I've been watching about 25 videos on how to shine shoes and this is definitely one of the very best. Thank you for the info. It makes the best sense and is well explained...even though it is very scary to take a new pair of shoes and strip them down of the factory finish and the look that made you buy them in the first place.
Great video man I've had this pair of side zips and decided to let them get some attention by giving them a shine.Your technique works great,I almost blinded my self when I went out the house after shinning them up.Thank you!
Craig McIntosh I'm with you Craig. All I do is brush off the dirt real good then apply a good amount of Lincoln Paste wax and let it set for a while, in the hot sun preferably. In the mean time I'll wax the other boot. The next step was to go to town with an old school horsehair brush and start buffing till my arm fell off. Then repeat the process over a time or two until you see your face reflecting off the boots. Never realized polishing boots became rocket science.
Just tried your method and it turned out better than I expected, considering I always find a way to mess things up. Put about 5 -6 total coats in all, but going to go for an extra or two tomorrow. The microfiber cloth would have came in handy for me years ago. They really bring out the shine.
Great video. Im acutally using your process right now on my new thorogoods that have on day's breaking in on them. I don't have a heat gun or hair dryer, but I do have a small space heater which is making the job a breeze.
I just tried to use up as much of the polish on the brush as possible. It always had a bit caked on it so before I did a new application I would run the bristles against the edge of the table to break it up.
The shaving cream gets the preservative out of the leather. Most leather boots have at least "some" preservative in them. Military boots have a great deal of preservative in them, that is what the smell if from. If you put them in an extinguished oven first, before you apply the shaving cream it works better. The heat makes the preservative come out more.
Hey Daniel, thank for the movie. I need to polish my station wear boots, and I've really never polished any footwear (boots, shoes, etc.) to a shine. Your video is really helpful. I found your video when I was working on my second boot. For the first step of using shaving cream and then a scouring pad, can I do that step now? Even after I have put on a layer of polish? Thanks
I own a pair of Magnum Viper pro tactical boots for about two years now and are my favorite comfortable duty boots. I clean them with saddle soap then polished with Kiwi parade or regular polish but I've noticed that the toe area on both boots are peeling badly? These boots hold a very good shine as well are extremely comfortable during my 12 plus hour shifts they are discontinued by Magnum so if if anyone can offer any repair tips so I can keep them would be extremely appreciate.
Excellent Tutorial, I'm gonna give the Heat method a go on my next Thorogoods. My old Station Boots I actually applied the Polish, then used an old Skil Car Buffer on them, I couldn't compete (by hand) with the shine it gave them, and it lasted longer. I'm going to combine your method with mine, how can I go wrong.
Not 100% on the model, but the little badge on the side says V 300GS if that helps. They are a little heavier than a 511 Tactical Boot, but very supportive and work well for wide and narrow feet. According to other recruits that had these same boots. I have wide feet. very easy to polish. I recommend as a more formal or patrol boot as they are: all leather= less breathing, heavier, but they polish fast and easy. For an every day training boot I'd go with the 511s in my other vid. Thanks
You do not need to use the heat gun every time right? Only for the first initial polish with a brand new boot? And then after you get done with the process you just did you can just start adding a layer of polish, letting it sit without using the heat gun, and then buffing it out to get the shine?
I do not want to scuff the new boots with the wrong kind of brush. What kind of brush can I use to clean off the lacquer without scratching the boot too much?
Great video, After the shaving cream do you just wipe it off with a towel or rinse it with water? Also what would happen if you didn't strip it? I've been shining shoes for years and have never tried it this way, but I'm gonna try it real soon. Thanks.
I I just tried on one HY test boots, and I couldn’t get a mirror but they look better. I’m sure with the right leather and a pair of dress shoes I could do a way better job.
Hi Daniel, This has got to be the only effective video on youtube. I followed the steps, and got it to shine in a day. I only have a question though. What do you do about the cracking polish at the creases? Thanks again for the great video, i'm gonna share this with my buddies.
Securis Thanks for the feedback. That has always been an issue for polished boots, and as far as I know there is no cure. One technique to lessen the obviousness of the cracks is to use less polish in the creased area. The movement at these joints is inevitable. Having a thinner layer of polish here will make the cracks smaller. Thanks and good luck
Securis mink oil helps if you're gonna do a high heat method like this. High heat shine processes with fire or heat guns give the best outcome, but are far worse for the boot compared to a traditional spit shine and buff. Dries out leather and ultimately you'll get less shines out of them. There's a give and take in everything.
