Who Polishes Their Own Shoes? Let’s See Your Home Setup.

[offrdmania]

Mine is pretty basic but very functional. I prefer the cream polishes over the paste polishes. I do like the neutral paste polish though for a nice toe shine.

[Abdullah71601]

Nice.

All my shoes get a good brushing with each wear. Then the trees go back in.

I just use Safir polishes and wet cotton balls for a shine. My “station” is in my recliner watching football on Sunday’s.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Nice.

All my shoes get a good brushing with each wear. Then the trees go back in.

I just use Safir polishes and wet cotton balls for a shine. My “station” is in my recliner watching football on Sunday’s.

Same here, Saphir products mostly, Bick4, and an old style cotton diaper. I never found the need for anything special. Never needed it when I was in the military so I see no need now.

[GradyPhilpott]

I polish my own shoes, but besides a shoe brush and some Kiwi products, I have no special equipment.

I usually wear a pair of boat shoes that I just put some mink oil on and brush periodically.

Most of my other pairs of shoes are athletic shoes made of suede and synthetics.

My other smooth leather shoes get some polish when I wear them, which isn't often.

[bing240sx]

I never use polish, only cremes from Safir and the like.

also prefer AE shoes i can recraft in a worst case scenario.

[Syed117]

Just have a old cardboard box that has some horsehair brushes, cotton rags, some polishes, and creams.

Usually shine any shoes that need it while watching Netflix.

Nothing fancy.

[handsfull]

I'm old school. Just a nice brush and a clean white cotton t shirt (or old nylons).

FWIW: Nothing like the smell of Saphir. Especially while I'm driving in winter/heater blowing on my shoes - LOL

[swils8610]

What do you guys use for shell Cordovan?


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[Wesley Crusher]

I polish my own shoes. I don't have a setup, per se, just a few boxes where I keep all of my cleaning supplies.

I keep a tin of saddle soap around for extreme cases, but for all of my shoes, I will typically give them a quick brushing to remove any loose dirt, wipe them down with a damp cloth and then apply a coat of Bick4 if necessary. I will follow that with a through brushing (especially with my cordovan shoes). Beyond that, I'll sometimes apply some Saphir wax to the toes and the heel counters if I want a mirror finish. I never apply wax to the vamps.

Generally speaking, I think Saphir makes the best products, but Bick4 is an incredible cleaner/conditioner that is inexpensive and works great on calf, cordovan, and even waxy leathers such as Zug. It leaves the shoes with a low sheen as well.

[Fredrik]

I always wipe my boots with a cloth and then brush them whenever I take them off.
About once per week I also apply Bick4 and/or shoe pomade/cream. I rarely use wax, I prefer not to have my boots shiny. I have no fixed place for this, I usually do it standing in the kitchen or hallway...

[rudestew]

I use the brushes on the tube escalator

[Muzz]

Kiwi polish only, a firm bristled boot brush and a kiwi cloth.

Running shoes require some secret stuff that I am unwilling to share.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Muzz

Kiwi polish only, a firm bristled boot brush and a kiwi cloth.

Running shoes require some secret stuff that I am unwilling to share.

Unicorn tears?

[1William]

I will touch up my own shoes but have a local gentleman who shines shoes for a living. He is amazing and I like to support him, so on a complete shine he gets my business.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by swils8610

What do you guys use for shell Cordovan?


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Brushes, Saphir Neutral Cordovan Cream, and Deer Bone.

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Unicorn tears?

It also goes by the name the Elixer of the Gods.

I am a fantastic about keeping the whites on my sneakers (LV and CL) bright white and most sneaker heads have their secrets about that and some guys even make their own formulas.

So.... sneaker kit is different than dress shoes and boot kits.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by Muzz

Running shoes require some secret stuff that I am unwilling to share.

Just out of interest, why unwilling to share? I don't understand, but am open to reasons that have eluded me.

[Mickyfin]

Originally Posted by rudestew

I use the brushes on the tube escalator

[brandrea]

I use a sponge, mild soap and water and a leather conditioner. No special set up.

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Just out of interest, why unwilling to share? I don't understand, but am open to reasons that have eluded me.

Certain chemicals react differently to various materials Dave. A simple mistake with some of the stuff I use will dry and shrink up leather, suede and so on. Dissolving foam isn’t unheard of either.

As most of my shoes (sneakers) have the same composite I just use a combination of Acetone, Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate on the white parts (rubber) for a constant new white appearance.

If you get this on the uppers, say good by to your shoe.

[tifosi]

I polish my own shoes, but I don't have a special rig or anything. Some Lexol, Saphir and cotton t-shirts.

Although that reminds me, I've been seriously slacking on my shoe maintenance. dddrees may have my EGs taken from me due to shoe abuse.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by tifosi

I polish my own shoes, but I don't have a special rig or anything. Some Lexol, Saphir and cotton t-shirts.

Although that reminds me, I've been seriously slacking on my shoe maintenance. dddrees may have my EGs taken from me due to shoe abuse.

Unfortunately if I remember correctly your not my size, so I’ll only give you a warning this time. Consider yourself lucky.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Unfortunately if I remember correctly your not my size, so I’ll only give you a warning this time. Consider yourself lucky.

No we don't share the same size, but I figured you'd just find a more loving home for them.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by tifosi

No we don't share the same size, but I figured you'd just find a more loving home for them.

Your lucky, in the spirit of the Christmas Season I’m willing to be a little more patient.

Merry Christmas!!

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Brushes, Saphir Neutral Cordovan Cream, and Deer Bone.

I started using Bick4 on my shell. It works well.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I started using Bick4 on my shell. It works well.

I've been meaning to try Bick4 on my calf shoes. Never got around to ordering it. I've been using Lexol for conditioning.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I started using Bick4 on my shell. It works well.

Thanks Wes, I may just have to look into that at some point. However since what i’ve been doing seems to work I may just stick to that at least for no anyways.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by tifosi

I've been meaning to try Bick4 on my calf shoes. Never got around to ordering it. I've been using Lexol for conditioning.

I’ve never even tried Lexol. But I’ve been using and like Bick4 ever since Patrick from Skoaktiebolaget recommended it. If I remember correctly Lexol and Bick4 are the only two conditioners that don’t use turpentine.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by tifosi

I've been meaning to try Bick4 on my calf shoes. Never got around to ordering it. I've been using Lexol for conditioning.

It’s a great conditioner. Give it a shot. You won’t be disappointed.

Originally Posted by dddrees

Thanks Wes, I may just have to look into that at some point. However since what i’ve been doing seems to work I may just stick to that at least for no anyways.

If you have a system that works, definitely stick to that. Maybe you can give it a shot once you run out of cordovan cream.

I have some cordovan cream as well. I’ll still use that when my shell needs a real deep conditioning.

[photo2u]

Nice setup. Good idea to always use conditioner. The best conditioner is the one you can make your self. I often add BEEF LARD to my conditioner. It works best for very dry leather. Yes, it works. My set up has many type of conditioners. I have tried many and they all work but some or waaaay better than others.

Just remember, always remove the first layer....