Bull your boots: The art of polishing for a military shine

[@Pinky_Staines1947]

After labouring away on my boots during Basic i thought they were looking good, my section commander said "You got a good base, now get a shine on them 😢

[@hasdrubal121]

Polished a copper piece in metalwork class in secondary school to a mirror finish. Took it to show the teacher filled with hope, and he looked at it, handed it back "So when are you going to polish it ?" Damn near broke me.

[@100temps]

Mine sent me to the Drill Shed for bulling rings😂

[@rodannapier7013]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@trazyntheinfinitehereforur828]

i had the opposite issue when i brought a set of boots myself and wore them immediately so no polish at all people complemented the shine and it was partially disheartening because i thought they looked so dull

[@alphonsoleadon830]

That does get me every time

[@RASPUK]

My platoon Sjt (rifles spelling of sgt) in training “nobody is to waste time and effort and military productivity into making something needlessly shiny, therefore if you can shoot well and soldier well, I’ll take the hit for your already shiny but not shiny enough boots on parade” Wisest man in the army!

[@demobbed688]

Must be a former RGJ bloke 😂

[@tylerf5190]

My drill sgt always said “shiny boots only attract snipers, the army going to tan suede boots was the smartest descision ever”

[@randomuser1911]

@@tylerf5190 very true🤣, UK standard issue boot for general purpose and field use is brown and they aren't polished like this, this is just for drill/ceremonial purposes when they wear their 1s

[@1973Washu]

@@randomuser1911 The field boots need to be well maintained as well , poorly maintained boots can result in damage to the boots which in turn will cause damage to the wearer's feet. It is just a different procedure to clean the new types of boots.

[@Nothere166]

@@1973Washu yeah of course, all I’m saying is that GP boots don’t get a mirror shine

[@NeilFaithfull-z3u]

I spent seventeen years in the British Army and I must admit I couldn’t bull boots however hard I tried. I could get them to a certain standard but still not good enough. Basically I would iron my colleagues uniform while they worked on my boots. Good old days.

[@michaelholt8590]

I was taught how to shine boots by an uncle who was a Marine in Vietnam. When I went to basic training for the Army in 98. I was so good at shining them that the Drill Sergeant made me teach my whole platoon how to do it. Damn they looked good.

[@ShadowJack4488]

What shine did you use?

[@michaelholt8590]

@@ShadowJack4488 Normal polish available at the PX. I used cotton balls dipped in water and then loaded with polish using a circular motion. Then using a circular motion and light pressure apply to boots. It may take several hours just to get the toes and heals mirror like so it may take you several sessions to get it. It takes patience. I was in reception for an extended time and had nothing to do.

[@ShadowJack4488]

@@michaelholt8590 thank you so much! What was the brand of polish? Or what was it made of?

[@michaelholt8590]

@@ShadowJack4488 As I recall it was kiwi polish. Black of course

[@benjaminhurley1823]

How did you keep your polish from cracking I just polished my boots and the polish already is cracking. Maybe I used to thick of a layer?

[@him050]

The thing with getting a mirror shine on your boots and parade shoes that a lot of new recruits don’t understand is, is that it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a few weeks to build those layers of polish up. You don’t just take new shoes, spend an hour polishing them once, and end up with a mirror shine.

[@johnharley7290]

Use a lighter to melt your wax and then coat it and a heat gun to bake it on after you polish them out with a brush or something pantyhose whatever

[@him050]

@@johnharley7290 well this a thing with videos online. You’re not allowed to just coat your shoes and boots with beeswax during basic. You have to do it the slow way.

[@seanpassant3174]

Bulling boots is an art, I found it very relaxing & therapeutic. I still clean shoes to a high standard now 28 years since leaving.

[@MrTunwarm]

Sitting around in a group, snacks, drinks, etc, and just chattin talking bs. I miss that

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

What a melt

[@Stanly-Stud]

What a sad man you are 😂 Bulling shoes today...

[@Healthhazard43]

Same. I left 24 years ago and still use my boots.

[@andrewcombe8907]

Bulling boots was introduced in the British Army in the Victorian Era to ensure troops especially in the outposts of Empire were kept busy in their spare time and kept from causing mischief. It serves no other purpose than keeping squaddies occupied. The US Army which based its training on the Prussians in the 1850's don't have this obsession neither do the French.

