Lacquered, or patent leather, is a delightful material. High-quality genuine leather with a perfectly smooth shiny coating looks very beautiful, festive and attracts special attention to your feet.
Let's talk about it in more detail.
This is high-quality tanned leather, on which a varnish coating is applied, giving a mirror shine. The result is a luxurious texture that inspires fashion designers again and again.
This type of leather also includes naplak - this is nappa leather with the thinnest nappa coating. It is less glossy and not as smooth. Naplak is softer and has small folds, upon closer inspection it looks a bit like the surface of a prune.
Properties of patent leather
Like any material, patent leather has its pros and cons.
Advantages:
- patent leather shoes are very bright and impressive,
- creates a festive mood
- increases the degree of solemnity of any image
- in such shoes you will not go unnoticed
- choosing patent leather shoes shows that you are not indifferent to style issues and carefully select the elements of your image
Flaws:
- This type of skin does not tolerate heat, negative temperatures below -5 degrees, moisture, or prolonged exposure to sunlight.
- In case of mechanical damage (for example, if you go off-road), scratches easily remain on the varnish
- patent leather practically does not stretch, so you should not take patent leather shoes with the hope that they will “break out”.
- not suitable for people with protruding bunions and other foot problems; it will not provide sufficient comfort and will highlight imperfections. The only option is to choose loose shoes with increased fullness, they will be comfortable.
This does not mean that you should refuse to buy patent leather shoes. Just keep in mind that these are often dress shoes. If you have healthy legs, then such a “shiny” pair is ideal for evening outings and festive events. Although outdoor shoes, with proper care and temperature control, will please you for a long time!
Patent leather shoes are well suited as replacement shoes for the office; they will make a strict business look brighter and more elegant.
For example, pay attention to a very comfortable and stylish pair – Caprice loafers.
When is shoe paint needed?
There can be many situations in which shoe paint can come in handy. It is useful for restoring leather or dyeing it a different color. Defects on shoes appear when they are actively worn or handled carelessly.
Paint is useful in the following cases:
- scratches appeared on the shoes;
- There are abrasions on the leather product;
- there are dirt and stains on the surface that cannot be removed;
- the material has lost its brightness due to fading in the sun;
- there was a desire to give the shoes a new shade.
Minimal defects can be eliminated with shoe polish of a suitable color, but for significant defects it is not effective. Painting shoes can be treated not only as a necessity, but also as a creative process .
Over time, scratches and scuffs appear on shoes
Advantages of modern formulations
To update the color of leather or suede products, you don’t have to take them to a workshop; you can paint them at home. Modern compositions have many advantages :
- many colors;
- ease of application;
- quick drying of the coating;
- absence of toxic compounds;
- low price.
In addition, stores offer a large selection of products for different materials (leather, suede, textiles). There is even paint for white leather shoes.
Rules for caring for patent leather
Most rules for caring for natural leather apply to varnish, but this material is more demanding.
- After you come home from the street, your shoes should be immediately cleaned of dirt. Take a soft cloth, wet it, wring it out thoroughly and wipe the shoes, removing all dirt.
- If you were indoors, simply wipe the heel, sole and upper from dust with a slightly damp cloth.
Use a dry cloth (for example, microfiber is suitable) to remove any remaining moisture.
If the shoes have removable insoles, then you need to take them out and dry the pair itself, taking precautions, because if it overheats, the varnish will crack. Do not place shoes near radiators or heaters under any circumstances!
Stuff each shoe tightly with soft paper or insert wooden spacers and dry only at room temperature. This will help avoid deformation of the shoes and will not cause damage to patent leather.
Please note that patent leather shoes cannot be cleaned with regular cream - they become dull. Use only special care products for patent leather shoes that protect the coating from drying out and cracking.
If your shoes have a close heel, remember to care for it in the same way as the upper of your shoe.
How to paint rubber boots
Is it possible to paint rubber boots? Rubber shoes are designed for rainy seasons to resist moisture. It is problematic to repaint this material, but, nevertheless, it is still possible to create a creative individual design or eliminate some defects. To do this, you can use acrylic paint, enamel paint or another intended for rubber products; this can be checked with the seller.
Before painting, it is enough to wash the rubber boots with water and wipe them dry with a cloth; unlike leather boots, you should not wipe them with alcohol, as the rubber may deteriorate.
To apply a drawing or pattern, you can use a ready-made stencil or make it yourself.
After painting, it is better to leave rubber shoes to dry for several days.
What types of products are there for patent leather shoes?
The best results are obtained with professional products designed specifically for this skin type.
