Polishing brogues

**BonnieT100** · 11th December 08, 06:27 AM

While I've polished a lot of boots and shoes in my life, I've never had to deal with a pair that had as many holes as my ghillie brogues. So how does one polish them? I know they aren't supposed to be a spit shined as my jump boots, but I would like them looking nice for my wedding on Saturday.

**george7** · 11th December 08, 06:34 AM

Brush them clean with your dry brush. Use a q-tip to get any grime out of the holes. Put a light amount of polish on with the applier brush. Use your long brush to buff that in. Repeat. I use parade gloss since it takes a thinner coat to get the same shine. Once you get the right amount of wax on there you won't have to add any or much to get the shine back the next time and you'll find the shines last pretty well.

**auld argonian** · 11th December 08, 06:46 AM

I followed the earlier thread on this topic and I gotta tell ya'...many, many opinions were expressed on the absolute correct method to get a shine that you could use as a perfect front surface mirror suitable for optical physics experiments.

Here's my poor opinion, though...

Do the best job that you can and move on to something else because you will have a whole lot of other things that will demand your attention and, face it, have you ever been to a wedding and spent your time checking out the shine on everybody's shoes? Not that I don't appreciate your desire to make everything perfect but remember that only God and Martha Stewart can create perfection. People will be looking at the glowing beauty of your bride and the moving look of love and devotion on your face and your shoes will be way down the list of stuff to worry about.

It's all about love and everything else is just incidental.

...and my best to you for a lifetime of happiness.

Best

AA

**vmac3205** · 11th December 08, 06:55 AM

Well, I'm not so sure about Martha Stewart.

**auld argonian** · 11th December 08, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by vmac3205

Well, I'm not so sure about Martha Stewart.

I'm sorry...just to be very clear about that: it was a joke.

Best

AA

**Spc. Scott** · 11th December 08, 06:57 AM

I think AA nailed it.

All the best to you and yours. Enjoy the day!

**Riverkilt** · 11th December 08, 07:00 AM

Don't forget to check the soles for graffiti from your friends.....

Ron

**BonnieT100** · 11th December 08, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

have you ever been to a wedding and spent your time checking out the shine on everybody's shoes?

I'm a paratrooper - we spend hours checking out the shine on people's shoes. It's ingrained in our heads. Mine are just out of the box, so I'm trying to shine them up a bit. Thanks for the well wishes everyone. The lass is a little nerve wracked, but I'm doing ok. Like I told her last night, "We planned the fight, now we just fight the plan." For some reason, that didn't soothe her much. Oh well.

**bowser** · 11th December 08, 08:56 AM

CHEAT.

Spray on printed circuit board lacquer, available from Tandy/Maplins any electrical component retailer.

Just cover the bits you don't want covered and give it a light coat, to get rid of it just polish as normally. Great finish, ideal for the odd wedding etc.

I promised myself 20 years ago when I left the army I would never spit shine another set of boots as long as I live, and sofar been true to myself. There is always something else more important to do

**WARPIPER** · 11th December 08, 09:09 AM

"All the way" When I was at Bragg I caught Sh__ if my ghillie brogues were not to standard. It is not easy to do but I understand your thoughts on the shine. With new ones it may take some time just keep the polish thin and watch for build up in the holes.