[@papalegbar2303]

The French and Americans, yeah sure we should be following their military lead! Maybe looking after your boots means that your feet are looked after and therefore you are fit to march and fight 🤔

[@fransoosthuizen2151]

The only time we did that( called spit’s polish) was for significant parades-only did one in my 2 years of service so didn’t waste too much time

[@elmodiddly]

What a load of rot! it has nothing to do with giving blighters something to do! Bulling boots is as much a part of leather care as it is part of an inspection to show how clean and well looked after your equipment is and for parades. If you had tack for horses you're doing it a lot!! It also instils discipline and uniformity to the equipment on parade. If you had served you'd know that, and if you had ever served with the French, you'd know what many regiments, who have amazing parade uniforms, do bull their boots for parades as well! Seeing as you obviously never served, and have no idea about the French military, I can only conclude that you have no idea what you're talking about.

[@TheVinceb100]

USMC Drill Instructors have entered the chat

[@newmux-mo3dz]

you dont understand how soul crushing that was for me to read mate

[@TheCaptain64]

Still do this to my boots 33yrs after leaving, its an art form, something to be proud of. Started doing it in the cadets mid 70s .

[@johndublyoo2553]

76 now but what memories from my 20's, salutes to our boys in the military 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@cnoyes72]

That sure does bring back memories (many an evening polishing boots and service dress shoes).

[@jayedgecombe]

remember using a hot spoon to take the dimples off the boots before bulling, and using blanco on our webbing and cussing when the brass got on the blancoed belt.

[@fredtorres1703]

I was a Canadian Army cadet, with the Governor General's Horse Guard. A very good looking regiment it is. This was in the late 80's. We competed on who had the best boots and we strived for a mirror finish. If boot got scuffed by someother than the bearer of said boot, the situation got tense and agresive. We were proud of our uniform and when we paraded with other regiments it showed. This clip brought back many memories. It is important wether you are in the military or a civilian to have pride in yourself, dress, conduct and especially what you do.

[@ShadowJack4488]

What did you use to mirror finish them?

[@ericanderer9199]

I would saturate the boot with polish then ignite portions with a lighter. I would then brush it . Using warm water, i would spit shine polishing small circles. After that we would spray rubbing alcohol on it (not beeswax) to give it a mirror shine. The alcohol prevents scuffs.

[@TreStyles-tq4le]

Doesnt the alchohol degrade the leather?

[@ericanderer9199]

@@TreStyles-tq4le No, it's on top of the polish

[@ericanderer9199]

Nope. You are wrong

[@ericanderer9199]

@@TreStyles-tq4le no

[@ericanderer9199]

What is on top of the polish? Explain your statement

[@rctaylor5689]

It took me about 4 - 5 hrs to ‘bull my boots’ when in the RAF. Back in Jan. 1950. First, we ironed off the little bumps in the leather using the handle of my dinner knife, then, we laid-on the polish. Leave them alone for about 20 mins & then start to polish with lots of shoe Polish & SPIT. Yes, SPIT . . . It works wonders in a relatively short time, producing a very high gloss. That’s where the term “spit & polish” comes from.

[@Jib230181]

I used to love polishing my boots, I was a spit polish and a little bit of water but more spit lol. Always had nice polished boots on parade and ironed uniform and my Sgt would always compliment me on how well I did it which made me feel good as I took pride in wearing the late Queen’s uniform.

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

Sgts never compliment on polished boots 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 walter

[@fredericp64]

Now what compelled you to watch a boot shining tutorial is what I'm wondering lol??

[@Jib230181]

@@ImaSMACKHEAD982 well mine did.

[@Jib230181]

@@fredericp64 just came across it on my homepage and thought it sounded good to watch as that’s the point of videos on KZbin is to watch them isn’t it.

[@ian3893]

I was doing this over 50 years ago,we only used our spit…….

[@african3974]

I have been trying to do this for years now. An ex-convict(big bro) showed me when he was fresh out but he told me you i need patience to do it and i honestly thought he meant SITTING IN JAIL FOR YEARS LEVEL patience and I gave up.... tried again recently but somehow I just cant get that high gloss finish

[@markbooth1117]

I still spit and polish my decent Black Oxford shoes (shoes for weddings and funerals, etc) after 30+ years as a civvie.

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

Awesome dits 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Mike-James]

Too many memories, I had two pair of best boots, swapped them when needed. At the end i used to run them under the cold tap and used cotton wool to harden the toe caps.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

I remember doing this in the 60s. A great many spare moments were spent doing this. Then, when you went on parade you would walk flat footed to stop them polish cracking.

