According to a Reddit post, you can achieve a glass-like shine on boots through a method that involves heating shoe polish and applying it in layers with water.
Achieving a mirror or glass-like shine on leather boots is a technique often associated with military or formal dress boots, commonly referred to as "spit shining." The process involves building up thin layers of polish and smoothing them out with water and friction. The specific Reddit method described utilizes Kiwi polish and a slightly unconventional approach involving heating the polish.
Here's how to apply this technique based on the provided reference:
The Process Explained
This method involves preparing a base layer of polish and then developing the shine through focused rubbing with water.
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Apply the Base Coat:
- First, you need to prepare the polish. The reference states to burn kiwi polish. This is typically done by briefly holding a flame (like from a lighter) to the surface of the polish tin to melt a small amount.
- Apply a thick layer of kiwi on boot as a base coat.
- This base coat only just need to do once at the start.
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Develop the Shine:
- Once the base coat is applied, use tissue paper dip in water (often just slightly damp, not soaking).
- rub on boot gently (in circular motion) over the areas where you want the shine.
- The reference notes that the shine will slowly start to appear as you continue rubbing with the damp tissue, building and smoothing the polish layer. Patience and consistent, gentle circular motion are key.
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Touch-Up Process:
- For maintaining the shine or doing touch-ups later, the process is similar but starts with a single layer.
- burn kiwi again to melt the surface slightly.
- apply one layer of kiwi on boot.
- Then, use tissue + water and rub as you did for the initial shine development.
Key Takeaways
- The method relies on burn kiwi, apply thick layer of kiwi on boot (base coat, just need to do once at the start), use tissue paper dip in water and rub on boot gently (in circular motion) for the initial steps.
- For touch-ups, it's a single layer of burnt polish followed by the water and tissue rubbing.
- Developing the mirror-like shine is a gradual process that requires repeated gentle rubbing with the damp tissue.
This technique, while specific in its instructions (particularly the burning of the polish), is a variation of the common spit-shining process which builds shine by creating a smooth, even surface of polish.
