SHOE CARE REGIME - PRACTICAL SHOE & BOOT CARE FOR CHAPS

[@helenhoier1742]

Thanks for all the advice on caring for your clothes & shoes. I'm a 'chapette' & I'm using quite a few of your tips, especially these shoe cleaning ones 😊

[@TheChapsGuide]

You are so welcome!

[@freddecker2407]

Classic men's style is a British invention and learning from a British "chap" seems good to me as an American. I think Ash understands not only superficial rules of classic style, but the cultural basis underlying the rules as well. For example, I have heard Ash speak of understatement as a virtue. Understatement seems more like a British virtue than an American virtue. Anyway, thank you for your videos!

[@philallsopp42]

As a dual US/UK citizen, having been born and grown up in the UK, i’ve found that quality understatement can stand out very well in the US, especially in business. The general “schlubbing down” of dress and personal appearance in both countries makes it very easy to stand out and make good first impressions. I’ve even noticed it from how staff at US grocery stores interact with me on the briefest of encounters.

[@nomdeplume798]

In the late '70s/early' 80s a friend of mine was the salesman at the Ferrari dealer in Manchester. This was a time when footballers didn't earn a lot of money so Ferrari dealers, and customers were thin on the ground. I once asked him how he could tell the serious customers from the time wasters. His answer was: watch and shoes. The serious buyer would wear a quality watch and good shoes no matter where he was and what he was doing. First impressions did, and do count.

[@TheChapsGuide]

What a great example of the the reasons to present yourself well to the wider world. Thank you for sharing your recollection sir.

[@arindambasu9850]

Certainly an enlightening video. Especially for chaps getting into the sartorial lifestyle. 👍 Intend to use these nuggets of wisdom for my new Trickers boots! Cheers from India!

[@claiva]

Great video Ash, your voice is very reminiscent of Rob Brydon, has anyone ever mentioned that to you ?

[@TheChapsGuide]

claiva Thank you for the feedback. I guess Rob and me are a touch Welsh, so we have that in common. But I’ll definitely take that as a compliment.

[@viclucyzia]

Hello Ash. A quick question. Since it's good to apply renovateur once a week do you need to strip of all the polish again with reno mat and start all over or does the renovateur penetrate the polish and wax coating after a week?

[@TheChapsGuide]

Good question, as you rightly say, it is pointless applying Renovateur if your wax polish base is solid and is protecting the leather of the shoe. I usually only apply Renovateur when the wax polish has been exposed to the elements and has lost it's lustre and stopped being effective (which is about weekly). I would not use Reno Mat unless absolutely required, as it does stress the leather and repeated use will cause a loss of colour to the leather over time. I only use Reno Mat about once a year on my dress shoes to strip them down and then rebuild the infrastructure of cream and wax polish. Hope that helps.

[@johnwildy4872]

Thank you. I'm also fastidious in keeping my footwear in optimum condition, I'm also a former serviceman. I clean them when returning to my house and polish them before again wearing. That stated I will henceforth follow your example. Best regards, and greetings from Australia .

[@ianarn]

Hello Ash maybe a suede shoe cleaning video presentation?

[@TheChapsGuide]

Not a bad idea at all - I'll put it on the list.

[@alamore5084]

@@TheChapsGuide Yes please, I have a pair of beige slip on shoes. They looked amazing, but now there is too much grime build up (and a red wine stain). So cannot wear them. As they are suede I'm not sure how to clean them without ballsing it up.

[@KlausKokholmPetersen]

This is the reason I dont own a single pair of leather shoes or boots.....

[@manjiirmiya8383]

Hey Ash how are you doing? I have always preferred my chukka boots in suade, but with this video i am seriously considering a full grain leather chukka boots. Pls what brand is this particular boot. Thank you

[@TheChapsGuide]

Those boots were from Herring and were blake stitched and from Spain. They were good, but there are better out there for sure. I would steer toward Loake if I were looking for a nice pair at a modest cost.

