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Applying polish: brushes or cloth?

post #1 of 19
10/28/11 at 1:07am
Thread Starter 
I have small brushed to apply polish. But lately, I have noticed that the bristles are becoming hard and rigid from the polish that remains on the brush. Now, I fear they would scratch the shoes, so I have temporarily switched to pieces of cloth. Am I doing something wrong that is causing the brushed to become hard?

Thank you in advance,

ELG
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post #2 of 19
10/28/11 at 5:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ELG View Post

I have small brushed to apply polish. But lately, I have noticed that the bristles are becoming hard and rigid from the polish that remains on the brush. Now, I fear they would scratch the shoes, so I have temporarily switched to pieces of cloth. Am I doing something wrong that is causing the brushed to become hard?
Thank you in advance,
ELG

Me too, so I use a cloth to apply the polish.
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post #3 of 19
10/28/11 at 6:00am
I use an old cotton undershirt to apply polish and a brush to remove polish followed by a clean cotton undershirt.
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post #4 of 19
10/28/11 at 6:26am
http://www.styleforum.net/t/10830/shoe-care-supply-checklist
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post #5 of 19
10/28/11 at 6:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ELG View Post

I have small brushed to apply polish. But lately, I have noticed that the bristles are becoming hard and rigid from the polish that remains on the brush. Now, I fear they would scratch the shoes, so I have temporarily switched to pieces of cloth. Am I doing something wrong that is causing the brushed to become hard?
Thank you in advance,
ELG

I don't use the application brushes very often - although they do work if you like them.

Your brushes are simply becoming caked with dried up polish. Wash them with very hot water and dishwashing detergent. All of the wax will come out - they will be like new.
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post #6 of 19
10/28/11 at 7:35am
I don't use a dauber, I use a strip of polishing cloth wrapped around a finger. Apply polish in a circular motion and then I brush with a horsehair brush once the polish flashes.
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post #7 of 19
10/28/11 at 9:48am
Most of the shoe guys I know use a cloth wrapped around their fingers. It allows one to more easily massage in the polish while using less. Brushes are nice if you don't want to get your fingers dirty, though. They soften up pretty quickly once you move them around, which breaks any dried polish.
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post #8 of 19
10/28/11 at 9:56am

Cloth.  If you don't want to get fingers dirty, wear powederless latex gloves or finger condoms.

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post #9 of 19
10/29/11 at 2:05pm
I use old shirts when applying shoe wax
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post #10 of 19
10/29/11 at 2:30pm
I use a microfiber cloth to apply polish.
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post #11 of 19
10/29/11 at 3:15pm
Is there a good reason to not just use your finger?

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
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post #12 of 19
10/29/11 at 5:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Liquidus View Post

Is there a good reason to not just use your finger?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

I've tried this, but the polish can be hard to wash off; your finger remains stained for a few days afterward.
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post #13 of 19
10/29/11 at 6:25pm
I don't know if your question pertains to wax or creme, but I use a paper tissue to apply creme. I very rarely use wax, but if I do, I apply it with my finger tips. If I used it more often, I'd use a tissue. My experience suggests a brush is one of the poorer ways to apply either.
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post #14 of 19
10/29/11 at 6:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayJay View Post

I've tried this, but the polish can be hard to wash off; your finger remains stained for a few days afterward.

Not if you use a damp cloth with saddle soap afterward. It comes right off.
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post #15 of 19
10/29/11 at 6:41pm
^^^Good to know, I'll give this a try.
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