Review Board Shoe Shine

[CAP006]

How To Spit-and-Polish

Yah man.  Thats the best way to go.

[DC]

I'm curious, has anyone here ever tried Shape Up Instant Military Spit Shine? I have heard good things about it.

Someone in my squadron did Leather Luster, it looked good for a few weeks, then looses the glossyness and gets back to a half@$$ed shine look.

[CadetProgramGuy]

I'm curious, has anyone here ever tried Shape Up Instant Military Spit Shine? I have heard good things about it.

Someone in my squadron did Leather Luster, it looked good for a few weeks, then looses the glossyness and gets back to a half@$$ed shine look.

Did leather luster when I was RM back in the day, lived to regret it all the way.

Lately I have been doing the Liquid Kiwi, doesn't come off to bad on boots, haven't tried it on shoes though.

Although I do have to agree that NOTHING beats a good ol water/spit shine.

[SARMedTech]

Someone should contact Stonewall.  He is former Old Guard (3d ID). If anyone knows how to shine shoes, its those boys.  They spend more hours on uniform maintenance than they do on actual duty (at least the Tomb of the Unknown boys do).

[notaNCO forever]

 As long as the shoes are leather all you need is a rag water and shoe polish. Also for a really good look lots of time

[floridacyclist]

I wasn't Old Guard, but did stand daily guardmount and inspection as a cop in SAC where we had to be stiffly starched and highly shined. We tried all the shortcuts and always ended up going back to good old-fashioned spit and elbow grease.

[smitjud]

It's not that there are any scuffs on my shoes, they're simply not shiny.  They are the regular, store-bought, black dress shoes.

Think everyone has made good points on here.  Might want to further add that you purchase or acquire some shoes that are ok to wear with your uniform.  You're typically not going to find "approved" shoes at payless, sears or any of those joints. 

Check and make sure they meet these requirements:

from  CAPM 39-1 CAP Uniform Manual   

Table 2-1. Men's Service, Mess Dress, and Semiformal Uniforms
Footwear (Low Quarters)
Black oxford; lace-up style with a plain rounded toe or a plain rounded capped toe; without perforation or design, sole will not exceed 1/2 inch in thickness and the heel will not exceed 1 inch in height (measured from the inside front of the heel); may have low wedge heel; smooth or scotch grained leather or man-made material; high gloss or patent finish.

Had a cadet show up to encampment once with blue Dockers for his pants and wingtips.  Thought I might need an AED right then and there.

[jimmydeanno]

Think everyone has made good points on here.  Might want to further add that you purchase or acquire some shoes that are ok to wear with your uniform.  You're typically not going to find "approved" shoes at payless, sears or any of those joints. 

Check and make sure they meet these requirements:

from  CAPM 39-1 CAP Uniform Manual   

Table 2-1. Men's Service, Mess Dress, and Semiformal Uniforms
Footwear (Low Quarters)
Black oxford; lace-up style with a plain rounded toe or a plain rounded capped toe; without perforation or design, sole will not exceed 1/2 inch in thickness and the heel will not exceed 1 inch in height (measured from the inside front of the heel); may have low wedge heel; smooth or scotch grained leather or man-made material; high gloss or patent finish.

It's actually a pretty generic style of shoe and CAN be found at most of the places you listed above, including Wal*Mart.  Cadets in my squadron have purchased shoes that meet all those criteria for $10.00, which is a great deal considering how mnay times their feet grow.

Even if the shoe doesn't have a "high-gloss" shine a few coats of kiwi and it is acceptable.  Some people just don't accept that "high-gloss" doesn't necessarily mean you can shave in them.

[smitjud]

Nice.  I'm glad that works for you.  Wish some of our folks had the same luck.

Most of the stuff I've seen around here at those places have distinctly unmilitary appearances and either have odd finishes or are made of some sort of synthetic material that doesn't take kindly to polish.  Maybe I just haven't looked hard enough.

I'll take your word on that and stand corrected.

[CAP006]

Use the millitary black stanning wax. It goes on easy and it stays on longer for a better shine. If you but on more than 2 coodings, the shine is 2 times better.

Now I have a question thou. 

What would be better,  hot water or cold?

I use the cold water and it works just fine.

