I've never encountered the finish that you describe.

I would first try placing them in direct sunlight (hours a day for several weeks) as that is the gentlest means of burning away a superimposed finish on #8 shell. You might also try rubbing them with neutral wax which contains as a solvent. Alcohol is a stronger solvent. Use acetone as a last resort.

 

Its not a good idea to try it yourself. If you are truly dissatisfied with the finish, send them to Alden in Mass and tell them to "strip and clean" them. They ought to come back to your satisfaction.

 

^ I am in total agreement with Phil recommendation. From my experience Alden always stands up for their merchandise

 

If somebody is going to screw it up, let it be Alden. They're in the best position to send you a brand new pair if things go south.

 

The more you do to this shoe, the less Alden will have to see what is wrong. Customers often screw things up beyond the point of return, almost like a 'Cat in the Hat' routine. "Well I noticed this speck, so I tried to clean it away. That made a light spot, so then I tried to darken the area. I ended up doing the whole shoe, then it didn't match the other shoe. So then I removed the finish on both..."

There is no point in trying to correct a manufacturing defect, assuming it exists. That is the job of the retailer/manufacturer.

 

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I have several pair of Alden shoes, and have never seen such a painted on finish....It makes me wonder if this happened after the shoe left Alden's premises. Team shoe sport was very much on the up an up in my dealings with them, but I wonder how old their stock is, and whether a shop clerk somewhere may have done something to them.

Well-Kept's post here struck a chord:

https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showthread.php?t=75148&highlight=trust+shell

Still, I think everyone is right. I will e-mail Alden directly.

Bic

 

I wonder how old their stock is

I don't know if it really matters but most of Team's shoes are years old. Some 10 years.

 

I've had my own "painted on" experience w/ a pair fr Alden NYC.

Initially this pair of Cigar shell cordovan captoe bluchers looked good with a natural variation in color and rich Cigar appearance. However, one shoe was noticeably darker than than other (likely from displaying in sunlight). They said they could "fix" it and shipped it to me back home. They showed up with a dark, opaque, fake-looking brown, almost as if they were spray painted. Completely different from either original shoe. Needless to say I returned it a purchased a similar pair from Alden DC which I show below for comparison.

"Painted" on Cigar from NYC

Natural Cigar fr DC

 

^ Even I can tell the difference. You did absolutely the right thing. Those cigar shells are outstanding.

 

I've had my own "painted on" experience w/ a pair fr Alden NYC.

Initially this pair of Cigar shell cordovan captoe bluchers looked good with a natural variation in color and rich Cigar appearance. However, one shoe was noticeably darker than than other (likely from displaying in sunlight). They said they could "fix" it and shipped it to me back home. They showed up with a dark, opaque, fake-looking brown, almost as if they were spray painted. Completely different from either original shoe. Needless to say I returned it a purchased a similar pair from Alden DC which I show below for comparison.

Hmmm... Based on earlier posts in this thread, I contacted Alden. I received a speedy response, instructing me to return them for a re-finishing. I was encouraged, but Pitt Doc has caused me to think twice. It really is odd, because the two other pair of shoes I bought from Team Shoe Sport are extremely clean, cherry red, natural cordovan. The shoes with the painted on brown ick almost look like corrected grain. I can clearly see drips where the painted on finish dried unevenly.

Bic

 

Ack...PittDoc, those original "painted-on" shoes look horrendous! I wonder if there's such a thing as a counterfeit Alden?

Those certainly look bad enough to be bogus. Maybe there was just a "new trainee" at the Alden factory. Glad it all turned out alright, however.

 

I was encouraged, but Pitt Doc has caused me to think twice.

I thought PittDoc meant that the Alden NYC store addressed the problem rather than the factory. I'd think you could trust factory.

 

^ From my experience the Alden factory restoration has always been above board and has done an excellent job

 

I have been watching the Team Shoe Seaport website since Harris first posted the link. I hesitated on a pair of LHS in #8 and they sold. I then hesitated on a pair of Longwings in #8 and they sold. Now just today they have my size in the Plain Toe Blucher in #8 and I'm concerned about the quality. Perhaps a higher source is telling me not to stick with Cigar ...

 

I have been watching the Team Shoe Seaport website since Harris first posted the link. I hesitated on a pair of LHS in #8 and they sold. I then hesitated on a pair of Longwings in #8 and they sold. Now just today they have my size in the Plain Toe Blucher in #8 and I'm concerned about the quality. Perhaps a higher source is telling me not to stick with Cigar ...

As I said in my initial post, I recieved 3 pair. I was very very happy with two of them --the long wing in #8 and the plain toe blutcher, also in #8.

I also placed a second order for the tassel loafer in cigar, then later changed my mind and cancelled the order. Team Shoe Seaport was extremely professional and refuned the charge for my cancelled order no questions asked.

Bic

 

I thought PittDoc meant that the Alden NYC store addressed the problem rather than the factory. I'd think you could trust factory.

You are right - the store did this. To their defense they offered to have them recrafted by Alden but at that point I had lost my trust and was not familiar with the recrafting success rates back then.

BTW, I just sent an older pair for recrafting based on all the positive results on this forum. I trust the Alden factory.

 

Bic,

Can you post pics of the shoes in question? I wonder if the "painted" on finish is similar to the PRL Darlton line of burnished brown shell cordovan shoes. Harris posted a link to a current C&J catalog stating Horween as their shell supplier. Perhaps these were a special order in that C&J shell?

Just curious,
spin

 

You are right - the store did this. To their defense they offered to have them recrafted by Alden but at that point I had lost my trust and was not familiar with the recrafting success rates back then.

BTW, I just sent an older pair for recrafting based on all the positive results on this forum. I trust the Alden factory.

You will be very pleased with their work