DanielTalent006 I did as you said, and 2 weeks later, after at first brushing off flakes from the creases, I've got an even shine over the whole toe. I'm just gonna say for anyone who happens to read this, less really is more. I use as little kiwi as possible during the bulling process to add layers. too much and it cakes up, and then you regret it.
R. Powell I do use mink oil prior to this process, in fact, according to some forums on the Interweb, I've used far too much than is necessary. well, the toe isn't crazy soft, so I think I stopped just in time.
Hi Daniel,these boots look so good ive ordered a pair and their being sent to me in the uk.You mention about putting the shaving foam all over the boot and using a nail brush to get the factory coating off,does that include doing the shinny coating on the toe caps and rear of the boot,wont that scratch them?
sorry for all the questions, i remember you mentioning something about how to deal the nylon parts too? the Acadias have some nylon on the sides and you said something about another video? I suscribed to you but havent seen anything on that yet either. Also does it matter on shaving cream type? Straight up shaving cream or can the more modern shaving gel we use these days work as long as i lather it up? Also would saddle soap do the same thing?
Don't know about saddle soap. I used straight foam shaving cream, but I don't think it matters because it is the chemical in the cream that helps break down the waterproof coating. I have another vid on my channel where I clean my other 511 boots that have nylon sides. I may have missed it in the edit of the vid. I posted them a while ago.
Great video! Done this, did a few layers and it works amazingly well. I have a question though. After the first day (2-3 base layers with brush and 2-3 fine layers with tshirt) do I do more base layers or just fine layers? So in the upcoming weeks do I continue to brush base laser followed by tshirt fine layers or just the fine? Thanks!
Delta Stein after you have a good solid base, all you will really have to do is upkeep. Ad another thin layer every day or other day. I have another vid that shows how to clean and polish and already used boot. Thanks for watching
thanks for getting back to me so quickly, i've seen that video but ill me sure to look at it again. and just to confirm i buff out between every layer correct? (polish-heatgun-sit for 25min-buff out)
I'm wondering two things after watching your video. 1. Does the hard wax crack on the creases as soon as you walk a bit? 2. Do you end up with shoe paste on your pants due to the high amount of it that you use with this method? Thanks!
hi daniel, loved your video, i have a few questions, instead of a microfiber can a yellow dust cloth do the same job, and also, i aim to polish my whole boot shiny instead of just the toe, but there is a part near the toe that looks abit creased/cracked, and whenever i polish it a shine doesnt come out and the texture feels different?
You will never be able to a high polish on your toe crease. Many Have tried. Even if you are able to add enough polish to gloss over the crease, it will just crack and look awful as soon as you step with them. Just repeat my steps over the entire boot as many times as necessary to get your desired shine, but know that not all leathers polish the same so you can't worry about it too much. There are 2 different kinds of microfiber clothes available to consumers, one meant to clean lenses and video monitors and the ones like I used which have a terry clothe look to them but feel very soft. I have only tried the latter. They were handy and did a fine job for me, but that is not to say they are they only ones you can use. Some recruits in my class were using just t-shirt material and getting fine results. I'd say experiment if you have time and find out what works best for you.
Daniel, I saw were you did the heat gun on the first 2 layers, do you use the heating gun each and every time you polish or is it for the first couple base coats? and is your micro fiber cloth wet or dry when you rub the boots down? thanks for the info
Awesome video! Best out there for polishing boots! Gotta get me a heat gun! Did the boots (polish) crack on the sides since they are brand new and not broke in? I ask cause I am getting a new pair of Danner Acadias lace to toe and I want them to shine like yours but not sure if I should wear them for a day or two first around the house or just polish straight out the box? Thanks in advance for a reply! ( Do you mess around with parade gloss?
It is not a bad Idea to wear your boots in before your polish them, I just didn't for this video because I did them over the weekend to have them ready for monday morning inspection. I would say strip the water proofing first, wear them around for a day, and then use my polish method. I have used both parade and standard polish. Didn't notice a huge difference, the parade seemed to be a little more firm so it was easier to polish out. Not by much. Thanks
I would suggest a trial and error of these three elements in this order. Apply more polish, some finishes may take 3 to 5 coats to achieve satisfaction. If this doesn't work, check your microfiber and how wet it is. Old microfiber clothes may be worn out and not give the finish your are looking for. Maybe switch out to a new cloth or different type of microfiber. If neither of these work, try switching to parade gloss. Meant for a very glossy finish. Hopefully one of these tips will help you get to where you want to be. The front upper portion of a leather shoe is notoriously difficult to polish because of all the bending that part does when you are walking. Hope this helped. Thanks for watching.