Thoughts?

[lordmonar]

Okay...here's a radical idea.

How about apply kiwi was with supplied brush, buff off excess wax with supplied brush, and quick buff toe and heel with supplied buffing cloth.

With everthing we have to do in our lives....spending two hours polishing your shoes is a waste of your time.

It should take 10 minutes max....do it everytime you wear them. 

If you got two hours to kill.....study your aerospace or leadership manuals or do some sit ups/push ups or run for 30 minutes.

Keep things in perspective....sure shiney shoes are cool, but that is about 1% of the total picture when I determine if someone is ready for promotion.

[CadetProgramGuy]

Okay...here's a radical idea.

How about apply kiwi was with supplied brush, buff off excess wax with supplied brush, and quick buff toe and heel with supplied buffing cloth.

With everthing we have to do in our lives....spending two hours polishing your shoes is a waste of your time.

It should take 10 minutes max....do it everytime you wear them. 

If you got two hours to kill.....study your aerospace or leadership manuals or do some sit ups/push ups or run for 30 minutes.

Keep things in perspective....sure shiney shoes are cool, but that is about 1% of the total picture when I determine if someone is ready for promotion.

I disagree.....How someone prepares their shoes is how they will prepare themselves in life.

[jimmydeanno]

I disagree.....How someone prepares their shoes is how they will prepare themselves in life.

You're right, taking hours on something that really isn't that big of a deal tells you a lot about someone.  When we hire people here, it isn't based off whether or not they have a mirror shine versus a semi-gloss shine on their shoes, we're looking for their skills and experience.

During review boards, I have never once looked at a cadets shoes - that's what the normal uniform inspection is for.  Sure, if I notice that they're covered in mud and have the black spray paint peeling off of them, I'll say something, but otherwise "clean and maintained" is good enough for me.

[CAP006]

Ok, thanks for that but Im still wondering, is cold water better when polishing or hot water?



I understand that I do have a fedish on polishing my boots but I like the fact that I can use my boot as a miror. 

[Gunner C]

Ok, thanks for that but Im still wondering, is cold water better when polishing or hot water?



I understand that I do have a fedish on polishing my boots but I like the fact that I can use my boot as a miror. 

That's fetish. 

Cool water is fine.  I've never used ice water but some do. I just turn on the tap and it works just fine. I think the secret is the good base of polish, the type of cloth (try to avoid artificial blends - they scratch the surface - use cotton), and lots and lots and lots and lots of elbow grease.

I agree with the folks above.  It's the fine details of uniform preparation that separate the good troop from the best.  Folks may not look over the table to get a good look at your footwear, but it makes a difference in the whole picture.  I personally appreciate young people who do their best to make a good impression.  It shows me that you are willing to go the extra mile. 

I get slightly irritated by officers who pay absolutely no attention to these things.  Officers whose shoes look like their shoes are buffed with a Hershey bar (or worse, a brick) show me that they don't take pride in their uniforms.  Corfam shoes are ok, but a good shine on leather shows me something else.

I was taught early that these things were important.  In my cadet squadron in Alaska we had a former USAF TI.  He was a MSgt and took these thing seriously but had a great sense of humor.  One day there was a staff meeting for the senior members.  The former TI (I can't remember his name) was sitting there at the table.  The squadron chaplain (a really great guy but had no military or CAP experience) came in just before the beginning.  The MSgt started sniffing the air.  He kept on doing it until everyone was watching.  He said "I smell an unbuttoned button."  He got up and sniffed around until he came to the chaplain.  He stopped in front and said "I can smell a button a mile away and you have one unbuttoned."  He sniffed a bit more and said "check your hip pocket."  Sure enough, it was unbuttoned.  Everyone had a laugh.  But after that, the chaplain started to pay more attention to his haircut and uniform.  His shoes got shinier, his salute got straighter, he spoke with more authority to the cadets, and frankly became a pretty good officer.

The TI taught us some of the tricks that the TIs used like carrying a nylon stocking to clean off the shoes and give a quick shine.

Wow, I don't even remember stepping up on the soap box. 

[MSgt Van]

I seem to get a higher gloss with cold water. I'm using such a small amount on the tip of a cotton ball that it probably doesn't really matter. And yes, I normally use spit. A note on the cotton balls; use real cotton, not synthetic.

