When you need to step it up and provide your shoes with the next level of care. The intermediate shoe care routine provides a deeper clean and superior finish to the basic routine.
Tools Required
Optional
STEP 1: Brush Cleaning
This step is the same regardless which shoe care routine you will be following.
Prior to any leather maintenance, it is a good idea to remove any loose or stuck-on dirt. You can use any brush, but typically a large horse hair brush is soft enough to prevent any minor scratching. Any stubborn marks should be removed with warm water and leather allowed to dry completely prior to any further maintenance.
STEP 2: Cleaning
When there is more than superficial surface dirt, Saddle Soap is a fantastic option. It is gentle enough it can be used several times a year.
Using the sponge supplied, run under water and remove any excess. Create a lather with the soap and apply to the leather using a circular motion. When finished, wipe down and allow to fully dry before proceeding to the next step.
STEP 3: Rejuvenation
Leather conditioning with the Saphir Médaille D'or Renovateur helps keep the leather soft, supple and prevent cracking.
Apply in a circular motion using a polishing cloth. Leave for a minimum of 5 minutes (the longer the better) and buff using a stiff bristle polishing brush or polishing cloth. Creases and cracks in the leather will ‘fill out’ as the moisture in the leather is restored.
STEP 4: Repairs
The Saphir Beauté du Cuir Renovating Repair Cream can be applied directly to small or large scratches and acts almost like a putty to fill up any gashes. Larger areas require the Renovating Repair Cream to be mixed with equal parts of the Pommadier Cream Polish.
When applying the cream, use a tiny amount of polish and spread out until you get a smooth finish. Allow to dry. If the edge of the repair is visible, you can reduce this by applying 1-2 coats of the Pommadier Cream Polish.
If the leather is rough around the scratch, super fine sanding paper can be used to smooth it out prior to adding the repair cream. Please only complete this step if you are confident you will not create further damage.
STEP 5: Cream Polish
Application of the Saphir Médaille D'or Pommadier cream polish helps further condition, saturate the colour and build a protective wax finish. You may require anywhere from 1-3 applications of cream polish to achieve your preferred colour saturation.
Apply a thin coat in a circular motion using a soft cloth. Allow to dry 3-5 minutes then buff with a polishing brush.
If you wish to stop here, a basic re-buff every few days will maintain your shoes shine until your next polish.
STEP 6: Wax Polish
Saphir Médaille D'or Pate De Luxe is an additional step that provides a beautiful gloss finish on the toe box. Wax polishes are only applied to the hard areas of a shoe to prevent the hard wax leaving a white residue in the bends of the shoe.
Apply a thin coat in a circular motion using a soft cloth. Allow to dry 3-5 minutes then buff with a polishing brush. You may require 2-3 coats.
OPTIONAL: Mirror Shine
If you love the super high gloss finish you get with a mirror shine, Saphir have released the Mirror Gloss in 4 great colours.
This product achieves a high gloss in 2-3 coats, whereas the Pate de Luxe may take 4-6. It can be used in lieu of the Pate de Luxe or on top. Application is the same for both wax polishes.
NOTE: Colour Matching
In regards to the colour, we sell a colour chart that makes it easy to match any shoe to a Saphir brand polish otherwise, neutral is a great choice.