I tried this method but only small part are buffing to high gloss the others wich is most of the boot has a grain look that is very dull. Do you have any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong?
+Derick Patella If it's an area that is constantly flexing then you may not be able to give it a high gloss... Otherwise, keep adding layers of polish. Good luck
Im going to home depot in the morning to get a heat gun. do use the high or low setting on your heat gun? Im going to practice on my other boots before my Acadias get in next week. I think I will wear them around the house for a day or two then polish them using your method. I cant express how impressed I am with your method. Ive watched hours and hours of how to's but nothing compares to your method. do you only reccomend going two base layers and 2 with the hand or putting more layers on be best?
I got my heat gun from harbor freight for $9. I used it on low fan setting at first, but then the gun busted and I only had high fan for the vid so it really doesn't matter. You just don't want to hold the gun in one section for long cause it can damage leather or melt nylon. Just long enough to see the polish melt evenly. With the amount of polish I put in the base layer, I only needed a few passed to get the initial shine. Then it was just nightly maintenance and reapplying every couple of nights to build a strong polished boot that is easy to maintain. I'd say 2 fat base layers with brush and then how ever many hand coats to make you happy. Well, make your instructor happy. Ha, good luck. Military or law enforcement?
Victor Solis only the first time. The shaving cream just gets that layer of manufacturer sealant off the boot. Then you can build a strong base with you own polish
Hey Daniel, followed everything exactly as you said to the T... there's some small, dull spots on the boot though. You'd only notice them if you'd look up close. Any idea why these spots are there? Could it possibly be from too much heat? Should I just keep applying layers to it and cover it up eventually?
+DanielTalent006 Thanks for the response! This stuff's really an art. I've got an important date coming up and I'd like to keep applying a couple of layers every day. They look superb already, but I want to really stand out from the crowd. Instead of using the heat method until this date, would applying some a layer of polish (waiting 15-30 minutes to try and buffing with microfiber towel) work well too? I've always been a little wary about using a heat gun TOO much because I've seen a couple of folks (including me) in the police academy that held it in one place for too long and it burnt the hell out of the polish and had to strip it and start over again! EDIT: And I actually have the same Thorogoods that you're using there! I bought them because I love the fact that the tip of the boot (the shiny part) is stitched in which would prevent the ugly cracking problem my 511s had. The small, dull spots are on that part of the boot. How'd the polish hold up on that part of the boot for you, by the way?
Hey Daniel, great video . I a couple questions. I just bought a pair of 'Thorogood Hellfires' front zips. They come in a matte finish similar to your Thorogoods. The boots are "blood born pathogen resistant". The care instructions that came with the boots say to not use polishes/oils. I really want to put a good shine on these boots. So my questions are; will it hurt them if I go ahead and polish them anyways? Is the "BBP resistant" just the seal/waterproofing that comes from the factory? and can I use the shaving cream method to polish these boots without hurting them. Thanks.
I can't find any specs on the hellfire boots, but I assume there is a protective layer they do not want you polishing. BBP resistant usually means there is a rubber membrane or rubberized layer that stops BBP and can be wiped off easily. Some rubber composite are oil salable and will break down very quickly if contacted with polish. This is a speculation, and and as far boots go, the manufacturer is pretty savvy on what will work for their product. My suggestion is to see if thorogood recommends a polish or method and then read reviews on people that have a pair. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.
I have a similar pair of boots. However, I talked to the manufacter and they told me that shoe polish of any kind MUST NOT be used on these boots. Shoe polish can, and as some other videos note, WILL ignite when exposed to a heat source. Shoe polish runs the risk of setting the boots on fire in a hazardous situation. I am not sure how to clean and make them presentable, but the manufacter recommends using dish soap to clean them. The manufacter does offer a cleaning service for their boots for a fee. Maybe a good idea would be to buy one pair for regular duty and a second pair for parades and ceremonies. Of course, a firefighter may need to spring into action at a moment's notice, and having a flammable substance on his/her boots could be a hazard. Maybe the manufacter might have a suggestion on keeping its boots nice and shiny.
Yes this will work for any duty boot with leather. Use caution when using the heat gun as this is the one element that could potentially damage your boot material if held in one spot too long. Good luck
can I do this AFTER I've worn them and made them dirty or whatever? I want to do this but its not possible (time restrictions). can I use leather soap and then do this?
