselves feel taller. I try not to take it too personally, I don’t usually get worried unlessless the like to dislike ratio gets worse than about 20 to 1.

[@jonq8714]

Why not take the comments and use them in a glass is half full manner: take their considerations and internalize them and use them to your benefit the next time. I think this is called learning.

[@reggieburris]

Added a beautiful burnished look.

[@alvinprettyman1802]

thanks for posting

[@furdiebant]

Good work!

[@incyphe]

you are an artist!

[@Democratsareracist]

wow, this guy is a true artist

[@CobblerBob]

Jay Jay 🙏🏼 thank you!

[@martincrook1984]

Really good work and a great video. Like how you used the black Saphir on the toes and brings a really nice burnished finish to the toe cap

[@CobblerBob]

Shoe Shine Crook 🙏🏼 thank you!

[@soundofthegardenwatc]

Great job

[@58jennypenny]

Well done with these, look great now.

[@sophiapowers4621]

Jenny Purcell 🙏🏼 thank you!

[@steadfastdriven4472]

They look great man

[@manamez]

Excellent.

[@luisfred4610]

Very impressive, from before to after, thank you for sharing, sadly it looks like it a slowly but surely a dying art because to me it's art and skill along with imagination, thanks again.

[@The69bombero]

WOW great job

[@ThriftedGent]

Nice restoration!

[@adrianfundescu5407]

Great job.And video.

[@jeanferret9497]

A aged patina on a classic shoe is priceless.

[@HeavyProfessor]

The patina on the toe caps looks very natural-hate the gaudy patina and “antiquing” found on a lot of new shoes now. Great job.

[@Darkwell0071]

Air brushing the stain is genius

[@eclipsez0r]

Nice

[@aaronedwards6507]

Amazing i would pay for those shoes. Well done

[@emilianbizga1492]

Wooww.... that's a difference!!!

[@mydogskips2]

Hi Robert, I have a quick question. When I put a neutral wax polish on my shoes to give a bit a shine, the solvents dissolved the cream polish I used to re-pigment/nourish and patina my shoe. Do you know what I could do about this? I let the shoe dry overnight so the cream polish was completely dry and well set, then I quickly brushed it just to make sure it was clean and give a soft shine, but like I said, when I added just a bit of neutral wax polish, the cream polish patina(black on brown just like in your video) was completely dissolved. This was frustrating because it took me a long time to get the patina just right, but the finish was a rather flat and dull matte. I'm not generally crazy about getting a super high gloss shine on my shoes, I mean I don't want a marine corps mirror gloss spit shine, but I think getting a little bit of sheen would make the shoe look a lot better, it just adds depth and dimension to the shoe. I used Saphir cream polish, medium brown, and black, and their "high gloss" wax polish(I'm not sure it's Pate de Luxe, but it does come in a 50 ml tin) and well, what happened is what I said above, just the slightest bit immediately started to instantly dissolve and completely remove the cream polish. Anyway, I actually repolished and patinaed the shoe as I'm desperate to wear it, do you have any ideas on what I should do? I wouldn't want to wear it as is. I was thinking about spraying some silicone based waterproofer on the shoe, maybe 2 or 3 coats to give it some protection and hopefully even the slightest bit of shine, then maybe try adding the wax polish again.

[@icedcoldkilla]

amazing.

[@louis84100]

Good job. Wondering if a pre spray of yellow to lighten the dark area would help

[@steadfastdriven4472]

Very noce work and persistence i see some shoe craftsman using acetone to strip of the original finish may be worth looking into

[@brendanlawlor1906]

"""Excellant job, well done ."""

[@CobblerBob]

brendan lawlor 🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@DoubleVisionSoundSystem]

Fantastic improvement! Love the burnishing and antiquing. These will look better as they’re polished over time. It would have been nice to match the burnishing tone on the toe to the heel also. That’s my only criticism. Beautiful restoration!

[@maxhengst2252]

LOVE IT!!!

[@markcastro78]

yummy! salt and vinegar shoes! ;)

[@DCsGladiator]

I "sea" what you did there with the salt pun...

[@styzoom]

Very well done, great way of restoring the shoe. Although picking black was a bit bold. Maybe a darker brown would have been better.

[@CobblerBob]

stef I actually agree, one thing I learned from this is that when doing 2 tone, two more similar tones are better than 2 dissimilar tones.

[@secretagentmandanV2]

Cool and fascinating

[@docholliday9124]

Hello Mr.Powers would you be so kind to tell me what brand and model airbrush your using?Thank you in advance! Love the videos!

[@CobblerBob]

paco rivera it’s a 40+ yr old Bink’s I got from my Dad. I don’t think it’s crucial to get an especially “high quality” airbrush.

[@jamesoconnor3562]

Soul black still around?? Might help to re-blacken the edges. They look very good!!

[@maroulio2067]

The shoes look 100% better! I also watch Bedo's Leatherworks- I don't know if you have seen Steve's work. I must say for a non-shoe pro you have done well.

