How to Spit-Polish Boots
The method of spit polishing boots has been around for a long time. This is most commonly associated with polishing boots in the military. Shining boots is one of the first and most common tasks taught in the military. This seemingly simple exercise teaches a soldier self-discipline, as a proper shine can take up to an hour. The spit-polish technique is a great way to bring a high-gloss finish to your dress shoes or boots. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Remove excess dirt or debris from your boots with a damp cloth before polishing.
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Apply a medium-thick amount of shoe polish to the surface of your boot. Allow this paste to dry for up to 10 minutes.
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Wrap a clean cloth around the end of your finger. Stretch the material tight so that no wrinkles are found. Dip the end of the cloth into water to dampen it. The cloth should be wet, but not dripping. Use a cotton ball if you prefer, rather than a clean cloth. Wet the cotton ball as described with the cloth, until it is wet but not dripping.
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Use a circular motion to buff the dried shoe polish. Rub with the cloth or cotton ball until the surface of the boot becomes shiny.
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Use the damp cloth to add more polish to the boot. Use a smaller amount of polish than the first layer, as a large amount here can actually strip off the shine. Apply a thin layer in a circular motion until the boot has a hazy shine.
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Continue to add thin layers of polish. Build up the polish on the entire surface of the boot until it is smooth and uniform, and has a high gloss.
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Apply a final buff once the boot is highly glossed. Use a clean, dry cloth for this final buffing process. Rub the entire surface of the boot to bring out the shine.
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Tips & Warnings
T-shirts and cloth diapers work well as buffing cloths.
References
- Photo Credit PhotoObjects.net/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
