There was a bootblack stand in the lobby of the building I worked in, and I used to watch how they shined the shoes. The bootblack would buff out the polish, mist it with water, and buff again–only two strokes at a time. Back and forth, pause; back and forth, pause. That seemed to be an essential step. Even when the shoes were buffed by machine, they were always finished with water and hand buffing.
I am curious about why water is used. Is it to keep the wax cool and hard? Does it decrease the friction so the wax can be smoothed?
Shoe polish contains some of the same ingredients as furniture polish (such as carnauba wax), and I was wondering if the same techniques work for shining up furniture. Well, you wouldn’t spray water onto furniture, but some waxes are supposed to be applied with a damp cloth. The instructions don’t say why.
Janet
P.S. I never was able to get my husband’s shoes to shine the way the professionals do. They probably don’t use Kiwi in a can. If you know the secret, please share.
Replies
Shoe polish
I haven't "spit-shined" a pair of shoes in over 40 years, but I believe the water just acts as a lubricant. You probably wouldn't be impressed with the results on a large, flat surface like a table top, and the time/effort involved probably wouldn't be worth it.
About the shoes alone, then: Please tell me that spit is not an essential part of the process.
Janet
It is not the water, it is the heat that produces the shine, the water is added to prevent the wax from "craking". YOu can do the same with waxed furniture and a polisher.
Seems right for the bootblack shine, with the flying buffing cloths, but the military spit shine wouldn't generate significant heat, with wax applied with damp cotton balls or similar absorbant material. Water works fine, spit not needed, but sometimes that would be what was available.
I ran an experiment to see if water had any effect on shine. Applied shoe polish to a scrap of birch plywood, so that flexing/cracking wouldn't be an issue.
At first the polish didn't stick very well to the wood. Applied more polish and heated it with a hair dryer, which apparently caused it to penetrate the pores. Finally, I used dry terrycloth to polish one section, and moist terrycloth to polish another section.
Sure enough, damp polishing left a shinier finish. I still don't know how it happens, and neither do Kiwi or Lincoln (I asked). But I don't think heat causes the shine. For one thing, the hair dryer left the polish with a matte finish. Also, I opened a new tin of polish, and the surface wasn't shiny. I figure the polish is poured in hot when the tin is filled.
I have too much free time today.
Janet
Good Question !
https://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=2912
I spit shined enough shoes to not think much of a spit shined surface for wood. Most of us had "inspection" shoes that were only worn on such occasions because the spit shine was so fragile, and a pain to repair. (I haven't read the article, though)
You might also try different shoe polish, I have seen some of the stands use Lincoln shoe polish.
Shine?
If you shined your husband's shoes, he better treat you right, or I'll come sweep you away.
Shine?
Oh, the man's a saint--he tolerates my fads! The secret of shoe polish is just my latest craze. Once I learn how to do it right, I'll be off on another tangent and forget all about shoes.
Janet
Well, that sounds like we've already been married once, then.
But that may have been a tangent...
The last time I did a spitshine was 1976.
But that may have been a tangent...
The last time I did a spitshine was 1976.
sPIT SHINE
Janet,
Look up the article entitled "A Spit-Shine Wax Finish" in the Nay/June issue of 2004. It will settle this discussion once and for all. By Mladen K. Vranjican, it is a how ti using water and wax on, I believe, a lovely Sheraton table. He explains the physics and chemistry of the process in quite complete detail. Worth looking at.
Steve
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