I LOVE,love,love your videos. I learn so much from you. You say that you are not an expert, but you are a WEALTH of knowledge for me. I will leave less leather goods behind now, since I have learned to nourish and polish. Blessings from Central California.
Bob, have you ever tried Venetian Shoe Cream? It also works great. I love finding thift store items and bringing them back to life. Another great video, keep em coming!
It has been almost 7 months. The KIWI polish not the lotion seemed to give a very good result but, I wonder about longevity ? The Saphir is a solid performer and should have really renovated the leather with the lotion. The polish with the oils and pigment should have really brought the leather back to life. Did you eventually Renomat the entire belt and use Saphir from stem to stern ?
Wow 🤩 , those shoes ! I just recently started transitioning to dress shoes ; I’m. Normally a sneaker guy but I’m looking for a more sophisticated style and your channels peaked my interest.
In general, conditioner will re-color and soften the leather, and it should help prevent further damage, but if there is cracking already, it's not going to reverse that.
Odor?? Hmm... I’m not sure about that one! I’m guessing you might be wearing that belt too often? I could give a possible solution, but it’s a GUESS. If it were mine, I’d probably take the same 50/50 alcohol-water spray I use to sanitize shoes and spray it liberally on both sides. Then let it dry overnight and condition it. Then make sure not to wear it 2 days in a row? Again, that’s my gues.
Robert Powers Venetian is made by Zoe’s not Horween. I would say as a failed chemistry major (I started out as one) I am a bit skeptical about all these products. There was a YTer, whom I can’t recall now, who would smell any given product and give his best guess what was in it. I use Venetian but mostly go by what the maker of a leather product recommends.
I like your videos!!! I did almost the exact same thing with one of my belts and after a few days the polish was still coming off and it was on my cloths what did I do wrong?
I'm guessing either it was too much polish, and/or poor quality leather? If it's corrected grain leather the polish may have been sitting on top vs soaking in. If you notice, I think I also used cream polish, not paste wax, and this belt was full grain.
The belt looks great after all that work. My question is about the longevity, how long would you say all that work would last before the belt starts showing its scratches again? Also after applying all these types of products should I expect it to stain clothing?
Sorry for missing your comment! It depends greatly on the environment (arid or humid), how often you wear them, how you wear them, and the leather quality and condition. I have 5 main belts I wear (black, dark brown, med brown, walnut, and burgundy) and the walnut and med brown ones are the ones that show wear first. I don't have to re-polish them but about once a year. And no, they should NOT rub off on your clothes IF you don't oversaturate them with product, and if you let them dry. If in doubt, take a tissue and rub it over them and see if it picks anything up.
Another nice video Bob. I have to use a leather conditioner on a large leather sofa in our family room. I want to make sure that I don’t use anything that will alter the color of the leather, while I do want to bring back the luster and sheen of the leather when the sofa was new. Any thoughts on which of these products or any other cream such as Bick 4 Leather Conditioner, which I’ve had good luck with on smaller projects. I find the Bick 4 to be less expensive than Saphir products. Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts and opinion as to which conditioner/cleaner I might want to use on a nice leather sofa. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience in this video. It’s very well done, interesting and easy to follow. Great job!
Ed F - Great question, I’ve never used Bick 4. My limited experience with the 3 conditioners used in this video are that they all do darken the leather a little. Email the real expert in this area, David that runs www.vcleat.com at david@vcleat.com. I know he’s got vastly more experience than me on this.
