I'm an air cadet and have been doing it for two years, I've always struggled to bull my shoes, but your method actually worked, now I'm getting compliments from staff and other cadets about my shoes thank you!
I left the army in 99 after 9 years service, whilst watching this clip it took me back to all the lads sittin together in basic all bulling our boots 😂 good times
My niece joined the sea cadets and I am former army. Showed her this video today and we polished her boots for almost 2 hours. Passing on life skills to the next generation. Thank you
10 yrs service and did this from day one. Learnt from my father who served in the Marines (grossly disappointed that I chose the army) It really was easier and cheaper. Now teaching my sons fiancée who has just joined the police.
That's fantastic to hear. I go every year come rain or shine . It seems mean more as a veteran. I always look smart as a carrot. Best wishes buddy. Lest we forgot ❤
Great video Steve, I'm 56 now nut this exactly how I was taught to bull boots and shoes as a 14 year old army cadet, no bullshit just as you say ordinary Kiwi polish and elbow grease... Once taught it has stayed with me, there was a lot of rubbish spoke on how to achieve the shine but your method is the best 👍
Thanks for all the comments. This video is now used by the police as part of their induction training . Anyone need to know anything else? Can I help with anything else on kit preparation? 😀
Absolutely awesome! Thanks for the practical tips. I could have used them well in my three years in the (swiss) army! Hope as many recruits as possible watch your video.
43 years for me and never bulled a boot since then....Why do I suddenly feel like trying it ? PS I still have my boot brush's issued in Sept 65. As good as new.
Thank you very much for sharing this method. I have been getting ready for my annual inspection in the ATC and been struggling with my shoes but this method helped a ton. Thanks
Brilliant video, new recruit just joined the police with very little knowledge on polishing / bulling shoes until watching this video. thank you very much
That was another slant to getting a good shine on your boots, I will give it a go sometime soon, your son could have done the dishes first for you, please keep safe and well in these crazy times we are all in at the moment, very best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia.
This way works buddy. They WILL crack and flake . You just have to keep redoing them. A damp sylvet cloth is a must. Cotton wool balls are used for final water bulling. See my other video. Good luck dude 😊
I use to polish my dads dress and jump boots. I got really good at it! Cloth, rag, lighter, polish, boar hair brush a little water…now I use saphir polish, but use to Kiwi!
I seeved from 1957-1959 (National Service) in RAOC & still polish my shoes in this way. Mind you our boots when first issued were pimples all over & we used to set fire to the polish momentarily to get rid of them then we spent hours bulling them. A good trick was to buy a chocolate bar so the your spit had some backbone to it. I was in the army when they were needing them not feeding them. I enjoyed (almost) every day & came out a Corporal.
One little tip I might add with the sylvete, as your dampening it before use, or just before, give it a good scrape on a flat surface with a nail brush under running water. This makes sure there’s no lumps or bits to spoil the polishing and also over time, softens the material so it polishes better and quicker.
Hi I have watched lots of videos on how to bull your shoes. Your video is as easy as it comes to follow and it does work. The only thing I did not do the same was the shoe polish as I use Saphir Medaille Dor and some times I put a few coats of their mirror gloss on but not this time. I have never been in the military but I can't go out with dirty shoes. Thank you for a good video.
Are the products you use any good? I have previously ordered the same products and am anticipating their arrival, but it would be nice to have a (maybe less biased than sponsored ads) opinion
this is exactly how i do it, they should teach this way because it's so much easier, far less faff and produces the exact same result in half the time.
Blimey, 2018. Royal Navy Submarine Service veteran here. Wow, that was flipping awesome. I had never heard of a Selvyt cloth until I watched this video. So that was the army's secret weapon for bullin boots to a high shine then. Thanks for this as I still like to have my boots and shoe's ultra-shiny in civvy street even though I was medically discharged in 1993. Thanks for this.
