Collonil Anthracite Leather Shoe Cream 797 – 60ml Pigmented Cream for Smooth Leather

Description

Collonil Anthracite Leather Shoe Cream 797 – 60ml Pigmented Cream for Smooth Leather – for the shoes that are not quite black

Some shoes are not black and not grey, and an anthracite leather shoe cream is what those pairs have been waiting for. Collonil mix 797 as a deep charcoal, and it is the shade I hand over whenever somebody has been making do with black on a dark grey boot and quietly wondering why the colour keeps looking heavier than it should.

It is a 60ml jar of pigmented care cream for smooth leather, and it does two jobs at once. The nourishing base keeps the leather supple so it creases softly rather than cracking, and the pigment refreshes the colour where the surface has faded or grazed.

Collonil have been making leather care in Germany since 1909, and this is one of their everyday workhorses. A thin film is all it ever needs, which is why one jar lasts most people a very long time.

Why choose this anthracite leather shoe cream?

• The shade between black and grey. Anthracite is a deep charcoal, so it refreshes dark grey leather without the flattening effect black has on it. Getting that half tone right is what makes the shoe look original.
• Nourishes as well as colours. The base feeds the leather so the fibres stay flexible, which keeps the creases soft instead of letting them harden into cracks along the flex point.
• Enough pigment for scuffed toe caps. Dark grey shows grazing badly because the pale core of the leather comes through. A proper pigment load closes those marks up in one thin pass.
• A shine you decide on. Buff with a soft cloth for a quiet satin finish or work it up with a polishing brush for a real glow. It also takes a wax polish on top perfectly well.
• Suits bags and belts too. Anything in smooth leather is fair game, and matching a charcoal bag to charcoal boots is far easier from one jar than from two near-enough shades.
• Sixty millilitres of very good value. A pea-sized amount treats a whole shoe, so a single jar covers a year or more of regular care on a pair you wear weekly.

How to use the Collonil Anthracite Leather Shoe Cream 797 – 60ml Pigmented Cream for Smooth Leather

The fifteen minutes of resting is where most of the result is decided.

1. Brush the shoes clean so no dirt is left on the leather, and let them dry at room temperature if they are damp.
2. Take a little cream onto a soft cloth or an applicator brush rather than straight onto the shoe.
3. Spread a thin layer over the leather, working it in with steady circular motions.
4. Add a touch more if the leather is drinking it in unevenly, but keep every layer thin.
5. Leave the cream to rest for about fifteen minutes so it can settle into the surface.
6. Buff with a soft cloth or a polishing brush, letting the friction and warmth bring the shine up.

My tip as a shoe specialist

If you are unsure whether your shoes are black or anthracite, hold them next to something you know is black, ideally a black shoe or a black belt, in daylight rather than under a bulb. Nine times out of ten the answer is obvious once there is something to compare against, and if the leather looks softer and slightly blue-grey next to true black, this is your jar. Test a hidden area at the back of the heel first. And keep it off suede, because a pigmented cream flattens a nap for good.

Specifications

At a glance

• Volume: 60ml jar
• Colour: Anthracite 797, a deep charcoal grey
• Type: Pigmented nourishing colour cream
• Suitable for: Smooth leather shoes, boots, bags and belts
• Not suitable for: Suede, nubuck and patent leather
• Applicator: Soft cloth or applicator brush, then a polishing brush
• Properties: Feeds the leather, refreshes colour, builds a controllable shine
• Brand: Collonil, Germany, established 1909
• Article code: collonil-shoec-797
• Price: £7.49

Frequently asked questions

Is anthracite just a dark grey?

It is the deepest grey before you reach black, with a charcoal depth to it. On dark grey leather it refreshes the colour, whereas black would flatten the shade and lose the character of it.

Can I use it on black shoes?

You can, and it will nourish them perfectly well, but it will read slightly lighter than a true black cream. For black leather I would use 751 and keep this jar for the charcoal pairs.

How long should I leave it before buffing?

About fifteen minutes is the sweet spot. That gives the cream time to sink in and the pigment time to settle, so the buffing lifts a shine rather than dragging half-wet cream around the shoe. If you buff immediately you will simply smear it, and if you leave it for hours it takes more effort to raise the gloss. Set the shoes aside, make a cup of tea and come back to them.

Where can I buy the Collonil Anthracite Leather Shoe Cream 797 in the UK?

You can order the Collonil Anthracite Leather Shoe Cream 797 directly from Shoespecialist.co.uk. We offer free delivery on orders over £50, same-day dispatch when you order before 5pm, and a 60-day return policy. The Collonil cream range covers a broad spread of shades including the greys.