Hard & Soft Bristle Brushes for polishing?

[GBer]

Looking for some advice on when to use which brush... Some say to use the soft to clean dirt then polish with the hard. I've also heard the other way around. What do you guys do and recommend? I like to get my shoes shining like patent leather.

 

[R-H]

Use separate brushes for polishing.

Soft brush for buffing, harder brush for application of polish.

 

[westinghouse]

Real men use their hands to apply shoe polish.

 

[GBer]

Originally Posted by westinghouse

Real men use their hands to apply shoe polish.

I find using a brush + hands/fingers gets you a better result than just one method

 

[Chips]

My methods are slowly and constantly evolving when it comes to shinning my shoes.

But what I've been sticking to so far is pretty simple.

1) old toothbrush to clean out the stitching along the sole of dust and dirt.

2) Horsehair brush ( black one for black since it has black polish residue, and brown for all others) I don't mix them up. I only use the horsehair brush for a quick dust off, and a 8/10 shine.

3) when I want to really spend the time for a glass like shine, I don't even use any form of brush. Just microfiber cloths for application and a bolt of silk for a high polish. I'll even use a spray bottle that I have for my shirt ironing, to mist the silk ever so slightly, and when I use that against the leather, by the time the tiny tiny droplets have evaporated, I've managed to create a glassy shine.

4) And most important, drink some top shelf libations ( preferably scotch) whilst enjoying the process.

5) Bob Marley helps too.

 

[luk-cha]

i use a chinese writing brush for appling cream, then take of the cream with a harder bristle brush, wipe with a cloth and buff with a soft bristle brush and then i use wax to shine.

with shell i just use the hard bristle brus and a cloth

 

[HORNS]

To the OP, my advice to you is to experiment - you really have nothing to lose by doing so. My experience, however, has been that a soft cloth creates a more intense shine than does my brushes. The brushes I own were bought in Munich and are made of horsehair which is stiffer than others I have used, but the results are not noticeable if you lessen the pressure you apply with these stiffer brushes.

I do NOT use an applicator brush for the wax/cream because I don't have as much control of how much is applied to an area, as opposed to an old, soft rag.

That being said, I do not like the mirror-like shine on my shoes that you see posted on this forum, so my technique is pretty simple.

 

[MisterEn]

I know this is a bump but...'top shelf libations' - loving your work.