Beeswaxing Boots/Shoes

TheShineMan · December 18, 2009, 04:16:58 PM

How do you properly apply beeswax to leather?

jimmydeanno · December 18, 2009, 04:33:23 PM

MSgt Van · December 18, 2009, 04:37:49 PM

I'm sure there'll be a ton of different methods, but here's mine:

1. I brush polish as usual with shoe polish.

2. Gently warm boots. Placing them in front of a heater vent works ok. Don't break out the torch for this one...

3. Apply a generous layer of beeswax over the boot.

4. I rub the wax into the leather with my bare hand; the friction of me rubbing helps melt the wax into the leather.

5. Warm the boot again to help the wax penetrate the leather.

6. After it's cool, wipe off the excess with a cloth.

7. Buff with a dense shoe brush.

lordmonar · December 18, 2009, 08:59:44 PM

is it not kind of redundant? Kiwi already has wax.

SarDragon · December 18, 2009, 09:08:29 PM

Quote from: lordmonar on December 18, 2009, 08:59:44 PM
is it not kind of redundant? Kiwi already has wax.

Not really; different waxes for different purposes.

Kiwi, with its mix of waxes and coloring agent, is used for basic protection and appearance improvement.

Straight beeswax is used primarily for waterproofing, and doesn't shine well.

lordmonar · December 18, 2009, 09:36:54 PM

Quote from: SarDragon on December 18, 2009, 09:08:29 PM
Quote from: lordmonar on December 18, 2009, 08:59:44 PM
is it not kind of redundant? Kiwi already has wax.

Not really; different waxes for different purposes.

Kiwi, with its mix of waxes and coloring agent, is used for basic protection and appearance improvement.

Straight beeswax is used primarily for waterproofing, and doesn't shine well.

Copy that...thanks

TheShineMan · December 19, 2009, 01:02:07 AM

I ask because I've heard that beeswaxing your boots before you bull shine (or whatever) them gives off the best possible shine, and I'm all about attention to detail. But I don't know how to apply it directly because beeswax is very hard, and I'm not really satisfied with what I found on Google (to the person who posted that link, I already googled the topic long before I joined). I don't know if your supposed to melt it with a lighter, blowtorch, or if your supposed to heat the leather before you apply it in conjunction with any of those things, etc. So I'd figure I'd post on here to get some more experienced opinions before I go screwing up my boots by applying beeswax the wrong way!

lordmonar · December 19, 2009, 01:05:43 AM

There is attention to detail....and then there is wasting your time.

You shoes should be black and polished.

Anything else is overkill. Use your extra time to study your leadership manual or Aerospace books.

SarDragon · December 19, 2009, 02:17:00 AM

^^^

Amen!

In all my years of making black shoes shiny, I've never used anything other than Kiwi, water, and a cotton applicator. Do a search on shine and SarDragon, and you'll find an excellent source of shoe shining hints. Look at all the posts; I'm not the only expert.

O-Rex · December 19, 2009, 03:21:26 AM

The British Household Cavalry (the guys on horseback for the changing of the guard) beeswax their boots to remove creases, of course they are on horseback and not on foot, otherwise the wax would crack anyway...

Per previous posts, for our purposes, seems like a lot of work when you can achieve the same effect with good old fashioned kiwi & elbow grease.

If you are looking for some kind of 'sealant' for your shine, a couple of coats of kiwi clear polish may do the trick.

Major Lord · December 19, 2009, 04:43:37 AM

Many cadets are talented in the black arts (pun intended) of boot and shoe polishing. There used to be a shoeshine parlor in Los Angeles , as I recall it was called "Chambers shoe shine" or something like that, and the expert shoe shiners all learned how to shine shoes and leather gear while working as trustees in the LA County Jail. Its a great skill for those with no future or past, and having lots of elbow grease. ( Although in all fairness they are the kings of shoes and duty gear) Reasonably black and shiny is good enough. Its our hearts that kill the enemy, not our spiffy shoes.

Major Lord

MSgt Van · December 19, 2009, 04:52:07 PM

Treating your boots with beeswax is not the way to go for a spit shine. Waterproofing only! I'd advise against using a torch or lighter around beeswax or polish. Can you say "fire hazard"?

SarDragon · December 20, 2009, 09:00:35 AM

Quote from: MSgt Van on December 19, 2009, 04:52:07 PM
Treating your boots with beeswax is not the way to go for a spit shine. Waterproofing only! I'd advise against using a torch or lighter around beeswax or polish. Can you say "fire hazard"?

Not to mention that too much heat is a really quick and easy to ruin the leather. BTDT. The 'rents were not happy.