How do I "fix" scuffed corfams?

Started by 356cadet, May 22, 2008, 10:48:45 PM

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356cadet

I'm currently a C/SSgt, and I'm getting promoted for my C/TSgt next month. However, I'm a bit concerned about my chloroframs. I have worn them since I was an Airman, and I never worried about the scuffs, but they have become too frequent, now.

What I ask of anyone out there is if there is an effective way in polishing, or repairing chloroframs, without having to buy a new pair. Also, Encampment is coming up, and I sure as heck odon't want scuffed shoes when I go there!

Please help. Thanks!

DC

Nope. Once their scuffed, they scuffed. Toss 'em and buy new ones, or invest in a pair of leather shoes that can be repaired.

Flying Pig

It depends.  If the scuff is actually a tear in the plastic, your done.  If its a scuff, that is caused form your heel, or something else hitting it, try buffing it out with Brasso and a cotton ball, then polish them with Pledge furniture polish.

MIKE

SARDragon is inbound hot to this thread.

There is this stuff but it doesn't work.  Buy some leather shoes.
Mike Johnston

Pylon

This is why I no longer wear corfam/patent leather shoes.  Once you scuff them, there is virtually no way to get that out.  Some will recommend using pledge, windex, or other products but they will only minimize the appearance of the scuff temporarily - not remove it.

Invest in a very good pair of plain toe black leather lace ups (regular leather) and spend some quality time building up a good layer of regular shoe polish on them.  Brush them well, clean them with mild soap and water between polishings whenever dirty, wear rubbers when it rains and take good care of them.  Not only will they practically last you a lifetime, but if by chance you do scuff them you'll be able to work it out.   If you get a real good pair, you can also have them resoled and relined for less than $35 when they finally wear out and they'll be like new (except better broken in to your feet)!  Plus, I think they look better.   ;)
Michael F. Kieloch, Maj, CAP

RiverAux

Had 1 pair that had the heels fall off both shoes on the same day.  Next pair got horribly nicked the first time I wore them.  Still somewhat passable, but my next black shoes will be straight leather.

Hawk200

If you want the look, but also something repairable, try regular leather shoes, and use Leather Luster. It actually looks like a real shine.

O-Rex

Quote from: Flying Pig on May 22, 2008, 11:11:51 PM
It depends.  If the scuff is actually a tear in the plastic, your done.  If its a scuff, that is caused form your heel, or something else hitting it, try buffing it out with Brasso and a cotton ball, then polish them with Pledge furniture polish.

You can also get Bates Poromeric Cleaner

DC

Quote from: Hawk200 on May 23, 2008, 03:34:21 AM
If you want the look, but also something repairable, try regular leather shoes, and use Leather Luster. It actually looks like a real shine.
Leather luster will flake and peel off after a while. Spit shine, its the only way...

Camas

Quote from: Pylon on May 23, 2008, 02:19:17 AM
Invest in a very good pair of plain toe black leather lace ups (regular leather) and spend some quality time building up a good layer of regular shoe polish on them. 

Good advice.  I go back to an era in the military when the corfams didn't exist.  You either shined your shoes or you didn't.  To me, wearing corfams is cheating.

AlphaSigOU

And BTW, it's 'Corfams', not 'chloroframs'. (The latter sounds like chloroform!)

'Corfam' was DuPont's trade name for poromeric imitation leather.

The more ya know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corfam and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poromeric_imitation_leather .
Lt Col Charles E. (Chuck) Corway, CAP
Gill Robb Wilson Award (#2901 - 2011)
Amelia Earhart Award (#1257 - 1982) - C/Major (retired)
Billy Mitchell Award (#2375 - 1981)
Administrative/Personnel/Professional Development Officer
Nellis Composite Squadron (PCR-NV-069)
KJ6GHO - NAR 45040

Grumpy

I agree with all of you about leather being better, corfams don't breath.  However, has anybody attempted to purchase a pair of leather Navy Oxfords in the exchanges/clothing sales lately?  It's impossible to find real leather shoes.

If you know where to find them, I'd like to know.

Flying Pig

There is a surplus store in my neck of the woods that caries new ones.


MIKE

Look at the price! Mine were around $44 at Hanscom, but that was a few years ago now...  They are the DSCP issue type.
Mike Johnston

Hawk200

Quote from: DC on May 23, 2008, 04:36:11 AMLeather luster will flake and peel off after a while. Spit shine, its the only way...

