The Shoe Snob - How to Polish Your Shoes Properly - March 2014

A short video that shows firsthand how one should polish their shoes properly.
Check out my other websites:
theshoesnobblog.com/
theshoesnobmarketplace.com/
www.jfitzpatrickfootwear.com/

[@chondrinenigma]

Excellent video, Justin. I found this on your blog approx. 2 years ago and this has been my shoe-shining bible ever since. There are just 1 or 2 things that I would like to add here that may help newcomers to this process: 1. Your shoes may require more than 3 wax 'n' waterings depending on how 'big' the pores in the leather are. I have 2 black pairs that I wear often, neither of which were particularly expensive; an Autograph pair from M&S and a another brand named Pat Calvin. The M&S pair shine up much more quickly than the PCs as they have much, much smaller pores. 3 W&Ws usually suffice for the M&S pair but I usually go for 5 for the PCs. 2. During the W&Ws, you need to get a good bit of wax onto your cloth. In the video, it kinda looks like Justin is just dabbing his fingers into the wax but I find that you need to get a good bit more of it. We are building layers, after all! So don't be afraid to actually use the wax. 1 tin, after all, will do you a long time so don't worry about 'wasting' it. You won't be. 3. The final stage with the clean cloth is indeed super important. Your shoes probably won't look as shiny as Justin's did as he was starting this stage, but this is where you can really 'close the gap', as it were. You need practically no wax at all on the cloth at this stage, I literally just touch/tip my fingers off the wax and let the fast strokes with the water do the work here. The shine really comes to fruition at this point so, again, don't be alarmed if you don't have a super duper shine at the end of the 3 (or however many) W&W sessions.

[@theshoesnob_official]

thanks for the kind words and support!

[@lewiswilliamsjr1190]

chondrinenigma Silk pantyhose top to share the toe is a buffer

[@shanepasha6501]

This is the best shoe shine demonstration on KZbin, period. I discovered this video years ago, and I always come back. You are a serious man when it comes to your craft, and I appreciate that. On a separate note, are you still located in the UK, England to be specific?

[@theshoesnob_official]

Dear Shane, I apologize I am only seeing this message now. Your words mean a lot to me. Unfortunately I left the UK almost 4 years ago. I am now in NYC byt gave up shoe shining a long time ago to focus on my shoe brand. Thanks for your support

[@linchuaneu9549]

The best shoe shine tutorial. I finally got my first mirror shine by following your video. Thanks a lot, The Shoe Snob

[@theshoesnob_official]

Thanks for saying so Lin Chuan and I am pleased to hear it! Well done!

[@bheinatz1]

Excellent, excellent video Justin. I've recently started following your blog and is given me a lot of help and style direction for the foundation of my look: my shoes. Keep up the excellent work, man. You're making a real difference in men's lives!

[@theshoesnob_official]

thank you for your kind words Ben, I do appreciate it as well as your support in the blog.

[@JCboerlum]

I like to tone my darker shoes with some red #415, It looks great and I have been complimented on my black.

[@jeanlefranc3817]

Excellent pastime for rainy week-ends

[@trmors]

Great process. Quick question, should this process be done weekly ?

[@theshoesnob_official]

Thank you. As per how long that really depends on the wearer but once a week is for sure not needed. Maybe once every twice a week and that is for an extreme case of wearing the shoes daily and in a strenuous manner

[@scottm1043]

Thank you for being kind enough to share your expertise. You honestly did not have to do it and I greatly appreciate you. I own a pair or Stacey Adams. I allowed a shoe shine parlor to shine them and I dont know what they did but my shoes look lumpy and the polish has cracked. Please post a video on how to strip shoes and start over.

[@theshoesnob_official]

thanks for your kind words. At the following link I go more in depth in how to strip the shoes. www.theshoesnobblog.com/polish-your-shoes-properly

[@randyking8423]

Great video! My only question is in between "wax n' water stages" after you allow it to dry, do you buff off the dried polish in between stages or keep applying and only buff off after all stages are complete?

[@dexter867]

Great video. Was relaxing to watch. One question though: I noticed you wax polished over areas such as the vamp where the shoe creases and bends. How do you prevent the whitish wax cracks from developing when you polish there? I've been told that you should only apply the hard wax to the stationary parts of the shoe such as the back quarter and toe box.

[@dexter867]

Nevermind, I saw elsewhere in the comments where you addressed this.

[@CVO_MAN]

Really well done. J. Fitzpatrick is a master.

[@theshoesnob_official]

thank you for your kind words

[@GiacomoPhilipp92]

Very nice! And finally someone with manicured hands. Greetings from Germany.

[@theshoesnob_official]

thank you!

[@michaelmitchell3440]

Justin, in each of the wax and water stages do you go over the toe box multiple times or just once and let dry? If multiple times, how do you know when to stop and let dry for the 20 minutes?

