SHINING MY WIFE’S DR. MARTENS: DOC MARTENS 1460 SHINE TUTORIAL

The Elegant Oxford is a Clothing & Apparel Project Offering Premium Shoe Restorations, Patinas, & Artisan Shines for Quality Men’s Shoes.
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[@hannakinn]

When I was a kid and also well into my teens I always loved shining my father's boots and leather items. He needed for his shoes, boots and leather items to look great. Dad was in the AirForce, then when he was a policeman and then he was in the Border Patrol. In all of those jobs he had nice leather shoes and boots and leather accessories that needed to be taken care of and well polished. It was my job and joy to shine his things, especially the things he wore to special events, his "dress" items. I was probably about 5 when I first started, I was so proud to have been given such an important job to do. I used cold water for the spit shine, because I was a girl and I wasn't going to be gross and spit on my daddy's shoes, eww gross (lol). I'd feel so happy when I could see myself on the toes and know my daddy was going to look top notch at work. I never heard the phrase mirror shine until I started watching your videos, we always called it a spit shine. Dad would say I made his things look pretty spiffy. He's gone now, five years without him, my son has some of my dad's shoes, even though they're far too small for him. I think the next time I visit my son I'll give my dad's old shoes a mirror shine, if I can. I'll probably cry while doing it, but it's OK sometimes you need to do things to feel close again or remember days long gone.

[@DJVARAO]

What a beautiful story Hanna. Thanks for sharing. I bet he was very proud of you too.

[@TheElegantOxford]

You’re a great daughter!

[@hannakinn]

@@TheElegantOxford thank you. 👢👞☀️😎

[@jonathanrobinson9208]

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful memory ❤❤❤❤

[@ccbphoto]

Touching....

[@dpfc74]

Probably the most expensive shoe shine a pair of Doc Martens has ever seen! Very nice job. They look awesome.

[@carlocabe5268]

Doc Martens 3989 VINTAGE MADE IN ENGLAND BROGUE SHOES $210.00 This is the most expensive but not a high shine of we have seen.

[@dillonwinter3521]

Carlo Cabe he means the most expensive polish not shoes

[@irishwinds8316]

So I asked if this could be done and you said as long as its leather and surprise surprise here you are actually showing it being done. 40 plus year Doc wearer. Thanks mate, you made me one happy Irishman lol.

[@TheElegantOxford]

My pleasure. I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@kaic9712]

IrishWinds what are docs used for are they like high quality boots or something or what kind of person could wear them

[@irishwinds8316]

It really depends on what you buy and where they are made. As of late the Chinese have semi taken over the market and the quality isn't as good. However you can still purchase the originals. Sadly they stopped making the ones that had a life time guarantee which was well worth it to invest into. Doc Marten's have been around for ages in European countries. I'd say about 40 or so years ago they made their foot print in the US possibly even further back than that. They were designed for bobbies ( cops ) mostly. The reason why was due to the sole which is a air filled sole so it gives the sense of walking on a cloud. Later on they gained use from nazi/skinheads, punk rock, agnostic ect types of people. I'm not sure if what I've said is helpful but I will say if you get the ones made in england you won't be disappointed. They will be stiff and take time to break in but once done they fit like a glove. Proper care ect will ensure they last for ages.

[@221b-Maker-Street]

@@kaic9712 Anyone can wear them as a casual boot or shoe! Agree with Irish Winds about the quality changing, but my vintage purple Docs are from the early 90s and still going strong. I've built up a collection of about 20 pairs - in all colours and finishes - just for fun really, though the rare collabs become collectors' pieces. Blisters for the first two weeks (should have broken them in at home first - the impatience of youth!) After that, the comfiest footwear I own. 🤗

[@stephensmith4480]

I wore Doc Martins going to school in the 1970s. They were like a badge of office in our school. I had a Black pair and later on, an Ox Blood pair. Once they were worn in, they were so comfortable, they were like leather slippers and polishing them was always a joy. Your mates would give you some stick, if you turned up and your Docs were not polished like a mirror. Happy days.

[@voltaire-325]

Wow never expected to see something like this on your channel. Very interesting. A mirror shine can make any pair of shoes look better

[@wilde1909]

I loved this video, a spit shine on Dr. Martens really made me chuckle.

[@leftyk1968]

Happy wife happy life, shine those boots chulo, do what la nena tells you or else. Great job..... glad to hear she wanted that mirror shine boieeee.

[@maxdondada]

You have a beautiful family brother! Great video how she’s appreciates the shine.