If it flaked and peeled on you, you did it wrong. I had a pair for that never did that in almost ten years. At the four year mark, I sanded them a bit, and applied another coat.

Flake and peel means that the shoe wasn't stripped properly. Leather Luster is little more than a latex paint. Paint won't stick to surfaces that aren't properly prepped.

It's an alternative to shining, but it really takes several days to do it right. I know of many cops that treat their leather belts and belt cases with it. It does work, but you have to do it right.

356cadet

Yeah, they're nothing bad. They're just little scuffs from my heels (from drilling of course). There's no tears or anything.

ED: And yes, my bad, it is corfram, not chlorofram. I always get the two mixed up!

jimmydeanno

Quote from: 356cadet on May 23, 2008, 05:42:19 PM
chlorofram.

Sounds like something that would be in a FEMA trailer...
If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law. - Winston Churchill

DC

Quote from: Hawk200 on May 23, 2008, 04:45:43 PM
Quote from: DC on May 23, 2008, 04:36:11 AMLeather luster will flake and peel off after a while. Spit shine, its the only way...

If it flaked and peeled on you, you did it wrong. I had a pair for that never did that in almost ten years. At the four year mark, I sanded them a bit, and applied another coat.

Flake and peel means that the shoe wasn't stripped properly. Leather Luster is little more than a latex paint. Paint won't stick to surfaces that aren't properly prepped.

It's an alternative to shining, but it really takes several days to do it right. I know of many cops that treat their leather belts and belt cases with it. It does work, but you have to do it right.
I have never done it, but people I know or have talked to online have had universally negative comments about it...

Grumpy

Quote from: MIKE on May 23, 2008, 03:39:33 PM
Look at the price! Mine were around $44 at Hanscom, but that was a few years ago now...  They are the DSCP issue type.

Ouch! Big bucks.  When I was working, I used a black paint made by Boysen Paint on my leather gear.  I'd get a small can and add about a table spoon of Cod Liver Oil, mix it in and paint it on my Sam Brown.  When it dried it looked like paten leather and it never cracked on me with the bending and twisting and all.  Spray a little Pledge on it, buff with an old T-shirt and you were good to go for inspections.  I never used it on my shoes though, didn't trust it enough.

MIKE

Leather Luster is the devil.  >:D  If you value your soul, you won't touch that stuff and instead stick to a tin of Kiwi or Lincoln.
Mike Johnston

Hawk200

Quote from: DC on May 23, 2008, 07:36:33 PM
I have never done it, but people I know or have talked to online have had universally negative comments about it...

The people I know that had issues with it didn't prep the shoe properly. One guy I knew didn't even strip the shoe polish before he applied Leather Luster.

You can polish shoes wrong, and you can put Leather Luster on wrong. Everyone I knew that spoke badly of it didn't apply it properly. Not everyone has had negative results.

Think of this: If it was so overwhelmingly troublesome, do you really think they'd still be selling the stuff? Something that has poor press rarely makes it too far.

When it comes to new people in a uniform, they should be learning to shine shoes first. They shouldn't be worried about shortcuts for a while.

SJFedor

Quote from: Hawk200 on May 23, 2008, 04:45:43 PM
Quote from: DC on May 23, 2008, 04:36:11 AMLeather luster will flake and peel off after a while. Spit shine, its the only way...

If it flaked and peeled on you, you did it wrong. I had a pair for that never did that in almost ten years. At the four year mark, I sanded them a bit, and applied another coat.

Flake and peel means that the shoe wasn't stripped properly. Leather Luster is little more than a latex paint. Paint won't stick to surfaces that aren't properly prepped.

It's an alternative to shining, but it really takes several days to do it right. I know of many cops that treat their leather belts and belt cases with it. It does work, but you have to do it right.

My boots I wear w/ my BDUs are done in leather luster, have been for 2 years, and I've yet to have any form of problem. The big key is, like he said, doing the prep work, and getting ALL the factory polish off. Took me close to 8 hours to get them all stripped down.

Steven Fedor, NREMT-P
Master Ambulance Driver
Former Capt, MP, MCPE, MO, MS, GTL, and various other 3-and-4 letter combinations
NESA MAS Instructor, 2008-2010 (#479)

Hawk200

Quote from: SJFedor on May 23, 2008, 10:44:49 PM
My boots I wear w/ my BDUs are done in leather luster, have been for 2 years, and I've yet to have any form of problem. The big key is, like he said, doing the prep work, and getting ALL the factory polish off. Took me close to 8 hours to get them all stripped down.

