The “Dry Spot” Problem when Mirror Shining. How to fix a common yet FRUSTRATING issue when shining.

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[@picdar16]

As a Serving member of the Armed forces, i thank you as you have just saved me from a "Rescrub" on my next inspection. I fought with one of my shoes for 3hrs before i saw this video, i've been polishing my shoes to a mirror shine for years but never had this issue until now. i tried waxing, leather treatments (softeners and moisturisers), stripped the polish back twice (ended up puting on over 70 layer's of polish overall!) and after all that i still had a large dry spot. You've earned a subscriber today and i will be instructing my lads to follow this video when they have issues with boots and shoes.

[@sagarsolanki3107]

uncleji cobbler ke pass jaiye aur unse boliye juute p toe lga de apka juuta bhi aise hi shine krega, dhanyawad

[@loafheader]

Me, never planning on mirror shining: ah yes, the video ive been looking for.

[@timothydaigle7575]

#facts

[@DIYTech21]

so true :D

[@gianlucacivichino6104]

I’m a new cadet and was shining my boots when I came across the same problem. I appreciate the video.

[@frostyvr9805]

Welcome to cadets! If you don’t mind me asking, which country are you a cadet in?

[@PaitysWorld]

My son just got his boots today so I'm doing research.

[@sp2181]

So a dry spot is actually a wet spot. Awesome content as usual mate.

[@TheElegantOxford]

It seems so counterintuitive but yes you’re right

[@byrondewhaus1750]

British Army Veteran of 24 years Service, here. Know a little about bulling (mirror shining) shoes & boots! That’s exactly how we explained it to new recruits/the younger soldiers: “The dry spot is actually a wet spot”! Great video.

[@jayadevjaydu4694]

Hgnn

[@marcusali1783]

Can I buff with a small towel instead? It's not as soft as a microfiber cloth, but not very rough. I don't want my fingers stained with wax

[@brookeggleston9314]

@@marcusali1783 I apply both Saphir Medaille D'Or and Pate de Lux with my bare fingers. When I'm finished, I wash my hands with soap and water. Saphir products are not made with petroleum. Kiwi is not in the house!! Have no fear; you can use your fingers, as long as you're using Saphir! You might want to use a nail brush, depending on how long your nails are, but your fingers won't be stained. The stuff is amazing!!

[@chugwaterjack4458]

For years I have used an old nylon stocking for final polish. As a stocking is used, it accumulates a bit of was, giving an even better shine. The trick is to hold the shoe between your knees, and RAPIDLY stoke back and forth with the stocking held in two hands. It will build some heat, and will polish that wax to a hard finish. I even carry one, along with a clean brush, in my car for quick touchups in the field.

[@carloscarrera2055]

Thanks 👍

[@phantommenace5407]

I'm not sure how shoe shining and cobbling got into my rotation, but it's really sparked a irl interest.

[@grinchyface]

I don't shine anymore, but it was one of my favorite things to do. Go grab some Lincoln shoe wax and a pair of leather shoes or boots from the local thrift store and go hard man

[@mrwilson12345]

This was a lifesaver. I fought 2 pair of boots for several days without being able to get rid of the 'dry spot'. Not understanding they needed to dry out. Drove me crazy until I found this vid. Put the heat gun on them for a few seconds and started over. Now they look fantastic. Thank you.

[@seekingtruth6822]

This is by far the best I have seen from you Preston. Great job brother.

[@Jasyzu]

You’re the hero we need, Preston. I started watching your channel just a few weeks back. It’s been an addiction. I received my pair of Meermin copper 101440s in copper today. I immediately got to work with the brush, crème universelle, 1909, pate de luxe, and - ultimately - the neutral mirror gloss. A dark spot developed on the toe. It sure looked like I’d somehow distressed the calf. Instead of panic setting in, I recalled this video. Three rounds with the hairdryer with a little buffing in between and the blemish was nearly gone. 30 minutes later working the mirror gloss back in, I have a shine about 50% as good as that at the end of this vid (that’s a massive win for this absolute novice)with zero evidence the blemish was ever there. It’s all down to you and your excellent content. Bravo, Sir! The finger and palm trick worked wonders, too. I slowly rebuilt a couple dozen layers of gloss that way, the extra friction heat really helping, before finishing off the last few layers with the shirt scrap two finger wrap. I need some crème polish in light brown for these, some oiled leather crème for my Captains (see your CXL video), and -what the hell, I’ll take a welt brush too… order placed on EO.com. Thank you, Preston. This 48 year old novice is in your debt. Cheers.

