Footwear Finishes

An item of footwear which has become scuffed or worn, or which is to be protected against wear, on its leather or leather-like external surfaces, is subjected to a preliminary cleaning. Thereafter, a coating of polyurethane elastomer dissolved in a solvent (preferably half toluene and half isopropyl alcohol), further including a colorant, a thickener and a gloss-lowering agent, is brushed or swabbed onto the surface.