Scratches on shoes are a common occurrence, and even wearing them carefully does not eliminate this scourge.
Where do scratches come from and what to do before removing them?
They usually appear at the most inopportune moment. The causes are varied:
- A manufacturing defect caused by the manufacturer;
- Contact with various sharp objects when riding in vehicles or walking;
- Exposure to natural phenomena such as snow, rain, hail, etc.
- Poor quality of roads.
Once you see a scratch, you first need to assess the extent of its damage. This is very easy to do: you need to run your hand along it first in one direction and then in the other. If the roughness is felt only in one direction, this means that the leather of the shoe is damaged and the scratch is deeper. If roughness is felt in two directions at once, then in this case only the paint is scratched, which means the damage is not so significant.
Before you start removing scratches, you need to remove large protruding pieces of fabric using nail scissors or tweezers and carefully trim the surface. There is no need to throw them away.
Next, the shoes need to be thoroughly cleaned with a clean cloth, using alcohol or specialized cleaning agents.
On leather shoes
Many people prefer shoes made of high-quality real leather. This is easily explained, since leather shoes are suitable both for everyday wear and as an evening option for going out to a fashionable restaurant, corporate party, etc.
How can you remove scratches?
There are different methods.
"Emergency" methods.
Use only if the damage is minor and needs to be repaired quickly. For this purpose you can use:
- Marker. You just need to match it to the color of your shoes and paint over the scratch.
- Shoe polish. You need to carefully apply it with a special brush to the damaged area. It is ideal for minor, small scratches, covering them up and making them invisible.
- Superglue "Moment". To apply it, you need to use the following scheme: take a toothpick, apply a little varnish to it on the torn piece of the product and on the base underneath it. Wrap a piece of fabric around your finger and press the torn piece into its rightful place and the skin should stick well.
- Women's nail polish. Both clear and black varnish are suitable. The principle of application is the same as in the case of glue.
Important! Instead of varnish or superglue, you can use collodion - a chemical substance consisting of a solution of colloxylin.
"Liquid skin".
A paint that is used for urgent repairs of leather items at home. An irreplaceable item for shoes that can disguise such damage.
Mode of application:
- Choose the color closest to the color of the shoes.
- Apply liquid leather to the damaged surface and smooth evenly.
- Leave for ten minutes so that it has time to dry completely. After which it needs to be polished.
- Apply balm or cream to the surface.
Important! If the surface of the leather is severely damaged, then you need to apply several layers of liquid leather and let them dry one at a time. Preferably for at least a day.
Once the leather surface is completely dry, no scratches will be visible.
Wax.
For more serious damage, ordinary wax can help. You can buy special shoe wax or use beeswax. If there is neither one nor the other, then an ordinary home candle can replace it.
Mode of application:
- Place the wax in a separate container and heat it slightly.
- Gently spread it onto the problem area and then dry.
- Polish the surface with a soft cloth or a special brush.
Important! If the shoes are colored, then after this procedure you should paint over the damaged area with a marker or cream to match the color of the shoes.
On patent leather shoes
Scratches on glossy shoes are somewhat more difficult to remove. And there are several proven methods that have been successfully used by people for a long time.
Nail polish.
If the surface of the shoe is colored, then you need to take colorless nail polish. If the surface is black, then you need to take a black varnish.
Mode of application:
- Carefully apply the varnish with a brush to the torn surface and to the scratch itself;
- Apply the torn piece to the damaged area;
- Place a clean bandage or cloth on top and press for two to three minutes.
Thanks to this method, the scratch is almost impossible to see with the naked eye. But there is a significant drawback: the protective layer of varnish will not last more than two weeks. It will need to be constantly updated.
Nail polish remover.
To mask minor scratches, you can use not only nail polish, but also nail polish remover. The method is simple: you need to moisten a cotton swab in it, squeeze it out a little and gently rub it over the scratch. After a while she will not be visible.
Important! Before this, you should test on a not very noticeable area of patent leather. In some cases, the color from the nail polish remover may rub off.
Eraser.
Minor damage can also be masked with special erasers.
How to use:
- Clean the shoes, take the eraser.
- Carefully, with smooth movements, direct it towards the abrasion.
- Wipe off the remains of the eraser with a regular cotton pad, pre-moistened with alcohol.
- Wipe the surface with a soft cloth so that it becomes dry.
- Apply a small amount of oil to the fabric and massage it into the affected area. You can use any oil: vegetable, mineral or petroleum jelly.
- After this procedure, wipe the shoes with a clean cloth.
- For a better effect, you need to treat them with special products designed for patent leather.
Remember that defects are more noticeable on a patent surface. Therefore, you need to do everything necessary to prevent them.
On shoes made of artificial leather
Shoes made of artificial leather, just like genuine leather, require careful care.
The best method for shoes made of artificial leather is using decoupage glue - Mod Podge. It combines the properties of glue, sealant and varnish.
Materials:
- special shoe paint of a suitable color;
- Mod Podge glue;
- the smallest paint brush;
How to use:
- After cleaning the shoes from dirt and removing all excess material, you need to carefully distribute the shoe paint in the right place.
- Let it dry thoroughly and, if necessary, apply another layer.
- Using a brush, apply a thin layer of glue to the entire painted area and smooth it gently.
This method does not eliminate scratches, but it does help disguise them.
On suede leather shoes
Suede shoes are not intended for daily walking and are very difficult to care for.
It must be worn very carefully and avoid the appearance of defects. But if scratches suddenly appear, then only special aerosol paints designed for caring for suede products can cope with them.
Therefore, when buying suede shoes, you should not skimp on specialized products.
Bottom line
No one is immune from scratches and other damage to shoes. And if the methods listed above did not help, you need to seek help from specialists from a shoe workshop.
