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Thread: Turning nubuck in to smooth leather, swearing in church?

  1. #1
    Grand Master Daddelvirks's Avatar
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    Turning nubuck in to smooth leather, swearing in church?

    I hate nubuck boots, difficult to clean and you have to be careful with them. But every now and then I spot a pair of boots I like that are made in nubuck.

    Now, the "damage" is already done, so I can't go back, but when I spotted a new pair of RM Williams Aztec in nubuck on Marktplaats in my size and I could get them for 80,- Euro''s I couldn''t resist.

    I instantly put Saphir cream on them and turned them in to smooth leather with a beautiful patina, as I have done with my RM Williams Arnhem boots. Now I was wondering if anybody here has done the same thing, because I hear horror stories about doing this.

    So, is it only the looks I destroy?, or are there "hidden" disadvantages when polishing nubuck?
    Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!

  2. #2
    Grand Master thieuster's Avatar
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    Simply answering your question? Yes. Sorry.

    Menno

  3. #3
    Grand Master Daddelvirks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by thieuster View Post
    Simply answering your question? Yes. Sorry.

    Menno
    Two questions :)

    Only looks? or hidden disadvantages?
    Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!

  4. #4
    Grand Master thieuster's Avatar
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    Remember those shoes that were 'en vogue' in the Netherlands, in the late 60s, early 70s (German army parka/Afghan sheepherder's coat , bell bottoms from Levi's or Wrangler and these beige suede or nubuck boots...)




    Within weeks, the nubuck became shiny and dark on the polished spots; making it look worn.

  5. #5
    Grand Master Daddelvirks's Avatar
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    I'll try and make a photo when I'm home, my work looks really great, you'd never know they were nubuck in the first place!
    It's more about damaging the properties of the leather, or not.
    Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!

  6. #6
    Grand Master Sinnlover's Avatar
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    Yes I have done the same to a pair of old US army NOS roughouts, it's how they were designed to be treated on issue as it makes them more waterproof and a bit harder wearing. They still look good, are still waterproof and don't suffer from the scuff marks, more typical leather suffer from. I should stress I like my boots to be a bit lived in looks wise, they don't look as smart but I am a scruffy sod anyway.
    I have thought about doing the same to my Roughout Red wings as I like the look.

  7. #7
    I had a pair of nubucks, bought some leather shoe dye and gave them a coat or two and they were transformed into smooth leather.

  8. #8
    Grand Master Daddelvirks's Avatar
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    That's the spirit, boots need to be worn, and the "scruffy" looks must develop over years of wearing, people who buy pre-distressed looking shoes are twats.
    Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!

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