Hello! My name is Sergey, I live in Russia. I am making leather belts. I ran into some difficulties when processing leather products. I would like to ask you for advice and help. My difficulties are as follows. Usually, after painting a leather belt and impregnating it with various oils and waxes, many craftsmen apply a traditional (well-known) finish to the belt. The top coat adheres to the paint and the belt does not stain the fabric. Many well-known firms produce topcoats, they are known to everyone. But there is one caveat. Conventional topcoats leave a visible glossy or matte finish on the leather product. That is, the surface of the leather product loses its naturalness. The natural feeling of the skin disappears when you take a leather product in your hands. One craftsman told me that craftsmen who lived or live in the foothills of Italy, in the foothills of the Apennines, have achieved great success in processing leather products. He told me that very few people process leather in this way, that leather products were treated this way more than 50 years ago. And that in this way it was the old craftsmen who lived near the Apennines who processed leather products. They processed so that the leather product looked very natural and natural, and at the same time it was not visible (and not felt) from above that the leather product was covered with something. The master told me that leather footwear manufacturers process leather in this way. Shoemakers. Can you tell me how they processed their leather goods in this way? I understand that perhaps this is a secret, so I would be glad to have absolutely any information on this matter. Maybe you can tell me some literature? Or tell me what ingredients (components) should be included in the composition with which you can process a leather product so that it is durable and retains its naturalness. Can you help me and give me any hints or advice? I would appreciate any help! Best regards, Sergei! Sergei33rabota@gmail.com
Wow, that’s a detailed question, and to be quite frank with you is way out of my league! Check out Ashland Leather Co UA-cam channel and website. Phil Kalas, co-owner of Ashland has actually worked in a leather tannery so he knows how the stuff is made. He’s the guy I did the “leather talk“ interview series with on my channel.
As a casual observer, I noticed topcoat works to prevent rub off of the dye. Therefore to avoid using glossy and stiffening acrylic sealer, like resolene, try to dye or paint leather that does not rub off. Pigmented cream or balm may offer better rub off prevention than powder based dye or paint. I used angeles sealer to gain a little insight. Long story short, my belt was a store return where previous customer put sticky stuff on the belt and the store worker used acetone to remove the sticky stuff. But the factory sealer was not replaced, possibly because who would knows these things.
bastantena - not as long as you don’t put too much polish on, and then brush it off with the horsehair brush. Also, cream polishes soak into the leather more than paste waxes.
William Emberley - yes, but I don’t have any tried and true way to get rid of it. I’ve found that sometimes the wrinkling isn’t as bad when you wear it bc the belt is curved when you wear it though. I also don’t mind the creases - you can tell it’s not plastic that way.
It depends what it’s made of. The better bucked will have “solid brass” cast into them. If it doesn’t say that it’s probably NOT solid brass. 1st I’d try polishing them with metal polish. Any auto parts store should have it. If it’s real bad and it is solid brass, you can lightly sand it with green SOS pads then polish. If it’s plated do not sand it.
@@CobblerBob Famaco is another company from France. Great stuff, more or less equivalent to Saphir and a bit cheaper. But you won't find it in the US, or with much difficulty. Saphir is much better distributed worldwide. A third brand I'd recommend, if you can find it, is Grison (a German company). Bickmore products are pretty good, I often use their saddle soap, and probably the best US company for leather products. It's definitely a step above Kiwi if you have to pick between the two at the grocery store.
I totally understand. Sorry for missing your comment!! Use www.PurePolishProducts.com Cleaner Conditioner. It contains only Coconut oil, orange oil, and bees wax! It's made in the US and I've been using it for over a year. I feater the company owner in a video "Leather Talk with Andy from Pure Polish" too.
This is why I don't buy Saphir anymore because it's just hype on UA-cam I rather buy Angelus or Lincoln better than Saphir just bought a pair of shoes and matching belt Magnanni light brown from Nordstrom last week came home and I put some Saphir renovateur on my brand new shoes and belt it freaking changed the color of both from light brown to brown brown it happen before to but not so much no one can tell me that this crap does not change the color of shoes and by the way the shoes are very good quality leather shoes I been buying this brand for years now
Lucky Strike - In this particular case, I think the difference was not the brand, Kiwi over Saphir, I think it was the TYPE of polish. I think the thicker paste wax in the tin from Saphir would have had the same result. I just don’t have any on hand.
