How to Parade Shine Your Military Shoes: Bulling, Parade Gloss, & Mirror Shine In Depth Guide.

[@0bscura]

This is absolutely amazing. I was in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and we had to do this. I wish we knew the techniques you are teaching back then because we were doing it all wrong making for a lot of extra work. Thanks.

[@josueborrego63]

I was in the A&M Corps of Cadets class of 2023! Learned a lot about boot shining through this KZbin channel!

[@carltrotter7622]

I'm glad to finally see the King's guard beeswax method being professionally demonstrated. I entirely agree that it should not be used for convensional dress shoes and only treat my parade shoes this manner. As a warning to anyone who does this in a particularly cold country like the United Kingdom, sometimes the beeswax can get very stiff and even snap off if you leave it without maintenance for a while.

[@TheElegantOxford]

I appreciate the insight. Thanks for commenting.

[@nathanmandala8465]

@@TheElegantOxford Been looking but where do I find beeswax in the first place

[@vexxus3425]

I’m currently watching while shining my shoes for my first inspection day in NJROTC, wish me luck!

[@MrRandy-ti3jr]

Hey there, I hope your inspection goes well. I'm the Commanding Officer for an NJROTC unit over in Washington State. I bet you'll do great. Keep with the program. You never know where it might take you.

[@Lordcerberusx]

My shine was always decent but after years in the department of corrections your tips gave my boots a whole new level of pride and dedication to the career. I will be teaching my staff this method. Thank you sir for your time and great presentation!!

[@nickdeez8611]

A Sergeant with 16 years in Corrections here. I've been following this guys' tips for a little while now and my boots look the best they ever have. It's rare to see shined boots anymore but I try as often as I can to encourage my officers to take the time and do this.

[@Agerskiold]

The Magical words! ‘If You feel friction Your pulling Wax off’ Thank You, Sir 🙏🏼 It almost looks like patented leather and this I say as a compliment 👌

[@KevinS3928]

I was an MP in the late 70's through the mid 80's and then other MOS's, I always had a minimum of 7 pairs each of dress shoes and Corcoran jump boots. I would wear which ever was called for in rotation, so that no pair was worn consecutively. I would spit-shine each pair everyday, that way whichever ones I wore would have to a minimum of 7 layers by the time I wore them again. I also broke starch at least twice a day.

[@thoughtful_criticiser]

I needed this video at least 47 years ago when I joined the army cadets and definitely needed it a few years later when I joined the regular army.

[@Juanasoto33]

It’s so satisfying watching the transformation. From beginning to end! Truly amazing finish!! So shiny and smooth!! 🤩🎉

[@kostaskritsilas2681]

This is close to what we used to do at Air Cadets (Royal Canadian Airforce equivalent of JROTC). Instead of using a heat gun, we "burned" the boots (originally started with cap toe shoes, but moved to flight style boots (ankle boots, essentially) after a year. Instead of a heat gun, we melted the first, rather heavy application of shoe wax (usually Kiwi, we were told to not use Tana/Tanya), and melted the wax all the way down. The preferred heat source was either a light or wood matches (we were taught to not use paper matches). Then, we just let the shoes cool off. After that, we just essentially did the same as you did, but instead of the water/water-alcohol mix, we just spit on the shoe. The parade shine/mirror shine was only required for the toe/lower part of the uppers, nothing further than the seam that separated the front part of the boot from the rest of it. The rest of the boot was to be maintained to be just black, without parade/mirror shine. Shoe/boot shining was given as a short instructional course within the first month of entering the Air Cadet program.

[@ivankostamo9698]

I just aged out of Air Cadets a year-ish ago. I remember my father telling me that was the method he was taught when he was in during the late 80s (some still have the same boots as then... if you're lucky to be issued an old pair that's real leather). I'm not sure how long ago they stopped recommending heat sources to the Cadets, but it was definitely before my time. It is almost discouraged, but I found it was one of the fastest and most reliable (provided one did not burn their boots) ways to build and maintain the full boot glossed. Nowadays, we have people similarly do the shine to Preston's civvie shoe tutorial, and it works! Nevertheless, I remember having better shines than some of my WO2s only a few months in thanks to a hairdryer and stubbornness to keep polishing during my free time after school. Ultimately, I believe it always boils down to how much effort one puts into research (or asking questions) and hard work.

