| Yesterday I was working and got it into my thick skull to polish my Army boots. Yes, I still have a couple pair from when I was in the Army. They remain the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. When I went through training in Fort Lee, Virginia, I learned how to shine my boots. I mean the proper way so that these grubby 16 year old boots literally have a mirror shine on them. The first time polishing the boots will take about an hour for each boot. After that, it takes about a minute per boot.
I use regular black Kiwi shoe polish for the leather and the liquid wax for the side of the soles. The shine comes from when every pore and crease of the leather is filled and buffed. Note that I do not use a shine brush or anything similar.
- put a shoe tree in the shoe/boot so the leather is tight
- use a cotton cloth to apply the polish in a thick layer over one portion of the shoe/boot
- with a cigarette lighter or a small butane torch, move the flame under the area where you applied polish
- in small circles, rub the polish into every grove with the cloth
- wet the cloth with water and buff the polish in small circles rewetting the cloth as necessary. If the cloth starts to dry, the shine will come undone
- apply a light coating of polish
- repeat 4 & 5 until you are happy with the shine
- continue with other areas of the shoe/boot. Only do one area at a time
The "Parade Polish" from Kiwi is a waste of money IMHO as it really doesn't give a better shine and is more than twice expensive. It does, however, provide a better shine when used lightly. I guess it is for people that want to give their shoes a quick buffing.
I should really post how to polish them the proper way with pictures... |
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