How To Shine Boots With a Hair Dryer

Soldiers use spit shine techniques before uniform inspections.

A spit shine -- also known as spit and polish -- is a method of shining boots traditionally used in the military. One version of the technique involves dampening the upper surface of the boots -- with clean water, rather than spit -- so the polish adheres to the leather, ensuring even application. The polish is heated with a hair dryer until it melts into the leather, filling any small holes and imperfections. Multiple layers of polish are built up to create a flawlessly smooth surface and reflective shine.

Things You'll Need

• Saddle polish
• Bucket of water
• Shoe polish dauber
• Clean towel
• High quality shoe polish
• Old sock
• Old toothbrush
• Hairdryer
• Soft cotton fabric -- 5-by-5 inches

Instructions

1. Load a small amount of saddle polish onto the bristles of a shoe polish dauber. Dip the sponge in water, and lightly scrub the boots -- including the seams, threads, lace studs and tongue. Rotate the boots until all dirt and residue has been removed.

2. Wipe off all the foamy residue, and dry the boots with a clean towel.

3. Put a quarter-sized dollop of shoe polish on an old sock -- or your bare hands, if you don’t mind getting them dirty.

4. Massage the polish into the boot in small circles, working backward from the toes. Use an old toothbrush to apply polish to the bottom rim of the boot where the sole meets the upper leather.

5. Gently heat the surface of the boot using a hair dryer on a hot setting. Move the hairdryer over the entire leather upper, until the polish starts to melt and disappear as it's absorbed into the leather.

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 up to three more times, as needed.

7. Wet the cotton cloth and ring out the excess water. Wrap the cloth around the first two fingers of your polishing hand. Hold the free end of the cloth in your palm with your other fingers, to keep the tension at your fingertips taut.

8. Lightly touch your cloth-covered fingertips to the container of shoe polish, and pick up a pencil-eraser sized amount of polish.

9. Apply the polish to the boot in light, small circles. Work on one small section at a time until a mirror shine appears.

10. Clean any stray polish off the sole of the boot using an old towel.

11. Spit shine the other boot using the same method.

Tips & Warnings

• If your boots are muddy, clean them with a scrubbing brush and water before applying polish.

• If your boots have a buildup of old layers of polish, remove this old polish first -- using a clean rag soaked in mineral-based paint thinner or lighter fluid.

• Make sure you remove all saddle soap from your boots, because leftover residue can dry out and damage leather.

• Spit shining with coarser fabrics such as polyester may strip off polish, resulting in a rough surface. Stick to soft cotton cloth.

• A single layer of spit shine can be enough for some boots. Types with uneven surfaces may need multiple applications.

• Use a low heat setting on your hair dryer to avoid over-heating and warping the surface of your boots.

References

• Stompers Boots: Boot Care Tips