Estimado amigo, un verdadero reto para probar una crema de zapatos, es aplicándola en un zapato que esté sucio. Iniciar desde la limpieza del zapato, hasta terminar con un espectacular brillo, pero si lo haces con un zapato nuevo que no tiene ningún rasguño o alguna imperfección, pues no estamos viendo una diferencia de "un antes y un después". El zapato estaba limpio y brillaba desde antes que le aplicaras el producto.
My metho involves polish, water and two cotton balls. 1.) smear one ball in polish and rub into the boot in circles like you did 2.) sink other cotton ball in water, squeeze most of it out so it's damp, but not dripping in water, and rub in circles on polished area Dead easy imo. What do you think of this method?
The breath does a little bit of two things: 1 it adds the tiniest bit of moisture for lubrication 2 it contrasts the work you've done. You can become a little accustomed to the shine staring at it all day, but you get used to it and it looks worse the longer you stare at it. Fogging with your breath gives your eyes a break, and when it's gone you have a fresh look at your shine.
If it’s a brand new shoe, would you still use the off brush on the first layer, or wait until the first layer has dried and keep adding up to 10-15 layers and after they have dried, then use the off brush?
Thank your very much for sharing this method. I have followed several TH-cam videos but none of those work. I guess the kiwi gloss is relatively easier to spread than the safir gloss. It just shines so quickly and smooth out easily. One question to ask, by reading the comments, you recommend adding beewax to the shoes. Is it meaning by melting the beewax with a heat gun on the shoes? Also, around how many layers should be added and how to spread the beewax evenly?
Hi, thank you for your comments. I've done a second video on water bulling (finishing off) your boots. Waxing is primarily used by the infantry as a base preparation layer. But yes, it's melting it on with a heat gun and a sort brush. Paint or shaving style do the trick. One or 2 even coats need to be applied. I would melt kiwi polish in with it to darken it. You need to let it go hard before chipping off the excess, cleaning out the welts and then rubbing them down with scotch brite or brillo to get them smooth. You then start the polish layering and bulling process. You also need to pack out the shoe or boot with news paper or wet sand like the infantry. This will stop the boot creasing or shrinking during the waxing and heating process. There are a couple of very good infantry videos showing this. 😊
Thank your for your input. To improve the shine and adding more layers, shall I polish with the damp rags first to ensure a smooth surface or just directly layering more polishs with my fingers? Thank you
Need to show how we prepare the brogue when there new from QM will all the dimples and holes ? This is more important? If you don’t get that done properly you’ll have issues?
This is by far the best video I have seen. Thanks for the tips Steve. On my boots how do you get them up to the standard you like? Just keep going with the water and cloth? I can see the reflection of my ring light…
Or would you after using the water add more polish layers and water again and repeat? Or repeat layers, brush off more layers, brush off before adding the water?
Hi Adele. Thank you. I need to do another one covering people's questions. Just keep adding a couple of light layers of polish and keep bulling. Tap in the polish and bull, tap in the polish and bull. Just keep checking for polish specks on the cloth that can cause the swirl scratches. I am parading at the Cenotaph on Sunday with the Royal British Legion. I've spent all week bulling my shoes. 😎
Steve king wud u suggest a sylvet cloth rather than a duster and how many layers of polish do u recommend as Iv watched a few videos and they do about 7 layers and a ball of cotton wool Iv tried this way doesn't work so I'll gladly give Ur way a go thanks
I'd add, wear them for about two weeks beforehand as much as possible and polishing them constantly as normal. This should get them worn in and softened a bit. Then start with the bulling.
Drill Boots no. But shoes as they are softer will crack the polish where they bend and flex. The toe caps and heels will be fine. Just brush off the residue and repolish. Thanks for the comment 😬
If it’s a brand new Shoe, would you still use the off brush on the first layer, or wait until the first layer dries and keep adding up to 10-15 layers and after they have dried, then use the off brush?