[@theshoesnob_official]

I go over multiple times. When to stop, only practice and trial and error can tell you this to be honest. There is no set number. Many factors come into place like your polish, the leather, your cloth etc

[@steviesteve750]

I've followed this, it's great advice on some older Loake 1880s that I had previously just wax polished and then buffed; then I discovered your channel Justin. I am struggling though with new shoes. I started with a couple of light shoe cream layers, buffed in between and fully dried, but even after 3-4 W&W I still cannot clear the "swirls". The shine is coming, but I made the mistake of buffing the initial wax polish layer, and also I probably only left them for ten minutes between each w&W - what effect does that have and does it explain the problems with the new shoes? Whats the best procedure for new shoes, and given what I have done so far, can I "rescue" them or do I need to strip everything off and start again? (I bought some renomat also just in case) I also bought some renomat after watching the hanger project videos, but he does his subtly differently, and not sure if I am going to need it? Thanks for any advice, gratefully received.

[@theshoesnob_official]

new shoes are always harder to shine Steve. I recommend breaking them in first before attempting this job. Hard to say what to do with the new shoes without seeing them and with how late my reply is you have probably found the solution but renomat always helps. Just be careful not to use too much of that stuff.

[@bedlington12]

Justin, How long approx' do you spend on each step to achieve that level of high shine/polish on the shoes. I follow all the steps using the same products & cant get near that level of high shine.

[@theshoesnob_official]

it depends on many things i.e. how old the shoe is, if there is a previous shine etc....cream polish steps and mink oil is a 5 min job each. The waxing bit is what takes a long time. And lots of drying time between stages.

[@lexisworld7232]

Hey Justin love the tutorial videos but have a question in the waxing process. My understanding is that oh are not supposed to wax the vamp area as the wax will crack and crease more often. Do you have any input? Thank

[@theshoesnob_official]

thanks Dan! Your thought is half right, half wrong. You can of course wax it but do not put a glass shine on it. The video looks super shiny, because I mastered to make it look shiny without the glass effect. Always good to have it shiny, but never add the mirror shine to it or yes it will crack as you say

[@arcane2152]

Amazing video. Thanks for sharing!

[@theshoesnob_official]

Thank you and my pleasure 🙌

[@steadyeddyuk]

Hi Justin, thanks for the very helpful video! What product do you use for the condition stage (stage 1)?

[@theshoesnob_official]

Sorry for this late reply but I wasmt getting notifications like I should have direct to phone before. I use a Mink Oil Renovator. Or Saphirs 'renovateur'

[@rafaelcastillo3834]

That's a bit over two hours per pair! (insert "Ain't got time for that!" meme). A great shine, but too shiny for my tastes. I like a more matte shine, but kudos to the gentleman doing such a great job.

[@nickriley3895]

As the wax cracks eventually, knowing you have to go through the process of stripping it, why not just use cream polish after the conditioning and call it a day? Why are their countless steps to adding wax and water? Is it really just for the vibrant, sleek appearance in the wingtip section of the shoe?

[@theshoesnob_official]

waxing is for building the high shine that cream will never get you and some people want that

[@bertfuxdogs5647]

My shoe polish has started crumbling like yours in the video, only much worse. Do you have any ways to repair/prevent it from happening?

[@theshoesnob_official]

stick on the microwave for 10 secs or slightly longer if need be

[@RaulNigli]

Why'd you remove your previous video with all your commentary in it? That was nice to listen to all your little tips. If possible, please tell us about the equipment used in the video description so that we know what you used.

[@RaulNigli]

For example, what was the round brush. What products do we use for black shoes. If we're using double monks, how to deal with the metal. Links to where you bought all of them from. Make another video on how to wrap the cloth up on your hand!

[@theshoesnob_official]

because the song that I had on there was owned by another company and they were playing advertising on my videos that I did not control. I wanted to control that so I replaced the song but wanted to take away the old video too. Don't worry, this one will build to that eventually. I used everything that you find at www.theshoesnob.com

[@theshoesnob_official]

I appreciate your support, but being demanding is not polite. The video on how to wrap the cloth is already done and in my section of videos here on youtube. All products can be found at www.theshoesnob.com ... the metal is easy to clean after using the brush, you just rub it off with a cloth.

[@RaulNigli]

Justin FitzPatrick Hey mate, my apologies, I really fell in love with your first video, it was so thorough and detailed, I shared it with so many people. It was an AMAZING video, so I was a tad lost at why you'd taken it down! Thank you for your reply and I'll keep supporting you and what you're doing! Thank you!

[@carltrotter7622]

I have a pair of formal wholecuts for a white tie ensemble of mine, should I polish the entire thing?

[@minhthai4915]

Thanks for the amazing video and blog post. Very helpful

[@theshoesnob_official]

my pleasure and thank you

[@kirant6112]

Can you use the same shine brush for different color shoes as long as youre applying the polish with separate cloths/ applicators?