Yes you can do this after you have worn them. Just make sure to clean off the dirt first, remove any polish, and then hit it with the shave cream. If time is a factor, I would get going now. This breakdown and rebuild will take several hours to do right
+Anthony Dewoolf I should explain my question better.... I have to work tomorrow nite and I have no shave foam or microfiber cloth. so since I need more time to get stuff I have to wear my new boots to work. if I wear them a few times and they stay fairly new, can I THEN do this process? AND, if it wil help, should I use leather soap first?
phan ever you can just rinse it off in sink. Obviously just don’t get water inside your boot. A good pair of boots should come water resistant so they won’t get hurt by getting wet
I’ve never laid down so much that it cracks. If that were to happen to me I would clean off all dirt, use heat gun to melt cracks back together and then continue polishing over. If that doesn’t work then you may want to completely strip all polish off and start over and not cake on so heavily. It also may just be the crease of the boot
Thanks for actually polishing more than just the toe...not using hairspray and all the other lazy, stupid things that kids do, claiming to be polishing boots. New boots are a bit harder to spit shine until you get a few polishing in on them. Don't forget edge dressing.
You cannot truly polish your boot tongue because it is no a rigid surface and the laces rub against it. However, my RTOs still inspected the tongue to see if it had been cleaned and blackened. I would wipe the dust of with a cloth and then apply one layer of polish just to keep it black.
Why didn't you shine the tongue? Remove the laces. Strip the boots with Dawn soap. Let dry. Dye the leather to restore the color. Apply leather cream to moisturize. Then apply THIN coats of wax and a tiny drop of water with panty hose. No heat guns or fire required. Or lighting the wax inside the tin on fire. That is total amateur hour.
I've been watching about 25 videos on how to shine shoes and this is definitely one of the very best. Thank you for the info. It makes the best sense and is well explained...even though it is very scary to take a new pair of shoes and strip them down of the factory finish and the look that made you buy them in the first place.
I did it to a pair of Clark shoes it does work
Great video man I've had this pair of side zips and decided to let them get some attention by giving them a shine.Your technique works great,I almost blinded my self when I went out the house after shinning them up.Thank you!
Buff out in between each layer of polish. Helps smooth out and evenly apply the polish.
Thank you, thank you!!! I followed your directions to the Tee and bam!!!!!! Boots look legit!!! Inspection ready! Thanks again!
Thank you for your help! As a first time boot polisher, EVER this video was very helpful 👍🏽
Lincoln Paste Wax and a t-shirt was all I needed!! My boots GLITTERED!!
Craig McIntosh I'm with you Craig. All I do is brush off the dirt real good then apply a good amount of Lincoln Paste wax and let it set for a while, in the hot sun preferably. In the mean time I'll wax the other boot. The next step was to go to town with an old school horsehair brush and start buffing till my arm fell off. Then repeat the process over a time or two until you see your face reflecting off the boots. Never realized polishing boots became rocket science.
Good job! It even looks good in the hard to shine area behind the toes, the part that tends to crack or flake up after flexing the toes.
Great tutorial, really covered everything I was looking for.
Just tried your method and it turned out better than I expected, considering I always find a way to mess things up. Put about 5 -6 total coats in all, but going to go for an extra or two tomorrow. The microfiber cloth would have came in handy for me years ago. They really bring out the shine.
Great video. Im acutally using your process right now on my new thorogoods that have on day's breaking in on them. I don't have a heat gun or hair dryer, but I do have a small space heater which is making the job a breeze.
Great video and very helpful, thank you!
Great video! I'm waiting to get my Danner Acadia boots and I'm going to follow your steps how to polish my boots soon.
How did your Acadias turn out?
Great video. Thanks.
What I used, and recommend, was Angelus shoe dye, Angelus polish, cloth baby diapers, and water. I'm an old paratrooper!
👍🏽 Good video man. Thanks!
I just tried to use up as much of the polish on the brush as possible. It always had a bit caked on it so before I did a new application I would run the bristles against the edge of the table to break it up.
thanks for the video!
awesome boots
will be trying your method tomorrow
The shaving cream gets the preservative out of the leather. Most leather boots have at least "some" preservative in them. Military boots have a great deal of preservative in them, that is what the smell if from. If you put them in an extinguished oven first, before you apply the shaving cream it works better. The heat makes the preservative come out more.
Thank you so much
Hey Daniel, thank for the movie. I need to polish my station wear boots, and I've really never polished any footwear (boots, shoes, etc.) to a shine. Your video is really helpful.
