How to Spit Shine Boots Military Style

Give leather shoes a glossy finish with a military style spit shine.

Watching a platoon of soldiers march in unison with their shining dress shoes and pressed uniforms is a display of accuracy and precision. That same precision is vital in preparing their boots for the parade. When you have a pair of leather footwear that you want polished to a mirror-like finish, use the technique of spit shining to achieve a military style polish.

Things You'll Need

• Shoe polish
• Water
• Lint-free clean cloth
• Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

1. Open a container of shoe polish and fill the lid, or other small container, with water.

2. Dip a clean lint-free cloth into the water and wrap the cloth around your middle and index fingers. Dip the wet cloth into the shoe polish and cover the area you want to shine with a thick layer of polish. Try to apply as equal amounts as possible to the shoe. Give the first layer of polish at least five minutes to dry.

3. Apply an additional layer of polish over the first one, using the same method and then allow it to dry. Repeat the process at least one more time.

4. Create a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water. Aim for an approximate ratio of 10 percent alcohol to 90 percent water.

5. Dip the polishing cloth into the water and alcohol mixture, and then again into the polish. Rub the wet cloth over the shoe in a circular motion to buff into a shine. Keep re-moistening the cloth in the mixture, adding polish and rubbing and gradually, the shoes will begin to shine.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply a thin layer of parade gloss shoe shine after the standard shine is complete for an even glossier finish.

References

• Valparaiso University Air Force ROTC: Beginning The Road To A Real Shine

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish