Patent leather shoes are a symbol of high social status. Shoes, boots, ankle boots and sandals made from this material are present in the wardrobe of every person interested in fashion trends. The advantages of such products include special sophistication, lightness, style and elegance. At the same time, one should not forget about the operating features.
In order for shoes to last as long as possible, you need to take care of them, following fairly simple rules. Ignoring the recommendations may result in signs of stretching such as cracks, scratches and folds. To restore an attractive appearance to damaged shoes and boots, you can use professional and folk remedies.
Causes of scuffs and scratches
Noticeable defects on the surface of patent leather shoes can occur due to the influence of several factors. These include violations of production technology, adverse weather conditions, poor road surfaces and contact with sharp objects.
Before processing begins, it is necessary to assess the complexity of the problem. To do this you need to perform a fairly simple test. It lies in one gesture. It is enough to run your hand over the affected surface. Roughness that is directed in one direction indicates that the skin has been damaged. If only the varnish layer is damaged, the scratch will be felt on both sides.
The first step is preparation for removing defects. First, remove the pieces that have formed on patent leather shoes. To do this, you can use tweezers or nail scissors. The next step is to cleanse the skin with special compounds. In their absence, alcohol is often used. It should be noted that it is unlikely that it will be possible to remove deep scratches at home. The only way out of the situation is to mask the defects.
Genuine Leather
Before you begin to repair the defect, you should determine how deep the scratch is. To do this, slide your finger over it. If the roughness is felt in one direction, then the skin is damaged. If roughness is felt in both directions, then the paint layer is damaged. The choice of remedy and how to fix the problem will depend on the test results.
To remove scratches from leather shoes, “liquid” leather is the ideal solution.
When choosing this product, proceed very carefully. Otherwise, you will completely ruin the product.
Using nail scissors, carefully remove any protruding pieces from the damaged area. Clean the surface with fine sandpaper or a nail buff. Degrease. To do this, use any cleanser or alcohol. Apply a little “liquid” skin to the damaged area and leave for 10 minutes. If necessary, apply several more layers of the product, drying each one thoroughly. After removing the scratch, thoroughly polish the shoes.
Superglue can help with deep scratches and small tears.
or regular
nail polish
. Apply a little glue or varnish to a toothpick and coat the damaged area from the front and back. Wrap your finger in a clean cloth, press it to the glued area and hold for 3-4 minutes until dry. Fill the remaining groove with superglue or collodion. Paint the scratch with shoe paint and polish.
Another remedy for removing serious scratches is wax
: special, finishing or bee. If you don’t have wax on hand, you can use a regular paraffin candle. Heat the wax to a liquid state and carefully apply to the damaged surface. Let dry. Then rub the “healed” area with a soft flannel cloth. Paint the top with paint that matches the color of the shoes.
How to wear it correctly to avoid damage
To extend the life of patent leather shoes, you need to follow a few simple recommendations. Products should not be worn in snowy or rainy weather. Excessive humidity will negatively affect the shape of shoes and sandals.
The appearance of small cracks on the surface of the shoes indicates that they were worn in severe frost. If the air temperature is more than +35 degrees Celsius, the layer of varnish applied to the skin will be severely damaged.
In order for winter boots to “fit” your feet, you should put them on 10–15 minutes before leaving the house. Particular attention should be paid to the storage procedure. The varnished surfaces must not touch each other. Otherwise, the risk of damage to your fine shoes increases.
Soft makeup pencil
Scratches on patent leather shoes will disappear if you use regular cosmetic pencil for eyes, eyebrows or lips.
This product can be bought cheaply; you don’t have to use expensive cosmetics. Only the pencil should be soft. Hard will make the problem worse.
This method is short-lived, which means that you will have to carry out the manipulation of masking scratches several times after washing the shoes.
How does the method work?
The pencil penetrates the cracks, filling them. Thus the defect disappears. But after washing or exposure to rain, it is washed out and a repeat procedure is required.
How to remove scratches from patent leather shoes:
- First, the product must be washed with soapy water or wiped with a damp cloth. Let the shoes dry.
- Next, take a matching eyeliner or eyeliner. Carefully paint over damaged areas of the skin.
- The treated area should be thoroughly rubbed with a lint-free cloth. This is a kind of polishing so that the masked area does not stand out against the general background.
If patent leather shoes are not just scratched, but a piece of leather is torn off, this method will not save you. This requires the help of an experienced craftsman. Only he can extend the life of your favorite shoes.
How to restore patent leather shoes
The shine and shine of shoes, shoes and boots can be restored at home. Despite this, many refuse to purchase products that are characterized by capriciousness. Caring for patent leather shoes is not difficult. If scuffs and dull shades appear, you can use:
onions. First, the head is peeled and cut into two parts. Then one half is applied to the surface of the varnished products;- egg yolk and sugar. This mixture will restore shine to shoes and neutralize the effects of snow and water. It is removed using woolen cloth;
- turpentine, castor oil and egg yolk. A composition of these components is used to treat a varnish surface that has suffered from prolonged wear.
The same effect can be achieved with milk, coffee or tea leaves. The last step is polishing.
Rules of care
It is strictly forbidden to wet patent leather shoes too much. The more careful the processing, the better the result. Boots and sandals should not be left wet after cleaning. Their surface should be carefully wiped with a soft flannel cloth. Otherwise, it will be difficult to avoid stains and streaks.
Polishing is most often done using a piece of flannel in a circular motion. Vaseline or oil is used as a lubricant. Before putting on a new pair of shoes or boots, their inner surface should be heated with a hairdryer and treated with a greasy compound, soap or candle wax. Breaking in usually takes at least 2 hours. If this time is not enough, the procedure must be repeated. To speed up the process, you can use a special stretcher.
What patent leather cannot tolerate
The coating of patent leather shoes may suffer from the following factors:
- sudden temperature changes;
- direct sunlight;
- incorrect drying method;
- excessive humidity;
- exposure to harsh materials and abrasives;
- influence of aggressive cleaning compounds.
Many people wear boots, ankle boots and shoes made from this material only in exceptional cases. This is an effective way to preserve their shine and charm for a long time. If a housewife knows how to properly care for patent leather shoes, there will be no problems with their appearance.
Traditional methods for removing scratches and abrasions
The list of funds is quite extensive. It includes:
- Eye makeup pencil. With it you can quickly disguise damage.
- Glossy varnish. The main thing is to choose the right shade. The composition must be carefully applied to the scratch and dried.
- Wax. It is used to repair deep damage.
- Super glue. This substance is used to remove complex scratches and cracks. Thanks to timely measures taken, damaged shoes can quickly be restored to their original appearance.
- Liquid skin. This is the name of a special composition designed to eliminate characteristic defects. The damaged area must be degreased. To enhance the effect, it is treated with fine-grained sandpaper. If you cannot remove the scratch the first time, you can use the product again. At least a quarter of an hour should pass between sessions.
Scuffs can be removed using an eraser, soft non-woven material, mineral oil and alcohol. Movements should be slow and careful.
Professional products
To achieve a more effective result, it is necessary to use professional polishing compounds. Particularly popular are:
Lack-Polish
- Lack-Polish;
- Metallic-Perlato;
- Combi-Color;
- Solitaire;
- Salamander Lack Polish;
- Saphir Vernis Rife;
- Collonil Lack Polish;
- Collonil Lack Mousse.
The list is supplemented with such compounds as Salton, Salamander Prof Lack Care, Famaco Huile Vernis, Silver. They can be purchased at any household chemical store. How to care for patent leather shoes is indicated in the instructions included with the product. It is advisable that the composition intended for processing glossy products contain glycerin or lanolin.
What to do if patent leather shoes squeak
This problem most often appears when walking in new shoes, boots, or ankle boots. To get rid of it, there is no need to contact specialists. Patent leather shoes are flexible. Creaking is eliminated using heated drying oil, castor, olive, sunflower or mustard oil. Any of them can be used to process the reverse side of products. The composition should remain on the surface for 12–24 hours. Remains of lubricant are removed using cotton napkins.
We recommend:
How to straighten down in a down jacket after washing
Removing stains
If you do not wipe the dust off your patent leather shoes in time, a noticeable stain may form. It must be removed carefully. Never use alcohol or thinner. The contamination will spread wider and penetrate even deeper into the coating.
Milk
Just like egg white, which easily restores shine, milk copes with stains of varying nature and complexity.
Procedure:
- Clean the products from dust and dirt.
- Soak a cotton pad in milk at room temperature and gently wipe the stains with it.
- Dry your shoes and polish with microfiber, or use polish to seal the result.
Eraser
A regular school eraser is very helpful in getting rid of black streaks and stains on patent leather shoes. It is recommended to use a white elastic band:
Carefully begin to rub the eraser onto the stains on the previously cleaned surface. If the dirt does not increase, continue to rub it, but do not forget to remove the rolled particles. After the stain disappears, polish your shoes or boots.
Lemon juice
Black stripes, wine and coffee stains on varnish can be removed with lemon juice. Half a citrus is enough:
You need to squeeze the juice out of the lemon. Soak a cotton swab in it. Treat the surface, paying attention to the seams. After the procedure, wipe and leave to dry in a dark place.
Onion + vinegar
If you are not afraid of tears, which the strong smell of onions can cause (it will also “give” the smell to your shoes, but this is only temporary), then try this method:
- Finely chop, or better yet, grate one onion.
- Squeeze out the juice using gauze.
- Add 1 tbsp. l. vinegar and stir.
- Soak a cotton pad in the mixture and apply to patent leather.
- Wipe dry, polish and place the shoes in a dark but well-ventilated place so that the pungent odor disappears.
Nail polish remover
Patent leather shoes are difficult to care for, but if they are also light-colored, it is doubly difficult. All imperfections, such as black stripes and spots, are very noticeable. Nail polish remover will help remove them, but it must be without acetone.
Before wiping stains, test the liquid on an inconspicuous small area. If everything is in order, pick up a cotton swab and proceed:
- Dip one end of the stick in the liquid.
- Apply the product only to dirt.
Ammonia + glycerin
This method is also suitable for caring for light patent leather shoes. Ammonia will cleanse the skin of stains, and glycerin will soften it and remove minor scratches and cracks.
Algorithm of actions:
Mix 1 tbsp. l
ammonia and the same amount or slightly less glycerin. Apply the resulting mixture to patent leather shoes. Rub gently with a cloth. Leave for a few minutes. Wipe with a dry microfiber cloth and let the shoes dry.
Salt
Mix 1 tbsp in water. l. salt. Make sure the crystals are completely dissolved, otherwise they may scratch your patent leather shoes:
- Apply the solution to a cotton pad and wipe the stains with it.
- Leave for 5-10 minutes to work.
- Rinse off any remaining product with a damp cloth and wipe dry.
Daily care rules
After a walk, shoes should be wiped with a suede or velor cloth. To prevent dampness, shoes and boots are filled with newspapers. Place shoes in a warm place to dry. It is desirable that there are no problems with ventilation. The use of electric dryers is strictly prohibited. This will negatively affect the glossy finish of the chrome leather.
Patent leather should not be polished using shoe polish. Instead, you can use castor oil, petroleum jelly or glycerin. This prevents creases and cracks. Dry cleaning is carried out using cotton pads. The use of hard brushes, cloths and sponges is not recommended. This will cause scratches.
Mineral oil
To remove the defect you will need an eraser, cotton wool, a lint-free cloth, medical alcohol and mineral oil.
This method helps to disguise both scuffs and small scratches. If the cracks are deep or a serious gap has formed, mineral oil will not help.
Proceed as follows:
- Wash your shoes with water and soapy water. Remove all dirt from the surface of the shoe.
- Take an eraser and rub the blemish. Move it in the direction of the abrasion.
- Next comes disinfection. Soak a cotton pad or cotton wool in rubbing alcohol and remove any remaining eraser with a few strokes.
- When the surface is dry from the alcohol, begin applying mineral oil. Apply it with a cloth.
- Finally, wipe with a clean cloth and polish.
Mineral oil does the job perfectly. It masks minor defects well.
Before using it, test it on an inconspicuous area. This method may not be suitable for your shoes.
By treating patent leather shoes with love, you can avoid such troubles. Take proper care of them, don’t throw them away when you get home from work, always lubricate them with special products and then your shoes will delight you with a festive shine.