I found your video when I was working on my second boot. For the first step of using shaving cream and then a scouring pad, can I do that step now? Even after I have put on a layer of polish?
Thanks
Do you polish between each layer of the shirt or only polish once after you've added all the layers desired with the shirt?
Thanks for this vid. I got these boots yesterday and this vid def helped me fine tune my polish method. Ever use Lincoln polish?
What are they called?
One quick question do you buff in between heating stages or just keep on replying and just buff after the first four application. Thanks for your time
I own a pair of Magnum Viper pro tactical boots for about two years now and are my favorite comfortable duty boots.
I clean them with saddle soap then polished with Kiwi parade or regular polish but I've noticed that the toe area on both boots are peeling badly?
These boots hold a very good shine as well are extremely comfortable during my 12 plus hour shifts they are discontinued by Magnum so if if anyone can offer any repair tips so I can keep them would be extremely appreciate.
Excellent Tutorial, I'm gonna give the Heat method a go on my next Thorogoods. My old Station Boots I actually applied the Polish, then used an old Skil Car Buffer on them, I couldn't compete (by hand) with the shine it gave them, and it lasted longer. I'm going to combine your method with mine, how can I go wrong.
Thomas Michael Anthony S Yeah man, you really can't destroy a boot on accident, so try what works best for you. Thats how I got to this method. Thank
How do you clean the applicator brush and keep it from crusting?
Ok i am not some newby coming alomg but wow that does work.
Not 100% on the model, but the little badge on the side says V 300GS if that helps. They are a little heavier than a 511 Tactical Boot, but very supportive and work well for wide and narrow feet. According to other recruits that had these same boots. I have wide feet. very easy to polish. I recommend as a more formal or patrol boot as they are: all leather= less breathing, heavier, but they polish fast and easy. For an every day training boot I'd go with the 511s in my other vid. Thanks
Hey, great video! How did like these boots for patrol? I like them, but I am concerned about the weight of them. What are your thoughts?
You do not need to use the heat gun every time right? Only for the first initial polish with a brand new boot? And then after you get done with the process you just did you can just start adding a layer of polish, letting it sit without using the heat gun, and then buffing it out to get the shine?
what model thorogood boot are these? are they heavy? how are they so far i would like to purchase some..thanks and great video.!
I like them as a class A uniform boot, but they are a bit bulky. For patrol I recommend a lighter weight tactical boot like I have in my other vid.
Nice job, but, I was wondering, doesn't the leather tend to crack a lot more when you shine it? Thanks!
We don't have to make small circles with the micro fiber cloth? We can just rub it side to side?
I do not want to scuff the new boots with the wrong kind of brush. What kind of brush can I use to clean off the lacquer without scratching the boot too much?
Nice boots! What brand are they?
Great video, After the shaving cream do you just wipe it off with a towel or rinse it with water? Also what would happen if you didn't strip it? I've been shining shoes for years and have never tried it this way, but I'm gonna try it real soon. Thanks.
Thank you, Sir.
I I just tried on one HY test boots, and I couldn’t get a mirror but they look better. I’m sure with the right leather and a pair of dress shoes I could do a way better job.
Hi Daniel, This has got to be the only effective video on youtube. I followed the steps, and got it to shine in a day. I only have a question though. What do you do about the cracking polish at the creases? Thanks again for the great video, i'm gonna share this with my buddies.
Securis Thanks for the feedback. That has always been an issue for polished boots, and as far as I know there is no cure. One technique to lessen the obviousness of the cracks is to use less polish in the creased area. The movement at these joints is inevitable. Having a thinner layer of polish here will make the cracks smaller. Thanks and good luck
Securis mink oil helps if you're gonna do a high heat method like this. High heat shine processes with fire or heat guns give the best outcome, but are far worse for the boot compared to a traditional spit shine and buff. Dries out leather and ultimately you'll get less shines out of them. There's a give and take in everything.
DanielTalent006 I did as you said, and 2 weeks later, after at first brushing off flakes from the creases, I've got an even shine over the whole toe. I'm just gonna say for anyone who happens to read this, less really is more. I use as little kiwi as possible during the bulling process to add layers. too much and it cakes up, and then you regret it.
R. Powell I do use mink oil prior to this process, in fact, according to some forums on the Interweb, I've used far too much than is necessary. well, the toe isn't crazy soft, so I think I stopped just in time.