@@CobblerBob It's just my opinion Robert I've been using saphir for couple of years kiwi and others like I said if you want good wax and shoe polish try Lincoln way better than saphir try it yourself you don't have to believe me Angelus and other new brands much cheaper and better job in my opinion
Sorry for missing your comment! LOL, I have a tough time choosing music, it's impossible to please everyone, and UA-cam's copywright clean library obviously contains no "known" music.
Fantastic. So far I have focused only on shoes, time to get my belts restored too😊. Many thanks for making this video
Glad it was helpful! Sorry for missing you comment!!
I have that a Kiwi lotion and use it to restore old handbags. I have tried many conditioners and was surprised I like it because it’s so cheap.
I LOVE,love,love your videos. I learn so much from you. You say that you are not an expert, but you are a WEALTH of knowledge for me. I will leave less leather goods behind now, since I have learned to nourish and polish. Blessings from Central California.
Sharon Lewis - thank you!! 🙏🏼
Bob, have you ever tried Venetian Shoe Cream? It also works great. I love finding thift store items and bringing them back to life.
Another great video, keep em coming!
No, I have yet to use Venetian! That’s another one I believe David at vcleat.com uses... the more I learn the more I feel I DON’T know!!
It has been almost 7 months. The KIWI polish not the lotion seemed to give a very good result but, I wonder about longevity ? The Saphir is a solid performer and should have really renovated the leather with the lotion. The polish with the oils and pigment should have really brought the leather back to life. Did you eventually Renomat the entire belt and use Saphir from stem to stern ?
Good job, Bob. AE belts generally cost about $100. You have a serviceable belt for $5 + conditioners/polish + elbow grease.
Wow 🤩 , those shoes ! I just recently started transitioning to dress shoes ; I’m. Normally a sneaker guy but I’m looking for a more sophisticated style and your channels peaked my interest.
Thanks for the detailed video. At what point does one decide to use a dye from the start?
markusayt - very good question! I guess I’m currently exploring how bad leather can be before it needs to be re-dyed…
Can you condition or restore the inner lining, or a tanned cowhide interior that is drying and getting rough, the surface separating?
In general, conditioner will re-color and soften the leather, and it should help prevent further damage, but if there is cracking already, it's not going to reverse that.
@@CobblerBob I would be happy to send it to you for restoration; and it might make an interesting video?
Very nice video bob.
All that you've shown in your video available in pakistan? means any brand like that!
What would you recommend if your belt starts to smell?
Odor?? Hmm... I’m not sure about that one! I’m guessing you might be wearing that belt too often? I could give a possible solution, but it’s a GUESS. If it were mine, I’d probably take the same 50/50 alcohol-water spray I use to sanitize shoes and spray it liberally on both sides. Then let it dry overnight and condition it. Then make sure not to wear it 2 days in a row? Again, that’s my gues.
Phillip owns both Ashland and Zoe's who make Venetian. Did you ask what is the difference between the two?
jlastre I honestly wasn’t even aware of Horween Venetian cream until now. Try emailing Phil at phil@ashlandleather.com.
Robert Powers Venetian is made by Zoe’s not Horween. I would say as a failed chemistry major (I started out as one) I am a bit skeptical about all these products. There was a YTer, whom I can’t recall now, who would smell any given product and give his best guess what was in it. I use Venetian but mostly go by what the maker of a leather product recommends.
I like your videos!!! I did almost the exact same thing with one of my belts and after a few days the polish was still coming off and it was on my cloths what did I do wrong?
I'm guessing either it was too much polish, and/or poor quality leather? If it's corrected grain leather the polish may have been sitting on top vs soaking in. If you notice, I think I also used cream polish, not paste wax, and this belt was full grain.
Have you looked into products like conditioners used for saddles? It seems like a good way to think out of the box.