[@sogron007]

This may shock you, but laundry detergent or acetone works wonders. Old military trick. Nevertheless good job.

[@CobblerBob]

Ronald Allen in regards to laundry detergent... do you mean to remove salt stains?

[@sogron007]

@@CobblerBob Either it was an old Master Chief or my Squad buddy, I don't remember that taught me this trick. During summer training I learn this method. We put our squad in teams: those who are good at Brass, those who are good at making up beds, and those who are good at taking care shoes. I was on the shoe detail. I remember using laundry detergent like Wisk Stain remover or Tie, to remove hard wax build up like you had on the cap toe and yes, on harden stains. I remember this working much better than saddle soap. Not sure of the Source or cause of the stains, but yes it does remove stains. It does miracles! Ues a ,"Soft toothbrush", 1/4 of water and about a teaspoon of detergent. Make sure you go in a circular motion with the Soft Toothbrush" not up and down, and not too hard. I've used this method on my own personal shoes; it's really good for full grain or top grain leather. However, genuine leather shoes forget it. they're cheap mostly composite leather. Try it and tell me what you think. You can use a medium brush, but never frim/hard.

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

If it takes vinegar to remove the salt stain it probably contains calcium and not just sodium. Alternatively, you could try citric acid, as in lemon juice. After applying these, wiping with a saturated solution of baking soda will neutralize the area.

[@onedead7607]

GOOD JOB

[@CobblerBob]

박지후 thank you!

[@adricmohamed4797]

Which kind of dye you using the spray one thanks

[@HeavyProfessor]

I like acetone to strip off old wax/finish. Lexol oil to condition. Saphir cream and wax. I have never re-dyed a pair, but that is my next project. I love shoes. Have about 10 really nice pairs now.

[@Erin-bc8ic]

How much should one expect to pay for this kind of work? I have some J&M's I'm attached to but depending on the cost, it might be more economical to purchase a new pair.

[@hichamelharrouchi4742]

Bravo

[@duridbs6349]

There is a technique called the Swedish bath for removing salt stains. Give that a try next time.

[@fredygump5578]

I think the raised areas are the result of salt crystalizing inside the leather. I treated my work boots by just soaking in warm water, but no vinegar. (I didn't know about vinegar at the time.) When the salt dissolves, it is drawn out into the water. But that treatment would be rather harsh for a dress shoe.

[@nodice9227]

It looks like the Vinegar changed the PH of the shoe seeing that the salted portions caused the leather to have high salinity and raised texture. Applying the vinegar and pressing it into the shoe was a smart move.

[@MrStewPedaso]

So I was just wondering what would have been the best way to prevent this from happening in the first place? Would cleaning them in someway after each episode of salt slushing prevented this from happening?

[@CobblerBob]

Sanford Maltman - the BEST way is to wear glaoshes. I wear galoshes religiously in the snowy weather. Water in large amounts is not good for leather, but the salt water is devastating.

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

Please comment in a future video about using cream vs wax. I’ve had good results waxing with Kiwi and using a hair dryer to speed the process of multiple coats to rejuvenate dried leather.

[@alphaTrader.oo1]

After vinegar shouldn't have some saddle soap wash?

[@CobblerBob]

It definitely would not hurt!

[@slikshot6]

The ending was satisfying, i was afraid you did all that and still saw the salt line

[@zefdin101]

Interesting, I’ve had salt issues (living in the north east) and the vinegar is a great tip Bob. I’m surprised vinegar works on sodium chloride... ? I checked and sodium chloride is roughly neutral PH value. I always thought salt was alkaline..I’d love to know the science behind it.

[@r.mercado9737]

not bad...i like it...

[@CobblerBob]

R. Mercado 🙏🏼 thanks!

[@mannycontreras1360]

Dam u have patience cause after several attempts and nothing seemed to work I would of thrown them to the trash.

[@debe8890]

I just watched another video and he said that your have to neutralized with the vinegar first, or the washing doesn't work correctly.

[@ondaslab]

What kind of shoe trees are in those

[@cassandrajmr]

How do you disinfect the thrifted leather shoes 👞?

[@CobblerBob]

Cassandra Reynolds - I get that question fairly frequently. I keep a spray bottle filled with 50% isopropyl alcohol & 50% water handy and give each shoe 2-3 good squirts inside, then let them air dry. I don’t wipe them out because I don’t want to wipe off any lettering or logos on the insole or lining. Remember, bacteria needs a damp environment to grow. All the thrifted shoes I’ve handled have the opposite problem... they’re bone dry. I’ve never found one pair or thrifted shoes that I’ve bought to have any odor (a telltale sign of bacteria).

[@billl2431]

Acetone works wonders for stripping

[@CobblerBob]

Bill L I have used acetone in the past, but have not tried it on shoes. My understanding is that Acetone is not an alcohol but is a ketone, and is going to dissolve a broader range of things than alcohol. It seems like acetone will readily dissolve polymer compounds where alcohol may not. I think I’ll pick some up and start testing it on old shoes... Bill what’s your experience? I’d like to strip and refinish my Allen Edmonds McAlisters, but I’m hesitant to take acetone to a pair of expensive shoes as my 1st time using it, LOL.