Hi Daniel,these boots look so good ive ordered a pair and their being sent to me in the uk.You mention about putting the shaving foam all over the boot and using a nail brush to get the factory coating off,does that include doing the shinny coating on the toe caps and rear of the boot,wont that scratch them?
sorry for the late reply. Yes, foam over everything that has the the waterproofing sealant from the factory. This includes the toe and heel caps.
sorry for all the questions, i remember you mentioning something about how to deal the nylon parts too? the Acadias have some nylon on the sides and you said something about another video? I suscribed to you but havent seen anything on that yet either. Also does it matter on shaving cream type? Straight up shaving cream or can the more modern shaving gel we use these days work as long as i lather it up? Also would saddle soap do the same thing?
Don't know about saddle soap. I used straight foam shaving cream, but I don't think it matters because it is the chemical in the cream that helps break down the waterproof coating. I have another vid on my channel where I clean my other 511 boots that have nylon sides. I may have missed it in the edit of the vid. I posted them a while ago.
Great video! Done this, did a few layers and it works amazingly well. I have a question though. After the first day (2-3 base layers with brush and 2-3 fine layers with tshirt) do I do more base layers or just fine layers? So in the upcoming weeks do I continue to brush base laser followed by tshirt fine layers or just the fine? Thanks!
Delta Stein
after you have a good solid base, all you will really have to do is upkeep. Ad another thin layer every day or other day. I have another vid that shows how to clean and polish and already used boot. Thanks for watching
thanks for getting back to me so quickly, i've seen that video but ill me sure to look at it again. and just to confirm i buff out between every layer correct? (polish-heatgun-sit for 25min-buff out)
You might want to use clear saddle soap instead of shaving cream. That is what it is intended for.
Whenever I use the micro fiber cloth to buff out after using the heat gun it just rubs off the polish instead of actually shining it up
A list of products needed please?
Link to where you brought these bad boys?
I'm wondering two things after watching your video. 1. Does the hard wax crack on the creases as soon as you walk a bit? 2. Do you end up with shoe paste on your pants due to the high amount of it that you use with this method? Thanks!
Any update?
hi daniel, loved your video, i have a few questions, instead of a microfiber can a yellow dust cloth do the same job, and also, i aim to polish my whole boot shiny instead of just the toe, but there is a part near the toe that looks abit creased/cracked, and whenever i polish it a shine doesnt come out and the texture feels different?
You will never be able to a high polish on your toe crease. Many Have tried. Even if you are able to add enough polish to gloss over the crease, it will just crack and look awful as soon as you step with them. Just repeat my steps over the entire boot as many times as necessary to get your desired shine, but know that not all leathers polish the same so you can't worry about it too much.
There are 2 different kinds of microfiber clothes available to consumers, one meant to clean lenses and video monitors and the ones like I used which have a terry clothe look to them but feel very soft. I have only tried the latter. They were handy and did a fine job for me, but that is not to say they are they only ones you can use. Some recruits in my class were using just t-shirt material and getting fine results. I'd say experiment if you have time and find out what works best for you.
thanks! DanielTalent006
Daniel, I saw were you did the heat gun on the first 2 layers, do you use the heating gun each and every time you polish or is it for the first couple base coats? and is your micro fiber cloth wet or dry when you rub the boots down? thanks for the info
Yes I did the heat gun for every layer except of the final polish. The microfiber should be clean and dry. Good luck man. Thanks for watching
Awesome video! Best out there for polishing boots! Gotta get me a heat gun! Did the boots (polish) crack on the sides since they are brand new and not broke in? I ask cause I am getting a new pair of Danner Acadias lace to toe and I want them to shine like yours but not sure if I should wear them for a day or two first around the house or just polish straight out the box? Thanks in advance for a reply! ( Do you mess around with parade gloss?
It is not a bad Idea to wear your boots in before your polish them, I just didn't for this video because I did them over the weekend to have them ready for monday morning inspection. I would say strip the water proofing first, wear them around for a day, and then use my polish method. I have used both parade and standard polish. Didn't notice a huge difference, the parade seemed to be a little more firm so it was easier to polish out. Not by much. Thanks
How well do think the danner Acadia will look with lace to toe design and your method?
Cody Fouch Take the laces out first and go to town. Should be just as good
Hey there, I just tried your method on a pair of dress shoes, but the front upper and the toe look cloudy. Any suggestions?
