Horsehair Brush

[Style Pontifex]

After applying shoe cream and letting it dry, what are you supposed to do with the horsehair brush? Do you wipe/buff with a cloth before using the horsehair brush, or do you use a horsehair brush instead of using a cloth?

 

[Imperator]

Originally Posted by Style Pontifex

After applying shoe cream and letting it dry, what are you supposed to do with the horsehair brush? Do you wipe/buff with a cloth before using the horsehair brush, or do you use a horsehair brush instead of using a cloth?

I have some brushes, but I have more success getting a high shine with a soft cloth.

 

[aKula]

I use the brush before the cloth.

 

[beasty]

Originally Posted by aKula

I use the brush before the cloth.

I notice if you use the brush before the cloth, you can see specks of left over shoe cream on the shoes. So I wipe off with cloth and use the brush.

I have to add I wonder whether there is a discernible difference between using a horsehair or synthetic hair brush.

 

[Orgetorix]

Originally Posted by aKula

I use the brush before the cloth.

+1. I brush, then buff with a cloth, and finish with a silk sock or tie.

 

[obiter dictum]

Moist cotton balls. Mirror shine in ~10 minutes.

 

[anon]

How much pressure are you supposed to use with the brush? Is it a soft brushing or can you put a bit of muscle into it to get that stuff off of the shoe?

 

[Orgetorix]

Originally Posted by obiter dictum

Moist cotton balls. Mirror shine in ~10 minutes.

Care to elaborate? I've never heard of this technique. You apply the polish with whatever, and then use the moist cotton balls to buff it out? Are the cotton balls the only thing you use?

 

[jcc123]

Originally Posted by obiter dictum

Moist cotton balls. Mirror shine in ~10 minutes.

Sorry, I HATE spit shines. If I want my shoes to look like patent leather I'd go buy patent leather.

But to answer the OP, use horsehair brush to buff the shoes. Put some elbow grease into it. It will make the shoes look like you've just bought it from the store. If you notice that new shoes aren't shiny, it has more of a dull shine. That's what a horsehair brush will give you.

 

[Steven Aver]

Originally Posted by jcc123

Sorry, I HATE spit shines. If I want my shoes to look like patent leather I'd go buy patent leather.

But to answer the OP, use horsehair brush to buff the shoes. Put some elbow grease into it. It will make the shoes look like your just bought it from the store. If you notice that new shoes aren't shiny, it has more of a dull shine. That's what a horsehair brush will give you.

Brushes are used to remove the excess polish, the cloth is used to buff afterwards.

 

[jcc123]

Originally Posted by Steven Aver

Brushes are used to remove the excess polish, the cloth is used to buff afterwards.

What I'm saying is that you can skip the buffing part if you just use your brush to buff. Try it sometime.

BTW, I use only shoe cream. No shoe wax. Wax works both ways. It keeps your leather sealed from the elements but it also keeps it from breathing as it traps your sweat in your shoes. The salt in your sweat will build up overtime in the leather if you don't let it breath leading to cracking.

 

[JayJay]

I brush then buff with a soft cloth.

 

[Style Pontifex]

Originally Posted by jcc123

What I'm saying is that you can skip the buffing part if you just use your brush to buff. Try it sometime.

BTW, I use only shoe cream. No shoe wax. Wax works both ways. It keeps your leather sealed from the elements but it also keeps it from breathing as it traps your sweat in your shoes. The salt in your sweat will build up overtime in the leather if you don't let it breath leading to cracking.

Yeah, I only use conditioners and creams for my dress shoes. I do use wax for work boots, though.

Thanks for the info, everyone.

Oh, but someone did allude to an interesting question: synthetic vs. real horsehair bristles. Is there a difference?

 

[Kuro]

Originally Posted by obiter dictum

Moist cotton balls. Mirror shine in ~10 minutes.

interesting

 

[Xiaogou]

Originally Posted by jcc123

What I'm saying is that you can skip the buffing part if you just use your brush to buff. Try it sometime.

BTW, I use only shoe cream. No shoe wax. Wax works both ways. It keeps your leather sealed from the elements but it also keeps it from breathing as it traps your sweat in your shoes. The salt in your sweat will build up overtime in the leather if you don't let it breath leading to cracking.

How does sweat get on the outside of the shoe?