[@andrewmacfarlane9074]

Hi Ash, love the channel. Was wondering what your thoughts are on rubber vs leather soles and if you have ever used the Saphir leather sole oil? Also how many black work shoes would you recommend for the chap who wears a suit Monday to Friday?

[@TheChapsGuide]

As a resident of a country with a temperate climate (neither too hot, nor too cold`) I own a small collection of both leather and rubber soles for the corresponding times of year. Although, these days, I always opt for Dainite as my first choice. They are more versatile, last longer and look just a good (and James Bond does the same).

[@bootstrapperwilson7687]

I would recommend two. A left and a right, so both feet are covered (your question's phrasing left it wide open, so I had to take it. Should have written how many pairs of...).

[@axelreisdorf4375]

Hey Ash, I enjoyed your video and found my own cleaning regime confirmed by what you use to do. And I also like to emphasis the fact that by far not everybody is used to look after his shoes. What I have missed in your video though is the shoe tree, which for me also is a big part of shoe care. I am sure, you also use them and it would have just rounded up the whole care. But still - I do thank you and hope to see much more of you!

[@douglashill9844]

What technique would you employ to bring a mirror shine, which you alluded to earlier?

[@TheChapsGuide]

Try this route: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX6cfXmjaLSloJIsi=OT55CQhqVUMkWuAR

[@clivemcquire7686]

Ash, a question for you. I have a few pairs of Barbour Redhaed boots, some have a polished shiny leather, but some have a Matt leather. Would you still use the same regime for the Matt finish boot?

[@TheChapsGuide]

Avoid using wax polish in a matt leather, as it will alter the finish. You can safely use Renovateur, which should not alter the matt finish. Cream polish should also be quite safe too, if you seek to refresh the colour

[@clivemcquire7686]

@@TheChapsGuide Thanks for your prompt reply. I have ordered some Saphir products on your recommendation, so will now upgrade from the KIWI 😋

[@MsBigarse]

Thank you Ash. Very illuminating. I am a ballroom dancer and comfortable ballroom shoes are difficult to find for everyone because the leather is very thin (to reduce the weight) so they have to fit properly. I have ruined two of my pairs of dance shoes. Untill recerntly I had never looked after the uppers of my shoes other than with a damp cloth (the soles are a different story), but as my 5 pairs of dance shoes are all 10-15 years old because I have been able to find any new one ones that are comfortable, I decided to rejuvenate them and bought some Cherry Blossom Renovating Cream. It says on the instructions "Apply cream evenly and allow to dry. Buff with a brush for a high gloss shine." My shoes are now covered with large, very noticeable streaks of Renovating Cream which are hard, dry, and impossible to brush off. They are not even removable with 80% or 99% alcohol. These shoes are still wearable but they look awful. Do you have any suggestions how I can remove this so-called Renovating Cream.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Hi Peter, sorry to hear that your shoes have been mugged by the Cherry renovator. Sadly this has most likely been caused by the harsh solvents within the cheap product, that has not married well with the more delicate leather of your somewhat specialist footwear. I can only suggest that you try and remove the remainder of the old material with a solvent, such as acetone (nail varnish remover), this should shift anything non-indigenous to your shoe, but should not risk removing the factory colour of the shoe. Be careful and try on a non-obvious area of the shoe first, just in case any unwanted result should occur. In future, I would recommend Saphir Renovateur, which is natural in composition and quite gentle. Good luck! Ash

[@borealmat1889]

I love the natural patina

[@aagelucardie3137]

Thank you very much for just another fantastic video. I enjoy watching them very much. Please keep up the good work. Kind regards.

[@JoeZasada]

I have since discovered that automotive ceramic leather protectant works well as a top coat. Long lasting, especially on shoes that you have already taken care of. As easy as the shoe cream method. I can get a week of shine even in salty, dirty road show.

