Building a Shoe Shine / Leather Care Kit

[champ49er]

I'm building a shoe shine / leather care kit to be purchased at shoeshinekit.com. I also have a black leather brief case that I would like to start taking care of which is why I mentioned "leather care". I only have black shoes for now as I'm just getting started.

Questions:

1. Please tell me if my kit is enough to get started:

• Meltonian Black Creme Polish
• 6" Horse hair shine brush
• Small horse hair applicator brush
• One shine cloth

2. I'm also thinking about purchasing Lexol leather cleaner and Lexol leather conditioner. I'm assuming I could use the leather cleaner before applying the polish, but at what point (if any) do I use the Lexol conditioner on the shoes?

3. Does the leather brief case follow the same procedures as the shoes or do I just do everything as the shoes, but skip the polish? I'm just worried if the brief case will stain my suit.

Sorry for the dumb questions, but I'm a total noob and you have all been helpful in my previous questions.

 

[BTinTexas]

Champ,

You have a bare bones kit but it is sufficient as you only have one color shoe. You definitely need to get some leather conditioner though to complete your beginner kit.

Here's what I recommend:

First, I rarely use colored shoe polish and only on occasions when I have a scuff in the leather or deep wrinkle where the leather has lost its color. Typically you will want to condition the leather every half dozen wearings or so depending on season and environment. You can achieve an amazing shine with conditioner only.

Second, go easy on the cleaner. My shoes hardly ever get a dedicated leather cleaner, a slightly damp cloth with just water is usually more than sufficient for general cleaning and a brush for more stubborn spots. On my shoes cleaners are used only when there is a spot or stain that simple water or brushing cannot remove.

Third, skip the polish on the briefcase, it will get on your suit. Clean and condition your briefcase as outlined above.

Good luck and have fun

 

[champ49er]

Regarding the polishing cloths -- do I need one cloth per specific use? Like, one for cleaner, one for condition, one for polisher?

Do you typically put these cloths in the wash after every use, or just put it back in the shoe shine box?

 

[BTinTexas]

Use a separate cloth for each step. I just wash mine when needed, not after every polish.

Here is a good video, just a random one I had saved:

 

[champ49er]

is there something special with these polishing cloths or will a microfiber towel work?

 

[chogall]

is there something special with these polishing cloths or will a microfiber towel work?

cotton chamois works. but i still like old t-shirts to actually raise a shine. i don't like the feel of microfiber cloth in general besides washing cars; they tend to be absorbent, no lint, but rough. :S