Water/StainProofing Exotics

[ledaatomica]

Well anything that wont easily catch to the scales will do. I use those orange cloths used for polishing silver or wood. I put a decent sized dollop dont worry about putting too much actually.

A foam sponge I think will do as well and yes move in the direction of the scales as much as you can.

 

[jaszmine]

I bought Bick 4 conditioner. What kind of cloth do I use to apply it to my python shoes? also, is there a certain way you guys clean them? how much conditioner do you put on the cloth?
I know I have to rub it in going IN the direction of the scales but that's about it.
thanks!

I just put it on my fingertips and rub it on (in the direction of the scales) like lotion. By using your hands, you can tell how much to put on. You will be able to feel whether or not it is absorbing, or if you will need more.

Enjoy your pythons!!

 

[CelticLuv]

Thanks for the tips!! I don't think I have a soft cloth at home to use so I will try and use my finger, rubbing it in the direction of the scales.

Question: when using my fingers, say I use too much conditioner, will the excess be absorbed or will I have to wipe it off?
thanks again!

 

[julies*shoes]

I too use Bick and use my fingers to apply it. Just wipe off any left over or any that gets in the crack between the shoe and the sole. It won't hurt. I put on plenty and let it set and then wipe off the rest. I have about 8 pairs of python CLs. I used Bick from the start and they are all in great shape.

Also, my cobbler (Trio in Atlanta) has a glazing he can do on python if they get old and worn. It makes them looking shiny and new again. I haven't had to do it to any of mine, but I have seen others that he has done. They look amazing.

 

[lvpiggy]

piggy has made a habit of purloining the shoe care mitts from hotel rooms

:ninja:

 

[adeana]

Anybody tried putting conditioner on the acid pythons? Just wondering with the intentionally curled look how that turned out.

 

[ntntgo]

This topic seems to be coming up frequently with all of the new Nabuck Watersnake out right now.

I am offering what I've been using for several years to water/stainproof all of my Nabuck, Opaco, python, watersnake, eel, suede, alligator, lambskin, etc shoes (Louboutins) and handbags (Chanels).

I am not making any guarantees or promises but everyone that I have given this advice to has had great success with it.

The product that I use (which is what the best cobblers who deal with exotics use) is Meltonian Waterproof/Stainproof. A link to it on Amazon.com is here:
http://www.amazon.com/WATERPROOFERS-AND-CLEANERS-MELTONIAN-WATERPROOF/dp/B004IA0RI8

Spray your shoes, bags, etc, one time from arm's length away completely. Let dry overnight. Repeat. When you first spray them, they are going to darken. You will see them immediately start to lighten back up to their original color as the spray dries. Don't panic.

They will get dirty. Buy a very soft brush (I use a facial brush) to brush the dirt out of the scales. Go against the scales. Never retreat a dirty shoe or treat a dirty shoe as you will simply be embedding the dirt into the scales that way.

I treat my shoes, depending on wear, every 6-8 months and have them professionally cleaned as little as possible and only as needed. When you have them professionally cleaned, make sure you tell your cobbler that they are treated with Meltonian because they won't have to use as harsh of a cleaner.

I have used this on stark white Opaco python and just got done spraying my new Powder Pink Jennys.

To show you how good it is, my original Powder Pink ADs are 3 years old and I am just now going to dye them, not because they are so dirty but because I now have (finally) new PP shoes and can dye these. They have been professionally cleaned 4 or 5 times.

The more you have to professionally clean Nabuck or Opaco, the more the python lays down. So, that's why it's so important to treat your shoes as soon as you get them.

Feel free to ask any questions. But, hopfully, this gives you the information that you've been looking for.

 

[Louboufan]

Thank you so much. I am interested in getting the Jade WS but I am concerned about them getting dirty.

This topic seems to be coming up frequently with all of the new Nabuck Watersnake out right now.

I am offering what I've been using for several years to water/stainproof all of my Nabuck, Opaco, python, watersnake, eel, suede, alligator, lambskin, etc shoes (Louboutins) and handbags (Chanels).

I am not making any guarantees or promises but everyone that I have given this advice to has had great success with it.

The product that I use (which is what the best cobblers who deal with exotics use) is Meltonian Waterproof/Stainproof. A link to it on Amazon.com is here:
http://www.amazon.com/WATERPROOFERS-AND-CLEANERS-MELTONIAN-WATERPROOF/dp/B004IA0RI8

Spray your shoes, bags, etc, one time from arm's length away completely. Let dry overnight. Repeat. When you first spray them, they are going to darken. You will see them immediately start to lighten back up to their original color as the spray dries. Don't panic.

They will get dirty. Buy a very soft brush (I use a facial brush) to brush the dirt out of the scales. Go against the scales. Never retreat a dirty shoe or treat a dirty shoe as you will simply be embedding the dirt into the scales that way.

I treat my shoes, depending on wear, every 6-8 months and have them professionally cleaned as little as possible and only as needed. When you have them professionally cleaned, make sure you tell your cobbler that they are treated with Meltonian because they won't have to use as harsh of a cleaner.

I have used this on start white Opaco python and just got done spraying my new Powder Pink Jennys.

To show you how good it is, my original Powder Pink ADs are 3 years old and I am just now going to dye them, not because they are so dirty but because I now have (finally) new PP shoes and can dye these. They have been professionally cleaned 4 or 5 times.

The more you have to professionally clean Nabuck or Opaco, the more the python lays down. So, that's why it's so important to treat your shoes as soon as you get them.

Feel free to ask any questions. But, hopfully, this gives you the information that you've been looking for.

 

[candyapples88]

 

[carlinha]

thanks so much for this info nat!

do you think you could share some before and after pics with us?

so far i have never treated my grey nabuck python AD, or eel, or the python batik also. have you treated the python batiks?

 

[ntntgo]

I thought I would take some pictures so that you could get a visual on what I was talking about.
Pic 1 is my new Jennys, my old PP ADs, & my new PP ADs (notice the dye lot difference)
Pic 2 is the same in a side view
Pic 3 is my new Jennys with one shoe now sprayed (this is the final spraying)
Pic 4 is my new Jennys with both shoes sprayed

Keep in mind that all of these shoes have already been sprayed at least once. My original PP ADs quite a few times and professionally cleaned 4 or 5 times and are 3 years old and I wear them a ton.

 

[ntntgo]

thanks so much for this info nat!

do you think you could share some before and after pics with us?

so far i have never treated my grey nabuck python AD, or eel, or the python batik also. have you treated the python batiks?

I treated the Batiks before I wore them. I don't wear any suede, nappa or exotics until I treat them. Same with bags.

I learned the hard way when a glass of red wine was spilled on a pair of Manolo Blahnik boots some years ago and I've never made that mistake again.

I've since had things spilled on my shoes in restaurants and bars and have not had a pair ruined again since.

 

[regeens]

Thanks Nat. This is really helpful. Will definitely buy Meltonian when I go there. Like Carlinha, I haven't treated my Batiks as I was hoping someone would advise on what product to use. So your post was quite timely. Hopefully, the mods will add this to the reference sticky so we can find it easily.

 

[carlinha]

thanks for the photos nat! they are very helpful!

 

[^SeDuCTive^]

Thanx ntnt, Great effort ended with Excellent post !
I will start with my ADs and let you know.