Shoe polish: thoughts, fun facts, questions

[Tobus]

Along with Nomad and others, I still prefer the military bulled finish, at varying degrees depending on the use of the shoe. However, (again, I think like most military), I avoid the Parade Gloss variant of Kiwi, sticking to the older 'standard' polish. I find the spirit in the gloss version can leave a misty finish. Personal preference I guess.

Interesting. I've noticed a misty finish on one of my pairs of shoes that I polished with the brown Kiwi parade gloss wax. Well, maybe not misty so much as having a strange sort of coloured sheen under the surface that won't buff out. I had attributed it to putting on a coat of clear wax at one point, then going back to brown later. I haven't seen it happen on the other brown shoes I use that polish on, though.

[Blaidd]

That's interesting that it hasn't effected all! Maybe they have improved the formula....! Maybe one was an older batch... Who knows?! Try the standard as a control perhaps.

[CollinMacD]

Interesting. I've noticed a misty finish on one of my pairs of shoes that I polished with the brown Kiwi parade gloss wax. Well, maybe not misty so much as having a strange sort of coloured sheen under the surface that won't buff out. I had attributed it to putting on a coat of clear wax at one point, then going back to brown later. I haven't seen it happen on the other brown shoes I use that polish on, though.

If you have used any type of WAX on you leather shoes and you wish to put a traditional wet (spit) shine on your show, put about 5 squirts of DAWN (only Dawn) liquid dish washing liquid into a basin or sink of water with warm (not hot) water. Wipe the shoe down with the dishwater. Dawn dissolves wax. Then wipe show allow to dry the show before you go to the show polish. Works all the time, this gets rid of the dull or sheen that is caused by polishing over bad wax.

Key is to allow show to fully dry. Usually I let sit for 24 hours. CHEERS...

[Tobus]

Will the Dawn strip all the wax polish off down to the base leather finish, requiring a complete do-over of building up wax layers? That may be further than I'd care to go.

[Father Bill]

I confess: this morning I felt lazy (after gardening for 4 1/2 hours) so I took my previously bulled toe-cap Oxfords down the basement and for a touch-up did them over with a cream polish.

WOW!

[Tobus]

What you're saying, Father Bill, is that you get a better shine with cream polish over a bulled wax polish than from the bulled wax polish alone?

[Dileasgubas]

I will only add that by maintaining polish on decent shoes, the soles should wear out long before the upper part. I usually have shoes re-soled multiple times before the upper leather finally cracks.

[Baeau]

I will only add that by maintaining polish on decent shoes, the soles should wear out long before the upper part. I usually have shoes re-soled multiple times before the upper leather finally cracks.

Completely agree. I had a pair of Tony Lama boots. Not expensive ones. Always kept polished. Lasted about 18 years with an unknown amount of soles & heels. Finally, the local cobbler said we hit the limit.

[Father Bill]

What you're saying, Father Bill, is that you get a better shine with cream polish over a bulled wax polish than from the bulled wax polish alone?

Not sure if it’s better or just restored. It did seem to have a desireable depth to it.

[CollinMacD]

Will the Dawn strip all the wax polish off down to the base leather finish, requiring a complete do-over of building up wax layers? That may be further than I'd care to go.

Yes, might have to go over it a few times, but should take it down.