I'm glad someone else here has a positive experience. It can get irritating to read "Well, everyone I know has had problems with it." So much of the negative talk about Leather Luster is usually: "Well, I heard...."

Use it right, and it's good stuff. Do it wrong, and it ain't too much different than trying to get a shine using crayons. (Don't ask.)

DC

Quote from: Hawk200 on May 24, 2008, 12:28:03 AM
Quote from: SJFedor on May 23, 2008, 10:44:49 PM
My boots I wear w/ my BDUs are done in leather luster, have been for 2 years, and I've yet to have any form of problem. The big key is, like he said, doing the prep work, and getting ALL the factory polish off. Took me close to 8 hours to get them all stripped down.
Use it right, and it's good stuff. Do it wrong, and it ain't too much different than trying to get a shine using crayons. (Don't ask.)
Sorry, I have to ask! Before this the worst thing I had heard of was painting an entire shoe in edge dressing  ::)...

Hawk200

Quote from: DC on May 24, 2008, 12:44:16 AM
Sorry, I have to ask! Before this the worst thing I had heard of was painting an entire shoe in edge dressing  ::)...

Seen the edge dressing shine before. Some people think that it's the same as Leather Luster, but it ain't by a long shot.

Guess I'll explain on the crayon thing, since I was dumb enough to put that in there.

Was in a previous wing at a SAR-EX one fine Saturday morning. Walked outside, and noted a cadet taking a lighter to his boots, running the flame across the tops. He noticed me watching him, and said that his shine had gotten dull. I smelled the melted wax, and said that it smelled like crayons.

Apparently, he couldn't get any Kiwi, and thought wax was wax and some melted Crayola would shine just fine. I looked at him with a Spock eyebrow, and said, "You're kidding, right?" He said he wasn't. I shook my head and walked away. Some things are too stupid to make up. Don't know what happened to him, but at times I'm not sure I want to.

DC

Quote from: Hawk200 on May 24, 2008, 12:54:10 AM
Quote from: DC on May 24, 2008, 12:44:16 AM
Sorry, I have to ask! Before this the worst thing I had heard of was painting an entire shoe in edge dressing  ::)...

Seen the edge dressing shine before. Some people think that it's the same as Leather Luster, but it ain't by a long shot.

Guess I'll explain on the crayon thing, since I was dumb enough to put that in there.

Was in a previous wing at a SAR-EX one fine Saturday morning. Walked outside, and noted a cadet taking a lighter to his boots, running the flame across the tops. He noticed me watching him, and said that his shine had gotten dull. I smelled the melted wax, and said that it smelled like crayons.

Apparently, he couldn't get any Kiwi, and thought wax was wax and some melted Crayola would shine just fine. I looked at him with a Spock eyebrow, and said, "You're kidding, right?" He said he wasn't. I shook my head and walked away. Some things are too stupid to make up. Don't know what happened to him, but at times I'm not sure I want to.
The edge dressing looked good for a few weeks, then it started to dull, then it started to look like total crap... Then the shoe was totally ruined. Then the cadet's very unhappy parents had to buy him new shoes.

Hawk200

Quote from: DC on May 24, 2008, 01:12:05 AM
The edge dressing looked good for a few weeks, then it started to dull, then it started to look like total crap... Then the shoe was totally ruined. Then the cadet's very unhappy parents had to buy him new shoes.

I'm surprised he got a few weeks out of them. Then again, he only wore them, what? Twice, maybe? And that stuff doesn't come off easily at all. It's great on the soles, but not on leather.

DC

Quote from: Hawk200 on May 24, 2008, 01:34:10 AM
Quote from: DC on May 24, 2008, 01:12:05 AM
The edge dressing looked good for a few weeks, then it started to dull, then it started to look like total crap... Then the shoe was totally ruined. Then the cadet's very unhappy parents had to buy him new shoes.

I'm surprised he got a few weeks out of them. Then again, he only wore them, what? Twice, maybe? And that stuff doesn't come off easily at all. It's great on the soles, but not on leather.
Two or three times for three or four hours each...

Gunner C

I have two sets of leather low quarters that are older than most people on this board.  They still look great and are comfortable.  They keep a shine and look better than chlorofams, corframs, or corfams.  ;D

Buy one pair of leather shoes and save money in the long run.  Properly cared for they last forever and are good for your footsies.

GC

SarDragon

Quote from: MIKE on May 22, 2008, 11:24:05 PM
SARDragon is inbound hot to this thread.