[@johnfrymyer8346]

Where were you when I was in the military, without the internet, and trying to mirror shine my Combat boots? LOL, thank you. I have caused the spots on my shoes and was not sure how to get rid of them. I appreciate you and your skills.

[@GunsAndGloves]

Thanks for all the helpful tips. I recently followed your guide to mirror shine and it came out pretty well for a first time.

[@DirgaFotografia]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I was frustrated why I got this spot that just won't shine. And now I know why and how to solve my problem. Amazing video!

[@johannsebastianbach5223]

Recently, it took me 3 DAYS(my worst shining experience) to get rid of a dry spot, but it was probably due to my extreem impatience, constantly trying to fix it, and not letting the shoe dry properly.

[@1guitarlover]

I have been using navy blue for years and gives a deep profound black shining ❤❤❤❤

[@italianjob-vx6hp]

Fabulous mirror shine been using my fingers for decades,and you are right you cannot do this if excess moisture is present in the leather.

[@JustHANO]

So I found breathing hot (not blowing) and a lot of brushing always got them out for me. Same with cracked mirror shines. When you said heat gun at 1000° I thought I was crazy, but you showing the friction method calmed me down.

[@markl2322]

DAY-UM! I wish you and You Tube had been around in 1976 when I joined the Marines! I would have not only passed inspection in Boot Camp, but would have made my Drill Instructors hold me in such high regard I would have been promoted to Sergeant upon recruit graduation.

[@junea2669]

Mate, I must say I have learned a lot about mirror shining my shoes from you and Kirby, and I’m glad you keep helping us fans to achieve a better technique. P. S: I would really love it if you could make a review on Prada shoes (the Mexican-Spanish brand).

[@jaye909]

Congratulations on the 200k Preston! I always love watching your stuff and have learned a lot

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks for supporting the Channel!

[@Barnekkid]

My father (he was a navy chief) would burn his brown uniform dress oxfords with his zippo lighter. It probably had the same affect as using a heat gun.

[@AlanDike]

I used a butain lighter over my toes on my jump boots. Straight blk kiwi, then finish with lincoln wax (has a navey blue tint... was glad to see it mentioned here), and a very thin coat of clear kiwi on top. We could literally read our id cards in our boots

[@marcushennings9513]

Yep imagine the electrical blackout from an entire ship full of men using heat guns.

[@penelopelgoss2520]

I learned my mirror shine while in the USAF. I miss polishing my boots and dress shoes, so sometimes, I'll pull out a pair and do my polishing while watching TV or listening to music. Yes, I still have my second pair that I bought. I had them resoled. They look great. BTW, instead of a heat gun, we used lighters or matches. Got to be careful not to burn the boot toes with too much heat.

[@amarg.247]

what was serving in the USAF like?

[@andrewagredano9968]

The deeper property you are referring to when talking about when adding the navy to black is common. The same thing can be said with a true midnight blue suit or tuxedo. In some light, the midnight blue can look darker than a true black suit or tux. In some cases, you won't be able to tell its not black unless you have a side by side of the two. Buy yes, black with bits of navy does look darker and I do think that looks good.

[@jackhsu8725]

Thank you for making this video, I've been watching your video for a year. And I just spent my entire afternoon trying to get rid of it then I think of your video that I watch two weeks ago. Then I solved it in 30 minute and that's your credit.

[@traveler8696]

Very much appreciated for this video. Just started wanting to get a mirror shine on my shoes and made the dry spot.

[@kaloyantsilev]

Thank you for explaining the cause of the problem. I now know how to take care of it! Thanks! Your videos are fantastic

[@anthonyforster5298]

Thank you for this I thought I had ruined my favorite Steve Madden shoes, the shine came back and is brilliant! Thank You!!!

[@GG-eg6kn]

You’re a hero.. my shine looked good but if you put a torch on it.. it was really patchy.. I followed these steps and now it’s all one deep shine ✨.. I used a hair dryer and a scotchbrite a few times now it’s looking sweet

[@seraphoem]

Learned this in a much more crude and highly-pressured manner (instead of a heat gun we exposed the shoes to open flame) 16 years ago. This definitely helped educate me on the why. Good stuff. The use of a mix of alcohol and water on the final buff is interesting, though. In my experience, using alcohol was a bit of a cheat which led to a shine that very very quickly dulled.

