Shoe polishers - what are your best tips for getting them to look their finest?

Panty hose ... I learned this from a woman who runs a shine business in Denver ... Also making sure that you work the polish deeply into the leather ...

If you're ever in DIA ... Make sure you go to Concourse B (United Concourse) and get a shine from Jill ... You're shoes will look like mirrors and she'll give you lots of tips ... She'll work the polish into your shoes so aggresively that it'll feel like you're getting a foot massage ...

While you're there don't be surprised to see boxes of shoes that ppl have shipped to her to shine for them ...

 

Remove the laces. Apply the polish/wax all over the shoe. Let it dry (doesn't take long, a couple minutes maybe) and brush off with a dry brush. Then buff with a soft cloth. If you have the right kind of shoe and want a really shiney toe then apply the polish/wax with a rag and buff it off with a slightly damp cloth. Use your finger tip in the rag to pick up a little water and do the buffing. Little circles...not the swiping motion of whipping the cloth across the toe. It will take a lot of buffing but will create the famous "spit shine." You don't have to do the spit shine to the entire shoe, just the toe.

 

Oh, yeah...another trick I've used. If you're using one of those Kiwi polishes that comes in a small can then you can melt the polish and apply it wet. Open the can and light the polish on fire. After a pool develops then cover it with the lid. Don' blow it out or you'll blow polish all over the place. And don't tighten the lid on or you'll have a hard time getting it off without spilling. Just place the lid on enough to snuff out the fire.

Then use a rag to rub the melted polish onto the shoe and buff. The melted polish in the can will eventually set up again and will be as good as new.

 

I go into the bathroom at a bar or restaurant and use the machine with the spinning buffing cylinders.

 

Paul --- Dress shoes ... Try not to wear the same pair 2 days in a row ... Shoe trees ... The Cedar Ones are nice but even plastic is better than nothing ... And the step you just completed ... Shining isn't just cosmetic, the polish protects and moisturizes the leather ... Try to polish at least once a month ...

This will make your shoes last a long time ... Something you may not know also ... Heel can be replaced on dress shoes ... If the heel is worn down ... 20 bucks will replace it for a pair ...

 

Yes...shoe trees are a must. They also make polishing a little easier. They keep the shoe firm so you can work in the polish and they give you something to hold on to. My dress shoes need to be taken in soon for their third heel...they are about 7 years old, but I only wear them once a week and they still look great.
To keep them shiny, do what Sam suggests and give them a good polishing about once a month. Also, you can give them a light buffing occasionally between polishings.
Personally I prefer the Kiwi brand. I've tried a few others but the Kiwi always has the right consistancy...not too gooey and not too dry. The sponge applicators work well if you don't want to melt the polish...but I've had more success with the melting. Plus, it's so much more fun!

 

I apply the Kiwi polish to the shoe, melt it with a cigarette lighter, and rub it in. After this, I then spit-shine the toe section and lightly buff it. Repeat once a week for an excellent shine if you wear the same shoes every day. Avoid walking through wet grass or standing water immediately after you polish your shoes. If you do, you'll just have to rebuff them. Growing up around the military had it's advantages.

 

just go down to Walmart (or whatever is in your area ... Target, etc.) and look in the shoe polish area ...

Plastic ones are 5 - 10 bucks ...

Cedar can run from 12 - 30 bucks ...

They'll be adjustable ... A nice pair of cedar can be found for 15 bucks ...

Also ... I try to make it a habit that whenever I buy a new pair of quality shoes to go buy another pair of trees ...