[@joaquin-jacknava2696]

Thanks Preston’s. Those are the first Doc Martens I have seen shined up. Great video.

[@davidchavez4594]

Good to see you take care the wife needs that says a lot about you I m happy that you guys are ok and to see new video 😎👍

[@NOWAY-jw3iq]

You polished cheap Chinese leather to a excellent shine. I am impressed.

[@tireoghain82]

I've been wearing Docs for over 20 years and never even considered them with a mirror shine. You've inspired me to attempt one on my new Made In England Oxblood boots. Cheers!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Made in England are the best!

[@jameshogan35]

I use cordovan wax polish to start, and finish off with a layer of navy wax polish, gives those oxblood Docs a really nice depth.

[@martinzambranojr5029]

Nice! Great Family! I’m loving the Character of the shine table! 🕶

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks, Martin!

[@odomandr]

She used to roll her eyes at your KZbin videos. Now she is smitten as the first in person guest star

[@12801270able]

SMH at your wife rolling her eyes on your hobby/entrepreneurial venture.

[@TheCheshireDragon]

Was about to ask about DMs and here I find a video! Thank you!

[@mookiepookie444]

So cute!! Lovely family, Preston 💕

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thank you so much!

[@jonathanrobinson9208]

Gorgeous shine as always !👌❤

[@suemcclellan1004]

Awesome. Perfection. Love your channel! Thank you.

[@Juanasoto33]

Yay! Finally, I’m so excited to watch lol!! I love them 😍😗🙌🏻

[@ddriveddrive4986]

So happy to see your wife is beautiful!

[@iridiumscribe4915]

This was quite relaxing to watch. I've been shining shoes since childhood but I couldn't never understand how to get that mirror shine. I've been planning to do this on a pair of Doc Martens myself.

[@sting5956]

I was thinking of doing boot polishing videos, various punk / hardcore / skinhead style boots and whatnot. I wasn’t sure if people would care about seeing it but after seeing the response to this video I think it would be a great idea! Great vid

[@TheElegantOxford]

Awesome idea!

[@gekkoman4853]

Thank you for the amazing video, you have a beautiful family Preston

[@enzo.7947]

Ciao Preston, great job for your Wife.... now we are waiting the same shine for your baby 😉🤣💖 Bravo bravissimo 👍👏💖

[@TheElegantOxford]

Haha I want to find her a pair to shine

[@brooklynqueen125]

I can't wait to work on mine. Thank you for posting this! 😍😍😍😍😍

[@TheElegantOxford]

My pleasure, Monica!

[@neilhutton1528]

I recently copied your tutorial on mirror shine on my new-issue Magnum work boots which responded amazingly to the mirror shine. They look too posh for work now!! I thought I might have gone over the top but after watching this I'm satisfied I'm not too precious. I had a pair of DM uniform safety shoes which I mirror shined and they lasted me over 20years. I love telling some of the new recruits that my shoes are older than them!!!😂 They are still perfectly wearable but the sole has worn to a shine too now so a bit dangerous on wet surfaces..... Ordering a pair of Altberg boots for work now so I suspect they will get the same treatment... Keep up the great videos.

[@TheElegantOxford]

That’s awesome Neil

[@zefdin101]

Preston, you have a very elegant family..lol Seriously, your wife and daughter are beautiful and I wish you all the best.

[@rjgiddings]

Glad you are back !

[@TheElegantOxford]

It’s good to be back

[@davidbowman271]

I found a pair of Doc Martens at a Goodwill Store in my size. They were a bit dirty, but once clean turned out to be in perfect condition. I wear them with jeans or casual dress with khakis.

[@michaelt.9372]

Going through a correctional academy and need to polish my docs to a shine. This was very helpful. Thank you

[@johnj_nova]

Glad I came across this.. thanks for posting.

[@mahreeohhhh]

Haha my wife has the same exact pair in the same size! This video gives me a reason to clean her shoes up too.

[@linkinparkdrift]

I did the exact same thing to mine. Gives them a very military spit shined look

[@hattiecolley54]

Absolutely Genius. U r such a pleasure to watch. Thank u!

[@gasaul5759]

It would be interesting to see a six months update of these Doc Martens!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Sure!

[@3spressoShot]

@@TheElegantOxford did you do the update ?