No difference if its new mate. A few base layers to start, allow to dry then brush off. Basic bull up then repeat layering. Just keep repeating and building that shine. 😁
High end shoes don’t have a bookbinder polish. They’re hard to shine as unsealed. I think the only way to get them to this standard is to add water and lots of patience.
100%. Who ever is telling you that has no clue. Clean them, brush polish, layer up, allow to dry, brush off, get bulling. Layer brush bull, layer brush bull. When happy with finish water bull with a cold water and cotton wool balls.
Don't know if you'll see this but I recently got some new shoes and polished them up nicely, but got them out to wear for a parade and all the polish cracked and seemed to flake off. Is there anyway I can prevent this without using shed loads of waxes?
Hi Steve, Stellar video. Just one question. What's best in your opinion to clean your fingers to get polish off? Always seem to have a black tint on my fingers
Excellent video, thank you! Quick question after bulling with cloth do you go back and repeat the process from layering up with fingers then brushing off?
When you have wiped it down with the damp selvyt to the point that it is dry, do you start over and wipe another layer on with your fingers, off brush it and then start again or do you just carry on adding polish with the selvyt?
I would probably spend 20-30 minutes bulling and creating a shine. Then re layer, allow to dry, brush off and start bulling again. Just build up until you are happy with the depth of the shine. When you can see the ceiling lights or your own perfect reflection, you can stop ! 🙂
Not a lot you can do tbh! Other than going full 'guards' on them with bees wax! Just keep brushing off and adding new polish once worn. It's good for the soul 😊
Up to you. A good bull now and then actually helps soften and protect combat boots. And when you clean them normally they will naturally have a better finish. I've bulled Guards ammo boots, Cavalry long boots, combats, parade shoes, civvi shoes even brown Chelsea boots ! 😀
Watching these while trying to get my horse riding boots to shine.. and failing 😂 if I ever got them this shiny do you think there would be a risk of black polish transferring to my competition saddle pad (white) or on to my horse? 😅
Its high finish polish at the end of the day. One way to really annoy a soldier is to scuff his parade boots. Pressure or rubbing will scuff them. I'd still bull them if i were you. Look at the Household Cavalry, they fully bull their long riding boots and they are thigh length 😮. Good luck
Quick question, there's a couple of patches on my shoes where the polish has cracked badly, pretty much down to the bare leather, when I start to layer them up again should I focus on those patches until they're back level with the rest of the polish on the shoe? or should I strip all the polish off and start from scratch?
Personally I would put a blob of black polish onto the patch or dent and heat with a lighter so it melts flat. Leave it to go hard, brush over it then start layering and bulling as normal . Good luck 👍
Hi Steve, on the edge of my toecap the polish cracks / flakes off quite severely along with the area of the shoe behind it. Is this strange for a toecap?
No, sorry tocsay it's perfectly normal. It's where the leather stretches and flexes with movement. Other than bee's waxing the whole shoe/boot, there's not a lot you can do other than brush them off and relayer. . Good luck !
Hi Joe. Sorry to hear you are struggling, I'd love to open a bulling shop and sort everyones shoes out 😬 it's difficult to answer your question without seeing the shoes but my initial thought is that you haven't put enough layers on (4 or 5) and allowed atleat 30 minutes before gently brushing off before bulling with a damp Sylvet. If the cloth is dry or you bull too hard, you can drag off or over heat and wipe off layers. Watch again and start again.
Dull spots can be one of two things generally. Too much pressure or not enough polish layered on that spot. I will get them to a high standards then cover them with fresh polish, and do that 3 or 4 times before I go for final shine, maybe a layer of brown for depth then water bulling. Good luck.
One question would you repeat this process over and over again until your happy ? And also for when you get second hand parade shoes have you got any tips as to how and get cracks out of the polish ?