What are they?
- Cleaning products, foams, shampoos that will help to carefully remove dirt without damaging the material.
- Special creams for patent leather that nourish and moisturize the skin, making it beautiful and elastic.
- Polishing products in the form of an aerosol or emulsion, which soften the skin and restore its beautiful shine, remove minor damage.
- Waxes restore the material, hide scratches and repel moisture.
Using special products will help to significantly extend the life of your favorite pair and preserve its beauty.
There are also folk remedies, but they should be used only as a last resort and with great caution. Test first on an inconspicuous area of the shoe or on a sample of leather, which some manufacturers put in a box when they sell it.
The most famous folk remedies are glass cleaning fluid, glycerin, milk and egg white.
Coloring, reviews
The most popular brands among consumers are Salton, Salamander and Farell.
Farell shoe paint perfectly masks scuffs. The product dries quickly, but emits a specific smell.
Salamander spray is not recommended to be sprayed at close range. Do not apply it in a thick layer: streaks will appear on the surface.
Salton paint returns shoes to their original appearance. The product is easy to apply. An applicator is available in the kit.
Is it possible to remove damage to the varnish surface?
Prevention is very important for patent leather shoes - timely cleaning and softening of the leather to reduce the occurrence of creases and cracks. We can help with restoration using shoe wax designed specifically for patent leather. It will fill scratches and cracks and return the shoes to their original shine.
Sometimes it is recommended to touch up problem areas at home with transparent nail polish - you need to apply it in a neat thin layer exactly to the crack and let it dry. This method is dangerous because the polish contains solvents and can ruin the finish of your shoes.
Preparatory stages
It’s better to paint your shoes well once than to waste time correcting mistakes due to hasty work.
It is necessary not only to select the right materials, but also to pay due attention to each stage of the process. Without thoroughly preparing shoes for painting, you should not expect an even tone and long-term results.
Shoes will acquire a uniform and rich color only if they first go through two stages: deep cleaning and polishing. The pores of the material must be open so that paint can easily penetrate into them. Its deep penetration will ensure lasting results.
Cleaning and degreasing
In order for the paint to have strong adhesion to the surface of the shoe, it is necessary to clean it thoroughly.
It is important to understand that removing street dust from boots is not enough, because underneath it there is a layer of cream or wax. Care products serve as an obstacle to the penetration of dye into the pores of the leather or other material of the shoe.
Products are cleaned using various means:
- Wet wipes. This option is suitable if you need to paint boots or shoes that have not been subjected to the application of greasy cream or wax. You need to treat the surface with a napkin several times.
- Soapy solution. Any solid or liquid cosmetic product will do; you can use dishwashing gel. If the first option is used, the block should be grated and dissolved in warm water. The disadvantage of this method is the need to thoroughly rinse the solution from the surface.
- Alcohol solution. The method is suitable even for textile shoes. This option involves the use of ethyl or ammonia. The ratio with water is 1:2. Vodka may be used.
- By professional means. They can come complete with paint or be sold separately. The use of a liquid substance is similar to the use of an alcohol solution. The cleaning foam should be applied to the surface of the shoes, wait 5 minutes and wipe off with a sponge along with the dirty residue.
A soap solution with the addition of ammonia cleans and degreases the surface well. Apply the composition using a piece of cloth or a napkin for wet cleaning. Places where dirt and shoe polish accumulate should be additionally treated with a medium-hard sponge. After all actions, you can move on to the next stage.
Wet wipes
Soapy solution
Alcohol solution
By professional means
Sanding and drying
After degreasing, the shoes should be dried, then proceed to sanding using a special sponge or sandpaper. You can use a nail file. Sanding is necessary to smooth out small cracks and scratches, making them almost invisible. This step is not necessary before redying suede, nubuck or canvas shoes at home.
After sanding, the resulting dust from the surface of the boots must be thoroughly wiped off. Before you paint your shoes, you need to dry them thoroughly. On a wet surface, adhesion to the chemical composition will be much lower.
Dry
Rub over small cracks and scratches Wipe and dry thoroughly
Important points when storing shoes
Before storing for seasonal storage, shoes must be cleaned, dried, ventilated and treated with a special product.
For patent leather shoes that are prone to cracking, it is especially important to maintain the correct shape of the product and prevent creases in the leather. To do this, you need to insert wooden blocks of a suitable size or spring mold holders into your shoes.
In the box, shoes or boots should not touch each other so that they do not stick together and become frayed. Each half-pair should be placed in a separate bag, or lined with cloth or soft paper.
Let your favorite shoes be beautiful and shining!
