Do you use water when shining shoes?

furo · May 27, 2009

Does anyone use a little bit of water when shining their shoes? From my days in the military, I'd always keep a drop or two of water in my Kiwi shoe polish tin, and would dip my cotton cloth in water a couple times to add shine during the shine. I did that for my leather boots and my low quarter dress shoes....

Is this practice safe for Allen Edmonds shoes (calfskin)? And do you do this often?

thanks

sho'nuff · May 27, 2009

it is safe

Mr. Moo · May 27, 2009

I use champagne.

Wes Bourne · May 27, 2009

I do it on toes only, sometimes on quarters as well. And say what you want about AE, but they do take a good shine.

teddieriley · May 27, 2009

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

I use champagne.

Small timer.

KObalto · May 27, 2009

It's safe, but I don't like my calfskin shoes too shiny.
On the other hand, I find the bubbles in champagne act as an abrasive. I prefer a good white Burgundy.

Mark from Plano · May 27, 2009

I'm a big-timer, I use unicorn tears.

stylo 9000 · May 27, 2009

Originally Posted by furo

From my days in the military, I'd always keep a drop or two of water in my Kiwi shoe polish tin, and would dip my cotton cloth in water a couple times to add shine during the shine. I did that for my leather boots and my low quarter dress shoes....

+1. Except substitute "CAP" for "military"

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

I'm a big-timer, I use unicorn tears.

I believe the proper terminology is "large-timer."

JayJay · May 27, 2009

I have used a bit of water on occasion, but not regularly.

whiteslashasian · May 27, 2009

Originally Posted by Wes Bourne

I do it on toes only, sometimes on quarters as well. And say what you want about AE, but they do take a good shine.
+1 I use a tiny bit of water on the toes and quarters and shine using an old silk tie. I don't like a mirror finish, I buff until the desired area is slightly glossier than the rest.

lasbar · May 27, 2009

If you do want a good glacage , put some lukewarm water in a recipient and mix with the cream/polish and then apply on the shoe while doing rotating movements...
The hot water will open the pores of the leather and enable it to shine..

litho · May 27, 2009

I only ever use water on shoes to get rid of a tiny bit of mud or something, it's always been in my head that it's not good to use water on shoes

lasbar · May 27, 2009

It is good if you want to get a shiny effect or glacage..
That's a technique used by a lot of cobblers...

taxgenius · May 27, 2009

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

I'm a big-timer, I use unicorn tears.

I only use the first drop of the unicorn tears.

mt_spiffy · May 27, 2009

I use a spray bottle and mist while polishing. Increases the shine.

Do you use water when shining shoes?

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Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

Depends on price

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