I would suggest a trial and error of these three elements in this order. Apply more polish, some finishes may take 3 to 5 coats to achieve satisfaction. If this doesn't work, check your microfiber and how wet it is. Old microfiber clothes may be worn out and not give the finish your are looking for. Maybe switch out to a new cloth or different type of microfiber. If neither of these work, try switching to parade gloss. Meant for a very glossy finish.
Hopefully one of these tips will help you get to where you want to be. The front upper portion of a leather shoe is notoriously difficult to polish because of all the bending that part does when you are walking.
Hope this helped. Thanks for watching.
I tried this method but only small part are buffing to high gloss the others wich is most of the boot has a grain look that is very dull. Do you have any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong?
+Derick Patella If it's an area that is constantly flexing then you may not be able to give it a high gloss... Otherwise, keep adding layers of polish. Good luck
Im going to home depot in the morning to get a heat gun. do use the high or low setting on your heat gun? Im going to practice on my other boots before my Acadias get in next week. I think I will wear them around the house for a day or two then polish them using your method. I cant express how impressed I am with your method. Ive watched hours and hours of how to's but nothing compares to your method. do you only reccomend going two base layers and 2 with the hand or putting more layers on be best?
I got my heat gun from harbor freight for $9. I used it on low fan setting at first, but then the gun busted and I only had high fan for the vid so it really doesn't matter. You just don't want to hold the gun in one section for long cause it can damage leather or melt nylon. Just long enough to see the polish melt evenly. With the amount of polish I put in the base layer, I only needed a few passed to get the initial shine. Then it was just nightly maintenance and reapplying every couple of nights to build a strong polished boot that is easy to maintain.
I'd say 2 fat base layers with brush and then how ever many hand coats to make you happy. Well, make your instructor happy. Ha, good luck. Military or law enforcement?
DanielTalent006 Correctional Officer: Colorado
DanielTalent006 hey would it be ok to do 2 regular kiwi bases with a couple layers of kiwi parade on top? or should i not mix the two?
Cody Fouch I mixed them and never had a problem.
how many times do you slap the shaving cream on fresh out the box boots?
Victor Solis only the first time. The shaving cream just gets that layer of manufacturer sealant off the boot. Then you can build a strong base with you own polish
Hey Daniel, followed everything exactly as you said to the T... there's some small, dull spots on the boot though. You'd only notice them if you'd look up close. Any idea why these spots are there? Could it possibly be from too much heat? Should I just keep applying layers to it and cover it up eventually?
More layers. I can only assume it's a more porous part of your leather. Good luck man
+DanielTalent006 Thanks for the response! This stuff's really an art. I've got an important date coming up and I'd like to keep applying a couple of layers every day. They look superb already, but I want to really stand out from the crowd.
Instead of using the heat method until this date, would applying some a layer of polish (waiting 15-30 minutes to try and buffing with microfiber towel) work well too? I've always been a little wary about using a heat gun TOO much because I've seen a couple of folks (including me) in the police academy that held it in one place for too long and it burnt the hell out of the polish and had to strip it and start over again!
EDIT: And I actually have the same Thorogoods that you're using there! I bought them because I love the fact that the tip of the boot (the shiny part) is stitched in which would prevent the ugly cracking problem my 511s had. The small, dull spots are on that part of the boot. How'd the polish hold up on that part of the boot for you, by the way?
+Nicholas W. I still have these and they hold a shine very well
Hey Daniel, great video . I a couple questions. I just bought a pair of 'Thorogood Hellfires' front zips. They come in a matte finish similar to your Thorogoods. The boots are "blood born pathogen resistant". The care instructions that came with the boots say to not use polishes/oils. I really want to put a good shine on these boots. So my questions are; will it hurt them if I go ahead and polish them anyways? Is the "BBP resistant" just the seal/waterproofing that comes from the factory? and can I use the shaving cream method to polish these boots without hurting them. Thanks.
I can't find any specs on the hellfire boots, but I assume there is a protective layer they do not want you polishing. BBP resistant usually means there is a rubber membrane or rubberized layer that stops BBP and can be wiped off easily. Some rubber composite are oil salable and will break down very quickly if contacted with polish. This is a speculation, and and as far boots go, the manufacturer is pretty savvy on what will work for their product. My suggestion is to see if thorogood recommends a polish or method and then read reviews on people that have a pair. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.
DanielTalent006 I appreciate the response Daniel. You have been very helpful to me. Ill try searching through some reviews.
Thanks,
Joe
I have a similar pair of boots. However, I talked to the manufacter and they told me that shoe polish of any kind MUST NOT be used on these boots. Shoe polish can, and as some other videos note, WILL ignite when exposed to a heat source. Shoe polish runs the risk of setting the boots on fire in a hazardous situation.