The belt looks great after all that work. My question is about the longevity, how long would you say all that work would last before the belt starts showing its scratches again? Also after applying all these types of products should I expect it to stain clothing?
Sorry for missing your comment! It depends greatly on the environment (arid or humid), how often you wear them, how you wear them, and the leather quality and condition. I have 5 main belts I wear (black, dark brown, med brown, walnut, and burgundy) and the walnut and med brown ones are the ones that show wear first. I don't have to re-polish them but about once a year. And no, they should NOT rub off on your clothes IF you don't oversaturate them with product, and if you let them dry. If in doubt, take a tissue and rub it over them and see if it picks anything up.
Another nice video Bob. I have to use a leather conditioner on a large leather sofa in our family room. I want to make sure that I don’t use anything that will alter the color of the leather, while I do want to bring back the luster and sheen of the leather when the sofa was new. Any thoughts on which of these products or any other cream such as Bick 4 Leather Conditioner, which I’ve had good luck with on smaller projects. I find the Bick 4 to be less expensive than Saphir products. Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts and opinion as to which conditioner/cleaner I might want to use on a nice leather sofa. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience in this video. It’s very well done, interesting and easy to follow. Great job!
Ed F - Great question, I’ve never used Bick 4. My limited experience with the 3 conditioners used in this video are that they all do darken the leather a little. Email the real expert in this area, David that runs www.vcleat.com at david@vcleat.com. I know he’s got vastly more experience than me on this.
Hi Bob, thanks for getting back to me. I will be in touch with David and see where it takes me. Keep up the good work you are doing! Ed.
Hello please how to choose a good brand name to buy formal shoes from Amazon
Hello! My name is Sergey, I live in Russia. I am making leather belts. I ran into some difficulties when processing leather products. I would like to ask you for advice and help.
My difficulties are as follows.
Usually, after painting a leather belt and impregnating it with various oils and waxes, many craftsmen apply a traditional (well-known) finish to the belt. The top coat adheres to the paint and the belt does not stain the fabric.
Many well-known firms produce topcoats, they are known to everyone.
But there is one caveat.
Conventional topcoats leave a visible glossy or matte finish on the leather product. That is, the surface of the leather product loses its naturalness. The natural feeling of the skin disappears when you take a leather product in your hands.
One craftsman told me that craftsmen who lived or live in the foothills of Italy, in the foothills of the Apennines, have achieved great success in processing leather products. He told me that very few people process leather in this way, that leather products were treated this way more than 50 years ago.
And that in this way it was the old craftsmen who lived near the Apennines who processed leather products.
They processed so that the leather product looked very natural and natural, and at the same time it was not visible (and not felt) from above that the leather product was covered with something.
The master told me that leather footwear manufacturers process leather in this way. Shoemakers.
Can you tell me how they processed their leather goods in this way?
I understand that perhaps this is a secret, so I would be glad to have absolutely any information on this matter.
Maybe you can tell me some literature?
Or tell me what ingredients (components) should be included in the composition with which you can process a leather product so that it is durable and retains its naturalness.
Can you help me and give me any hints or advice?
I would appreciate any help!
Best regards, Sergei!
Sergei33rabota@gmail.com
Wow, that’s a detailed question, and to be quite frank with you is way out of my league! Check out Ashland Leather Co UA-cam channel and website. Phil Kalas, co-owner of Ashland has actually worked in a leather tannery so he knows how the stuff is made. He’s the guy I did the “leather talk“ interview series with on my channel.
As a casual observer, I noticed topcoat works to prevent rub off of the dye. Therefore to avoid using glossy and stiffening acrylic sealer, like resolene, try to dye or paint leather that does not rub off. Pigmented cream or balm may offer better rub off prevention than powder based dye or paint. I used angeles sealer to gain a little insight. Long story short, my belt was a store return where previous customer put sticky stuff on the belt and the store worker used acetone to remove the sticky stuff. But the factory sealer was not replaced, possibly because who would knows these things.