Hi imogen . Yes I would repeat over and over until I'm happy. As far as cracks are concerned, there's not a lot you can do. Shoes or boots will crack until they are broken in and the lines in the leather are established. Brush them off even they crack and start layering again. If you have a scratch or chip on the tie cap, you can add a layer of polish and gently melt it into place with a lighter. Once it's dried in place, just start the bulling process. I hope that answers your question. 😬
Hi Steve, Daughter started Air Cadets, purchased everything from the Rangers surplus store....her parade shoes new appeared to be Matt finish, will they polish out to be as shiny or dis they supply her with the wrong shoes, please help.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 89 | คู่เอก "ยอดไอคิว vs คิริลล์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3vYkHJ_5Ig/mqdefault.jpg)
humble man passing on his life skills, thank you
I'm an air cadet and have been doing it for two years, I've always struggled to bull my shoes, but your method actually worked, now I'm getting compliments from staff and other cadets about my shoes thank you!
That's great to hear 😀. It's age old, tried and tested. A bit of hard work and effort really pays off. Well done!
I left the army in 99 after 9 years service, whilst watching this clip it took me back to all the lads sittin together in basic all bulling our boots 😂 good times
My niece joined the sea cadets and I am former army. Showed her this video today and we polished her boots for almost 2 hours. Passing on life skills to the next generation. Thank you
Love this. Great memories for you both. ❤️
10 yrs service and did this from day one. Learnt from my father who served in the Marines (grossly disappointed that I chose the army) It really was easier and cheaper. Now teaching my sons fiancée who has just joined the police.
U.S. Army here, sorry it's that way there Sir,here th' Army was far more stringent on boots than our Marines. Now,it doesn't matter
Currently serving and start rehearsing for rememberance tomorrow and this is a life saver, cheers mate. UBIQUE
Good luck buddy. I'll be on Parade at the cenotaph
This year will be my first remembrance Day wearing FAD's this video has been a lifesaver! Cheers for helping me get squared away!
That's fantastic to hear. I go every year come rain or shine . It seems mean more as a veteran. I always look smart as a carrot. Best wishes buddy. Lest we forgot ❤
Great video Steve, I'm 56 now nut this exactly how I was taught to bull boots and shoes as a 14 year old army cadet, no bullshit just as you say ordinary Kiwi polish and elbow grease... Once taught it has stayed with me, there was a lot of rubbish spoke on how to achieve the shine but your method is the best 👍
Thanks buddy. ❤
Thanks for all the comments. This video is now used by the police as part of their induction training .
Anyone need to know anything else? Can I help with anything else on kit preparation? 😀
Trouser ironing perhaps?
MTP ironing maybe?
I'm in the ACF and am looking to improve my polishing skills. So thank you for making this video
I'm in the ATC and I've not yet to find a method that polishes my shoes This sort of helped thank you so muchhhh
Worked a dream. Ten minutes and I had a beautiful gloss shine. Thanks
Absolutely awesome!
Thanks for the practical tips. I could have used them well in my three years in the (swiss) army! Hope as many recruits as possible watch your video.
I’ve been out of the Army 5 years and I’m watching a video spit polishing. I should be shot 🤣
43 years for me and never bulled a boot since then....Why do I suddenly feel like trying it ? PS I still have my boot brush's issued in Sept 65. As good as new.
Me too! Lol
Ha me too.
Guards as well
I have been out of the Marines for 32 years and I am still looking to find ways to get a better shine.
Been out since 2006 but every year watch a refresher 😮
Thank you very much for sharing this method. I have been getting ready for my annual inspection in the ATC and been struggling with my shoes but this method helped a ton. Thanks
Is the ATC the old Guards Depot in Pirbight if yes nice place was there in 81 in the Grenadier Guards
Thanks for this, my son was struggling, also joined the ATC its the Air Training Corps for young cadets aged 12 to 21.
