Comments on: The Art of Shining Shoes: An Illustrated Guide

By: Robert E Gould

Robert E Gould — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:23:49 +0000

After spending many years in the British Armed forces I am somewhat of an expert on “Bulling Boots” as the term is, The best polish to use is KIWI Polish, a clean soft duster is the ideal polishing cloth, the boots must be thouroughly cleaned and a smooth surface is required, if the surface is rough it can be pressed smooth with the back of a tea spoon. the first coat of polish must be applied sparingly the cloth should be wound tightly around the forefinger and the very tip of the finger shuold lightly touch the polish. This process takes time and you can gradually add more polish very small circles are used to apply the polish and plenty of water, we used to put the water in the lid of the polish tin and dip our fingers into that, somepeople would spit onto the boot and use this, I always got better results with fresh water. The complete process on a pair of boots can take many hours, once the desired shine is achieved a very thin final coat of polish can be laid and then with the use of a slowly running warm water tap/faucet and the use of cotton wool balls, finish the polishing process under the tap. A well polished pair of boots can easily be maintained with this method to keep them looking like glass, any small wear creases can be filled with polish and “bulled up”

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 02:52:45 +0000

I’ve heard that a banana peel can be used to polish your shoes.

http://howto.menshealth.com/shine-your-shoes-without-polish

By: Mathew

Mathew — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:50:48 +0000

I use Kiwi parade shine polish and ive had black leather boots come up with a mirror finish.
Just rub polish onto boots in small circles with one finger, have a glass of hot water and when the polish on the boot looks ‘dry’, dip the bit of cloth around your finger into the hot water, continue rubbing circles of polish with the slightly damp cloth, onto the boot with your finger until the polish fills all the miniscule holes and crevices on the boots. Continued circular rubbing will then shine the polish on the boots (as opposed to shining the boot leather itself).
I then finish by very lightly brushing any excess polish off the boot with a boot brush (not vigorously rubbing like told above). Dont forget to apply leather coniditioner after shoes get wet or every now and then, if you shell out a few hundred for a set of shoes or boots, you wouldnt want the leather to crack after only a few years.

By: Tim Muse

Tim Muse — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:33:31 +0000

While in the military, I learned from a master… a roommate who could no kidding see himself in his boots. While several of us spent the same time polishing our boots, his came out 10 times shinier than ours. Here was the secret:
1. You do not shine the boots, it is the polish that shines!
2. Therefore, begin by putting thick coats of polish (to establish a foundation of polish over the leather)
3. Then use polish and water to fill in the “valleys” of the polish left from the previous step.
4. Then use more water and less polish to fill in the smaller “valleys” left from that step. (continue … as you have time)
5. Eventually you should begin to see an “orange peel” glaze come on the polish.
6. The final step can be done either with a small amount of polish and no water simply with a bare finger tip, or with a very minimal amount of water with the polish.
(In all the steps, it’s done in the circular pattern many are familiar with).
7. Each time you polish your footwear, repeat the same procedures above and eventually you’ll have a foundation built up that will produce a deep rich color beneath the shine on top that produces the ultimate shine!

By: bashir

bashir — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:26:10 +0000

I have nostalgia of my father shining his boots early morning when he was in the military

By: MajorDad1984

MajorDad1984 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:40:15 +0000

Anyone have any thoughts about Kiwi vs. Lincoln polish? I’ve used both…but seem to recall Lincoln having an edge when it came to shoe/boot shining enthusiasts. (No…never really was one.)

By: Josh Knowles

Josh Knowles — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:37:58 +0000

I also have had good success with using the nylon stocking for the final touch-ups. I use regular black polish and the brush for the base coat and then Kiwi Parade Gloss and a soft cloth or old nylons for the top coat.

By: MajorDad1984

MajorDad1984 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:20:46 +0000

As you might imagine, as a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, I probably have a little experience at the shining of shoes.

I wouldn’t get too wrapped up in trying to create the same spit-shine appearance the military seems to value. (Truth be known, the real benefit of spit shining is simply imparting the value of attention to detail….)

If you want that kind of shine, concentrate on “toes and heels.” Sealing the leather in those locations probably won’t cause problems with your footwear. As those areas aren’t required to flex all that much, you won’t see problems with drying leather and cracking. Otherwise, the age old “brush shine” is fine for every day.

ALSO…do not overlook the sides of the soles of your shoes. Getting the “dust/grime” out of the area between the upper and the sole can improve appearance. A soft toothbrush and some polish can help here. For the “sides” of the soles….pick up a bottle of the appropriate colored “edge dressing.” Make sure you do this step very carefully or OUTSIDE. Spill that stuff and whatever is splashed is DONE!

Hope this helps…Go Army! Beat Navy!

By: Maciej

Maciej — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:57:15 +0000

Thanks for great tutorial.

By: Brad

Brad — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 01:04:08 +0000

Definitely going to try this out. I just found a pair of johnston and murphy wingtips at a thrift store, for $5! They’ll be looking like a million bucks after a good shine.