[Gunner C]

I seem to get a higher gloss with cold water. I'm using such a small amount on the tip of a cotton ball that it probably doesn't really matter. And yes, I normally use spit. A note on the cotton balls; use real cotton, not synthetic.

That's the word I was looking for - synthetic! 

[CAP006]

Ok, thanks for that but Im still wondering, is cold water better when polishing or hot water?



I understand that I do have a fedish on polishing my boots but I like the fact that I can use my boot as a miror. 

That's fetish. 

Cool water is fine.  I've never used ice water but some do. I just turn on the tap and it works just fine. I think the secret is the good base of polish, the type of cloth (try to avoid artificial blends - they scratch the surface - use cotton), and lots and lots and lots and lots of elbow grease.

I agree with the folks above.  It's the fine details of uniform preparation that separate the good troop from the best.  Folks may not look over the table to get a good look at your footwear, but it makes a difference in the whole picture.  I personally appreciate young people who do their best to make a good impression.  It shows me that you are willing to go the extra mile. 

I get slightly irritated by officers who pay absolutely no attention to these things.  Officers whose shoes look like their shoes are buffed with a Hershey bar (or worse, a brick) show me that they don't take pride in their uniforms.  Corfam shoes are ok, but a good shine on leather shows me something else.

I was taught early that these things were important.  In my cadet squadron in Alaska we had a former USAF TI.  He was a MSgt and took these thing seriously but had a great sense of humor.  One day there was a staff meeting for the senior members.  The former TI (I can't remember his name) was sitting there at the table.  The squadron chaplain (a really great guy but had no military or CAP experience) came in just before the beginning.  The MSgt started sniffing the air.  He kept on doing it until everyone was watching.  He said "I smell an unbuttoned button."  He got up and sniffed around until he came to the chaplain.  He stopped in front and said "I can smell a button a mile away and you have one unbuttoned."  He sniffed a bit more and said "check your hip pocket."  Sure enough, it was unbuttoned.  Everyone had a laugh.  But after that, the chaplain started to pay more attention to his haircut and uniform.  His shoes got shinier, his salute got straighter, he spoke with more authority to the cadets, and frankly became a pretty good officer.

The TI taught us some of the tricks that the TIs used like carrying a nylon stocking to clean off the shoes and give a quick shine.

Wow, I don't even remember stepping up on the soap box. 

Thank you for the info!

[CadetProgramGuy]

I seem to get a higher gloss with cold water. I'm using such a small amount on the tip of a cotton ball that it probably doesn't really matter. And yes, I normally use spit. A note on the cotton balls; use real cotton, not synthetic.

You know, I Never figured out the cotton ball shine......I use an older t-shirt wrap around my hand and fingers.  Socks are ok, but t-shirts are better IMO.

If I have a new pair of boots, I actually scrub off the factory shine, apply a think base with my only my fingers until i get a dull shine.

Then on with the t-shirt, luke warm water, and have a ball.

[DC]

I seem to get a higher gloss with cold water. I'm using such a small amount on the tip of a cotton ball that it probably doesn't really matter. And yes, I normally use spit. A note on the cotton balls; use real cotton, not synthetic.

You know, I Never figured out the cotton ball shine......I use an older t-shirt wrap around my hand and fingers.  Socks are ok, but t-shirts are better IMO.

If I have a new pair of boots, I actually scrub off the factory shine, apply a think base with my only my fingers until i get a dull shine.

Then on with the t-shirt, luke warm water, and have a ball.

I have tried the t-shirt. Cotton ball works better for me. You pinch the cotton ball inbetween your index finger and thumb, dip it in the water, then squeeze it out, then rub all of the polish onto it, then apply it to the boot. I like it because I don't polish all over my finger, and it make for convienient storage, I can fit a few cotton ball and a length of panty hose inside a can of polish, so that is all I have to pack or carry, instead of a huge bag or a box full of t-shirts, or socks, or brushes and what have you... Simple, compact, and very effective.

Note: I got a hold of a bottle of ShapeUp. Don't really recommend it. It doesn't give that great of a shine, and it scuffs real easy.