[@michael55116]

I mainly use the doc martens leather conditioner...on everything from the sandals, wingtip, creapers brings them back to a smooth soft finish. It is more of a wax than I'd say a cream

[@michael55116]

@actnowone Yes. leaves a more waxy look/finish? You have to buff it off or the shoes has kind of a greasy look, not like a nurshised clean finish

[@BEM_01]

Please do more Dr. Martens videos! I own a pair of their maroon brogues. I hope you can do mirror shine to something similar to it!

[@ardentdfender4116]

I still own 2 pairs of Doc Martens and will continue to own them until the day I die. Japan is one country where teens to around middle age population seems to be fanatically about wearing Doc’s. Back in the 90’s I was in the U.S. military stationed in Japan for a good number of years. That was how I learned about Doc’s. They look great and you can comfortably walk your ass of in those shoes and you do indeed do lots of walking when I was there in Japan. The shoes versatile enough to wear with just about anything.

[@quentinwilliams5786]

Your wife is a beast for wearing docs straight out of the store I still have pink spots on my heels from fresh docs

[@FrankCastle-he8fl]

Fancy Shoes and a chubby cheek baby what more could you ask for

[@carlharvey7098]

Thank god there is someone else who waxes their Docs! Always have and im in my 50's now and still wear them

[@TheElegantOxford]

That’s awesome, Carl

[@Nerdzombiedisco]

Great job...like glass. Subscribed.

[@anthonymessina5359]

Thx bro best way to shine the Ol 3 holes

[@xGUNxBUNNYx]

I’ve been low key waiting on this.

[@TheElegantOxford]

I’m glad you like it!

[@alistairmscott]

I have a pair of Caterpillar Steel Toes that are 15 years old. They're still waterproof, and I spit shine them using this method (minus the alcohol) a few times a year. They still look brand new and the toes genuinely look like they're made of glass. Look after a good pair of boots and they will last a lifetime.

[@TheBlurryCLOUD]

Why is this so soothing 😅😅😅

[@samgyeopsal569]

She looks very cute, youthful and cheerful. What a lovely family.

[@brixaaronmonton8129]

You have a wonderful family, Preston

[@anshumanbhattacharya5020]

Oooo. Seeing your family for the first time. Lots of 😘😘😘 for your child. Such a lovely baby. May God bless her.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thank you so much!

[@saifhasan4717]

Excellent job sir... Happiest moment for your wife

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thank you 🙏

[@saifhasan4717]

@@TheElegantOxford Sir can I get these polishing stuff on amazon... Love from India

[@annab3182]

Great shine!

[@GavTatu]

i was a punky skinhead in he early 80's, had a pair of ox blood docs, pained them with a red leather paint, 'lady esquire' then polished with a red cream..... boy they were red !! my second pair of ox bloods i polished heavily with black boot polish.... gave the boots a bronze look to them. the rest were just regular black... either never polished, or high sheen polish.

[@Pondjumper1]

Nice to see your lovely family...,

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks!

[@kbrett2004]

Awwww man, what a sooooooooperrrr cute baby! Not a hair out of place

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks 🙏 she was born with so much hair

[@JohnwFOC]

Great job!

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

I was looking for this. I have a pair of navy Docs that need some love. 😁

[@Ben9096]

Loving your wife? king energy 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@kurjan1]

... and here I thought I was the only one mad enough to mirror gloss my DMs!!! 😂

[@johnjames218]

Got my first pair of doc’s in 1973, still wear a pair regularly today

[@TheElegantOxford]

That’s pretty awesome 👏

[@TJ-wq7su]

Wow look at them boots come to life!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks, TJ

[@Quintix666]

I love the spit shine look . Im pretty sure i would slap a saphire mirror gloss the same moment i would get my hands on one of those :P.

[@AintHere4You]

Nice touch on the shoes with the mirror shine!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks

[@craftgrrl14]

I am obsessed with Doc Martens. They are pretty much the only shoes I wear. My last pair of "vegan" leather ones were finally starting to breakdown a bit after 7 years of faithful service. For Christmas I got myself a new pair, in real leather this time. I, of course, gave them a good conditioning and brushing right out of the box. I also buff them off with a horsehair brush every night when I take them off, just to get rid of any dust or little scuffs from the day. Since they are real leather I am being extra obsessive about keeping them pristine. I just use a neutral cream conditioning polish.How do you avoid staining the iconic yellow stitching when using pigmented polish?

[@grugg3108]

Best advice I've seen is to just do your all not to get anything on thr stitching. I feel ya, I got a pair of solovairs with steel/white stitching and it turns grey and black with time

[@angelalane8660]

Little feet AND a new pair of Docs...JELLY!!!