There is this stuff but it doesn't work.  Buy some leather shoes.

Apologies for not checking in earlier, but I was out of town for a week, and just got loose on the posts I missed while gone.

Most of what I would say has already been said.

"Corfam" - big "C" cuz it's a trademark, although apparently abandoned by Dupont.

IMHO, they are not worth the cost for the life you get out of them. They scratch/scar easily, and there are no good/easy coverups. WIWOAD, wearing them every day as an instructor, I managed to get about an 18 month life out of them, and they were inspection ready for only the first 6 months or so. BTW, back then the leather shoes were cheaper.

Today, the leather shoes are more expensive, but still have a longer potential life, particularly for cadets who are harder on shoes than SMs. I haven't worn Corfams since I retired from the Navy, and don't miss them. They were certainly less comfortable than the leather ones that replaced them.

My recommendation - buy leather and take care of them.

YMMV.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

Grumpy

Dave, you were out of town without checking me.  I've obviously lost control. Hope you had a good trip.  ;D

RE Corfams:  I agree; they don't breath, they squeak when you walk in them, and they just plain hurt your feet.  Why Uncle Sam stopped selling leather oxfords in the exchanges is beyond me.  Give me a good pair of leather shoes and with a good spit shine, I can make them look like corfam.

I say again, corfams hurt, as in damage, your feet.

addo1

  I tossed mine a long time ago for some good leather shoes, but when I did have mine they got scuffed and I jound that a liquid "honor guard" shine would make them look better.  You have to be careful to spread it evenly, though, as you will get bubbles if you don't.  I think you can get it at Army Navy or any store like that.
Addison Jaynes, SFO, CAP
Coordinator, Texas Wing International Air Cadet Exchange


National Cadet Advisory Council 2010

hatentx

I have to agree and disagree with most every one.  I find no real difference between shining or Corfam.  It really is what you plan on doing with them I think.  I know that I have a pair of boots that I have a great spit shine on them and they were great to wear to work daily and the such.  I had a pair of Boot that I put Leather Luster on them.  Yes it took a long time and a few tries to get them right but in the end I still have no issues with them, I wear them for things were I need to look pretty although I have never heard any real issues with wearing them daily. 

On the Oxfords, I have owned both.  Again I would put the same principle into them.  If I am going to be wearing them and have the chance of messing them up wear the leather.  If not and I want to look pretty then on go the Corfams.

I knew a guy back in AIT that actually took a high gloss black spray paint to his boots.  I thought he was nuts when I watched him do it but after a week of applying a really slow and good coats to the boots they were the shiniest books I have ever seen in my life.  I have not gotten brave enough for that yet.

SarDragon

I would say more st00pid than brave. One of leather's pluses is that it is porous, and breathes. Painting leather destroys that porosity, and will eventually ruin the leather by degrading the flexibility. BTDT.

I could start a museum if I had all the ruined footwear that I, and others I know, have ruined using the various "tricks" touted above. That's a crap-game I no longer endorse nor play in.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

rightstuffpilot

So has anyone actually used Bates Poromeric Cleaner?  What were the results?
HEIDI C. KIM, Maj , CAP
CFI/CFII/MEI
Spaatz # 1700

Cedar Rapids Composite Squadron- Commander

SarDragon

It works OK. Bought it once to try it out. It wasn't any better than any of the other methods I used, so I saved my money for another donut or two.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

rightstuffpilot

A good solid plan it sounds like.  I half expected to get it and discover it smells and works just like Windex.
HEIDI C. KIM, Maj , CAP
CFI/CFII/MEI
Spaatz # 1700

Cedar Rapids Composite Squadron- Commander

SarDragon

Smell - don't recall. Similarity to Windex in cleaning efficiency - close. I usually opt for cheap and/or easy.

YMMV.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

PHall

Quote from: rightstuffpilot on June 28, 2008, 06:05:34 PM
So has anyone actually used Bates Poromeric Cleaner?  What were the results?

It will clean the surface without damaging it.

It will NOT fix scratches in the material. Once the surface of the material is damaged, it's damaged.

I use the stuff on my Bates Corfams using a microfiber cloth and it keeps them clean and shiny.


Major Lord

Wear your well broken-in boots to encampment instead of plastic shoes. Don't be a foot casualty. FYI, BIG 5 sporting goods has carried law enforcement duty shoes in plastic that look just like low quarters, but have non-slip soles. I bought a few pairs the last time they went on sale for 19.00 each.

Major Lord
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."