Angelo's Shoe and Leather Specialists
FAQs
On this page, we have developed a wide range of questions and answers about shoe and general leather care and repair.
Shoe Care and Repair FAQs
Leather Accessory Care and Repair FAQs
Shoe Care and Repair FAQs
My shoes got wet and now they have white stains on them. Can these be removed??
Probably. The white stains are most likely due to salt. The sooner you neutralize the salt, the better. Salt can actually scar the leather if left too long.
How can I get such stains off of my shoes?
You need to neutralize the salt using a mild solution of vinegar and water. To do this properly you should get the entire shoe/boot wet so that you don’t create additional water marks. This is especially true for suede and nubuck. Use a soft- bristled brush to wet the footwear. Don’t soak it - just get it wet. Then scrub the salt-stained areas. Pat the footwear dry with a towel or other absorbent cloth. Use a light-colored cloth on light-colored footwear to avoid color “bleeding” from the cloth to the footwear. Allow footwear to dry thoroughly with plenty of air – No HEAT!
How long does your service take?
For walk in service, we offer while you wait, same day, or next day options. When you choose to ship your items to one of our locations, from the time Angelo’s actually receives your shipment of shoes to the time they are back on your feet is usually five to seven business days.
What if I do not know which repair to select or which sole to choose?
That is OK, not everyone is an expert in shoe repair services. We will make the determination of what is best for your footwear when we receive them, and let you know beforehand if you so desire. After all we are the experts!
Can you lower the heel height on my favorite shoes?
Many women love their high-heeled shoes but are too uncomfortable and afraid to wear such high heels. At Cobbler & Shine, we are experts in lowering the heels on your favorite shoes and making you more comfortable and safer walking in them. Even a small amount will make a huge difference as you will notice.
Can you repair any brand of shoe or boots?
Angelo’s is authorized as a recommended repairer by many major shoe manufacturers and retailers. In the tens of thousands of shoes brought to us, we have never met a challenge we could not tackle.
Do I have to pay for shipping charges?
This depends on the size of the order. Normally, we incur all shipping charges to and from our facilities.
Is your service more expensive than a local cobbler due to shipping costs?
No, we pride ourselves on offering a better service at a lower price than your local cobbler (if you are lucky enough to have one) due to the fact that we are able to take advantage of economies of scale due to our high repair volume and we have the best cobblers in the world working at Cobbler & Shine.
How do I pay you?
For online orders (drop ship, etc.) we accept major credit cards and electronic checks. For walk in work, we accept cash and credit cards.
I went to a local shoe repair shop and they told me they couldn’t help me. Can you?
Unfortunately most local cobblers do not have all the capabilities as Angelo’s do to tackle some of the hardest shoe repair problems. Nine times out of ten we can do what they can’t.
Can you replace or repair a zipper on a pair of boots or shoes?
Yes, we replace broken zippers on shoes, boots, and purses all the time.
Do you repair Sperry Topsiders?
Yes, we do a great job with them and have the perfect sole to match!
Do you resole and repair Birkenstocks?
Birkenstocks are a very popular brand that we often repair. We have a perfect sole and for a small extra charge, we can repair and replace cork, belts, and suede.
Do you carry the red rubber sole for Christian Louboutin shoes?
Yes we do. In addition we take pride in our reputation for providing this service to our fashionistas without compromising the look or design of the glamorous shoe. We also carry the soles in beige black silver and gold.
My dog chewed on the heel shaft on my favorite shoes and boots. Is there anything you can do?
Yes, this is very common. In these situations we perform what is called a recovery heel operation. We will replace the leather around the heel stem to make the heels look like new.
My heel stem broke in half. Can you help me?
Yes, in this case we will usually need to replace both heels from the pair. We have hundreds of heel stems to chose from and will match the replacements as closely as possible to the original.
Do you dye shoes?
Yes, but remember this is only possible when going form light to dark.
I have a hole in my shoe. Is there anything you can do?
Yes, we can patch it and cover up. Problem solved.
Can you replace the sole of a shoe - which was originally rubber - with one that is leather?
