Polishing brogues

This is a seemingly stupid question, but I've really struggled with polishing brogues for the last few years. I always get lots of wax or cream that builds up in the perforations and it's very time consuming to clean it out with a Q-tip. Is there some special trick I'm missing out on here?

I just use a stiff brush to get rid of the excess wax in the holes / perforations before buffing.

Originally Posted by StephenStyle

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I just use a stiff brush to get rid of the excess wax in the holes / perforations before buffing.

+1 - but it is still a nightmare!

It sucks. It just does. I usually use a wax polish, then carefully use a toothpick when the wax dries. Then I just use the usual shine brush and cloth combo and end up fine. Or you can just pay someone else to do it...

I usually start waxing in solid areas of leather in a circular motion and by the time you get to the perforations / holes - the majority of the wax has been worked in and the excess doesn't end up in the hard to reach places.

That's also the largest sentence I've ever typed.

+1

Originally Posted by StephenStyle

Click to expand...

I usually start waxing in solid areas of leather in a circular motion and by the time you get to the perforations / holes - the majority of the wax has been worked in and the excess doesn't end up in the hard to reach places.

That's also the largest sentence I've ever typed.

A toothbrush will get it out easy enough.

Since I began using a good horsehair brush it's been fine.

I use a good horsehair brush, and I still get polish in the holes.

I use a pipe tool--the pick part, not the spoon or the damper, obviously--to get the excess polish out of the perforations.

You should polish them when you have about 2 or 3 hours of your time free. Taking your time is definitely worth it.

I always wonder how people do a good job polishing a pair of spectators.

Originally Posted by cmeisenzahl

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I always wonder how people do a good job polishing a pair of spectators.

Me too ... that is a big reason why I haven't bought a pair yet. I like them a lot, but polishing them will be a nightmare esp if they are in contrasting colors.

Originally Posted by Cas Ruffin

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You should polish them when you have about 2 or 3 hours of your time free. Taking your time is definitely worth it.

I hope this is a joke.

I personally never use wax polishes period. Wax suffocates the leather. Use Creme polishes (example: Meltonian) Polish sparingly by using an old cloth as an applicator. Some creme polishes even come with a sponge applicator. Again, apply sparingly. Do not follow the 'old school military methods' of polishing. If you specify the manufacturer of the shoes in question, others will be able to recommend specific products that will work best for your needs. If you decide to switch from wax to creme, you'll have to strip off the old wax polishes first, lotion the shoes & let dry at least an hour, then start with the creme polish.

Wax polishes are fine, just avoid spirit-based polishes.

Use more elbow grease and less polish and you'll get a better result. Build up multiple layers of polish, rather than putting on in globs. The only time you should get polish in the holes is when you deliberately work it in to them (eg, when new), but even then you're not aiming for a poly-filler. End of a paper-clip can get out any excess.

I start by lightly brushing a tiny amount of polish over the area to be cleaned. Once polish is spread, you can brush in more vigorously, and then use a cloth to buff up. Then repeat with just the cloth, but the tiniest amount of polish. You should never have so much polish on the shoe that you have to wipe of excess - only use as much as will completely work into the leather.

As a guide, if you are spit polishing, you have so little polish on the cloth that you can dab lightly on your tongue without tasting it.