2010-01-16 - Polish shoes

Old men know how to do man stuff. Anyone that's your grandfather's age probably knows how to take care of every garment and clothing item they own. I'm not saying everyone should know how to cobble their own shoes- but regular maintenance to increase the lifespan of your shoes is reasonable. I got a shoe polish kit for Christmas a couple of years ago but never really got around to using it. Considering I really only wear my polish-able shoes for job interviews, weddings and funerals they don't really get a lot of use and don't need too much upkeep. Not a necessity, but it doesn't hurt to spruce them up a bit.

Polish/shine kits are pretty cheap and it's easier to just buy a kit and have everything you need- but you can probably get by with a random brush and rag.

1 - Clean off any dirt using a coarse brush.

2 - Wrap a cloth around your index finger to apply polish with. The first coat is going to be a base layer more or less. You'll want to apply a generous amount to fill in all the large impurities and scuff marks. Coat it evenly and rub until a shine starts to come through. Move in a circular motion to avoid streak marks.

3 - Use a damp cloth to smooth out the polish. You'll notice it will immediately get dark and shiny. Don't use so much water that it beads up on the surface of the polish. I find that wetting the cloth and dabbing it on a dry cloth leaves just the right amount of water.

4 - Let it sit for a few minutes before trying the next coat. Usually by the time you're done with the second shoe you can start over with the first.

5 - Now you're going to apply a lighter coat to finish off the shine. Just dabbing the cloth in the polish is enough for this coat. Cover the surface evenly and rub until it just starts to shine.

6 - Repeat the finish with the wet cloth.

7 - Now use a buffing or softer cloth to buff it to the desired amount of shine. You can also use a soft brush to do this.

Not a difficult thing to do- just takes a little bit of patience. Don't be afraid to use enough polish and don't be afraid to work it into the leather. Knowing how to clean and treat your shoes can make them last a lot longer.

Courtesy of wikihow