Yes we can!
If I have multiple pairs of shoes and boots in need of shoe repair can i have a discount?
Yes in cases where you have many pairs you would like to get done at once we will work with you to give you a discount.
Can you repair worn out suede and suede that looks old and faded?
Yes, we have techniques that will bring that suede back to life!
Can you repair and resole tennis shoes like New Balance?
Yes.
Do you resole boat shoes?
Yes, we repair boat and tennis shoes all the time and can resole these shoes with great success.
Do you do orthopedic work?
We do offer orthopedic work. All orthopedic jobs are priced on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our customer service staff for a quote and more information.
The boots I purchased just don’t feel right on me when I wear them. They are always too tight by the calf or too big. Is there something you can do to help my situation?
Yes. At Angelo’s we specialize in custom boot refitting, and we can stretch the calf area or even take them in, giving your boots the most comfortable fit possible. We Can add a zipper or even an elastic , we do what ever it takes to get the job done.
Leather Accessory Care and Repair
No matter what leather accessory you need repaired or restored, we’re here to help. If you have questions about the process, call us at 212-757-6364 or email us at info@angelosleathercare.com for advice regarding your particular needs.
Do you clean and recondition Handbags?
Yes we do. In fact we clean and recondition almost any time of bag of any major designer brand and style, including leather, vinyl, suede, etc.
Will I see the repair?
Using the correct materials, a skilled technician can make damage seem to disappear. In some cases the damage will be invisible, other times (depending on severity) it may appear as a natural characteristic of the hide. We can't speak for other leather repair companies, but if we do a repair, we always tell customers. "When we finish your repair you may be able to find it because you know exactly where it is, but no one without previous knowledge of it should be able to find it."
How long will a repair last?
Under normal use conditions, you can expect the repaired area to last as long as the surrounding leather.
What about the color, can you match it?
Our technicians are experts at color matching, even in cases where there is color variation or mottling to the color. In those cases, we would artistically re-create the effect in the areas affected.
How can I remove ink from my leather accessories?
Ink is a dye. Your leather has literally been re-colored to the color of that ink in the affected area. As such, it is not something that can be "cleaned", as any cleaning compound that is strong enough to remove the ink, will also remove the surface color of the leather. Ink sticks are available from various sources. However, we urge caution, as there are generally two outcomes.
- The ink is removed along with the surrounding color, leaving a larger, "bleached" area.
- The ink is smeared, leaving a larger smudge mark.
There are some things you can try. Using a soft, white artist's eraser, gently trail down the ink line with the eraser. This may lighten the ink stripe. Another strategy is to do nothing. One of ink's attributes is that it migrates into porous materials. If there is a small amount of ink, it may dissipate into the leather, presenting a decreasing amount on the surface, and may eventually fade away entirely. This is unlikely with any heavy concentration of ink.
Keep in mind that the ink isn't harming the leather, and is an aesthetic issue only. In the end, the ink can be removed successfully, but may require professional attention.
My cat has scratched my expensive leather handbag. Can you fix that?
Cat claw (or dog claw, for that matter) scratches are a very common problem on even heavily finished leathers, and are correctable. The number of scratches will determine whether the extent of the required repair.
Can leather be repaired well?
In 95% of the cases if your leather is a good leather to start with it can be repaired.
How do I know if my leather item is worth repairing or restoring?
If your accessory is a favorite piece or an expensive piece it is probably a candidate to repair or restore.
The leather is cracking & peeling. Can this be repaired?
Yes, it can be refinished, as long as the leather is still "healthy". Once your item arrives at the shop, one of our consultants would be able to determine what needs to be done.
I have ink or nail polish on my leather. Will that come out? Yes. After removing the stain, if necessary, the technician will touch up the area with leather dye.
How often should my leather accessories be cleaned and/or conditioned?
Important or often-used items should be conditioned every 6 months. This keeps the leather supple, so that it won't crack. There are many conditioners available.
Is there a charge for you to send someone to come to my home or office and give me an estimate?
Depending on the situation, we do work onsite, and may assess a fee. Contact us today for more information.