[@theshoesnob_official]

I would have two different ones, one for lighter leathers like tan, burgundy etc and then one for darker ones. Using a brush that is often buffed on black shoes and then using it for tan will stain the tan leather

[@krollic]

Doesn't the wax start to crack/crumble eventually and become very apparant?

[@theshoesnob_official]

if you polish in the wrong place, yes, if you keep to the toe and blend properly then not so much but yes eventually...that is why you have to strip it every now and then

[@LilCrazyMan9389]

What would you use to strip? and how often would you strip it?

[@theshoesnob_official]

products like renomat or if necessary stronger ones like acetone

[@lexisworld7232]

Justin FitzPatrick Justin-love all the advice and demonstrations you provide as it has helped me maintain my shoes for a while now. That being said, I regularly cream polish then wax polish my shoes (same process you demonstrated) but how often should you “strip” the shoe in order to remove built up wax and allow the conditioner to penetrate the leather? Thanks again

[@rickoverturf]

Hey Justin! What brand of shoes are you polishing in this video?

[@theshoesnob_official]

It was my own brand at the time. But I since stopped it. Its equivalent is Saphir

[@rickoverturf]

The shoe brand not the polish brand? I guess I didn’t clarify!

[@theshoesnob_official]

@@rickoverturf ah! Sorry. Those are my own brand. Find them here: www.jfitzpatrickfootwear.com/products/phinney-mto-chocolate-calf

[@ZeppoStJohn]

when would you do this labor intensive deal on your shoes? You would each time before going to work

[@theshoesnob_official]

whenever the shoes started to look cracked and broken down. After doing this shine, you won't need to again for awhile as it lasts for quite a bit

[@qwevor]

A little surprised here, I've always made a great shine (almost exact same process as the video) but only on parts of the toe caps and heel caps. I'm just wondering wouldnt it crack the moment you put your shoes on with this overall method of wax application? Thank you

[@theshoesnob_official]

to be honest, the vamp is not nearly as shiny as the toe, it just looks like it. You cannot put the same shine on the shoe parts that are not the cap and heels as you say.

[@qwevor]

Thanks for reaching out! Always respect that.

[@muzamalgujjar0013]

Good job 👍

[@GetOutOfHereStalkan]

Hey Justin, just wondering how to prevent those shiny circular streaks you get in the later stages of the wax and water shine. My shoe is shiny, but I can clearly see circular streaks. When I try to wipe in a long stroke to get rid of them, it makes the shoe much more dull.

[@theshoesnob_official]

this is hard to explain really but using a fresh cloth towards the end with more water than wax will help to get rid of the streaks. Also using nylon tights will help to get rid of them

[@zabooog]

@justinfitzpatrick Do you ever shine or clean the leather sole? Thank you. Great video!

[@theshoesnob_official]

The edging yes but not the bottom of it no. Rain usually does this for me ;-)

[@zabooog]

@@theshoesnob_official Thank you!

[@muzamalgujjar0013]

Elegant shoes

[@jonathansantoso1903]

Hi Justin, how to strip the build up wax so I can start over with a bare leather surface?

[@theshoesnob_official]

something strong like acetone, nail polish remover and worst case scenario bleach mixed with water but that is a last resort

[@jonathansantoso1903]

Thanks for the reply. Really appreciate it

[@theshoesnob_official]

my pleasure

[@kevinmeyer1583]

You're managing to get better results out of just cream polish than I am out of 4 hours of waxing and waiting. How?

[@theshoesnob_official]

not sure to be honest, could be you are using too much of something which is oversoaking the leather and causing it to dull. hard to say without seeing it. Keep practicing and this will help you to understand what you are doing wrong

[@PaulGillard-English-Artist]

Thanks very much for posting this really useful video!

[@martinnogales2259]

I take off my hat for you !!!!!..Thanks a lotta ,you are a Master of shoes

[@dustyrhodes8672]

Awesome video

[@paayoub]

yes

[@NashCastanares]

So it is okay to use black wax on brown shoes?

[@user-vp7yg8qb8g]

probably not

[@theshoesnob_official]

yes you can if you want to deepen them but it might flake off in the long run and look bad

[@drjimenez11]

I'm still watching this video.

[@hk-852]

Amazing

[@theshoesnob_official]

Thank you

[@JosephEngel]

Do I need to strip with acetone before every polish?

[@theshoesnob_official]

no you do not....it's only when you need to strip off excessively old wax that has started to crack and is drying out the leather

[@JosephEngel]

Thank you!

[@thesceptic1018]

well I need a valet

[@ZeppoStJohn]

where did you get your apron.

[@theshoesnob_official]

it was custom made in England by some old gent who no longer works

[@billl2431]

super nice