Shoe Shine Kit

ARandomCadet · July 05, 2013, 05:49:25 AM

What should I have in a good shoe shine kit? I know I need black polish, but what is the best? Anything to help me with making my boots look good (my dress shoes are pre-shined, and are like mirrors). Also there is not anything else pertaining to shoe shine except for the one about kiwi vs. Lincoln. Thanks.

TJT__98 · July 05, 2013, 10:56:59 AM

My shoeshine kit is one can of Kiwi and one old white undershirt, and I can get a great shine on my boots.

FlyTiger77 · July 05, 2013, 01:08:15 PM

Before the Army tried to single-handedly put the shoeshine industry out of business, my kit included an applicator brush, a buffing brush, a toothbrush (for getting polish on top of the soles), a can of Kiwi and a 100% cotton t-shirt purpose-bought for shining shoes (never worn or washed).

The main ingredient, though, in a good shoe shine kit is a large helping of patience.

Walkman · July 05, 2013, 02:28:21 PM

1 tin of Lincoln Stain Wax, I shoe brush & a foam applicator is what I use.

NIN · July 05, 2013, 04:00:29 PM

Quote from: ILikePlanes on July 05, 2013, 05:49:25 AM
What should I have in a good shoe shine kit? I know I need black polish, but what is the best? Anything to help me with making my boots look good (my dress shoes are pre-shined, and are like mirrors). Also there is not anything else pertaining to shoe shine except for the one about kiwi vs. Lincoln. Thanks.

I'm preferable to Kiwi and have been for 30+ years. Some folks prefer Lincoln. I think it is substantially personal preference.

Eclipse · July 05, 2013, 04:11:50 PM

The Kiwi is fine for legitimatiely shinable-boots and shoes, this for tac boots:

I was silly enough to buy Corfam polish years ago from somewhere, but Windex or 409 works just as well.

jimmydeanno · July 05, 2013, 07:10:22 PM

I'm a kiwi and horsehair brush kind of guy.

Archer · July 06, 2013, 12:21:30 AM

-Can of regular Kiwi
-Can of Parade Gloss
-Cotton tee shirt
-Toothbrush
-Heatable water receptacle
-Hot plate
-Time
-Rubbing alcohol

a2capt · July 06, 2013, 12:54:32 AM

We didn't have a hot plate at encampment.

Just a Guy, Kiwi and a cotton t-shirt.

Mirrors, in minutes. That was what he did.

Archer · July 06, 2013, 01:15:03 AM

Quote from: a2capt on July 06, 2013, 12:54:32 AM
We didn't have a hot plate at encampment.

Just a Guy, Kiwi and a cotton t-shirt.

Mirrors, in minutes. That was what he did.

Yeah, the most basic tools are just some form of cotton and some Kiwi. All the other stuff I mentioned just makes it a bit less time-consuming; you get the same shine either way.

FlyTiger77 · July 06, 2013, 01:34:34 AM

Quote from: a2capt on July 06, 2013, 12:54:32 AM
Mirrors, in minutes. That was what he did.

Mastering just the right amount of pressure is the key.

Al Sayre · July 06, 2013, 01:49:13 AM

For a really high gloss shine, about once a month drop them off at the local Cobbler downtown (usually about $5 to $10) and give him a couple extra bucks tip. You've got better things to do than waste your study time shining boots...

ARandomCadet · July 06, 2013, 02:56:03 AM

Quote from: Al Sayre on July 06, 2013, 01:49:13 AM
For a really high gloss shine, about once a month drop them off at the local Cobbler downtown (usually about $5 to $10) and give him a couple extra bucks tip. You've got better things to do than waste your study time shining boots...

My dad had me go to the shoe shine downtown, and get my boots shined when I first got them. He said it would make it easier to shine later on, if I got the shoe shine downtown to shine it for me. I brought the boots in, got them shined for 10 bucks.

Terry W. · July 06, 2013, 10:09:00 PM

I have edge dressing as well.