[@miker5502]

Lol😅! I was in the Canadian Air Cadet Movement in the late 60's and 70’s..this was one of the first things they taught us, to spit shine our shoes. The bigger problem was once my Dad saw how well I could do this he made me polish all his dress shoes in this manner. Needless to say I got pretty good at it with all the extra practice. Cheers from Nova Scotia…MikeR.

[@221b-Maker-Street]

Watching you work is an absolute delight, Preston... Hello from Across The Pond.

[@benicioparedes8745]

THANK YOU FOR THE BEESWAX, its impossible to find videos that show how to apply the beeswax cause i just got my new boots and have been a bit scared to apply beesawx to them THKANKKK YOUUU

[@qfarri]

Another great video, Preston. If I’d had this tutorial (or ANY of your tutorials) just over 20 years ago, my life would’ve been infinitely easier. LOL!!!

[@nsatoday]

This is a very good Demonstration. I’d say having served for 21 years that typically the method we used back then, was to saddle soap the new boot or shoe, hit it with black leather dye and remove any excess, use a heat gun to melt a few layers of Lincoln wax or kiwi to the leather and then start shining. We’d typically use some socks for maintenance shines instead of a shoe tree because it wouldn’t make the vamp so stretched during shining meaning less “glitter” from wax flaking out of the flex points. Monday mornings, parades, etc would get the full monty

[@nsatoday]

And for my dress uniform I got AE’s to replace the issued ones for special occasions. Parades etc got the issued shoes which were low quality. Bate’s would fall apart after a year of real wear. My AE’s lasted me my whole career with 2 resoles. Bought a new pair when I retired.

[@EmilyGibbons-r1r]

The shine is happening in front of our eyes he did what took me and hour in less than 5 minutes this is amazing

[@dontbovver4413]

This video is great. Just don't get distracted and listen to it like an audiobook. It opens the mind to interpretations.

[@jayc2287]

Great video. I’m glad you went over, not only the initial polishing, but also the ongoing maintenance requirements.

[@davidv.l.hriatzela6295]

Wow this is art at its best. One question, does the shoe crack when they walk? The crease area are all glossed over.

[@theviewer7262]

Wow, i was about to criticize your teachings but...wow. thank you for showing me this.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Constructive criticisms are always welcome too. Thanks for watching

[@ireiaand]

Wonderful job Preston! Always a joy to see your notification pop up.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks for watching!

[@rjdunnutube]

This is the best mirror polishing video I have ever seen! Great Job! I am a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 661 Honor Guard (non-profit veterans organization), I am creating a training video for current and new Honor Guard Members. I would very much appreciate getting permission to include your entire video within our training video. Would you be open to giving me the permission to do so?

[@gbyo1823]

Have you ever tried using cotton balls to apply the wax? Works great. That’s what many of us used in the Army.

[@Rolvin16]

Never heard of the beeswax method, interesting. Enjoyed the video! We just used multiple base coats of black kiwi wax and then the “spit shine” with a 100% cotton ball and alcohol/water mix. Actually won a boot shining competition back when I was a Lt 🤓 thx to my ole man who taught me the technique (son of an enlisted man). Is Saphir better than the old school Kiwi wax?

[@gtebit83]

Amazing work of art, the whole video was very satisfying

[@michaelferguson3426]

Old Army ground pounder here, for a great mirror shine use cotton balls dampened with distilled water. Continue making the cotton balls more wet as you shine. I was the battalion’s go to when someone needed help before going before a promotion board.

[@221b-Maker-Street]

Isn't that the _opposite_ of Preston's advice here, though: 12:08? I am now very confus. 🥴

[@TheElegantOxford]

Learn as much as you can from different sources and try different techniques to see what works for you. There are 1000 ways to shine a shoe. This is just my method.

[@ggs113]

Awesome shine. Great tutorial. I definitely will use this technique.

[@kevinlucas8437]

Always wondered how they looked so amazing ❤

[@timberleeiii]

so niceeee,sir! I have some customers who don't know how to take care of shoes,I usually send to them your channel.Great!

[@DanielSeymour4]

HDR Video looks amazing

[@Sashank53rd]

THANK YOU I REALLY NEED THIS

[@rdcb1057]

Very helpful video!

[@r.mercado9737]

Super outstanding! I needed to watch this piece again. Much enjoyment. Question: What do you use for edge dressing? Also, where were these shoes purchased from?

[@dannythorne9761]

Hi I'm from Cardiff bull shine on Facebook and this is my speciality I ausaly melt loads of beeswax in untill it's made the rock hard and 0 flex then I make sure to remove excess wax to leave just the grain of the leather then do a normal mirror shine from scratch

[@TheElegantOxford]

Very cool information. Good to see you on here.

