Giving Ww2 Corcoran Jump Boots A 'vintage' Look?

[Anticitizen]

Thanks everyone! I have ordered some antique gel, cordovan polish, and neatsfoot oil.

Edited March 4, 2014 by Anticitizen

[camano ridge]

Don't forget to deglaze- remove original finish. THe antique gel may not take otherwise. A good rubbing with a course cloth and denatured alcohol should work.

Edited March 4, 2014 by camano ridge

[shtoink]

There's reliable no shortcut to putting that polish on the tow and heel caps that I know of. It's something you end up doing on a regular basis because wearing them will leave scuffs that will need to be polished out. It's skill that takes a bit of time to learn. I agree with LTC above, it's not a short explanation and generally best learned by watching and doing rather than reading.

I cherished my Jumps and took great care not to screw them up when wearing them, but it always seemed inevitable that they'd need dressing up before the next inspection. They, ultimately, were passed on to the little brother of a friend who had just been accepted to jump school. I couldn't bring myself to wear them about without pant legs being cuffed and tucked in, and as civilian, now, that'd just be silly.

[Anticitizen]

Don't forget to deglaze- remove original finish. THe antique gel may not take otherwise. A good rubbing with a course cloth and denatured alcohol should work.

Thanks, will do.

I couldn't bring myself to wear them about without pant legs being cuffed and tucked in, and as civilian, now, that'd just be silly.

Not the look for me, I'm afraid! These will be worn with jeans.

These were the boots I looked at buying:

...but they're $458, and more pointedly, made by Kenneth Cole (everything I've owned by K.C. has fallen apart in under a year). The jump boots are $160, can be re-soled by a cobbler, and can probably last the rest of my life (and the KC boots are probably inspired by the jump boot in the first place).

Edited March 4, 2014 by Anticitizen

[shtoink]

...but they're $458, and more pointedly, made by Kenneth Cole (everything I've owned by K.C. has fallen apart in under a year)....

You have to pay a premium for that "worn look" on a brand new item...

I remember when the grunge look was popular and the fashion industry will capitalize on anything trendy. The idea behind the grunge look was that it what was cheap, comfortable, and lended itself well to the unique weather experienced in the Pacific Northwest. Emphasis on cheap and comfortable, which translated to thrift store shopping and hand-me-downs. I recall advertisements for "Grunge Look" clothing that focused on the worn and torn clothing that had the "fresh from the mosh-pit" look, complete with fake blood and dirt stains aim directly at upper-class teens with a surplus of disposable cash. The irony of paying extra to look like a scrubby bum always amused me.

I'm not saying this is the case with what you are doing, I was merely musing about my personal experiences. I understand the desire to avoid the high price tags for that "pre-worn look". I'd also argue that the Jumps would certainly outlast the designer boots by a wide margin, so you are on the right track.

If you take care of your LPC's they'll take care of you...

[gary]

For the high gloss shine on the toes and heels, check out the first of these two posts.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=25282&hl=bulling

Gary

[Palermo]

I believe the original wwii paratrooper boot is made from cordovan. The modern reproduction Corcoran paratrooper boots is bovine. It will be hard to replicate that exactly those have been shined many times with Lincoln Polish. The original paratroopers would use a diaper, tooth brush and patience. They would not burn the wax like the modern fighting man does.

Your best bet would be Hubbards boot Oil. But first use a diluted light brown angelous shoe dye.

[Anticitizen]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I did everything suggested in this thread and they're coming along great!

[camano ridge]

Starting to look good. Definately better then the $480.00 Kevin Cole ones. Now just get some milage on them.

[Anticitizen]

A few more beauty shots!

One additional thing I did was cover the shoes completely with black polish. Then I used a rag and some rubbing alcohol to strategically remove the black finish in select areas to allow the cordovan to show through. Then I polished the entire boot with neutral (clearish) wax.