qube 3570 Report post Posted March 24, 2022 I have a pair of boots that I want to try polish up and make it look a bit nicer. Its very dry and cracked with scuff marks etc anyone know whats the best way to go about this? Recommended shoe repair shops (and estimate price so i dont get ripped off) or products to diy? thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Young Thrash Driver 1020 Report post Posted March 24, 2022 That isn't too bad. I'd head to the supermarket and grab a tin of Kiwi polish and two brushes, one to apply the polish and one to scrub it in and polish it out. Then buff afterwards with a cotton rag so residue doesn't rub onto the Mrs favourite white fabrics. I'd budget at least 15 minutes per boot. I have always avoided dubbin, having seen it make leather too soft and perishable. I suppose you could also use the stuff you have on the shelf for car interior care 😂 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted March 24, 2022 Do you think I should be using a brown polish or could I get away with black? (I dont mind if it turns out darker and blacker) currently its like a dark chocolate colour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kees 594 Report post Posted March 25, 2022 Oakwood leather hydrating creme has worked well for me in the past. Used it in my E34 as well as on some old cracking leather couches and it worked well. You can get it from the supermarket. Had tried a bunch of different leather products but the Oakwood creme worked the best for hydrating the leather. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jon dee 500 Report post Posted March 25, 2022 5 hours ago, qube said: Do you think I should be using a brown polish or could I get away with black? (I dont mind if it turns out darker and blacker) currently its like a dark chocolate colour Shoe polish is usually available in various shades of brown... either as "nugget" in the flat tins or jars of creme. I'd get as close as possible to the original colour. Try and get as much dirt/dust off as you can with a dry brush first, and then go to town applying nugget with a brush or creme with a piece of soft rag. Cheers... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1662 Report post Posted March 25, 2022 Beeseal. Very good product with many uses. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huff3r 347 Report post Posted March 25, 2022 If you want a really nice shiny finish it's all about melting the polish into the boot with a heated teaspoon and polishing it to a high shine with a fine mesh such as pantyhose. That will get you to a parade standard. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted March 25, 2022 I think i would prefer just a slightly deeper more uniform colour coverage without too much shine. They are not formal dress boots or anything but i feel they are a bit scruffy looking and hence dont wear them. So i thought i may try a product and a bit of rubbing with a rag or brush to see how it turns out. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted March 25, 2022 (edited) "Parade Gloss" is better grade of black than standard Nugget. They don't seem to do much of it these days. I'm using Dasco shoe cream on my black leather boots and shoes, best I've used. Apply with a soft cloth to cleaned and dusted leather, work in. When dry, buff off with a quality horse-hair bristle brush. Do it regularly, feeds the leather. Waproo polishes are usually of good quality, buy them from quality specialist shoe repairers. For my Blundstones I just feed em with Beeswax dressing. "Jay-El Besswax Dressing" (I think it's by Waproo) is solid. I'm currently using Footcom NZ Beeswax Polish (beeswax and avocado oil), and it's the best I've used. Like car-care, using quality products regularly gives you a longer life and better finish. PS: Travel Tip. When travelling I take a small mini-grip bag with a small piece of mesh cloth in it with plenty of beeswax dressing on it. It's light, takes up little space, allows you to smarten up your boots quickly to look presentable. Edited March 25, 2022 by Olaf Added pic 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted March 25, 2022 (edited) 11 hours ago, qube said: I think i would prefer just a slightly deeper more uniform colour coverage without too much shine. They are not formal dress boots or anything but i feel they are a bit scruffy looking and hence dont wear them. So i thought i may try a product and a bit of rubbing with a rag or brush to see how it turns out. Suggest you restore the black with the shoe cream I mentioned above (it’s a nice mid-sheen but not parade gloss shiny on my RM’s), or a Waproo black… then a couple of hours later a light rub-over with Beeswax dressing will give you a somewhat duller/matt finish. HTH…. And protect the leather from inclement weather 😄 Edited March 25, 2022 by Olaf Assonance, perhaps? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted March 25, 2022 Thanks all for the wealth of information, how I am even more confused than before I started haha so many options! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 871 Report post Posted March 27, 2022 I'm scrolling ... hanging out for those after pics 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
