Collonil Shoe Cream Black 751 60ml – Nourishing Colour Cream for Smooth Leather

Description

Collonil Shoe Cream Black 751 – rich pigment and real nourishment in one little tin

If you own a pair of black leather shoes you actually care about, this is the tin I reach for first. Collonil Shoe Cream Black is a pigmented care cream for smooth leather that does two jobs at once: it feeds the leather with softening waxes and oils so it stays supple, and it puts colour back into the scuffed, sun-faded and tired-looking areas that make an otherwise good shoe look old.

Collonil have been making leather care in Berlin since 1909, and this little 60ml tin is their everyday workhorse. It is generously pigmented, so it covers grazes on toe caps and heel counters properly rather than just glazing over them, and it builds a soft, even shine that you can take further with a brush if you like a bit of gloss. I use it on Oxfords and Derbies, on black leather boots, on smooth leather handbags and belts, and on synthetic uppers where a wax polish would simply sit on the surface.

One tin lasts a remarkably long time. You only ever need a thin film, and at £6.99 for 60ml it is one of the cheapest ways I know to add years to a good pair of shoes.

Why choose Collonil Shoe Cream Black?

There are plenty of black creams on the market, so here is why this particular one has kept its place on my shelf for years.

• High pigment load. This is a colour cream rather than a clear conditioner. The pigment concentration is high enough to hide scuffs on toe caps, cover creasing across the vamp and pull faded black leather back to a deep, even shade.
• Genuine nourishment, not just shine. Softening waxes and nourishing oils sink into the leather instead of forming a hard shell on top. That keeps the fibres flexible, so the leather creases softly rather than cracking along the flex point.
• Works on synthetics too. Plenty of modern shoes use coated or synthetic uppers. This cream refreshes those as happily as it does full-grain calf, which makes it a sensible choice if your wardrobe is a mixture.
• A shine you can control. Buff lightly with a cloth for a soft satin finish, or work it with a horsehair brush for a proper glow. It takes an additional wax polish on top beautifully if you want a mirror toe.
• Small tin, long life. A pea-sized amount treats a whole shoe. Kept with the lid on, the 60ml tin will comfortably see you through a year or more of regular care.

How to use Collonil Shoe Cream Black

Caring for black leather takes about five minutes of actual work. Here is exactly how I do it, and the resting time is where most of the magic happens.

1. Brush the shoes down with a dust brush to lift off grit and old polish, and take the laces out so you can reach the tongue and the eyelet facing.
2. Make sure the leather is dry. If the shoes are damp, stuff them with cedar trees or newspaper and let them dry at room temperature, never on a radiator.
3. Pick up a small amount of cream on a soft cloth wrapped round two fingers, or on a dauber brush if you prefer.
4. Work it into the leather in small circular movements, keeping the layer thin and even. Pay extra attention to the toe cap, the heel counter and any pale scuffed patches.
5. Leave the cream to rest for about fifteen minutes so the oils can travel into the leather and the solvents can flash off.
6. Buff briskly with a horsehair polishing brush, then finish with a clean cloth. The warmth you generate is what brings up the shine.
7. Repeat with a second thin coat if the leather was very dry or badly faded.

My honest advice: two thin coats always beat one thick one. And always test on a hidden area first, especially on a shoe that has never been creamed before.

Specifications

• Volume: 60ml tin
• Type: Pigmented nourishing care cream
• Colour: 751 Black
• Suitable for: Smooth leather and synthetic uppers – shoes, boots, bags, belts and small leather goods
• Not suitable for: Suede, nubuck, velour and oiled or greased leather
• Finish: Soft satin shine, buffs up to a deeper gloss
• Brand: Collonil (Germany, established 1909)
• Price: £6.99

Frequently asked questions

Will Collonil Shoe Cream Black cover scuffs completely?

On smooth leather, yes, in most cases. The pigment level is high, so light grazes and faded areas disappear after one or two thin coats. Deep cuts where the leather is torn need a repair paste first, and then the cream on top to blend everything in.

Does it rub off onto socks or trousers?

Not once it has been buffed properly. The important step is the fifteen-minute rest followed by a proper brushing. If you skip the buffing, any pigmented cream can transfer, so give it that minute of brisk work.

Can I use it on suede or nubuck?

No, please do not. Cream will flatten the nap and leave dark greasy patches. For suede and nubuck you want a spray or a dabber made for napped leather instead.

How often should I use it?

For shoes in regular rotation, once every ten to fifteen wears is plenty. A quick brush after each wear does most of the day-to-day work; the cream is for feeding the leather and topping up the colour.

Where can I buy Collonil Shoe Cream Black in the UK?

You can order Collonil Shoe Cream Black 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, so you can order with complete confidence.