Thread: Shiny Boots

Mr Butler - I know, I looked at your site beforehand and I am impressed. I don't care what people use, I stiil have my hand-bulled best boots as well as the sprayed shoes.

Great tips so thanks for the site. Nice to know standards are still there

I take it you can't get "Bulling Rings" from the QM' anymore.???????????????

CTC

I'm going to incriminate myself here by use of my unorthodox method, nevertheless:

For those lads who like to melt their polish using an open flame, I have something to say. Step out of the Stone Age, guys!


Think about it:

1. Continuous, non-exaustable source of heat.
2. No chance of setting fire to the boot, or damaging the parrafin that gives the shine in the first place, as well as giving you Cancer.
3. Ability to control distance, heat level and direction with ease.
4. Makes your hair look great!

Simply apply a mega coat of polish with one of 'dem cotton rags (it doesn't have to be a smooth coat, but preferably not lumpy) all over the areas you want to look beautiful. Then, switch on your hairdryer and hold it about 2 inches from the centre of the area you wish to shine. After about 15 seconds, the polish will begin to do some wierd morphy thing and begin to shine.

But slow down cowboy, we're not done yet. When this starts to happen, begin moving your dryer in arcs across the polish zone, being careful not to touch the schnozzle of the dryer to the boot. When the whole area is glistening, switch off the dryer.

Now, it's important to hold your horses here, as if you set off now, you'll end up ruining your current and previous work (not to meniton, God kills a kitten). On this first heat up, the leather underneath the polish is likely to be super heated up, so be sure to wait until the polish gives a foggy tarnished look, and count to 20 to be safe.

Now, take a cotton wool ball, immerse the tip in water, and press it flat on a clean surface, twist clockwise. This will 'lock in' any strands of cotton that could detach in the bulling proccess, or potentially scratch the polish. Continue with the typical 'circle' routine, applying reasonable pressure. If you start to get 'flaking', do not panic, simply melt it with the hairdryer.

You'll being to notice you already have a lovely shine, but it's likely you'll have a knobbly surface. Simply repeat the process as before, but using a moderate amount of polish. At this point, as the leather is insulated by the polish (I could be bullshiting there, boot thermodynamics isn't my area), so you can hold the dryer RIGHT up to the boot, making sure it doesn't touch. The more you do this, the smoother the boot gets.

Eventually, after a good 10 minutes or so, you'll have a nice smooth surface, which is probably pretty damn shiny. To give it that extra 'Le Lustré' look, simply apply gentle heat, and stop as the polish begins to melt. Count a good 5-7 seconds, and begin to bob with a wet cotton bud. Repeat a few times, and as a finale take a tinsy bit of polish on your cotton ball, and rub it in circles on the area until it 'dissapears'.

There you have it!

A few notes:

-Don't bother removing the beads of water on your boot before heating, the heat seems to radiate of some sh*t.
-If you fear ridicule by your peers for posessing a hairdryer, get a small one, paint it black and put it in a tactical holster.
-If doing this method on the areas of the boot that flex in walking, expect flaking the first two times. Simply melt what you have left prior to your routine to salvage previous work. The same applies to scuffing.

Hope this works for those sad enough to try it!

Originally Posted by LeBastard

Don't bother

I find it hard to believe that is even remotely serious.
Show me a picture of the finished results and maybe I will change my mind

*Whiny voice*

The WHOLE boot? or just the toe cap so you can see the shinyness?

Edit: Pah, I'll get started regardless. Don't expect me to compete with those ones in the picture, though. It's obvious you're the pro here.

Originally Posted by LeBastard

*Whiny voice*

The WHOLE boot? or just the toe cap so you can see the shinyness?

Edit: Pah, I'll get started regardless. Don't expect me to compete with those ones in the picture, though. It's obvious you're the pro here.

I'm not trying to be top banana, don't get me wrong. I am however still curious to discover different (possibly easier) ways of getting the job done. I have tried all the currently available short cuts and still find the proper ways give me the best most satisfying results.

Does anyone know how you use Klear to harden your elbow and shoulder pads on the old issue jumper? I remember my screws having rock hard pads, and asking how they said 'I've Kleared them' can anyone help on how you achive this?

Apply neat with cotton wool and allow to dry.
Seriously though.....WHY?
or WAAH?

Spray on starch at a stretch but Klear sounds like a wind up because of its brittle when dry nature.

I used starch too, but was crap at it. Always ended up with marks all over my pads. Cheers for replying. Do they still issue the 'Jersey Heavy Wool'?

yup

The new formula Morello is the best out there. Its like Tornado nose cone paint. Flea bay sell it.

If your boots have been bees waxed properly and you have a smooth surface, get them sprayed... get the spray from any good tailors, comes in black or clear, it's waterproof and scratch resistant... awesome, just been on a cardre and takes to minutes to spray, instead of hours of bulling.

Originally Posted by mahem

If your boots have been bees waxed properly and you have a smooth surface, get them sprayed... get the spray from any good tailors, comes in black or clear, it's waterproof and scratch resistant... awesome, just been on a cardre and takes to minutes to spray, instead of hours of bulling.

Sprayed with what?

Originally Posted by the_butler

Originally Posted by mahem

If your boots have been bees waxed properly and you have a smooth surface, get them sprayed... get the spray from any good tailors, comes in black or clear, it's waterproof and scratch resistant... awesome, just been on a cardre and takes to minutes to spray, instead of hours of bulling.

Sprayed with what?

Not this crap surely?
Spray

Originally Posted by the_butler

Originally Posted by mahem

If your boots have been bees waxed properly and you have a smooth surface, get them sprayed... get the spray from any good tailors, comes in black or clear, it's waterproof and scratch resistant... awesome, just been on a cardre and takes to minutes to spray, instead of hours of bulling.

Sprayed with what?

You know and I know if there was a shortcut, you'd know it.