[@donlarocque5157]

I was in San Antonio for basic in July and the salt came through the polish and ruined it.

[@chong2389]

First thing we did was to take a hot iron to smooth out he pebbled surface of the parade boots, the applying Kiwi wax polish very liberally to prevent the leather from cracking. . Someone knew how to 'spit polish' using cotton balls and Kiwi polishbut one cadet had parents who were Amway franchisees. They sold a spray that created a a patent leather effect. I did produce a 'mirror shine' but would crack across the leather behind the toe cap if too much was applied. BTW.. The ironing skills I learned at 15 years old have served me well for nearly 60 years. We only had to hear the company Sergeant ask a cadet, one time, if they had used an iron on their shirt, and the cadet answering "Yes, Sergeant" to which the Sergeant replied with an abundance of sarcasm: "Try plugging it in!" Good times! 😁

[@oldschooljack3479]

We just bought an extra pair of boots for inspection/parade... Kept them buffed to mirror shine and didn't wear/display them unless necessary. Made life a lot simpler.

[@garyrea2320]

The amount of stupid comments on here is unbelievable, this is more than just shining boots. It’s about being methodical in every aspect of yourself and kit. I love military life, civi street annoys me. Everyone should do national service and maybe people will start taking their appearance, fitness and life choices more seriously.

[@VelaiciaCreator]

Can't expect civvies to understand. Even newbies don't get it and flush out quickly.

[@moustachio74]

Yeah nah

[@Jmp5nb]

Doing this in the military cured me of ever wanting to do this in civilian life.

[@TeezerDriz]

Right on. Thoughts of polishing shoes now is the last job i want to do. Such a waste of effort and polish.

[@jaystrickland4151]

@@TeezerDriz During the pandemic I would touch up my dress shoes when I had to go somewhere and couldn't find a shoe shine guy. One of the last skills I thought I would use as a civilian lawyer.

[@johnnunn8688]

Yep. Brush polish on, brush polish off. Done.

[@Crash.7434]

Boots are made to be used, not to be pretty😂

[@KlausKokholmPetersen]

Exactly how I feel. I dont even own a pair of leather shoes anymore.

[@crowfoote]

I started out as a Cadet in Canada where my polishing skills began,I transitioned to a Militia unit where I finished my skills. This skill set has followed me all my life, (I was born when dirt was new) in a momentary lapse of reason I enlisted in the US military at age 28. During basic my mates were fascinated by my polishing technique as the American military doesn't seem to have the same desire to outshine their mess mates. I ended up teaching the whole group the Canadian way (British) way of doing your boots. I made a tidy sum of money by helping the group shine brighter than the other groups. The DI's were most impressed with how well we reflected their images.

[@TheAnagnostis]

Amazingly, I have a similar background: RCAC, militia, later NG officer!

[@ShadowJack4488]

What did you use to get them mirror shined?

[@crowfoote]

@@ShadowJack4488 nylon stocking,kiwi shoe polish, anything cotton for applicator,elbow grease...lots of elbow grease,water,elbow grease,repeat previous actions,a bit of sheepskin helps the final bit to improve shine.

[@colinmelling6369]

In the 70s the DMS boots had to be smoothed out using a hot spoon and candle to remove the pimples. Hours of work even before they seen polish.

[@citroenrelayboxerducatomat3984]

yep, the old hot spoon.. remember it well

[@Brewermb]

I can speak Russian: "Kiwi, Cherry Blossom. Kiwi, Cherry Blossom. Kiwi, Cherry Blossom"...."That's not Russian!"..."no but it's damned good Polish" 😁😁😁😁

[@electriccoconut]

Like it!

[@bazzingabomb]

I spent 3 years 12 to 15 in the army cadets and always got compliments on how shiny my boots were, being somewhat of clever clogs i found an easy way to get a mirror shine. Instead of spending hours and hours doing little circles polishing my boots like my friends i used marine gloss paint and it worked a treat i just would have to sand them down and reapply every so often. Work smarter not harder.

[@gazza363]

I'm not in the military nor have i been, but i take great pride in making my children's shoes shine for school.