Features of care depending on the season of the year
The list of mandatory measures includes regular cleaning and washing. Caring for patent leather shoes is not difficult; when processing at home, several important nuances should be taken into account. Among them, special attention is paid to the time of year.
Winter boots made of patent leather will not be worth the money spent if they are worn in severe frost. Lacquered sandals are unlikely to withstand wear in regions with extremely hot climates. The best time to wear shoes and ankle boots is in the spring and fall.
If it is raining or slushy outside, it is recommended to treat patent leather shoes with an impregnation containing silicone before going outside. This ingredient has water-repellent properties.
Faux leather
To remove scratches from faux leather shoes, you'll need shoe paint in a matching color, Mod Podge craft glue (matte, silk, or glitter), and a small paint brush.
Carefully remove pieces of skin from around the damaged area. Paint over the scratch with several layers of paint. Wait until completely dry and apply Mod Podge to the painted area.
Keep in mind that this method is suitable for areas where the shoe will not bend. The glue may crack at the folds. For very deep scratches, try filling them with wood filler or another sticky substance.
Tips and tricks for the future
Patent leather shoes are made from lame leather. A glossy shine appears after it is treated with a special substance. It gives products softness, smoothness and visual appeal. When purchasing such shoes, you should pay attention to their quality. Blistering, uneven color distribution, insufficient stretchability are signs of a manufacturing defect.
To remove dust and street dirt, you need to use gentle methods. If worn regularly, patent leather products should be cared for daily. Polishing is carried out using a sponge or cotton swab. We must not forget that the material does not tolerate pressure. Otherwise, deformation cannot be avoided.
Glue
If you realize it too late and the scratch has managed to turn into a small tear, you can easily hide it with a toothpick and glue.
How to remove:
- The desired area is first treated with nail polish remover. This is necessary for degreasing.
- Then take a piece of toothpick and dip it into the glue. They fill the damaged area.
- Remove any excess immediately. Use a clean, lint-free piece of cloth.
- After waiting until the glue has completely dried, cover it with a varnish or cosmetic pencil of a suitable color.
After repair, the treated surface of the shoe will not be very noticeable. But since the varnish wears off over time, the procedure will need to be repeated after some time.
How to store it correctly
Patent leather shoes are usually worn in one season. Therefore, the service life depends on how it is stored. The rules are quite simple:
- Before putting away your shoes, you need to clean them of all existing dirt and dry them well.
- Shoes should be stuffed with material that has absorbent properties.
- To prevent the product from losing its shape, you need to use blocks made of wood.
- It is recommended to place patent leather shoes in special fabric bags. You can make the covers yourself. The main condition is the softness of the material used.
To restore the shine to boots, ankle boots and shoes before the start of the new season, they need to be wiped with glycerin. It is removed from the surface of products using a soft cloth.
Proper care of patent leather shoes is a guarantee that they will look impressive and neat, regardless of their service life.
Rate this post
Removing stains
It is prohibited to use any solvents or alcohol to clean the varnish surface.
They cause the stain to spread wider and become even more firmly embedded in the material. A method that will not only clean the surface, but also prevent patent leather shoes from getting wet and dirty is as follows:
- Take 1 tbsp. lie sugar and grind into powder.
- Add 1 egg white to the powdered sugar.
- Mix the ingredients well.
- Apply the resulting mixture to clean shoes and polish using a piece of wool.
Thanks to this treatment, the protein will fill the slightest cracks and create a protective film.
If patent leather shoes are heavily soiled, you can wash them. To do this, prepare a soap solution, soak a rag in it, wring it out and gently wipe the shoes. Wipe up any remaining soap with a clean, damp cloth. Repeat this procedure several times to prevent unsightly stains from appearing later. Dry your boots well.
Precautionary measures
Patent leather shoes, whether made from natural or artificial material, do not withstand any intense activity. Therefore, even when cleaning with microfiber cloths, you should not press or press hard on the surface. Otherwise, it will take a very long time to restore the integrity of the coating and it’s not a given that it will work out.
Author:
Zakharova Nina Afanasyevna
I hope you like my article! If you find any shortcomings, just write to me about it! I am always ready for a conversation and will answer any questions you have, ask them!