[@stuartgoodwinart]

Best shoe ever!!

[@Billy-ho5ms]

You can spit shine anything! Wow Beautiful family

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thank you, Billy

[@jonathanjonathan7386]

Your wife looks great!

[@craigpiercer79]

You are completely awesome! Did you do that for me? I feel like you did since I asked about my Doc's the day before. No matter if you did it for me or for "your wife", thank you! You are awesome! Thank you!

[@TheElegantOxford]

My pleasure

[@craigpiercer79]

@@TheElegantOxford 🖤😉

[@Bill-tz3wg]

30 seconds in: Me: "This is going to be the best shine he's EVER done!"

[@1339LARS]

Marvelous shine !!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks, Lars!

[@1339LARS]

I like shiny shoes, preferably R.M Williams, but not comparable to your shine !!

[@jw112mail]

Great meeting you the other day. I wonder if my Doc question was partial inspiration for this vid ;)

[@TheElegantOxford]

Maybe! 😂 good to hear from you

[@aaronarguelles8322]

Great video!

[@WMFerguson]

I think I can definitively say that this is the first time Saphir has been applied to Doc Martens.

[@miko007]

W.M. Ferguson IV no, i usually cover the scuffs on my docs with saphir :D

[@TheElegantOxford]

On video I’d say yes

[@eleanor.shadow]

Even worse: I’ve used it not on Docs but on Dr Martinez steel toe boots.

[@Reverend_Andrew]

I use saphir on every shoe I polish, Doc's are no exception

[@paul_domici]

I love it!!! Do you think I can get that glass toe done on my new Rockports?

[@geoffjohnston1531]

Beautiful as usual.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thank you!

[@draynged7869]

Never used no shoe tree, and had the same Docs for 15 years and they are still in good shape! Polish once every other month and boom! It's sad that Docs aren't the same anymore... :(

[@tomskelding7311]

Hi Preston, new subscriber here though I’ve watched quite a few of your videos. I wear a pair of R.M. Williams Craftsmen boots that I’ve already polished but want to get it right with conditioner too. Should I try to remove the polish, condition and start again or will conditioner draw through the existing polish. I loved your mirror shine tutorial and can’t wait to get mine gleaming! Thank you Tom

[@thattscguy]

Thank you for the great video! Does anyone know if Dr. Martens can be resoled? I have a pair of boots that are in great shape but the sole is starting to get a little thin. Thanks!

[@julesangelo5669]

Nice Shine! Hope you went on an anniversary date with your wife wearing her Doc's.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Our anniversary is soon so yes!

[@Alexander.Christian-0612]

The quality of vintage models is much better. But I don’t know if they have tiny sizes, too. Price difference to normal 1460 made in China model is about 50 Euro. Really thick leather and quite easy to polish. Quite elegant in red with blue jeans. Great videos by the way. I do have good results with shoe polish from Switzerland: Burgol.

[@DJVARAO]

Awesome

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks, Dr. B!

[@dream.machine]

Subscribed! 😎

[@michazawadzki1489]

Hey. Love your videos. It’s inspired me to pursue classical men’s elegance and take a good care of what’s on my feet. Started looking for used ‘hidden treasures’ and renovate them. Though, I am just starting this satorial journey. Got two questions: 1. How do you get a good mirror shine on black pair of brogues? Wax seems to get into holes all the time. 2. How do you enroll on your donation list? I just started my legal career as a legal counsel trainee. Hence, might need an elegant pair just to start off.

[@SansAziza]

Seen a few of his videos. I'll offer what I think he'd have said: 1. Use less wax. Toothpick it out, if still necessary. 2. Dabondo1 @ ebay

[@bungeedoughnut]

Hi!!! I finally found a shoe tree that DOES fit my mom's little Dr. Martens. But when I mirror shined her shoes, a few days later the wax cracked ! What did I do wrong? Well. One boot's wax cracked the other was fine. Lol. I shined my docs up as well and they've been going strong. I only did the toe box. I used a little heat to fix it. So they're okay for now. Is it bad to use the mirror shine ontop of a lower quality saphir wax? I've only ran into this issue with hers. My other boots are doing well

[@kiltedsaint]

I have a few pairs of doc martens work boots. I get them for almost free from work and they feel good throughout the day.

[@kaic9712]

kiltedsaint what are they good for I’m 14 and kind of want a pair for myself for when I’m working which consists mostly of shovel and chainsaw work

[@kiltedsaint]

@@kaic9712 they're comfortable after 16 hour shifts.