[@hansmiller664]

When I was in the German Army (some 40 yrs. ago...) we had to spit a good amount on the brush and BRUSH these damned Boots until both arms fell of. The first time. Then, the 2nd time, again black shoe polish, this time rinse the brush with water and again BRUSHING . . .🧐🙄 AFTER that, (again!) a sort of Bee Wax wich had to be applied by hand/fingers and polished with a cotton ,or even better, a linen cloth! All this had to be done late after dinner, after clearing up your Lockers a.s.o. Next morning doing your Bed, and Heaven helped you if you failed . . . At age 63, I still do my shoes and my Bed like this! May God be with you Guys! Come back healthy and safe!

[@impracticaltactics]

Served in the US Navy (us and the coast guard are the only services that still polish boots in basic). I had mirrors on my feet in training, but I've been out for a while and forgot my boot polishing technique. I recently got hired as a first responder and wanted to make a good first impression. 10 coats doing what I remembered doesn't compare to 2 coats doing it this way, which was actually what I learned in cadets 10+ years ago. Hot water and running a lighter under the polish tin to soften it up helps too!

[@zymelin21]

british horse guard uses a blow torch to soften the polish (mustv be Kiwi).

[@Ripper36068]

Bulling boots gave way to great conversations and learned more about your mates, whilst all sitting around in your room in the baracks!

[@nashleysk8er]

Same techniques used when I was in the RCN. Our American cousins in the USN were always shocked that we would polish our boots to get this shine when they used some plastic type shoe that came with a shine. 🇨🇦 🇬🇧

[@locknload4691]

Those plastic shoes (i.e. "corfams") were available to U.S. Chair Force personnel, too. Most enlisted personnel owned a pair to go with their Service Dress uniforms. I was an aircraft maintainer throughout my career, and steel toe boots were mandated...and I vigorously polished those boots every morning before leaving for duty with a Hershey bar and a brick.

[@fastec5]

In the Coast Guard we can't wear Corframs on boats because if they get introduced to high heat they'll melt to your foot. Plus it's cheating.

[@roberthudson1959]

Not speaking from personal experience (badly broken leg), but I have been told that the entire military of the USA has abandoned manual mirror shines for manufactured ones.

[@fastec5]

@@roberthudson1959 USCG still hand polished boots from dull

[@ernstjunger714]

​@@roberthudson1959USN still hand polishes dress shoes and the cap of our steel toe boots. Corfams are authorized for wear though.

[@madhousenetwork]

1:13 you never leave the polish tin open like this in the sun to dry! there's something called a "lid" which comes with it and you need to place it on top of it to prevent it from becoming an useless brick

[@righteousbyfaithinChrist]

Havent worked that hard on a shoe shine...ever. Mad skills...👏🇬🇧❤️🙏🇺🇸

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

Well your religious sooo

[@thelonewolf9216]

​@@ImaSMACKHEAD982Religion has nothing to do with laziness, don't be rude and judge people solely based on their religion.

[@warrenwoodhouse]

My dad could turn my shoes from very cringy to extremely shiny, to the point that I can see my face in them!! That’s one of the many great skills they teach you in the army.

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

Its not hard pal 😂😂😂😂

[@warrenwoodhouse]

@@ImaSMACKHEAD982 You try telling me, I can never make them shine the way my dad does it.

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

@@warrenwoodhouse You should of joined up then 😂😂😂😂😂

[@warrenwoodhouse]

@@ImaSMACKHEAD982 If I was able enough, I would of joined many years ago. Unfortunately, with my personal health issues, I would be considered unfit to join, sadly. I used to be in the 1st British Western Scout Group in Gütersloh, Germany. back in 1999 to 2004. If I was in the army, puzzles and strategies are where my mind is best served.

[@withcheeseproductions]

Can't polish suede boots anymore and now they have gloss coated dress shoes

[@evinchester7820]

Leather Luster. I started using it in the early 90's rather than spending hours polishing my boots. I had two sets of boots. Field boots that were polished but not mirror polished. Garrison boots. Use to polish the hell out of them. Even polished shoes and boots for others. Then one day had enough and bought some Leather Luster and never looked back.

[@crowfoote]

Polishing boots was an example of paying attention to details, in life if you walk up to someone the first thing I do is look at their shoes (details) it will describe how they are in all things they may do.

[@PasqualeDeRosa-n1v]

True, and the reason why the movie Shawshank Redemption is, in my opinion, so bliddy annoying.

