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How to Clean Patent Leather
Patent Leather is treated with a polyurethane and acrylic solution to give it its shiny, reflective surface. Most commonly black, patent leather has long been the material of choice for dress and dancing shoes. However, now one can find small leather accessories, such as wallets and purses, made out of patent leather, also.
Patent leather dress shoes are most traditionally oxfords with silk laces (like those pictured right by Edward Green) or, more formally, as an opera pump with grosgrain bows (my with my pair of Grenson’s used for the photographs). The advantage of patent leather as dress shoes is that they reflect light as one dances about. It should be said that one should not overlook their choice in socks either, when wearing patent leather dress shoes. Only 100% silk over-the-calf hose in black or burgundy is proper.
The finish of patent leather shoes is very robust and, generally, does not require much cleaning. However, after time, the gloss of one’s shiny patent leather shoes can begin to fade. A little bit of Saphir’s Vernis Rife and a few minutes can quickly and easily restore the original luster.
Saphir’s Vernis Rife is the only specially-formulated patent leather cleaner that I have ever seen. And it comes at great relief, as my Grenson opera pumps have never been properly cleaned despite years of use!
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Step 1: Clean any Dust or Dirt with a Damp Cloth
To prepare the patent leather shoes to be cleaned with the Patent Leather Cleaner, first take a damp (not wet) chamois and wipe away any dust or debris that has accumulated on the shoe.
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Step 2: Apply the Vernis Rife Patent Leather Cleaner
The Saphir Vernis Rife Patent Leather Cleaner is specially formulated for all patent leathers. Use the included chamois, and apply a think layer to the entire shoe.
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Step 3: Allow to Dry for 3 to 5 Minutes
Once the Vernis Rife Patent Leather Cleaner/Shoe Polish has been allowed to dry, a small white film will be visible on the shoe.
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Step 4: Buff the Patent Leather with Chamois
The last step is to buff the patent leather shoe with the chamois, cleaning all of the dried Vernis Rife Patent Leather Cleaner off of the shoe and working a very high-gloss shine.