[@johnwhite5575]

excellent video...thanks....quick question....i just bought a new pair of red wing #2408 work boots...the leather is apparently called Nutmeg Ebbtide by S.B. Foot (a 6-7oz. oil-tanned leather with a slight milled grain)...i'm thinking i want to do a nice conditioning and polish on them prior to wearing them for work...hoping it'll make care a little easier in the future....or should i not worry about that unitl after a month or two of wear?....i've been using kiwi and similarly-priced products all my life on my dress shoes (40+ years)...now i'm learning about saphir products from your site....and i'm ready for the upgrade....here's what i'm thinking of purchasing from your online store, but need a lil direction....Avel leather soap for general washing of dirty boots....Saphir Medaille d'Or Renovator conditioner for replacing necessary oils....and here is where it gets a little cloudy for me....Saphir Medaille d’Or Pommadier in Mahogany or Neutral....and then finish off with Saphir Medaille d’Or Pate De Luxe Wax in Mahogany or Neutral....am i overthinking this for work boots?....of course, i'll use the products on my dress shoes later...(BTW, majority of my dress shoes are Allen Edmonds - some pairs dating back over 20 years old and still in fantastic shape after a recrafting here and there).....but do you recommend even using polish cream and wax on work boots, or just stopping after the leather conditioner?....thanks in advance

[@TheBadventist]

it would be nice to see a tutorial about how to remove wrinkles or creases from leather dress shoes. I bought a pair of Stacy Adams as a first dress shoe for my birthday and after wearing them pretty aggressively on their maiden voyage they instantly developed wrinkles. Probably because I purchased the wrong size. Any help with that would be amazing. Also you inspired my dad to get back into shoe shining and we bought some saphire to keep us motivated

[@TheElegantOxford]

That’s awesome! I’m working on that video as we speak.

[@TheBadventist]

I’m glad to hear that. I wish I got ahold of you sooner because I would have loved sending in my shoes for your immaculate touch. If that’s ever an opportunity let me know. I don’t know if anyone in the Sacramento area can add a patina to my sort of shoe.

[@JO-gr5bp]

By the way, due to videos like yours, Ive graduated to ALLEN EDMONDS and BECKETT SIMONON, gracias.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Awesome

[@mgonzo3881]

A heat gun works miraculous. Also, if you want to prevent "flakes" from the shoe polish, you can reinforce the polish from cracking by applying a think layer of Mop n Glo. Too bad military shoes no longer need to be spit shined.

[@antonioperez2623]

Baby Preston is a copy of daddy, very cute. Kids grow up so fast. Enjoy the family outings.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks! She’s my twin

[@viktorkozlov7827]

great video

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks!

[@fishmemmo]

Hi Preston! One question, any time that I started with the little drops of water on the shining wax, not mirror yet, I had on the toe is getting opaque until the wax disappear and the leather is again without anything. You may know what I'm doing wrong, if you could help me please I will always be grateful! Thanks

[@XxLogo]

I don't see many Doc Martens near me, although every second person wears a pair of blundstones lol

[@jodolski]

Go to Japan and you'll see almost every edgy student or post-uni people rock Doc Martens all day.

[@VexVengeance]

How do you prevent the polish from attracting dust or losing its shine due to scuffing? Btw I used Kiwi Parade Gloss and Doc Martens Wonder Balsam.

[@cvpickens]

Do you recommend using any edge dressing on DMs? If so, what product do you suggest?

[@L.Spencer]

I used to use some kind of blue shoe cream on my blue doc boots that I had for 20 years. My last pair of docs that I got in 2010, red Mary Janes, didn't last very long, and they would hurt my feet, even messed up my feet. Had to get rid of them.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Oh no! That’s too bad

[@ASP1NALL]

Any recommendations for steel toe Dr Martens that have had abit of machining coolant on them? (Semi-synthetic mineral oil)

[@master_moose]

I just got a new pair of Solovairs and was too excited about shining them that I forgot to condition them first. I didn't do a full mirror shine, but there's a few layers on the toes. Do I need to strip it off to add conditioner and then redo the polish?

[@TheElegantOxford]

Not unless you want to. Just use a hair dryer and melt the wax off and wipe it.

[@awddsm4g638]

My GF wears exactly the same size I love buying her shoes!!!...

[@jerrycadena2024]

You have been holding out on us Preston - she is a little cutie!!! With a wild side - Dr. Martin's 😉😂.

[@TheElegantOxford]

That’s a perfect description of her