[@joannatrevino8882]

Well now that brought back memories 🙂

[@robertlinscott1551]

As a Seabee, I went to an inspection and I, the only Bee without spit shined boots was asked about it and I gave the correct answer, our boots are to be well blackened, not shiny. The CO was impressed as I was the only Bee that was in conformity with our uniform regs. In the fleet however, I did spit shine my boots for inspections, the fleet was a totally different animal.

[@tromick]

I do not know but uniform and leather or winter boots makes me excited. It is like watching raging stallion pictures.

[@bryantimmins339]

Can’t beat a pair of tights for finishing up

[@paulsharp8359]

i remember having to flatten the boots before getting to put a shine on them. a candle a spoon and time heat spoon and keep running over the boots to smooth them out.

[@charlieyerrell9146]

Paul the boots came whith pimples on the leather. Heat the spoon handle and smooth out the pimples. Then start bulling your boots.

[@JimTimber]

It's always a pleasure to hear the Swedish accent

[@wagonburnereb]

Spit shine to look good, miss those days. Oorah USMC plt 3043 Aug. 81

[@davidhunter553]

Been there, done that 😂😂

[@rustywater3219]

Cut the bristles on the long brush down to 1/2 inch or so. It works so much better. You can take a lighter to polish so it settles out flatter and easier to shine. Just don't catch the polish on fire, it'll get everywhere. For super quick shine... floor polish. But it'll Crack in a couple hours so this is emergency only. Also, to shine glass/ mirrors... wad up newspaper. Somehow the paper material makes a huge difference. (Gotta be newspaper).

[@user-be2dt8eg2x]

Yeah, had a guy in a Navy school who used Future on his dedicated inspection shoes. It worked, but he couldn't walk too much.

[@Gator-357]

Alcohol instead of water will give a mirror shine without the micro swirl marks. Also a bit of genuine wool instead of cotton will make it easier to get that shine.

[@philanderingwhitecollartra8281]

takes me back to 1922 royal westminster regiment in the 90s..

[@AlecFlackie]

Days of glory. Still got my ammo boots (just in case); could probably get the bull back up after a couple of episodes of Band of Brothers.

[@agentorange5608]

I used to do something like this. Life is too short!

[@mahari7285]

In the German military we have a simple rule for polishing boots: Clean but not shiny...unless you want your enemy to shoot your feet...! Anyway, it's very impressive to see how much dedication is put into shine up those boots! 🎗🇬🇧🇩🇪🎗

[@kmac8854]

You do know these boots are only used for ceremonial purposes 🙂👍

[@alcatraz3539]

We used to use aftershave once layers of polish had been buffed up. Seemed to make the shine even better. That was 40 years ago though!

[@ElmoUnk1953]

Excellent work, good job. As a young US Marine in the 1980’s we spit shined our boot. Now it’s becoming a lost art.

[@tfp0052]

Back in the day, thirty years ago, I would brush polish the whole boot and then spit polish the toe and heel. Sharp!

[@markymark272]

Spit and polish, the hours I clocked up doing this😂

[@leanit5756]

Mop and Glow floor wax works well too. I think it was probably the secret ingredient in the Boot Blacks' sauce they slathered on hundreds of boots everyday at the US Army Airborne School.

[@ditch9802]

Good as long as they didn’t get wet. Then the boots turned milky.

[@ms.annthrope415]

That's what it was. The Boot Blacks aren't going to spit polish 95 pairs of boots every night. They just brush the dirt off and brush on Mop and Glow mixed with black liquid shoe polish. After 3 weeks of this, your boots were ruined. It now has 79 layers of floor shine coated on, cracking the leather, and you just throw them away.

[@dmmedic34]

When my Dad was an Army Drill Sergeant, he caught two dudes with a Mop n Glo shine. He couldn’t believe the two biggest slackers in the unit did a decent boot shine- but anyway…. They were then the only designated floor polishers for the rest of Basic. Using Mop n Glo of course. No one else was assigned or allowed.

[@aceofspades5109]

Thank you, I’m not in the military but i have a pair of boots that i love and have had for years and my father recently gifted me his old shoe shining materials

[@thornydig]

Unless you can strip the boot to bare leather, dye it and apply a base of polish, you can't shine a boot. Oh? Did I mention heel and toe dressing?

[@daffyd5867]

My father taught me this when I was 10....I still do it....although I suspect he would say not good enough '...

[@yl9154]

Cynically, I can't help but to think that the cost of an hour spent polishing boot is a lot less than an hour spent on the firing range. But I do truly admire the shine and wish I had the patience and skills to do the same!