I am not sure how to clean and make them presentable, but the manufacter recommends using dish soap to clean them. The manufacter does offer a cleaning service for their boots for a fee. Maybe a good idea would be to buy one pair for regular duty and a second pair for parades and ceremonies. Of course, a firefighter may need to spring into action at a moment's notice, and having a flammable substance on his/her boots could be a hazard. Maybe the manufacter might have a suggestion on keeping its boots nice and shiny.
now how would this work with a pair of magnums that is pathogen proof boots ?
I did this method and my boots looked like glass, nothing but compliments
I just brought a pair of tactical bates side zipper. Can I use this method??
Yes this will work for any duty boot with leather. Use caution when using the heat gun as this is the one element that could potentially damage your boot material if held in one spot too long. Good luck
Yes
Use a heat gun. You can get one from harbor freight for around $10
i was just about to ask that question lol great vid!
can I do this AFTER I've worn them and made them dirty or whatever? I want to do this but its not possible (time restrictions). can I use leather soap and then do this?
Yes you can do this after you have worn them. Just make sure to clean off the dirt first, remove any polish, and then hit it with the shave cream. If time is a factor, I would get going now. This breakdown and rebuild will take several hours to do right
+Anthony Dewoolf I should explain my question better.... I have to work tomorrow nite and I have no shave foam or microfiber cloth. so since I need more time to get stuff I have to wear my new boots to work. if I wear them a few times and they stay fairly new, can I THEN do this process? AND, if it wil help, should I use leather soap first?
+DanielTalent006 sorry I posted that follow up before seeing ur response.... thanks for the quick response.
Can u guys polish a 1460 men doc marten matte boot ?
Actually, you can milk anything with nipples...
Question what can I use besides shavingcream
I've heard dish soap works as well, but I have never tried it.
Do I wash of the shaving cream or just wipe it off?
phan ever you can just rinse it off in sink. Obviously just don’t get water inside your boot. A good pair of boots should come water resistant so they won’t get hurt by getting wet
Does it matter what kind of shaving cream I use
Christian Bordelon nope
How do you cut the polish once it cracks?
I’ve never laid down so much that it cracks. If that were to happen to me I would clean off all dirt, use heat gun to melt cracks back together and then continue polishing over. If that doesn’t work then you may want to completely strip all polish off and start over and not cake on so heavily. It also may just be the crease of the boot
What is shaving 'cream'?
I'm English btw
Shaving cream is what you put on your face before you shave. I used barbasol I think. Use foam not gel.
Can use lighter
The heat gun may relpace it with a blower (hair)?!!!!
Conline Ordonez I've tried it and yes, but put in on the highest heat and power possible.
Thanks for actually polishing more than just the toe...not using hairspray and all the other lazy, stupid things that kids do, claiming to be polishing boots. New boots are a bit harder to spit shine until you get a few polishing in on them. Don't forget edge dressing.
Or u can apply wax ))))))
Do you ever polish the tongue of the boot?
You cannot truly polish your boot tongue because it is no a rigid surface and the laces rub against it. However, my RTOs still inspected the tongue to see if it had been cleaned and blackened. I would wipe the dust of with a cloth and then apply one layer of polish just to keep it black.
Thanks bro!
I've only used kiwi. I was told not to mix polishes
DanielTalent006 Kiwi polish is excellent.
boom how you do it 10-4 10-100 code 7
Great Video. Do you use shaving cream on the whole boot, or just the non-glossy part?
What a great way to eliminate the breathing qualities of leather. Nice shine, but I imagine they are quite hot.
Will obviously bring high shine, but will also decrease the life of the leather.
will this work on fake leather boots?
Yes
I would just be a little more careful with how long you hold the heat on the fake leather since it's not as resilient as real leather
Outstanding ... do your videos at least 720p. Go that extra step.
Why didn't you shine the tongue? Remove the laces. Strip the boots with Dawn soap. Let dry. Dye the leather to restore the color. Apply leather cream to moisturize. Then apply THIN coats of wax and a tiny drop of water with panty hose. No heat guns or fire required. Or lighting the wax inside the tin on fire. That is total amateur hour.
^This is informative^ Do I have to wear the panty hose on both legs or just one while I'm trying your method??
@@DanielTalent006 I put it on my dick and helicopter it until I can see my taint in the reflection. Works well.
Good video bro!