[@RockyDave]

Enjoyed this video, as always. Just a suggestion... Now do the other boot. Lol.

[@remonmicheal8753]

Thank you sir for your beautiful video great information

[@frederickvillarete1755]

Military folks are so funny. Why do we all have such an obsession with polishing leather? It must be from years of getting berated by angry Warrants and Sergeants Major. 🤣

[@MrBurtonshaw]

I was warned away from signing my safety away to a government/royal by my parents.... always polished my shoes, and no one's yard stick came near my sphincter. My great grandfather was a RM though, and we are fussy chaps lol

[@kents.2866]

I like the idea of using an old cloth to apply creams and polish. To me, applicator brushes seem to flick little bits of polish on my work table, clothes etc. So how do you wash your shoe cleaning cloth? Seems like something you would not want to put in the washer for fear of staining a white dress shirt on the next load of laundry. Thanks.

[@TheChapsGuide]

I dont wash them. I discard when fully used up.

[@sbkinkead]

Wonderful. Thank you so much.

[@markywellsboy2182]

Great video, Ash. I love a well polished shoe, always have. I have been looking at Saphir and wondering whether to give it a go. I'm in. I have recently invested in a pair of Loake country boots. Outstanding. Their colour is "conker". What was the colour of cream that you showed us that was a bit more red than the mahogany? Keep up the good work, that man!

[@TheChapsGuide]

I use Saphir mahogany on my red-toned boots, works a treat.

[@malcolmnash5850]

Brilliant information Ash, Thanks.

[@Fanakapan222]

Had Dante been an ex serviceman, he would have made trying to bull with Cherry Blossom polish one of his circles of Hell :)

[@TheChapsGuide]

Indeed. Sadly I only discovered Saphir about 6-years ago, until then, I was that guy struggling with the Cherry Blossom (and Kiwi).

[@ClassicModernGentleman]

Hi Ash. Have you tried the saphir mirror shine wax since you made this video ? I have really been improving my shoe care regime since watching this and didn’t know if it was worth including as well or instead of the pate de-luxe ? Thank you. Russ

[@TheChapsGuide]

I do use Saphir mirror shine on some of my shoes (obviously not on grained leather) and it works rather well. It is a luxury really, as normal pat de-luxe does the job just as well, it just takes a little longer to chase that glacage.

[@ClassicModernGentleman]

@@TheChapsGuide thank you for your response. I have treated myself to both as well as the cream. I stumbled across another one of your videos that incudes the items in guys shoe shine box and couldn’t resist.

[@guitarplayer5611]

Excellent video!

[@jeffreylamont8111]

Great video Ash amazing transformation.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Glad you liked it!!

[@surfingmoose]

Thank you

[@MGLang13]

11:37

[@minty448]

If I’m not mistaken that’s a pair of Loake kemptons.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Hi, I purchased them from Herring, which, ass you may know don't actually make their own footwear, but rebadge products from other brands as Herring. I had a suspicion these may have been Cheaney chukkas, but they may well be Loake indeed. They were £275 new, so quite within the Loake bracket. They have been awesome boots whoever made them. They seem to get better every passing year - roll on winter!

[@minty448]

Could well be cheaney, I have the Herring Burgh, which I believe is the Loake Burford. In any case all excellent footwear.

[@bluesdog645]

Mirror shine please!

[@TheChapsGuide]

Yes sir!

[@canadafree2087]

I picked up a brush like yours and it seems bigger than what is commonly sold. I use it as a dust brush for leathers and then have a black/brown set of other brushes for shining. I will go to my local cobbler and pick up some of that Saphir Renovater Cream, and saddle soap if they have it. I am just using a more horse tack soap now. I learned from this video that I am leaving my saddle soap on too long to dry.

[@bobfarley4102]

"How long has it been"? It's been a lifetime listening to you ramble on not getting to the point.

[@lorettashumate446]

His 'rambling' is one reason people like to listen to these presentations.