[@alistairhackney]

I have a pair of Black work boots i used to practice on, i've now been out almost 4 years and they're still (quite) shiny.

[@testtest-co9hk]

colonel : soldiers!!! we don't have wars for the rest of year so lets polish the shoes and improve out shoe polishing skills. so the enemy looks at our shoes he know how much skilled we are.

[@karhukivi]

My sister went to a convent school many years ago and was told not to shine her patent leather shoes "in case the boys see up your skirt in the reflection" - how times have changed, now it's smartphones!

[@WarBovine]

Imagine the time used buffing shoes to a mirror finish was instead used in conditioning, marksmanship drills, cqb drills, firearms drills, first aid training, and any other training that might help drill muscle memory into a soldier that could help save their life.

[@joshuahedges4882]

I think the idea is to make soldiers aware of the need to maintain kit!! This is for ceremonial duty anyway…issued boots are a flat brown.

[@lelandgaunt9985]

There is plenty of time for that training.😂

[@garywallace8521]

Aah memories! Always use clean water as spit and polish will leave an oily coating.

[@Happin3ess]

A Back to normal KZbin video. Interesting, you learn something and it's 3 minutes. Great video : ) more please.

[@davidwilson9568]

It has to be kiwi shoe polish and a saucer of warm water.

[@Gypsum179]

The lid from the kiwi polish works well for the water.

[@DaveAinsworth-y8h]

When I was a Rifleman in The Royal Green Jackets, we don't high polishing our boots because high polishing boots can be seen in combat.

[@Ogrematic]

"What smells like shoe polish?" "I'm not even supposed to be here today!"

[@Nick-mq9on]

Personally I judge folks by their character not by how shiny their boots are.

[@dmmedic34]

@@Nick-mq9on That’s really not the point. Someone with sound character can also pay attention to detail and shine their boots.

[@beargritter7618]

Try to bull your boots in a cool environment/shade. The heat from the sun can make it difficult for the polish to harden. Been there done that.

[@obiwanfisher537]

Gotta love the idea to spend an hour doing your boots just so they are dirty after 5 minutes of duty anyway.

[@citroenrelayboxerducatomat3984]

an HOUR?? not from being virgin new.. try around 6 hours, toecaps, heels, both to a mirror glaze, the remaining sides and laced areas about 2 hours, once that's done THEN it may only need an hour or two to maintain the gloss in future,..

[@emanuelroth7960]

I just wonder whether it would be smarter to spend this time and effort on the shooting range rather than learning to shine shoes. Afterall, I've never seen a soldier in the middle of a war wishing he had more shoe shining training.

[@VelaiciaCreator]

It's a routine deal out of combat zones. To instill the ability to do a tedious task daily.

[@crowfoote]

I was marksman and I shined my boots

[@lelandgaunt9985]

Plenty of range time happens, especially when weapons qual records get lost every quarter.

[@keithad6485]

Don't like spit polishing boots? Join the Aussie Army. Since the Aussie Army adopted the RM Williams elastic sided black boot as the standard Parade Boot, a few years back, no spit polishing is permitted. When I enlisted in the 1980s, spit polishing my GP boots was required.

[@calijoe1074]

Good Job! After a solid base, I used to use neutral polish to add depth to the shine....

[@Lucifyx]

How do you guys prevent cracking at where the creases are? Like sure you can shine that area but once you put in on and start walking, the polish at the crease area cracks

[@billmmckelvie5188]

The leather will be two to three millimetres thick so it is pretty rigid for starters. To stop your boots from creasing, after you take them pack them with brown (not grease proof) packing paper this absorbs any sweat. Ensure the toe and shoe before the tongue is packed solid. If you have got creases in your shoes you can press them out with an iron, using a wet clothing to protect the leather Search for 'Tring Cobbler' on KZbin, he has a video showing you how it is done!

[@lothean2099]

I use to spit shine my boots first..the same way, but cheated after. I gave my boots a coating of mop and glow. All done in 15 minutes.

[@dghys]

How long does it actually take to arrive at the end result?

[@johnzajac9849]

The Zen of boot polishing!

[@crowfoote]

indeed

[@rbetts2022]

In the US military (army specifically, no other branch does this) only personnel attached to Airborne and Air assault units have to shine boots, and those boots are only worn in the dress uniform.

[@freedomloverusa3030]

I couldn’t be happier with our desert boots.