[@williambedford2147]

Could this work for boots

[@matthewbrown6163]

When I learned to dance my dance shoes were patent leather. My dad was old school & taught me of taking care of your shoes. I have always polished my work shoes & I have seen people in Armani Suits but wearing scuffed up dirty shoes. You can always learn something new & today I have learned that something new. As a former Army Officer we were trained on how to polish our black leather boots. When our army went to the Brown boots we rejoiced as the spit & polish we once needed was a thing of the past. I still shine my shoes every week for work as I wear a suit.

[@raymonlarge1559]

Amazing, thank you for your videos. They are so inspiring. Just put a mirrorshine on my shoes and it worked out brilliant. Keep on, I love watching.

[@Bakachu7]

Ha, I had this happen! Never knew WHY not what to do to fix it. So glad you're my personal coach.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Hey Jed! Glad it helped! Hope you and the family are well

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

Im very impressed! Ive mixed olive oil, beeswax, turpentine, and a few drops oil of lavender to make a pattent polish and got quite good at boot polishing; but your method seems simpler and you dont have to have pattent le a ther to start with. You make it look so easy.Ive got the shoe shine bug again! Thank you! Most greatful!😅😅

[@lassenielsen1927]

Wow! had set my own pair aside for some weeks because of this. Didn't know what to do with this problem.. literally took me 5 minutes of this video and 5 minutes work on my shoe before the problem was solved!! thank you!!

[@GregoryGuerrier]

Such an amazing mirror shine! Great work!

[@noble_wolf]

Thanks for this - I usually have no problem attaining a very good to mirror shine - except yesterday when one (!) of a new pair of oxblood brogues gave me this problem. I can confirm it really stands out. Now I know the issue, I'll let it dry then build up the layers dry.

[@tokyo-ham]

Fantastic video - a pleasant surprise when I opened KZbin just now. Thanks for the great tutorials! I'm about 75% of the way there, with my mirror shine - I thought it was fine, but the shoes in this video are truly a step above/beyond. Thanks again!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimb4957]

I know this is an older post but I wanted to thank you for this tip! While I wasn't shining a pair of Bruno Magli's or Carmina's, I was struggling with my new Danner boots for work. A few passes with the hair dryer and boom! The one grainy, dull boot takes a shine!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Glad the video helped. It’s a common issue many people run in to so I knew a video was a good idea.

[@charlestatem3099]

Happy belated birthday Preston. Beautiful shine !

[@freemolimo]

This literally happened to me today. Thank you!

[@mikemcewen516]

Great video! I’m sure someone already made a similar remark, but I learned that method under extreme duress in South Carolina in the summer of 1987 from a very loud, very muscular, vulgar man who punished me mercilessly if my shine was not perfect. In fact, my friends and I used to carry a nylon in our pockets for touch-ups throughout the day. The way you wear your polishing rag and your technique are perfect 👍🏾

[@tthunts]

You talking about the ole Del?

[@brookeggleston9314]

Sounds like you're also familiar with sand fleas!!

[@darrylhayes9826]

Great topic Preston. Very helpful...Congrats on achieving 200K subscribers!

[@user-fe1jh1yf4c]

I always used my lighter when shining my boots. Never had dry spots. My grand pappy taught me how to shine my boots n shoes. They were so well done everyone thought they were patent leather until they rubbed them.

[@davidholt8074]

Really great video. I've always wondered what this was and this explained it perfectly, gave a solution, and some other helpful tips. Thanks so much

[@gijsbo2000]

I have been doing this kind of work for years now and still am learning something new from your videos each time! Many thanks.

[@gritsteel4559]

The 'Dry Spot' finally happened to me, thanks a lot for this video !

[@Retzii_]

Honestly a lifesaver, thanks, worked a charm.

[@qazmko22]

I love that mirror shine... My TRG cream polish from my cobbler has blue undertones.. and now I know why!

[@drzaius844]

Thank you for this! I’m going to start with 20 min in the sun, and then a day or so on the shelf. Didn’t know the source of this problem.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Glad it helped! The sun will help, especially during the summer

[@thetruthspeaker5101]

All I can say is “WOW” awesome work

[@ProdYatchi]

I honestly don't even know why I'm watching this but this is some wholesome content👌🏽

[@larrys5904]

I just used my wife’s hair dryer and it worked perfect! Thanks for the tip!

[@mindeloman]

This reminded me: If you are in an older school system, you might notice student dress code say, "no patent leather shoes." The reason: back in the 50's and 60's when girls wore skirts to school, a guy could hold his foot and angle it in such a way to see up a girl's skirt. You see it in older school districts/systems that don't update dress codes and just keep it in there.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Now that is a cool bit of history 😂

[@max2grant]

The Elegant Oxford yes, they made it into a Broadway musical comedy called “Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?”

