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RM williams boots polishing help


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Hi i was wondering if the wise heads can help me out - as being a locksmith i don't know much about shoe care

i bought my self some RM williams boots (kangaroo leather in tan colour) at size 17 they were special order and cost a fortune !!

i was advised that because its kangaroo leather - i shouldn't use shoe polish !! and use  rm williams leather conditioner instead - which i have been doing 

all though this puts a shine on the put - there is  water stains on the leather (a white stain line)  - The question is will i be alright applying a tan leather polish on the boot or will this ruin them
many thanks

lee

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  • 4 weeks later...

I’ve got a pair of the RM Williams kangaroo tan boots and use Saphir Medaill d’Or on them regularly with absolutely no problems. Originally I used BLACK polish on the Tan colour leather to deepen the colour, enhance the grain and the stitching and then a Light Tan colour on top.  Best boots ever and worth every penny. 

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56 minutes ago, robinh said:

I’ve got a pair of the RM Williams kangaroo tan boots and use Saphir Medaill d’Or on them regularly with absolutely no problems. Originally I used BLACK polish on the Tan colour leather to deepen the colour, enhance the grain and the stitching and then a Light Tan colour on top.  Best boots ever and worth every penny. 

thanks for your help i will try that - i have to agree they are excellent boots

 

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  • 4 years later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Being and Australian cobbler i repair about 20 -25 RM's a week, Probably 1000 per year . In fact i did my apprenticeship with RM Williams nearly 40 years ago. There are some inherent problems with them  but it is mainly user abuse . When RM himself own the company the boots were bullet proof . The problem started when Louis Vuitton bought them and turned them into a "luxury brand" . They changed the upper material to Yearling leather which is thinner and softer  as well as the sole material. The problem is what i would call a legacy mentality . Because they had a reputation of being a tough working mans boot people assumed they could treat the LV made ones like they did the originals . Wrong they are . They look like the same boot but they are not . The post RM boots are prone to cracking the leather on the sides both inner and outer . This is caused by lack of conditioner ,thickness of leather and too much polish which can make the leather brittle . On some occasions when the boots get wet people dry them out in front of a heater or fire . which causes the leather to dry out and crack . My conclusion is conditioner is king . But not any old conditioner . The RM brand conditioner is a lanolin ,neatsfoot oil and bees wax combination . It is good for the old RM's but not ideal for the new . It does condition but can if left on the shoes for a while form a cloudiness or whiteness to the leather . In most cases this can be buffed out . When they look like crap i clean them with saddle soap and use a Saphir cream polish to condition and restore colour .  I also recommend a mink oil based conditioner  like Saphir renovatuer . Kangaroo leather has its own nuances but can be treated the same as most RM's . I would clean the shoes using saddle soap if there is not to much wax build up  . slow dry in doors with shoe trees inserted and then apply a coloured cream conditioner and buff . If there is too much wax on the boot then use Saphir renomat a day before saddle soaping . The best colour to use for the tan coloured RM;s is the  cognac, whiskey or brandy  quality shoe cream . Don't fear Kangaroo leather , it is the toughest leather for its thickness of any leathers . The best soccer boots are made from Kangaroo and can take a bit of moisture . RM's can but generally don't buff up super shiny at the best of times ,Its just the nature of the leather used . Good quality Northhampton shoes use a different leather and tanning process and take a shine really nice. For the price people pay for RM's you would think they would look after them better but they just don't . For what they are and the price people pay for them i would say they are over rated . I have a pair of RM lace up boots that i have had for 35 years and still going well . The quality equivalent to them would be the British brand Trickers Stow country  boot which i love  . RM Williams boots have a distinct look about them  and if you love that look then fork out but any North Hampton chelsea boot would equal in quality . 

PS RM Williams is no longer owned by LV. but nothing has changed Except a $50 price increase sing Twiggy Forrest bought them . Going for $750 AUD 

Sorry for the long winded answer and i could go on  about soles and linings.  but i wont .

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58 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

Bren, Now that's thinking outside the square .How did you work that out ? what is the science behind it and what is the method ? I want to try it .

An old boy told me the trick years ago. Wipe it on and leave for a minute or two then wipe off. Dunno much about science mate !!

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