Polishing super scruffed boots

[Mudball]

I like polished shoes, and have been trying to get my son to polish his shoes (and mine) every Sunday evening. But that is a challenge and a half. Also wont learn from me.

Anyways, now he is in the Army CCF, and they want their uniform done well. Not very keen on the marching but loving it. His new boots lasted about 3 weeks. Was on an obstacle course last week and the toes are now scruffed as if they have gone over with a sandpaper.
Got some polish from Clarks. Not sure what they make these days, but the polish is like toothpaste and watery. Whatever happened to good old Kiwi/Cherry in a round can. No amount of the gooey polish is hiding the scruff marks.

Any suggestions/advice on how to deal with scruffy shoes esp from ex-forces who had to deal with this everyday?

PS: Why does it always rain on Marching days?

 

[Neilds]

We were always told to use Kiwi but there is a guy on Insta (Mr Bull and Shine) who uses a polish called Saphir and the range also includes brushes and cloths. Might be worth checked out his website for products. Also, nip down the local military surplus shop and get some spare boots - keep 1 pair for best and the other pair for camps, assault courses, etc. No-one ever did anything but parades in their best boots.

 

[GreiginFife]

I like polished shoes, and have been trying to get my son to polish his shoes (and mine) every Sunday evening. But that is a challenge and a half. Also wont learn from me.

Anyways, now he is in the Army CCF, and they want their uniform done well. Not very keen on the marching but loving it. His new boots lasted about 3 weeks. Was on an obstacle course last week and the toes are now scruffed as if they have gone over with a sandpaper.
Got some polish from Clarks. Not sure what they make these days, but the polish is like toothpaste and watery. Whatever happened to good old Kiwi/Cherry in a round can. No amount of the gooey polish is hiding the scruff marks.

Any suggestions/advice on how to deal with scruffy shoes esp from ex-forces who had to deal with this everyday?

PS: Why does it always rain on Marching days?

Buy Kiwi Parade Gloss (round tin) and get him bulling them by building up layers which eventually will cover over the scuffs.

My lad is in the ATC and we got him a pair of utility boots for when they are doing field stuff so his parade boots stay in good shape.

 

[PaulMdj]

If he/you can manage it, get 2 pairs.

Being a kid the amount of time he’ll scuff a pair up or wear them in the mud on exercise etc, it’s more about preserving the waterproofing of them than covering up the scuffs.

One pair for Drill nights, other pair for weekends.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Kiwi alive and well https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=kiwi+b...prefix=kiwi,aps,340&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_4

 

[RichA]

Water and polish works well for a shine. The finest grade of sandpaper gets rid of scuffs and can be polished over back to a shine. You can also buy leather filler for deep gouges.

 

[Voyager EMH]

I'm of the generation whose dads either served in WW2 or did national service after. Practical things like this got taught in the home.

My dad showed me one trick. Chip a tiny bit of Kiwi off into the upturned lid. Put a lighted match to it briefly to melt it and blow out the flame.
Quickly apply the gooey black liquid to the scuffed area with a cloth covered finger. Brush and polish over with more Kiwi in the normal way.

I've no idea if this is a good or even sensible technique, but I have done it occasionally and it seems to work.

 

[RichA]

I'm of the generation whose dads either served in WW2 or did national service after. Practical things like this got taught in the home.

My dad showed me one trick. Chip a tiny bit of Kiwi off into the upturned lid. Put a lighted match to it briefly to melt it and blow out the flame.
Quickly apply the gooey black liquid to the scuffed area with a cloth covered finger. Brush and polish over with more Kiwi in the normal way.

I've no idea if this is a good or even sensible technique, but I have done it occasionally and it seems to work.

It is. Slightly wetting the cloth covered finger gets the best shine.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Get a second pair

One pair thats used for every day - have them brushed polished with kiwi

Then a second pair bulled up to a nice shine - parade gloss is good but standard kiwis does the business

Plenty ways to get a nice shine , good load of rubbing with waterproof , normally put on a couple of layers then burn it , then small circles to a high shine , with wet tip and polish , some use cotton wool

Used to be very therapeutic sitting down it in front of the telly

 

[Neilds]

Some/most of the tips mentioned here work to a certain extent but the best tip is to build up the layers slowly, don’t try and shortcut this by trying to put too much polish on at once. Thin layers that are completely worked in before applying the next layer.