[@austinvidz591]

You are literally the best shoe shiner on the planet

[@Major_Pipps]

Beautiful shine bro, I miss getting mine like that back in the military days.

[@jlborish]

Excellent video and channel to an almost lost art if it weren't for gentlemen like you, thank YOU.

[@toobalkain]

unreal, that mirror shine, it's patent leather like, this guy's on that Japanese guy's level, masterfully done. I've learned one valuable lesson, I'm not getting a good mirror shine because it takes a lot more buffing than what I've been doing.

[@bigalsgarage576]

I just wanted to say thank you this video saved me a lot of heart ache... I have went through the law enforcement academy and have to be going through again... I started shining my duty boots and ended up with that dry spot... Did what you said even bought the wax you use and they are the shiniest I have ever gotten my boots... Thank you...

[@bigalsgarage576]

I wish I could post a picture

[@TheElegantOxford]

My pleasure Big Al. Thank you for your service as a LEO. My cousin is a detective in NM and I always worry for his safety.

[@bigalsgarage576]

@@TheElegantOxford that's awesome where's he from Im also from New Mexico

[@TheElegantOxford]

Big Al's Garage he’s in Hobbs NM. It’s funny because I have actually run into his coworkers on here as fans and they didn’t know he was my cousin.

[@bigalsgarage576]

@@TheElegantOxford that's awesome I'm from a small town called silver city it's about 8 hours from hobbs

[@BuzzBurst2907]

Thank you my polish on my boots started cracking around the toecap area after a long parade haven’t come across this till now thanks

[@yapolloable]

I also had similar experience and i managed to solve it using hair dryer too (I watched older vids). I think my problem was using neutral coloured hard wax for mirror shine, after applying multiple layers, it left small little off coloured spots which resemble discolouration. Its the light reflecting in different angles that caused the "discolouration". I now use the same colour cream polish to create multiple layers and then the last couple layer with the neutral coloured hard wax. Works really well.

[@americanpatriot8402]

Wow. I needed this class in boot camp in 1985!

[@darriendastar3941]

That was a really good, informative and useful video. Thank you.

[@garciasautomotivedetail5196]

Bling!Bling! Love the Shine! Good content

[@wardad5628]

Thank You! I've been battling this!

[@dickfitzenwell8186]

I was going to email you about this. Thanks.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Glad it helped. It’s a common issue for sure!

[@keithbarber5859]

I just inherited a beautiful pair of Dress Pradas. Very little wear on them but have been sitting unprotected on a rack for quite some time. Because of the lack of care they have cracked some what in the area directly behind the toe box. I saddle soaped and conditioned them as my initial step and then laid down a base of Saphir's shoe cream. The shoes began to look much better and many of the cracks disappeared. Once I began to work on the toe box I I quickly began to get results before hitting that dreaded "dry spot" problem that you addressed in your video. I tried a number of thing to remedy the problem with unsatisfactory results and began to freak out a bit. Watching your video has calmed me down a bit, and I look forward to retackling the issue. If you have any tips on dealing with those cracks I mentioned earlier, I would be much appreciative. Thanks.

[@TaylorShawn]

Gonna try this again, wish me luck

[@dalumai]

Gotta save this in case I encounter it again. Thanks for the tips.

[@lanzarlaluna]

Excellent video, Preston! Do you have videos on repairing scuffs in the mirror shine? Sometimes I don't have time to redo the mirror shine completely and just need it to look presentable.

[@TheElegantOxford]

For scuffs, a little water and rubbing alcohol solution will help melt down surface lines and abrasions only. For cracks, use a gentle hair dryer and melt them down and brush for a quick fix.

[@spartacus33186]

Great video. Can you put on conditioner/leather lotion if you've already polished the shoe? Would it penetrate the wax to condition the leather?

[@scottbrandon6244]

In the military it was common to use a lighter to get that mirror finish on the shoe.

[@adrianwalker2833]

Thanks, as the other day I was having the same problem and it drove me nuts.

[@tongmingqiu1402]

Thank you, I've learned a lot of mirror shine from your channel. I have one question that wether the IPA in water is a critical element in shinning. Thank you for replying !

[@craigpiercer79]

I'll start by saying that I learned how to mirror shine from you. Not to brag but I've gotten good at it... Like really good! That said, I've never been close to having a shoe look this good. Maybe that navy blue is were it's at.

