Help with boot shining...

[Kiel_Everett]

Part of the role as a LVMPD Explorer is the oh-so famous LVMPD academy style inspections. As with any police inspection, boot shine is a key factor. Now, I am new to this thing. I know nothing about shining a boot. If anyone could take the time to explain how to or suggest a link/website that could explain how, I would deeply appreciate it. If it matters, these are brand new, never worn Magnum boots. I thank you all in advance.

[WARHEAD'Z]

This should keep you busy.....foolproof directions are on each of these links:

http://www.hotboots.com/polish.html

http://www.calguard.ca.gov/casmr/spitshine.htm

http://www.magnumboots.com/htmlbootcare.php

If you are needing to spit-shine, a leather dye coat as a base color is recomended if the boots are scuffed. I suggest using a hairdryer to help heat up the leather and to dry up excess water on the boot. A wood block covered with lambswool, available at WAL-WART or a boot repair shop, is useful for the final buff. Be sure to remove any dirt or grit from the leather.

There is also a quick trick of using Kiwi brand bottled edge dressing over the entire area of a clean black boot. This trick is not for inspection class boots but it looks great for everyday working class boots.

[danp]

This is best taught in person, but I will give you the method I use as bet I can describe it;

1. Wash them in warm water with very mild soap (shaving cream works well) and rinse well

2. Using the dauber that comes with your shine kit to put a light coat of polish (I like Kiwi) on the boot and buff it off with he brush. Repeat this step five times on each boot.

3. Wrap a bandana tightly around your index and middle finger, so that there is one smooth layer of cloth across the pads of the two fingers. Put a very small amount of polish on the pads of the two fingers. Using small circles, wipe the polish onto the boot.

4. Using a spray bottle loaded with water, mist the polish on the boot.

5. Using the same two fingers wrapped in the bandana, use very small circles to polish out the boot.

[southy]

danp's method is good, however i take a lighter and light the polish inside the can of kiwi on fire until all is aflame. BUT BE CAREFUL DOIG THIS AND DO NOT SPILL IT!!! DID I REMEMBER TO SAY DO NOT SPILL!!!It will only take a few seconds to catch fire. Then blow it out and it is now in a liquid form and much easier to put on the boots. use a clean rag and apply. I find using this method is much easier to get into the hard to reach areas. I've never tried this on any polish but Black Kiwi.

[retired]

God, I recall those days and I am certainly glad I'm in a position where I can say I recall them and don't have to do it anymore.

I used an old t-shirt that I torn into a strip, then wrapped around my fingers as said by danp. I would didp it into water rather than do the misting mentioned. But I also recall, based on the advice of other "experts," using a pair of nylons and cotton balls to achieve the same results. I never did get that spit shine some of the guys got, but did well enough that I didn't have to write any memos on the virtues of a spit shine or do any extra running

By the time you graduate, you will be an old hand at it and will be able to do it automatically. Good luck.

[FDC]

DO NOT. I SAY AGIN DO NOT, PUT EDGE DRESSING ALL OVER YOUR BOOTS!!!!!!!!!! Edge dresing is for the edge of the soles, and that's all. It will destroy your boots if you put it on the leather.


Wash them like danp says. I just wear them in the shower. Let dry.

southy nailed the melted kiwi part. It's the bomb!

To finish them use a combo of danp's and retired's suggestions.

If you scuff them, use leather dye as WARHEAD'Z suggested, then go southy's melted kiwi, then danp/retired's suggestions.

[Kiel_Everett]

WOW, thanks for all the tips and info..I will look into it all, for I will need it.

Thanks again!!

[BBunin]

And the ol' short cut....... (For inspections only)

Kiwi Elite!

[pfccypret]

The most important part is just getting a good initial shine. After you get a really good gloss on them once, it's much easier to shine.

I've had my current pair of boots for about a year now. These days all I do is put some kiwi on them once a week and brush them every other day and they look great all the time.

[SLCDave]

All good suggestions so far.

Start with a clean canvas. I use saddle soap to clean the leather.

Set the polish can down before you light it. I tried to tell a guy about this step, and he lit the polish while holding the can. Metal tends to heat up when exposed to fire, which this guy found out, dropping the can of molten shoe polish and making a HUGE mess.

I apply a good coat with a dauber, and let the polish sit for 5 minutes or so.

I then take a buffing brush and buff most of the excess polish off.

I then have a buffing cloth that is over 10 years old and impregnated with years of polish from buffing. You can use the spray bottle or spit for the final buffing, but you buff those suckers till they shine.

One final note, I find it easier to get a good shine if someone else is wearing the boots. Have your wife or someone else put them on for the final buffing, then buff like hell. When I can't do that, I put them on and buff them, then loosen the laces, put them on the opposite feet, and buff again. I get better results that way.