Ex RAF Halton apprentice, veteran of about 8-10 route linings for royal visits in London and 1 appearance at the Palladium for the late Queen Mums birthday show (Guard of Honour, not performing ) and member of the Halton Continuity Drill Display Team for 3 years

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Some/most of the tips mentioned here work to a certain extent but the best tip is to build up the layers slowly, don’t try and shortcut this by trying to put too much polish on at once. Thin layers that are completely worked in before applying the next layer.

Ex RAF Halton apprentice, veteran of about 8-10 route linings for royal visits in London and 1 appearance at the Palladium for the late Queen Mums birthday show (Guard of Honour, not performing ) and member of the Halton Continuity Drill Display Team for 3 years

I’m sad enough that I still have my old number 1 shoes and every month I’ll add on another layer

 

[Mudball]

Thanks Gents... this forum has all the answers to Universe's questions.

Last evening we had a Dad-son conversation of me showing him how to polish a shoe... probably the first time we have had a convo without ending in an argument. We had an argument earlier in the day while doing DIY.. kids wont listen nor do they have the patience.

The only reason i ordered the Clark toothpaste polish was to save on shipping costs. it was 5.99 shipping or another 6 quid to avoid shipping costs. So bought a polish instead. Ordering a kiwi now. Since they just started, they have been told that they dont expect parade gloss yet. Just ensure they are tidy, clean and polished/

Two things i am going to look up
1) A second pair if possible from surplus.. looks about 40 quid. but equally he is still growing. Size 9 boots already!!
2) Some new techniques ... burning kiwi, wet cloth fingers..

BTW, what is a good one for any waterproofing. have never done that one before.

 

[PaulMdj]

Big difference between “Bull’d” boots, highly polished & shiney.

As he’s only a cadet I’d suggest you go for shiney, lots of good advice on how to fill the scuffs, but don’t get too worked up about them, a lot will naturally disappear overtime with regular polishing.

More important is that he enjoys the Cadets and stays involved for the longer period.

Let me know if you need my CV?

 

[Mudball]

Tooke @HomerJSimpson advice and went hunting for Kiwi on Amazon... came across this. Ignore the product and look at the vide. I must say, i have never used this approach, but looks in line with a lot of advice so far..

KIWI Parade Gloss Prestige, high quality shoe shine Polish
https://www.amazon.co.uk/vdp/7f9516...B01E58931E&ref=cm_sw_em_r_ib_dt_WxHJegXg9Q7uN

and also came across this as a waterproofing wax via the army surplus shop

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Altberg-Leder-Gris-Repelling-Leather/dp/B01LE2L826

 

[Mudball]

Big difference between “Bull’d” boots, highly polished & shiney.

As he’s only a cadet I’d suggest you go for shiney, lots of good advice on how to fill the scuffs, but don’t get too worked up about them, a lot will naturally disappear overtime with regular polishing.

More important is that he enjoys the Cadets and stays involved for the longer period.

Let me know if you need my CV?

I agree.. he is got one of these at the moment..

 

[PaulMdj]

I agree.. he is got one of these at the moment..
View attachment 55368

Brown boots and they are meant for everyday wear not “bulling”

Just keep polishing them regularly and the Cadet Instructors will see he is making the effort.

You can get dubbin or other polish’s that also nourish and protect the leather.

 

[Tashyboy]

When my lad was a goalkeeper, he would get through a couple or three pairs of gloves a season in training. But he saved his best pair for games and they would easily last a season.
The boots would be the same.

Have you tried Vinted for boots.

 

[Tashyboy]

Altberg Defender Boots

Brown Altberg Defender Boots Military Issue Altberg as used by the British military in sizes 5 and upwards in stock and available to order or buy in store

www.googleadservices.com

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I agree.. he is got one of these at the moment..
View attachment 55368

Those boots - just polish not bulled , add some dubbin

 

[RichA]

BTW, what is a good one for any waterproofing. have never done that one before.

You'll never fully waterproof any boot that doesn't have a waterproof membrane, but repeatedly working boot wax into the stitched welt will repel the water and stop it soaking through too much.