Lacquered leather
The patent leathers used today are originally derived from patent leather, which was developed around 1820 in New Jersey. At that time, leather shoes were given a new type of finish for the first time: a shiny surface that had a particularly elegant effect. With their noble appearance, the shoes quickly became a favorite for special occasions, but also because of their weather resistance and ease of care gladly worn outdoors.
At that time, the glossy surface was achieved by a special varnish made from linseed oil, which was applied in several layers. Today, however, plastics are primarily used to achieve the high-gloss, smooth structure.
Patent leather is characterized primarily by being water-repellent insensitive to stains. However, many patent leather shoes are even waterproof and therefore not only elegant, but also functional. A disadvantage, however, is that the shoes usually have less optimal breathability and their durability is usually not up to that of untreated smooth leather.
The right care for patent leather shoes
High-gloss leather is naturally eye-catching, but scratches also become visible more quickly on it. The eye perceives these surface differences in patent leather more quickly than in other types of leather due to the reflection of light, which is why it is very important to care for the shoes regularly to maintain their smooth appearance.
Important: Never use normal leather care products or other cleaning agents to clean patent leather! They often contain solvents that leave dull, irreparable stains on the surface.
1. cleaning
Before caring for the shoes, careful cleaning of the same is indispensable to remove them from dust or dirt. Otherwise, the finest dirt particles may cause new scratches. Ideally, a slightly damp cotton cloth is suitable for gentle cleaning. Brushes are less suitable because of the sensitive surface, as too hard bristles can possibly cause abrasions.
2. care
In order for patent leather to retain its shiny surface, it must be cared for regularly. Look at the shoes carefully before caring for them: if the lacquer already has scratches, it will be somewhat more difficult to remove them.
For this purpose, you should use special patent leather care product for removing scratches to bring the material back to a high gloss, such as Collonil Lack Polish for colorless or black shoes. Apply this cream evenly over the entire surface and then let the shoes dry well.
An alternative is special care oil, such as Solitaire patent leather oil. This also provides intensive care and keeps the material supple at the same time. For this purpose, the oil is simply massaged in with a very soft cloth, followed by post-polishing. This is an important part of patent leather care, as it gives the leather its optimal gloss finish and also protects it from new cracks or breaks.