[@linchuaneu9549]

HI Preston. Greeting from Malaysia. Thanks for the tips. Have got the same problem with my Meermin recently, and was worried if it is irreversible. Luckily not. Besides, may I ask why I used to notice small line crack, especially at the edge of my mirror shine area? The tiny lines were visible even I have not wear my shoes after the shining. Thanks in advance for helping answer.

[@cheukan]

I always have dry spots on my carlos santos shoes. After watching your video, problem solved!

[@kriengsakwangdulyakiti8349]

Thanks, you help me solve the problem. I was going to buy shoe cream to fix stripped off finish. Luckily I click you clip by chance.

[@scottyb.8710]

Happy birthday, Preston!

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thank you!

[@ninjadudeofficial]

I'm not sure but might've hit this issue on a new pair, and funnily enough I did wonder if it was a moisture issue. So great video, much appreciated

[@cmackcolbert8649]

Hello from Western NY. Hey, congratulations on 200k subscribers! I’m blown away by that. I wish you continued success. This shine turned out terrific. Have you tried any colors other than blue, when finishing black shoes?

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks! I haven’t yet but I should shouldn’t it? Thinking of green or burgundy next to be honest!

[@cmackcolbert8649]

@@TheElegantOxford, yeah, Burgundy is what I had in mind I guess.

[@_iErik]

10:09 - would love to see you doing a video shining black shoes with burgundy and dark green wax to see what the difference is compared to navy and black!

[@MrDirkhead]

When I was in the forces we used a candle and a spoon to remove bumps and such. just heat the spoon over the candle and apply to the shoe or boot.

[@ukresellerdave2542]

Wow that's amazing thank you for taking the time to show your technique

[@22busy43]

Thanks for this video. I have this problem with a pair of Alan edmonds and didn’t know what it was or how to fix it.

[@TheJDLonline]

Thank you! This is really insightful.

[@TheElegantOxford]

Thanks for watching

[@Santo-one1]

Great job. Thank you for sharing. Watching from Southern California

[@trev2501]

I love your videos!! One question I have, why do my boots start to show hundreds of cracks across it? Thanks in advance 👍

[@trulycinematic.2005]

So satisfying to watch.

[@davidmccammon1766]

Beautiful work!

[@scubajim5975]

This happened to me a while back and I thought I had ruined my brand new shoes! I managed to build up a shine regardless, just very carefully and making sure I didn't overdo it. Now I know what the problem was and can address it in the future. Thanks!

[@jonmichael02302]

THANK GOD FOR THIS CHANNEL!! IT WORKED! THANK YOU! 🙏

[@ethalthefrog]

I have watched a few of your videos on getting a mirror shine, even lashed out to buy the same products you use in your videos…I try to replicate what you are doing…but always seem to fail in getting that mirror shine you seem to get. 😔 I wish you were here in Australia so I could get a one on one lesson to see where I am going wrong.

[@ayyyyp]

now imagine getting this done in bootcamp, with only water, cotton balls, and shoe shine lol! oh the memories

[@sparkybish]

That’s what I was thinking.

[@charlotteantiquepowerengin6277]

Ive gotten used to using a low heat boot dryer every night. Seems to help.

[@AlfaKenyBody]

Use to do that with candle ( centuries back), when in the Army. Mirror shining.

[@kubad9357]

I come back to this video and the other mirror ślinę video each time I try to achieve the effect on my Berwick oxfords. Each time I have this issue with dry spots. I noticed that when I’m applying wax to the captoe, after 4-5 layers each next one seems to be stripping off the previous layers. I always struggle with the right amount of wax on the captoe… Is it good to wait a minute or two between each layer?? I honestly struggle to create decent mirror shine each time and it’s amazing how people in these videos can get it so easily…

[@pauldwalker]

and youtube makes another surprise recommendation that has me hooked.

[@racoonnylord4343]

ooh! i needed help with this. when do we get do we learn how to cure "Boot Cancer" without stripping the boot/shoe?

[@sifisoncube3814]

So do you mix water and rubbing alcohol together to make a solution and if yes what scale do you use to mix the two for effective results?

[@SuperValencia101]

Hey I used nylon stockings when I was a lil girl to buff in the shine. My dad would buy boy shoes for me since he said men shoes last longer😂 they pick on my all the time for my shiny boy shoes.

[@observantpolymath]

I love this video but it left me confused. It would’ve been helpful if you had put a time stamp for each product and told us how long we’re supposed to massage/gloss the polish and the mirror shine top coat. If you could kindly enlighten me that’d be great. Thanks! 😎