Polishing brogues??

[DWFII]

I might add that when a shoe is spit shined all over...as some in the military insisted upon doing...it will, inevitably be spit shined over areas that are subject to creasing.
Spit shines require a build up of wax. I've seen spit shines that were almost a sixteenth of an inch thick of accumulated wax. That kind of build up usually looks terrible when it has creased and cracked. Worse it is bad for the leather...causing the leather itself to crack.

But the point is that a heavy build up is not necessarily a sign that the shoes are patent leather. When spit shined like that they can, indeed look "like they have been painted and buffed for a century."

[Bugbear]

Thanks DWFII. I don't know a lot about any of this, but I do remember that there is a difference in the look of a highly shined shoe and a patent leather shoe... Kind of a softer look to the highly shined shoe like the difference between silver and chrome. I like the softer look.

Also, I looked up the history of why Kiwi polish was named after the bird... It had to do with the inventor's wife of course. Never mind.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I have patent leather pumps (the genuine article, not vinyl) and I remove light scuff marks with cigar ash! No fooling. I am told that eventually the shoes will have to be re-lacquered, although no one has suggested how this might be done. I have an old butler's book kicking around somewhere which, if I can find it, I'll consult vis-a-vis the care of patent leather shoes and report back.

[EagleJCS]

I use a soft-bristled toothbrush to apply polish in & around (and to get excess polish out of) the broguing. Apply small amounts of polish to the smooth areas with a soft cloth, then come back & use the toothbrush, let it set for a little bit while you work on the other shoe, then buff with a soft-bristled buffing brush. Been doing my shoes that way for years and get a pretty good shine - good enough to see myself in. That's the way my dad (ex-US Army) taught me.

[Bugbear]

It should be interesting to hear how real patent leather is handled... The cigar ash buffing is a funny one, but not too strange.

I'm only finding information on the plastic coated patent leather, so far.

From what I understand, the shoes I bought for my daywear outfit have a pretty good shine to them; they are dark brown, though. They feel like they have a good shine.

[Thunderbolt]

They are not patent leather, I'm sure of it.

I might add that when a shoe is spit shined all over...as some in the military insisted upon doing...it will, inevitably be spit shined over areas that are subject to creasing.
Spit shines require a build up of wax. I've seen spit shines that were almost a sixteenth of an inch thick of accumulated wax. That kind of build up usually looks terrible when it has creased and cracked. Worse it is bad for the leather...causing the leather itself to crack.

But the point is that a heavy build up is not necessarily a sign that the shoes are patent leather. When spit shined like that they can, indeed look "like they have been painted and buffed for a century."

As a shoe expert, DWFII, what to you recommend to keep them in top shape? Also, what are your opinions on hobnails and the metal heel and toe pieces to keep them from wearing?

Thanks for all the info all!

T.

[###KILTEDKIWI###]

Don't forget that a kiwi is a fruit

ah that would be what is known as up there, down here, its called a kiwi fruit...kiwi nugget was started in NZ, hence Kiwi...

A "kiwi" is a new zealander, as BeeDee will atest to...

[bowser]

A cheat if your in a hurry that gives a fantastic shine is Printed circuit board lacquer, you can get it from most good electrical component stores, be carfull to to mask off the edge of the sole etc and then a light spray, looks like spit shine.
Used to be good enough to fool my Sgt Major the good thing is that you can just do a good brush polish, spray it on and if you need to get it off a quick brush with a good stiff shoe brush and you are back to square one. Wouldn't do it all the time but in an emergency !!

[DWFII]

They are not patent leather, I'm sure of it.

As a shoe expert, DWFII, what to you recommend to keep them in top shape? Also, what are your opinions on hobnails and the metal heel and toe pieces to keep them from wearing?

Thanks for all the info all!

T.

If you are sure they are not patent, you want to strip off all that old wax. Once that's done, recondition the leather, and start your spitshine anew. I use a mixture of one part water, one part ammonia, and half part denatured alcohol. I don't believe this will harm the lacquer if it is patent but you may want to try a small patch on the inside of the arch.

As for hobs and so forth...hey, it's up to you. It's more environmentally gentle but it's certainly noisier.

[Galb]

I thought that ghillies were not supposed to be polished due to the fact that you wouldn't want to answer "the question" thanks to a reflection off your own shoes. ;)