How do I get a sharp focus in my shoe shine?

[jmatt]

My shoes are shiny, and very well-cared for. I know how to spit-shine. I spend lots of time. But I still get what I'll call a "fuzzy-focus" shine. Here's two pictures I found on the site that display what I mean:

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/5...urntpine_1.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8..._darkoak_2.jpg

Notice, although both shoes are nicely polished, the second shoe looks "harder" and reflects light more shortly instead of with a soft-focus look.

The second shoe is obviously newer, but even if I got that shoe out of the box, after one round of kiwi it would look at least as shiny, but light would no longer reflect so sharply.

What am I missing?

 

[AvariceBespoke]

Originally Posted by jmatt

My shoes are shiny, and very well-cared for. I know how to spit-shine. I spend lots of time. But I still get what I'll call a "fuzzy-focus" shine. Here's two pictures I found on the site that display what I mean:

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/5...urntpine_1.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8..._darkoak_2.jpg

Notice, although both shoes are nicely polished, the second shoe looks "harder" and reflects light more shortly instead of with a soft-focus look.

The second shoe is obviously newer, but even if I got that shoe out of the box, after one round of kiwi it would look at least as shiny, but light would no longer reflect so sharply.

What am I missing?

not sure, but id be interested to know as well.... how do u spit shine and get that lighting shine?

 

[jmatt]

Here's another example:

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3...5mediumog5.jpg

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/3193/eg_southwold2.jpg

Certainly the first shoe is nice, and well-polished. I get a similar result with all of my shoes. But how do I get to picture number 2?

 

[j]

http://styleforum.pbwiki.com/MirrorShine

For an excellent video by French shoe masters J.M. Weston, check this site:

http://www.jmweston.com/en_home.htm

Click on 'Art and the Material' then 'Maintenance' and on the left 'See the Video' (warning, annoying lo fi guitar music plays over the video)

 

[odoreater]

One technique you might try is putting some wax on them, freezing them, then polishing the wax off - or even allowing the wax to sit on the shoes for several days before polishing it off. I used the freezing technique on my Schuberts and I got a pretty sharp shine on them:

 

[Dragon]

I just put a lot of thin layers of polish (without dabbing in water, etc.) and the shine starts coming out with patience.

 

[Shoe-nut]

One must factor into this the texture of the leather. Not all leathers are perfectly smooth as you can see these subtle differences upon looking very closely at the shoe. I have noted that one must work considerably harder at achieving that great shine with any of the more textured leathers.

I have some JM's from the 40's and would be hard pressed to describe what leather they are made from. These shoes take a nice shine but not a fantastic one as they are far too rough a surface for that.

 

[Bic Pentameter]

Originally Posted by jmatt

My shoes are shiny, and very well-cared for. I know how to spit-shine. I spend lots of time. But I still get what I'll call a "fuzzy-focus" shine. Here's two pictures I found on the site that display what I mean:

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/5...urntpine_1.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8..._darkoak_2.jpg

Notice, although both shoes are nicely polished, the second shoe looks "harder" and reflects light more shortly instead of with a soft-focus look.

The second shoe is obviously newer, but even if I got that shoe out of the box, after one round of kiwi it would look at least as shiny, but light would no longer reflect so sharply.

What am I missing?

The second pair of shoes is mine. I don't consider myself an expert on the ways of the shine, but I used Saphire neutral polish on them. I think I could probably get the same effect with Kiwi. I slather on many many coats of polish, coupled with dabs of water. Also, I don't polish too hard.

Bic

 

[jmatt]

Originally Posted by Bic Pentameter

The second pair of shoes is mine. I don't consider myself an expert on the ways of the shine, but I used Saphire neutral polish on them. I think I could probably get the same effect with Kiwi. I slather on many many coats of polish, coupled with dabs of water. Also, I don't polish too hard.

Bic
Excellent. Your shoes have amongst the best non-advertising photo shoot shines I've seen.

Simply lots of layers? One after the other, or daily waxing to build up the wax? Could one do that in a single setting, or did it take weeks or months. Thanks for any additional insight you could provide.

 

[Bic Pentameter]

Thanks jmatt. The shoes in the photo were new at the time, but I think I put 5-10 layers on before I took the photo. I did it in a single setting, or perhaps over 2 days.....Three or four layers one night, then three or four the next night. I don't think that letting them sit is necessary to the overall effect, though. Once I have a lot of polish on the shoes, I have found that I can touch them up with just another polish.

I think that once you have enough polish on the shoes, it is important to use a non abrasive cloth (nothing really special or expensive -- old cotton socks and t-shirts work for me) and not to push too hard when polishing. I apply drops of hot water to the area I am polishing, which seems to help in spreading the polish around.

Interestingly, I now think I like a more natural, dull polish better than the mirror shine that I put on those shoes.

Bic

 

[jmatt]

Originally Posted by Bic Pentameter

Thanks jmatt. The shoes in the photo were new at the time, but I think I put 5-10 layers on before I took the photo. I did it in a single setting, or perhaps over 2 days.....Three or four layers one night, then three or four the next night. I don't think that letting them sit is necessary to the overall effect, though. Once I have a lot of polish on the shoes, I have found that I can touch them up with just another polish.

I think that once you have enough polish on the shoes, it is important to use a non abrasive cloth (nothing really special or expensive -- old cotton socks and t-shirts work for me) and not to push too hard when polishing. I apply drops of hot water to the area I am polishing, which seems to help in spreading the polish around.

Bic
Thanks for the help. I took your advice when I got home. Here are the results (front half of shoe for right foot only)
http://styleforum.net/attachment.php...1&d=1168914397

 

[Dragon]

It's looking good!

I usually take almost an hour per shoe, putting a lot of very thin layers of polish the whole time (I swirl the rag in the polish can to get an even spread of polish **********, but I do this only once without putting any more polish **********). After about 30 minutes or so of hard work a nice shine begins to appear. When I feel I've done enough, I will take a soft polish cloth and buff the shoe very lightly and the shine becomes even more beautiful.

 

[Bic Pentameter]

Originally Posted by jmatt

Thanks for the help. I took your advice when I got home. Here are the results (front half of shoe for right foot only)
http://styleforum.net/attachment.php...1&d=1168914397


That is looking good, jmatt. Please bear in mind that the shoes that I polished had a plain toe, while yours have a medallion. I think it might take much more work to polish yours to that type of mirror shine. Still, I think you have done really very well.

Bic