[@dannythorne9761]

@@TheElegantOxford we do that because the way I and others who do it for the British military see beeswax is to stop the cracking so the mirror shine won't need to be redone if you have a look at the household devision the (the guards outside Buckingham Palace) they do the same thing I believe there is a video on forces news about it

[@Trinity10iloveyall]

The reason for the sand tamped down really really hard and the eyelets wired is the boot or shoe will normally shrink a size as you heat it, hence if you're a medium fit you indent for next size up and wide fit.

[@mikeoxley6303]

You can sand them down that works well to preston if you burn the wax into the leather till it bubbles then it wont crack the shoe will be rock hard and wont flex

[@lenhister]

When you feel friction, how do you know when to put on more wax or more water?

[@professortogun9634]

I wish I had seen this video before Commencement at The Citadel. I will be trying this with the cadets.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Good to see you on here bro. Keep up the good work.

[@vaughanroberts6667]

Well done an excellent progressive tutorial

[@BlackOps347]

Paramedic here. What would you do if you got blood on your boot and needed to clean it off. Sometimes we use Lysol foam spray underneath our shoes due to feces, vomit, etc

[@poppajretired410]

When I graduated from basic training I immediately purchased a pair of black patent leather shoes for my dress uniform

[@jefforton3149]

I love watching your videos. I have come a long way in shining from the countless hours of Watching and doing simultaneously. I still have trouble with lacking. How do I stop that?

[@mbdsmu]

Been using the water alcohol mix since the 80s.

[@hectorfm7943]

Amigo, ojalá y me respondas. Usaste cera de abeja que la calentaste con la pistola de calor, la aplicaste sobre el zapato y la fuiste retirando poco a poco con un trapo, ya después aplicas la grasa para darle el brillo. Logré entender que mezclas agua con alcohol al momento de echarle unas gotas al zapato y darle más brillo. Me gustó esa técnica. En ocasiones anteriores te he comentado que no sé inglés, pero aún así veo tus videos y veo lo que haces. Saludos desde Veracruz, México. Ojalá e hicieras más videos en español.

[@MrCarlito5656]

CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT S THE SHOES BRAND AND STYLE I REALLY LOVE THAT STYLE THANK YOU

[@stewm400driver]

How do decide between mirror shine and pat de luxe? I would have guessed mirror for the final 5%!

[@ThePhoenixCAPT97]

If I didn’t see this video, and I saw only the completed shine on the shoes, I would have thought, it would’ve had plastic frames. They look good, but they are painful.

[@paulbrowning7046]

Great video, @elegantoxford thank you! I already have some officer shoes (not Oxford-style, no toe caps). Which I have already used your standard mirror technique. I have two questions if I may: 1 - Do you recommend ONLY using beeswax for parade shoes, leaving general shoes with no beeswax? 2 - On my Elegant Oxford mirror shoes I have some chips in the polish. How do you recommend repairing that? Thanks again!

[@robertmulrooney9780]

I like the little water dispenser. Where can I get something similar? The shoes look amazing btw!

[@SeanAnwalt]

Thank you for this!

[@CorazonDeCristoCano]

I'd like to see a version of this that's uncut from beginning to end.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Truly uncut would run 2-4 hours but definitely possible.

[@CorazonDeCristoCano]

@@TheElegantOxford Yeah, I hear you. On the plus side, way less editing! By the way, what's the ratio of water to alcohol in that mixture?

[@TheElegantOxford]

I use 50/50 but start with less and play around with it. 50/50 might be too strong for the average

[@CorazonDeCristoCano]

@@TheElegantOxford Will do, thanks! Also, what's that vertical press pump style of bottle called and where can I find one?

[@Gollammeister]

So you didn’t sand the toe area for the wax to absorb into leather better ??

[@TheBackpackingSailor]

when would you advise stripping and redoing them? im active duty navy and wanting to do this with my boots and shoes just wondering at what point do you just reset and do it all over again also how would this go if ive already polished them with kiwi and/or lincoln polish

[@opinionsvary]

In my opinion: Rapid heating hardenes leather & can cause cement to release. That's why you don't continue to wear the same shoes to the point leather is sweat saturated. US military guys do not polish shoes anymore going for the Bates patent leather because pigmented shoe polish can transfer to the pant leg resulting in more uniform maintenance that is unnecessary. Military shoes are all derbies & polishing the tongue may seem pointless even though it may help prolong the military spec nylon laces. Military polish is always a black satin that technique brings to a mirror shine.

