I start with two coats of black Lincoln Stain Wax for the base coating. Follow with a coat of Kelly's black paste wax polish for a high shine. For the final touch after I have used the brushes to get the excess polish off, I use one of my wife's old knee high nylons to get the final high shine. You don't have to mess around with spit nor water. My combat boots are always shining since I shine them every day after wear. I haven't used Kiwi since I got out of bootcamp in 1968, its not as good as Lincoln Stain Wax which is USMC approved. Everyone has their own methods for shining shoes and boots and this is my way.