Ok so there's got to be some military guys here that know how to shine some shoes. Trying to shine up my dress shoes and get that high gloss look. After a few coats of polish they are looking a lot better, but still nothing like that high gloss looking shine. Any tips on getting it to look like that?

I always used the spit/water shine approach, and then using a lighter at the end. The spit/water and buff shine is pretty self-explanatory; it just takes a good amount of time. Afterward, very carefully use a lighter over the areas you applied polish, and it should give you that glossy look. You want to be careful or otherwise you'll just melt the polish off.

I guess it would be a good idea to test it on a small part first, or another pair of shoes to get an understanding of what you're doing before applying it to your dress shoes. You can bypass the lighter part if you do enough shining/buffing, but the lighter trick is a short cut. The downfall of this shortcut is that you have to stay on top of shining the shoes or the polish might start cracking after a week or two (depending on the usage). If it does start cracking, just go through the process again, and it'll be good as new.

I always used the spit/water shine approach, and then using a lighter at the end. The spit/water and buff shine is pretty self-explanatory; it just takes a good amount of time. Afterward, very carefully use a lighter over the areas you applied polish, and it should give you that glossy look. You want to be careful or otherwise you'll just melt the polish off.

I guess it would be a good idea to test it on a small part first, or another pair of shoes to get an understanding of what you're doing before applying it to your dress shoes. You can bypass the lighter part if you do enough shining/buffing, but the lighter trick is a short cut. The downfall of this shortcut is that you have to stay on top of shining the shoes or the polish might start cracking after a week or two (depending on the usage). If it does start cracking, just go through the process again, and it'll be good as new.

 

Basically what I'm doing except using a hair dryer instead of a lighter. I can see it getting close to the look I'm after, however since its the first time they've been polished its just taking a while.

Or, buy patten leather dress shoes?

You could ask Tommy to do it for you...

 

 

OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE

2oP1NMB_I0s

The key is establishing a good base coat. Once you do it only takes a litle water and polish to do it. Use a little at a time for best results. Just like finishing wood, if you glob it on you will be rubbing forever to get it to shine. Also you only need to use 2 fingers wrapped tightly in a white cotton shirt. Have fun

Like they said before.... use the heat treatment..it melts the polish into the leather. Then buff into a high luster.

Or, buy patten leather dress shoes?

 

Patent Leather. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_leather

Thanks a lot guys. The upgrade to flamage really helped. Its shiny enough for me I guess.

Why do you need your shoes shined so much? Got a date???

Why do you need your shoes shined so much? Got a date???

 

Yea right! Ask your wife No seriously FF1 graduation

Why do you need your shoes shined so much? Got a date???

 

Yea right! Ask your wife No seriously FF1 graduation

 

WHOA WHOA WHOA don't you talk about my girlfriend like that dammit!!

I hate to break it to you matt, but she likes chris better, his hands are more manly

I have been spit shining my shoes 3 times a week cause i am in the academy man does it suck. Use kiwi polish and use a little water. Check out youtube the hvae some great vids.

You can use the inside of a banana peel to shine shoes.

deleted