[@dot6924]

now what about us navy guys that got to wear steel toe boots? Would you make a video on that?

[@squealingbagpipes1686]

Hey Preston how would I condition or add some shoe cream if the boot is dry after some use, but without removing all the polish? can I just put in on there or should I strip it before doing so

[@Bakachu7]

GREAT tutorial! I should probably get a great gun, but can I use a lighter on the follow up mirror shine treatment if I don't have one?

[@brownMonster-i6f]

Can someone help me,I did the exact same process but right when i start shining it,I keep pulling wax off no matter what

[@alanharris3277]

I have a pair of full grain leather golf shoes with an English pebble (white) finish. In maintaining the shoe I priority is protection over shine. Would there be any downside in applying a base coat of bees wax (as shown in the video) to this pebbled leather? By definition the shoe is regularly exposed to harsh conditions. My current process is: (1) clean with a leather cleaner (eg.Renomat). (2) Saphir cream polish over entire shoe (3) Saphir Medaille d'Or Pate de Luxe on toes and heels only (being concerned about hard wax buildup in the pebbling). 4. Apply a protective spray such as Collonil Carbon Pro or Tarrago Nono-protector. Immediately after each use i just use a dry cloth and soft brush to remove debris.

[@seasoldier3902]

What happens when you go walkies in these nice shiny shoes? The polish cracks along the creases and fails off, as the shoe flexes, thus your hard work is for nothing! What is the DS solution to that issue, please?

[@justinmiller1191]

My dad graduated from Patrick Henry High in the 70's.

[@jesseburnette6028]

Question: if you get used boots or shoes, do you need to strip the old polish off before doing the beeswax? Or, apply beeswax over the old and follow the rest of the technique as described in the video?

[@DP7_Fr4y3r_YT]

Can you do a video on cadet boots?

[@bernardibrahim]

are patent leather shoes frowned upon in parades?

[@1etcetera1]

But once in a while one should remove a wax completely and condition the leather and do the first step again, or?

[@paulamugabi7320]

Yes that was mentioned

[@isaac6302]

Will this work with police tactical boots ?

[@ozeki2116]

I need help can’t get a decent shine on my boots and did what you did I was wondering if my boots leather is too cheap ?

[@giorgiomigliaccio772]

Thank you, great video... how many layers of wax did you put before the mirror gloss? You mentioned 10+ layers of wax, do you put 10 layers of each?

[@charlesmartin1079]

Have you ever had any problems with the heat gun melting the sole glue? I seen some glued on soles come right off on hot days.

[@schmick125]

This is the first time I’ve seen beeswax used in a shine. Would you recommend using beeswax on the toe and heel on all shoes you plan on mirror shining?

[@pfcdennisc]

Can you do a method that lasts for police duty boots, like bates?

[@VINLAND_FXB]

I really appreciate this video and all of the work you do! When putting on the base layers, is there a certain amount of layers you can put on at once before you need to let sit for a day or so? Like if I was going to put on 20 base layers before shining, do I need to give time between any coats? Or is that mostly a thing while you are actually shining and you cant seem to get it any shinier?

[@rickythe2nd63]

Excellent

[@spartacus33186]

Hey Preston, great video. I wish you had made this earlier as I have these type of shoes and followed the other video from many months ago. Being that I did it using your old video using the wax, heat gun, and the mirror gloss, it came out ok but not like this shine you just did. Is it too late to use bees wax since the pores are filled in? Do I just continue to do the pate de luxe, mirror gloss, and alcohol/water for the entire shoe?

[@indraprasyumlembam8307]

i got a mirror shine but it's cracked the first time I wear, is it because of my skills or the quality of the wax?

[@kelvinthenedy]

Hey, Preston! Have you ever tried Kiwi Parade Gloss Prestige? I heard it's an all natural product? Would love to hear your takes on this. Thank you in advance!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Hey Kevin. I have never tried it but unfortunately I may never get the chance. SC Johnston has discontinued Kiwi.

[@kelvinthenedy]

@@TheElegantOxford ah that's unfortunate. Well, best of luck, still!!!

[@OP10thNakama]

Is it military standard to mirror shine even the crease points of the shoe? Wonder if the mirror shine of the toe box and heels are more for formal foot wear.