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

I remember guys buying Corfam (patten leather) shoes, wussies, I alway used polish, like a man 😄. For quick touch ups between polish sessions I’d buff up with pantyhose I got from my girlfriend (later wife😊). I’d also store my low quarters in them. Oh, great job on the boots.

[@Keeperlit_24]

Hard to beat spraying them. Saves a hell of time and look just as gud if not better

[@howarddavies6685]

‘Morello’?

[@Keeperlit_24]

@@ImpendingJoker ur obv not doing them right then

[@ms-terious]

Every waller that I knew that went down that route got caught out.

[@Keeperlit_24]

@@ms-terious havn’t been caught yet and been doing it 12 yrs

[@Jimmythefish577]

Must be a crab….

[@dimsum5499]

More blinks-pre-while, post, color-schemes-colors-back-drops, wheels-flood-lights!

[@jasonstewart7112]

Never having been in the service, how long would it take to get a high shine finish like that? Hours? Days? Weeks?

[@nycytc8055]

A couple of hours each week. The more you do it, the less you have to maintain it.

[@diogeneslantern18]

If you use Preston Soto's method it should take 30 minutes. Definitely under an hour.

[@VelaiciaCreator]

From a fresh boot or dress shoe(if you want formal snazziness), you could bang out a pair of decent gloss in a few hours. Mirror shine after a few such sessions. That of course is with the special techniques I know. Particularly to avoid spit in any form in the mix, and replace the water with after shave.

[@chong2389]

Maybe an hour, depending on how scuffed they got in the day's training. Yes, we were issued one pair of ankle boots to train in and wear on parade.

[@jackthelad5366]

Was amazed at the standard of the KCS of the Raf Regiments boots absolutely amazing

[@EpischeMusik]

Wow the unpolished side looks so much better

[@peterrudy9207]

The brand Lincoln black boot polish was the norm at Lackland AFB , Texas in 1981 .

[@crowfoote]

I was there in 84

[@peterrudy9207]

@@crowfoote I also went to tech school there for Security Specialist . And got recycled during basic training , obviously made it the second time .

[@lelandgaunt9985]

Lincoln wax

[@peterrudy9207]

@@lelandgaunt9985 Yes

[@justme93309]

Working on the flight deck we just glossy black spray paint when needed once a month.

[@donsmith2833]

That is different than I learned here in Canada. Then again I was Navy and an officer....

[@lulutileguy]

ahh just go with the dubbin you know mink oil now you qualify to buff the RR on the limos heard it takes huge amount time also that is some shine alright happen to have Makita polisher if you get tired

[@bernardsmith1329]

No hot spooning? That's progress I guess!

[@MikeH-sg2ue]

We would hot spoon combat boots, to get ride of the bubbles. Bring them up to a great shine also. For the finale shine, we would use aftershave with the polish, for the alcohol, as it would evaporate faster!

[@Mr__Chicken]

@@MikeH-sg2ue What''s hot spooning?

[@MikeH-sg2ue]

@@Mr__Chicken With new combat boots, the leather was covered in bumps. We’d sit with a candle (some used lighters), put a spoon over the flame so the bowl was upside down over the flame, then while very hot we’d press the curved spoon over the bumpy leather smoothing out those bumps, after this process, we’d get a nice shine on even combat boots. Only had one shiny pair, they were for parades! Day to day combat boots were just blackened to SOPs. Hope, that explains it for you, Russell.

[@Mr__Chicken]

@@MikeH-sg2ue Thanks for that info!

[@baseline33]

Never heard of using sandpaper on boots. We rubbed with a spoon handle heated in a candle flame.

[@nervousnellyterencemorton]

Oh the joys of bulling a pair of 'bang bangs'. Still practice on a pair of gibsons just for relaxation purposes.

[@ms-terious]

This brought back unwanted memories of depot...

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Thank you officers! I was into making patting boot polish but this is genius! Much simpler. Again sincere thanks!😅

[@davidrausch7941]

Love how much this reminds me of a makeup tutorial

[@Cappellano]

After mastering jackboots, this is child’s play.

[@puggins1]

saw a couple guys actually sprat paint their boots for inspections only, doesn't last but sure is shiny for about 20mins, lol

[@donmcc6573]

Cotton balls always worked best for me.

[@jonathanklopf7581]

WoW now that's a shine! Great job sir.

[@christophercrippin54]

So their polishing bees wax and not the actual leather