I’d like a shoe shine kit to keep my Docs looking nice. I must have lost mine in a move a long time ago. I’ve never really been a fan of the brush shine and always just used a soft cloth. If that’s a mistake tell me where I’m going wrong.

I think I’ve used Kiwi polish forever since it’s what is available but if there’s something better I’m all ears.

If you can suggest a decent kit drop a link. Or if you think they’re all the same please mention that and I’ll just pick up anything.

Honestly, I've stopped using traditional shoe polish, and now just use this liquid polish:

https://www.kiwicare.com/en-gb...e-and-protect-polish

It gets you 80% of the shine of the traditional shoe polishing process, with 20% of the effort. You're not going to get a mirror finish for a parade inspection where your ultra-anal drill sergeant wants to see their reflection in your toe cap, but it get you a finish that more than fine for everyday wear, and takes just a few minutes.


1) Wipe off any dirt with a lightly damp cloth, then wait a couple minutes for any remaining moisture from the damp cloth to dry.

2) Spread the liquid polish in small circular motions all over the shoe with the applicator tip, and wait a few minutes until there's no more shiny liquid visibly sitting on the surface. (Usually, by the time you're done applying the liquid to the second shoe, the first one is ready or nearly so.)

3) Once there's no more visible liquid spots on the surface, give the shoe a vigorous brushing all over with a horsehair brush for ~20-30 seconds to bring out the shine.

Done.

Then just hit it with the horsehair brush to buff out any small dull spots every few days, and reapply liquid as needed when you want to look your best or when you have a scuff or dull spot that don't buff out with the brush.

I'm with Rogue, I can spend an hour on each dress shoe and be beat by a person who wipes the instant shine on then right before and inspection.

If you can't tell the difference between Shit and Shineola, get this... Lincoln Shoe Polish

Lincoln shoe polish beats Kiwi all to hell. Saphir also is much better. Either will shine up much more than Kiwi.

Shoe creams may help restore leather some, but they won't shine up like a real polish. They are quick and handy, too. If you don't want a shine, they may be good for you.

I use a brush, and switch to a cloth for final polishing. A few drops of water sprinkled on the nearly finally polished shoe will bring up the last bit of high shine.

quote:

A few drops of water sprinkled on the nearly finally polished shoe will bring up the last bit of high shine.

A spit shine. Used to do it all the time.

I was so sick of shining my uniform boots, I quit wearing shoes capable of accepting polish.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
I use a brush, and switch to a cloth for final polishing.

This ^^^^^

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
A few drops of water sprinkled on the nearly finally polished shoe will bring up the last bit of high shine.

Aka: "Spit-shine."

I don't do that to my boots (*), but, I do spit-shine my dress wingtip shoes.

(*) My "parade" combat boots in the Army of course got spit-shined at the time. I still have and wear them. I don't spit-shine them anymore, though.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
If you can't tell the difference between Shit and Shineola, get this... Lincoln Shoe Polish

I'm with J 3e, I use Lincoln.

It has the highest percentage of carnuba wax in the industry. Smells like candy.

The stuff is really hard. A new can will look dried out when you first open it. But I like the results I get.

Ok, Lincoln it is. I’ll just pick up a dauber and brush kit to go with it.

As a former Drill Sgt I can appreciate a good "spit shine" on shoes but since they went to the brushed leather looks for the combat boots it rubs me the wrong way....... At one time used a plasti coat paint on my combat boots and dress shoes that had to be placed in the house stove oven and bake the paint. looked good and very durable.................. drill sgt.

I wear tennis shoes. I remember the Saturday ritual in the basment polishing shoes for Church followed by an inspection.

BTW Doc Martens are hard on the feet. Kids stopped wearing them once they found out they were shoes for British postman.

Wearing tennis shoes in Mexico kept the shoe shine boys at bay.

I piece my own kit together with Saphir pruducts.
https://www.shoecare-shop.com/...re/shoecaresets.html

Depending on type of leather, you can choose what kit suits you.

You don't need to get fancy, just a couple good brushes and cloth will do.

You'll need a shine box so we can tell you to go home and get your shine box.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKYVeyeGvNM

I hear you can make plenty in the train station bathroom. Just be nice and deferential.
A little tap dancing at the end is a nice touch and should bring a nice reward.

Not so much a kit itself ... but I have used Lincoln shoe polish growing up ( 50s / 60s ) and when I was in the military. Combination of melting ( lighter ), spit, finger rub ( kinky ), brush and rag buff. I think it is more of the best product and style rather than a kit.

I mostly use Saphir cream polish and have it in all the colors for the shoes I polish.

It goes on SO quick and easy compared to a hard polish and does a fantastic job of conditioning the leather, covering scuffs, and evening out places the color has worn away.

It won't put a glossy polish on a pair of shoes, but I mostly don't care about that. When I do care, I do the Saphir cream polish first, and then use the "neutral" Saphir hard polish.

The "neutral" polish is *just* the waxes and stuff, no pigment at all - so it will put a nice shine on any color shoe after a quick once-over with the cream polish.

Also, the Saphir Renovateur conditioning paste is like MAGIC. My wife had an expensive little leather jewelry box that sat under a window for years, and the sunlight had HORRIBLY dried out and faded the top and the side facing the window (from navy bordering on black to chalky sky blue). I worked a TON of the conditioning paste into the leather and then a bit of cream polish to restore the color and it came back like brand new. You'd never know there was a problem - and it would stand out, because the side facing away from the window and some of the trim inside the box didn't have any sun damage to begin with.