How to Polish Your Dress Shoes or Boots like a Sailor.
As American culture shifts from formal attire to more casual attire the art of shoe shining has gone by the way side. There are plenty of people who still know how to do it, but plenty more who know they should and don't or just don't know how because they were never taught.
I learned how to shine shoes fairly young but got most of my experience while in the Navy. I can remember sitting on the floor in basic training with our standard issue Kiwi shoe shining kit (yes, that is a thing) getting ready for the millionth inspection of the day. Not only do sailors have to shine their shoes, but they have to shine them well....very well. Depending on who was doing the inspection they may even want to see their reflection in the shoe. Sailors are in a way, professional shoe shiners.
Though there are many kits out there and many many products, I have always gone back to what I know, because it works, and it is cheap. I have tried a few other shoe creams, polishes, and applicators but I never really got the hang of them and just go back to what I know works.
So what Is in my standard issue polishing kit? A few things like: sponge applicators, a soft cloth, and a horse brush. But really the two most important things are the shoe polish and the horse brush.
Now that you have heard how I became acquainted with the gentlemanly art of shoe shining. Here is what you'll need to learn how to shine shoes like a sailor:
1.) Kiwi Shoe Polish
2.) Horse Brush
3.) Cotton Balls (Optional)
4.) Hot Water
How do you polish your leathers?
Step 1: First use the horse brush to wipe off any dirt and dust on your shoe.
Step 2: Use a sponge, rag, paper towel, or even your finger to apply a light coating of polish. Make sure to get an even coat.
Step 3: Gently buff the shoe or boot to get a decent shine.
You probably won't get that mirror look if you stop at this step but you can stop if you aren't looking for glossy shoes. In this photo you can see what some polish and buffing can do on a pair of Red Wings with no other work.
Step 4: Now this step is where you can tell your military guys apart from anyone else. Before you start this step make sure you don't have any clumps of polish left over from step 3; it is very important to make sure you don't get fibers from the cotton ball imbedded in your polish that is on your shoe.
Step 4 continued: In comes the hot water and cotton ball. This is how you can get those "leathers" as we called them to shine up and look glossy. HOT water is key. Be cautious you don't get too much water on your shoe because it could make them damp which will make them look dull. If this happens just wait for them to dry and start again with step 3. Now gently dip the cotton ball into the hot water and make small circles on your shoe. As you make those small circles you will notice your shoe start to develop that glossy like effect. Once you get the effect you want let them dry and admire your work.
Special note: You may have to repeat step 4 two, maybe even three times to get the desired effect. Depending on how long it has been since you have polished your shoes you may have to add a second coat of polish after you do step 3.
Another Special Note: If it has been a long time since you have polished your boots or shoes and they seem like they are cracking, your leather might need some conditioning. I use Bick 4 on most of my products and it seems to work just fine. If you are wondering where to get the supplies for shoe polish just click the link below.