[@matthieuparker5071]

Can I use beemax and this Saphir process on a shoe that has been already waxed with Kiwi's? Or should I start over with new oxford shoes ?

[@rudrabarathan2737]

Nice video, Why you don't make more videos like before?

[@rossbriannestein5054]

I have a pair of Allen Edmond loafers with tassels. The tassels are fraying out, do you have any syon how to make them straight again? They are leather

[@Ibanez2005gio]

Could I use otter wax instead of beeswax to build my base?

[@codetwohigh]

Great job but you might as well buy patent leather shoes because most people won’t even believe that you polished them that glossy. That’s why I only mirror shine the toe caps because then it’s more believable.

[@z1510r]

Will the wax crack and dust off when walking at the creases? I haven't been able to prevent the flake at the crease.

[@scharazz]

Where did you get that bottle from? I need that one. Just started into shining my shoes

[@markl2322]

Okay....now show me how to polish BRASS!

[@YahyaSohail02]

Where to get shoe alcohol ?

[@TheElegantOxford]

I just buy it at Walmart. It’s regular isopropyl alcohol

[@Anthony-hu1cz]

In the Irish army we paint boots with black paint

[@d3c1ph3r44]

Do you have a link to purchase that water dispenser or where can you get it?

[@TheElegantOxford]

I got mine from Kirby Allison.

[@sydneykabwe-ls8co]

How bout if u don't have saphir polish can u use kiwi on Bata shoe

[@Gollammeister]

So I assume this applies to boots as well

[@TheElegantOxford]

Yes

[@Souza.11495]

What is clear liquid? ... water ?

[@joshuaperez6631]

What shoes is that

[@alphashot3910]

would this be good for boots? And would the beeswax be able to fill in slightly creased toe since they had a crease when they got issued.

[@philipBotha-qi7rc]

How do we get some of saphir products in South africa 🇿🇦

[@paulamugabi7320]

Amazon

[@TheTman9898]

I've been wondering, as dumb as this sounds, does the texture of the leather matter in achieving a mirror shine? I've been practicing polishing on different shoes - I can somewhat get a decent finish (still a lot more to practice!) on smooth leather like formal shoes, whereas my work boots have an almost nobbly texture and I can't get anywhere near a comparable shine to build up. Any tips?

[@Sascha-o7q]

Preston, I'm confused? Ina previous video you said you only put a little bit of rubbing alcohol to flavor the water in this video you said 5050? By the way beautiful work and I'm really into watching you patina differently as you are a true artist... Daniel from Renton Washington USA

[@TheElegantOxford]

You’ll need to feel it out. I’ve added more and more as the years have gone on. I’m up to 50/50 now. It just works best for me but your experience might differ

[@Sascha-o7q]

​@@TheElegantOxford Oh I had another question, Finally today there's not much supplies here for some reason I got some navy blue Polish and just got then polishing my black shoes will it not work as well if it isn't the hard wax like the Pat Deluxe or the mirror shine? Yours aren't just amazing with that hint of blue that makes it look even Richer and darker Glossy mirror black

[@TheElegantOxford]

@@Sascha-o7q if it’s cream polish, which is a cream, it won’t shine as well as the tin wax. Cream polish serves to restore polish and condition leather. You’ll need any tin wax.

[@Sascha-o7q]

@@TheElegantOxford It is a creme polish, Very slim Pickens here only found one place that uses saphir... Yes I'm going to have to step up and pay For better Products like saphir And buy from you When my resources become available. Cheers

[@Glue.Man.]

Hey i have a pair of boots that already have dubbin and layers of polish build up should i use a leather stripping product to get down to the base grain if i want to apply beeswax and these other products or can i go from where i am right now onwards and apply the beeswax right away?

[@verbatimcar15turnercar77]

Am I able to use saphir polish on a boot that already has kiwi on it, or should I strip it and sand paper it down.

[@TheElegantOxford]

@@verbatimcar15turnercar77 you can just keep shining. No worries

[@wojtekimbier]

Is this method also good for leather care or is it looks at the expense of longevity? I'm wondering if the beeswax will help condition the leather for everyday wear

[@TheElegantOxford]

It’s looks at the expense of longevity but when it comes to utilitarian boots and shoes made for duty or marching, it is considered an acceptable trade off all things considered. Not so in communities where people spend thousands on shoes.

[@AceRobo]

Watch the video at 2 times speed. 1/2 the time.

[@r.mercado9737]

OOHRAH! Many thanks! Semper Fi

[@rxlo1015]

Outstanding work 👍