waltappel 1 #1 November 26, 2005 I recently have joined the ranks of those who have to wear dress shoes on a regular basis. I always considred that to be one of those "fate worse than death" kind of things, and yep, it pretty much is, but I've gotten through the stages of grieving and have finally reached acceptance. So what's the best way to put a good GREAT shine on a pair of black dress shoes? Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #2 November 26, 2005 I always considered that to be one of those "fate worse than death" kind of things, and yep, it pretty much is, but I've gotten through the stages of grieving and have finally reached acceptance. *** Wal-Mart Greeter?? ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #3 November 26, 2005 Hmmm, wonder if you could get away with some new black Vans shoes. Tell them it's doctors orders to wear sensible, practical, comfortable shoes. ... You might need foot surgery etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jloirsdaan 0 #4 November 26, 2005 Kiwi, heat, water......melt the kiwi (shoe polish)...use a moist cottenball....or cotton cloth and "polish" the hell out of them! Thank God we're wearing brown boots now!! Jordan Go Fast, Dock Soft. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #5 November 26, 2005 Plenty of shoe polish (not the stuff that contains parafin) First few layers need to be really REALLY thick to take out any imperfections in the surface. Then polish them using a cloth. Keep the cloth ever so sligtly damp. ie wet it on your tongue then buff like a bastard for hours! There is no short cuts unfortunately. After this stage lots of small layers will soon get it to a state of shine! (like 4 hours each) Do not use a brush or liquid polish or any of that crap. Try this for a more detailed explanation... http://www.hotboots.com/polish.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #6 November 26, 2005 Quote I always considered that to be one of those "fate worse than death" kind of things, and yep, it pretty much is, but I've gotten through the stages of grieving and have finally reached acceptance. *** Wal-Mart Greeter?? No, technical writer in a bank holding company IT department. I would never want to be a Wal-Mart greeter. It's the person who has to mark your receipt with a Hiliter before you get out the door that has the real power. Now that is my kind of gig. "If you want to get out of this store sometime in the next ten years, don't piss me off, beeeyotch!" I would be a natural. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #7 November 26, 2005 QuoteKiwi, heat, water......melt the kiwi (shoe polish)...use a moist cottenball....or cotton cloth and "polish" the hell out of them! Thank God we're wearing brown boots now!! The Kiwi is already pretty soft. Do you mean melt it into liquid? When my brother was in the Air Force Academy, he told me some guys would light up the Kiwi with a match. I don't remember what they did after that, though. He also mentioned something called "water buffing". I'll try heating up the Kiwi. Does it separate into different components? If so, should I use only one of them (like the one that floats on top)? Thanks for the help! Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #8 November 26, 2005 QuotePlenty of shoe polish (not the stuff that contains parafin) First few layers need to be really REALLY thick to take out any imperfections in the surface. Then polish them using a cloth. Keep the cloth ever so sligtly damp. ie wet it on your tongue then buff like a bastard for hours! There is no short cuts unfortunately. After this stage lots of small layers will soon get it to a state of shine! (like 4 hours each) Do not use a brush or liquid polish or any of that crap. Try this for a more detailed explanation... http://www.hotboots.com/polish.html Wow--that link rocks! I'm gonna try that! Thanks!!! Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rwieder 0 #9 November 26, 2005 QuoteSo what's the best way to put a good GREAT shine on a pair of black dress shoes? The same way i do it, shoe shop! I send all my dress clothes to the cleaners to be washed starched and ironed as well. I send my shoes out as well. It's not like my wife is going to do it. -Richard- "You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #10 November 26, 2005 No probs buddy, Ignore all that hairdryer shit and just use the old fashioned elbow grease method... QuoteWe have what I call a semi-shine now, but still not the mirror glass finish we want. Now we take the high grade polish (parade) and begin applying it using cloth #3. Use it sparingly. Dab the polish, dab warm water, make small, small circles on your boots. Grip the cloth between your index and middle finger. Pull it tight and begin working in small areas. Add more water if the shine goes dull. Add more polish if there are beads of water on the leather. You're creating friction between the polish and polish using water. Keep going. Your finger will probably get sore, but keep on going...adding more polish, adding more water, rubbing, rubbing, in constant little circles (kinda like the wipe on, wipe off from Karate Kid) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #11 November 26, 2005 QuoteQuoteSo what's the best way to put a good GREAT shine on a pair of black dress shoes? The same way i do it, shoe shop! I send all my dress clothes to the cleaners to be washed starched and ironed as well. I send my shoes out as well. It's not like my wife is going to do it. I love that statement--that is the kind of thing that could start a really fun "battle of the sexes" kind of flame war! As far as sending the shoes out for a shine goes, I tried that. I'm really looking for a truly badass shine. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rwieder 0 #12 November 26, 2005 QuoteI love that statement--that is the kind of thing that could start a really fun "battle of the sexes" kind of flame war! Jesus, i hope not. That's not what i meant. Those that are aquainted with my wife and i know her doing ANYTHING such as cleaning...cooking...washing...etc...etc...will NOT be done by her. I don't have time as i'm always working, as does she. So we just send everything out and we have a maid. My wife told me many years ago before the nuptials were uttered "If you think even for a moment your getting a Susie Homemaker, or a Betty Crocker, don't say the I Do" Honestly, at first i thought she was jesting, but time has proven she wasn't at all. So before the "Flame Wars" get started....Stop It! -Richard- "You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #13 November 26, 2005 QuoteQuoteI love that statement--that is the kind of thing that could start a really fun "battle of the sexes" kind of flame war! Jesus, i hope not. That's not what i meant. Those that are aquainted with my wife and i know her doing ANYTHING such as cleaning...cooking...washing...etc...etc...will NOT be done by her. I don't have time as i'm always working, as does she. So we just send everything out and we have a maid. My wife told me many years ago before the nuptials were uttered "If you think even for a moment your getting a Susie Homemaker, or a Betty Crocker, don't say the I Do" Honestly, at first i thought she was jesting, but time has proven she wasn't at all. So before the "Flame Wars" get started....Stop It! But, but stuff like cooking, cleaning and shining shoes is woman's work!!! Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #14 November 26, 2005 No, technical writer in a bank holding company IT department. *** Ohhhhh DUDE! A 'respectable' job....! I'm so sorry! Are you OKAY!? Vibes your way! Hope things get better for ya!! But seriously......Congrats! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #15 November 26, 2005 QuoteNo, technical writer in a bank holding company IT department. *** Ohhhhh DUDE! A 'respectable' job....! I'm so sorry! Are you OKAY!? Vibes your way! Hope things get better for ya!! But seriously......Congrats! It's ok. As I said earlier, I've gone through the grieving process and reached acceptance. I can at least be proud that I went for over 3 years without having a regular job. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #16 November 27, 2005 QuoteI recently have joined the ranks of those who have to wear dress shoes on a regular basis. I always considred that to be one of those "fate worse than death" kind of things, and yep, it pretty much is, but I've gotten through the stages of grieving and have finally reached acceptance. You have my sincere condolences. Can't you just buy shoes that don't have a shine, like pebble-grain leather, or something like that? Or do they specifically require black shiny shoes? There's got to be a loophole in that dress policy... After 5 years in the Marines, I had shined more shoes than I ever wanted to in a whole lifetime. After discharge, I vowed to never do it again. And have pretty much fulfilled that mission. Standing in long lines is another won't-do casualty. Do you also need instructions on how to knot a necktie? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #17 November 27, 2005 QuoteQuoteI recently have joined the ranks of those who have to wear dress shoes on a regular basis. I always considred that to be one of those "fate worse than death" kind of things, and yep, it pretty much is, but I've gotten through the stages of grieving and have finally reached acceptance. You have my sincere condolences. Can't you just buy shoes that don't have a shine, like pebble-grain leather, or something like that? Or do they specifically require black shiny shoes? There's got to be a loophole in that dress policy... Yeah I could do that, but I've already got a pair of black dress shoes and would rather use them than get another pair. Quote Do you also need instructions on how to knot a necktie? You don't really think I'd take a job where I had to wear a tie, do you? Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rookie120 0 #18 November 27, 2005 Ok check it out, this is how I did my boots in the Army. I took a bunch of kiwi and really layed it on thick and just started to rub it in. Then I took my lighter and melted the kiwi into the leather. Be careful not to hold the lighter to close to the leather because you can scorch it. The take the lid of the kiwi and put some water in it with a cap ful of alcohol and a terry cloth and slowly start buffing small areas at a time. But for my dress shoes I just use a good buff brush and go to town. I get a good enough shine with the brush.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #19 November 27, 2005 QuoteKiwi, heat, water......melt the kiwi (shoe polish)...use a moist cottenball....or cotton cloth and "polish" the hell out of them! Thank God we're wearing brown boots now!! Wow--I took the cap off the Kiwi polish, put a chunk of polish in it and put it on the front burner of my electric stove. After a few minutes on "Low", it melted. I put it on and buffed it off for a GREAT shine. Thanks for the hot tip! Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #20 November 27, 2005 QuoteOk check it out, this is how I did my boots in the Army. I took a bunch of kiwi and really layed it on thick and just started to rub it in. Then I took my lighter and melted the kiwi into the leather. Be careful not to hold the lighter to close to the leather because you can scorch it. The take the lid of the kiwi and put some water in it with a cap ful of alcohol and a terry cloth and slowly start buffing small areas at a time. But for my dress shoes I just use a good buff brush and go to town. I get a good enough shine with the brush. I used a blow drier to heat up the polish--worked GREAT! Thanks! Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ViperPilot 0 #21 November 27, 2005 QuoteThere is no short cuts unfortunately. Never heard of coraframs, eh? Polished shoes...what a crock of retarded shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #22 November 27, 2005 QuoteQuoteThere is no short cuts unfortunately. Never heard of coraframs, eh? Polished shoes...what a crock of retarded shit. I never heard of them. Are those the military shoes that have the permanent mirror shine on them? Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #23 November 27, 2005 Quote Hmmm, wonder if you could get away with some new black Vans shoes. Tell them it's doctors orders to wear sensible, practical, comfortable shoes. ... You might need foot surgery etc. Maybe--something to consider. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #24 November 27, 2005 QuoteQuoteThere is no short cuts unfortunately. Never heard of coraframs, eh? Polished shoes...what a crock of retarded shit. I knew someone would say something like that. Or have your shoes painted or laquered or put varnish on them. Sometimes you have to/want to do things properly. If you havent got the patience and self discipline to sit down and do a bit of hard work thats your way, but it aint mine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jloirsdaan 0 #25 November 27, 2005 Glad to help....thats what they pay me the big bucks for!! . Forgot all about the blow drier...glad you found that also....I personally use a lighter but the stove idea was good too! After a few shines.....it takes very little work at all. Jordan Go Fast, Dock Soft. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