[@billl2431]

i'm just an amateur but i have seen a lot of things that work, i would definitely try it on a old pair until you get comfortable with it. you did a really good job on these. they were pretty rough. i'm a fan of cole haan's they are so comfortable. i also seen your vid on shell cordovan. would love to get my hands on a pair of them if they wouldnt be so expensive.

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

Robert Powers Buy some photogenic leather shoes at a thrift store and experiment away. Post a video!

[@jimdavidson5208]

So does Dawn dish soap.

[@ToriKo_]

I don't really care about any of this and I don't know why I watched all of it. Nonetheless its really nice to see someone older (I hope you don't mind me saying) making YT videos all by himself. Great job man.

[@raraavis7782]

Neat! I love learning about these things. I have a pair of boots with a kind of bleach spot at the tip....I think, I removed a stain there years ago with...something. Don’t even remember what. They have been sitting in my closet, unworn, since. They’re a rather unusual dark wine-red, so I couldn’t find a matching shoepolish and I didn’t even know, there is special leather dye. This might just be a way to revive them 🙂

[@CobblerBob]

Rara Avis go to www.fiebings.com!

[@raraavis7782]

Robert Powers Thanks! They have the black dye as an aerosol spray even, how perfect.

[@58Kym]

I think that was a great save of a pair of shoes that were very stained and ugly. Now they look good and are wearable.

[@ibuprofen303]

How do i get dried paint off a leather jacket?

[@CobblerBob]

What kind of paint? You may want to first try picking it off carefully with your fingernail.

[@ibuprofen303]

@@CobblerBob No it's been flattened against the leather. I would assume it's white paint from a wall, so whatever paint that is.....

[@Tiss382]

You sound like Jeff Goldblum to me lol. Great video

[@CobblerBob]

Chris Topher 😂 never heard that before.

[@stanvandernat]

Wow those look great again. What happened to your nails?

[@CobblerBob]

Stan Van Der Nat LOL I assume you mean the fingernails on my thumbs? They’ve been growing that way for years. I assume it’s from damaging the cuticle area from working on cars. Before kids I was a huge gearhead and was pulling engines and repairing our cars all the time. Now my thumb nails just grow wrinkled.

[@slurren]

No that looks like nail fungus. Can be cured with treatment and patience :)

[@Maria-db9yb]

Was anybody else bothered by the fact that he didn’t take off the shoe laces? LOL Anyways great video. The shoes look awesome 👏

[@zefdin101]

Love the video Robert! Thumbs up , now where’s the new content brother? One month I am having withdrawals my friend!

[@MrCubansurfer]

Ninja!!! 🥋 🍻🍻🍻

[@carlyletom301]

What about using a weak solution of bleach in water. And then using vinegar to neutralize it when you determine that it has lightened enough.. Or even, use the vinegar 1st as you did. Then use the weakened bleach mix, and then another application to neutralize the bleaching.

[@CobblerBob]

Carlyle Tom - I have no idea what bleach would do!!

[@carlyletom301]

@@CobblerBob Me neither. I was just trying to mention a technique that's used in evening out stains in old wood floors, when refinishing. Probably not a good idea for leather.

[@jordontuttle7403]

Can you link or tell me the products you used?

[@CobblerBob]

Jordon Tuttle - I washed them with Kiwi Saddle Soap, available at WalMart or drug stores. I used Saphir Renomat that I got from eBay to Strip the wax/clean them. The Shoe MGK Leather Cream I purchased at a kiosk st the local Mall. The dye is Fiebings leather dye available at Fiebings.com or on eBay. The polish I believe was Saphir light brown Medaille D’Or Creme Polish, then Medaille D’Or Mirror Gloss black and neutral, available from www.TheHangerProject.com

[@jordontuttle7403]

Robert Powers are you able to tell me if this will work on a more rugged leather? My boots aren’t shiny but they are all stained and scuffed. Is this still a good technique or do you have a different video for that?

[@edgarmilson8686]

You should try turpentine to clean the shoes and of course vinegar

[@CobblerBob]

Edgar Milson - i’ve never tried turpentine, but the guy that runs the professional shoe shop & KZbin channel Bedo’s Leatherworks uses turpentine, so there’s obviously something to it. I’ll have to look into it...

[@TheBanjoman66]

Very impressed

[@jimtalor7971]

Might get better results using 00 steel wool vice sandpaper.

[@CobblerBob]

Jim Talor thanks for the tip!

[@kirrus4781]

They came out pretty nice but showing the while process would be nice also. Nonetheless 👍

[@JamesDutka]

I'd call it orange peeling. Similar to the affect you get when you don't sand between coats of spray paint.

[@awladthuhin5317]

Hello sir I know this work Do you need worker ?

[@donparker8246]

I used to work for J&M so I know how these shoes are put together. Nice shoes.