Putting polish on a belt, wouldn’t the polish get on your clothes?
bastantena - not as long as you don’t put too much polish on, and then brush it off with the horsehair brush. Also, cream polishes soak into the leather more than paste waxes.
Thanks in a million. Awesome.💥
Hey Bob I have a belt that has wrinkling in the top layer of leather. Ever encountered this with a belt? Not sure how to fix it
William Emberley - yes, but I don’t have any tried and true way to get rid of it. I’ve found that sometimes the wrinkling isn’t as bad when you wear it bc the belt is curved when you wear it though. I also don’t mind the creases - you can tell it’s not plastic that way.
@@CobblerBob awesome, I figure that's just the way it goes. Any easy home tips for polishing metal like belt buckles?
It depends what it’s made of. The better bucked will have “solid brass” cast into them. If it doesn’t say that it’s probably NOT solid brass. 1st I’d try polishing them with metal polish. Any auto parts store should have it. If it’s real bad and it is solid brass, you can lightly sand it with green SOS pads then polish. If it’s plated do not sand it.
Nice result!
Great video
If possible test two product : delicate cream by Famaco and Leather balm by TRG.
babak younespour - I have no experience with either of those. Another one I have not used that I hear great things about is Bick4.
@@CobblerBob Famaco is another company from France. Great stuff, more or less equivalent to Saphir and a bit cheaper. But you won't find it in the US, or with much difficulty. Saphir is much better distributed worldwide. A third brand I'd recommend, if you can find it, is Grison (a German company).
Bickmore products are pretty good, I often use their saddle soap, and probably the best US company for leather products. It's definitely a step above Kiwi if you have to pick between the two at the grocery store.
Bayart - Thanks! David at Vcleat.com and Steve at Bedos Leather Works (A professional cobbler & UA-camr) both use and recommend Bickmore Bick4.
I can't use mink oil based cream as I am not a fan of the fur industry.
Obenaufs is pretty good
I totally understand. Sorry for missing your comment!! Use www.PurePolishProducts.com Cleaner Conditioner. It contains only Coconut oil, orange oil, and bees wax! It's made in the US and I've been using it for over a year. I feater the company owner in a video "Leather Talk with Andy from Pure Polish" too.
@@CobblerBob No problem. All good things to those that wait. Cheers.
As usual, Another GREAT vid from Ol' Cobbler Bob!...Hey would you be willing to share your Ebay name so we can look at your goodies?
Hogly Stevenson thank you! 🙏🏼 this May be surprising but it’s robertepowers LOL.
Great find and revival for $5.
This is why I don't buy Saphir anymore because it's just hype on UA-cam I rather buy Angelus or Lincoln better than Saphir just bought a pair of shoes and matching belt Magnanni light brown from Nordstrom last week came home and I put some Saphir renovateur on my brand new shoes and belt it freaking changed the color of both from light brown to brown brown it happen before to but not so much no one can tell me that this crap does not change the color of shoes and by the way the shoes are very good quality leather shoes I been buying this brand for years now
Lucky Strike - In this particular case, I think the difference was not the brand, Kiwi over Saphir, I think it was the TYPE of polish. I think the thicker paste wax in the tin from Saphir would have had the same result. I just don’t have any on hand.
@@CobblerBob It's just my opinion Robert I've been using saphir for couple of years kiwi and others like I said if you want good wax and shoe polish try Lincoln way better than saphir try it yourself you don't have to believe me Angelus and other new brands much cheaper and better job in my opinion
I too enjoy the feral cat funk genre of stock music.
Same here!
Sorry for missing your comment! LOL, I have a tough time choosing music, it's impossible to please everyone, and UA-cam's copywright clean library obviously contains no "known" music.
i was thinking the music smelled like shoe polish. very appropriate choice i thought
Try-etha-nola-meen
Laugaves punjabi
Can’t believe nor understand why you use that rag. By the way, you need more than one conditioning.