Gaziano & Girling Appreciation & Shoe Appreciation Thread (including reviews, purchases, pictures)

[DWFII]

Yeah...the worst thing you can do is get the cloth wet. I spit on the area--just half a dozen very fine droplets...smaller than the head of a pin. Alternatively I just breathe heavily on the toe.

Also if you need to finish use a woman's nylon spread flat and taut.

 

[chogall]

Ya. Either spit, or use ring finger to get a droplet of water (assuming rag is on index/middle fingers). At later stages, can always just breath fog onto the shoe surface...

 

[Hampton]

Berluti uses champagne and Saint Crispins recommend rubbing alcohol. Any alcohol would be fine. But spit works best.


Don't use shoe bags. Use old tshirts/undershirts.

No water from the start. Polish until the wax feels very sticky with heavy drag. Add a bit of water (not onto cloth, but on shoes), polish until the wax stiffened enough to have huge drag. Repeat until shine.

Alternate layers of wax and cream to have depth.

Thanks. Will try this today. So a t-shirt instead of shoebag.

 

[JubeiSpiegel]

I did not know people used the shoe bags to apply polish to their shoes. I use a simple polish cloth, works fine for me.

 

[Stirling]

I did not know people used the shoe bags to apply polish to their shoes. I use a simple polish cloth, works fine for me.

Materially the same thing.

 

[Hampton]

I give up, will give all my shoes to shoemakers from now on.

It looks like I am doing damage on the shoes.

 

[chogall]



I give up, will give all my shoes to shoemakers from now on. 

It looks like I am doing damage on the shoes. 

Pics? The only 'damage' I can think of is putting too much water during wax polishing and the leather surface became wet and forms a bubble. If that happens, just let dry and it will take care of itself.

If you can't mirror shine out right, just wax it normally. After a couple wax sessions it will be much easier to mirror shine.

 

[rikod]



X Post.

As if you haven't seen enough of these already....

I think this is the first time ever that MalfordOfLondon post an ugly shoe

 

[Hampton]

Pics? The only 'damage' I can think of is putting too much water during wax polishing and the leather surface became wet and forms a bubble. If that happens, just let dry and it will take care of itself.

If you can't mirror shine out right, just wax it normally. After a couple wax sessions it will be much easier to mirror shine.

I almost didn't put water this time? Like 2 drops of water during 1 hour polish. And like you said only when the wax did get ''bull'' ?
Here is a pic:

 

[MalfordOfLondon]



I think this is the first time ever that MalfordOfLondon post an ugly shoe

You couldn't have read very far back.

 

[Frank the sheep]



I almost didn't put water this time? Like 2 drops of water during 1 hour polish. And like you said only when the wax did get ''bull'' ? 

Not to be rude but i don´t understand how you can avoid a shine with the amount of work you put in. Like others said, less is more. Don´t apply to much pressure... try on some other shoes as well.

 

[MalfordOfLondon]

Hampton I would echo what the others are saying. It looks like too much pressure.

 

[DerekS]



Don't use shoe bags.  Use old tshirts/undershirts.

double nap diaper cloth is optimal. Pick it up at a fabric store for a couple bucks.

 

[DWFII]

Easy does it, alright. Also be careful...don't use a lot of polish. You can nearly just touch the surface of the polish in the can. Each application should be so thin that it just barely clouds the surface. Small..tiny, really...circular motions are also a key element.

If you have ever used or are using an oil based conditioner or cream, you may...depending on the leather...have so saturated the leather that it will never shine. I am not saying this is the case, but it is possible and you should be aware of it.

 

[in stitches]



I think this is the first time ever that MalfordOfLondon post an ugly shoe, in my opinion.

FTFY