I am a new recruit in the ATC thanks for the advice good to see fellow members on this platform
I joined the RN in the seventies and have many happy memories of all the lads trying every trick in the book to get our boots bulled
Great video thanks so much, helped me lots as I’m in air cadets and needed to get my shoes up to standard
Brilliant video, new recruit just joined the police with very little knowledge on polishing / bulling shoes until watching this video. thank you very much
Haha yasss. Recognised your name from the common room on the app. Definitely needed this tutorial. Not polished shoes since high school
@@MrChiccog best way to learn anything is punch it into TH-cam always someone showing you how its done haha. see you on Sunday/monday mate
Great video of the proper old skool way. Only difference I do is have 3 fingers in the sylvet and keep the pinky out for the queen 💪
From a cadet point of view, very useful, thanks
That was another slant to getting a good shine on your boots, I will give it a go sometime soon, your son could have done the dishes first for you, please keep safe and well in these crazy times we are all in at the moment, very best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia.
Thanks for the advice. My Son has just joined the cadets and we are building up the shine.
I have ordered a cloth as recommended.
Good luck to your son and thanks for watching 👀
I’m an air cadet and this is very helpful so thank you 🙏
This way works buddy. They WILL crack and flake . You just have to keep redoing them. A damp sylvet cloth is a must. Cotton wool balls are used for final water bulling. See my other video. Good luck dude 😊
Helping me out before RAF grad!
Best video on boot polishing. Thank you 👍
Very welcome 😍
I use to polish my dads dress and jump boots. I got really good at it! Cloth, rag, lighter, polish, boar hair brush a little water…now I use saphir polish, but use to Kiwi!
Your dad was smart for outsourcing his shoe shining! lol
Best video I’ve seen on this subject! 🇬🇧
That's very Kind thank you
I seeved from 1957-1959 (National Service) in RAOC & still polish my shoes in this way. Mind you our boots when first issued were pimples all over & we used to set fire to the polish momentarily to get rid of them then we spent hours bulling them. A good trick was to buy a chocolate bar so the your spit had some backbone to it. I was in the army when they were needing them not feeding them. I enjoyed (almost) every day & came out a Corporal.
Great comments and thank you for your service 👍
Pretty darn good!!
One little tip I might add with the sylvete, as your dampening it before use, or just before, give it a good scrape on a flat surface with a nail brush under running water. This makes sure there’s no lumps or bits to spoil the polishing and also over time, softens the material so it polishes better and quicker.
Great advice 👍
Hi I have watched lots of videos on how to bull your shoes. Your video is as easy as it comes to follow and it does work. The only thing I did not do the same was the shoe polish as I use Saphir Medaille Dor and some times I put a few coats of their mirror gloss on but not this time. I have never been in the military but I can't go out with dirty shoes. Thank you for a good video.
Are the products you use any good? I have previously ordered the same products and am anticipating their arrival, but it would be nice to have a (maybe less biased than sponsored ads) opinion
Yes they are very good but not cheap
@Demon Lord they are the best polish you can buy
this is exactly how i do it, they should teach this way because it's so much easier, far less faff and produces the exact same result in half the time.
Thanks bud 😊
Takes a few hours. However eventually the finish is like shellac.
Outstanding. Thank you
Very informative and useful. I’m having to bull them for the police force, had no idea where to start. Thank you
Good luck buddy. 👍
@@steveking8258 Thank you
wish I knew this when I joined the Navy 50 years ago. !
Blimey, 2018. Royal Navy Submarine Service veteran here. Wow, that was flipping awesome. I had never heard of a Selvyt cloth until I watched this video. So that was the army's secret weapon for bullin boots to a high shine then. Thanks for this as I still like to have my boots and shoe's ultra-shiny in civvy street even though I was medically discharged in 1993. Thanks for this.
What a legend! Only way is graft and technique...no magic potions and that jazz.
Not sure about the legendary status but thank you. Not far off 100,000 views either 😲
Mate that saved my life from wasting money 😂
Great video thanks steve. Been brushing up ready for basic & this has been a massive help
Get in touch if you need help. Good luck buddy.
@@steveking8258 thank you very much Steve
Thx you bloody legend this works amazing on cadet boots
A legend ! More of a leg end but thanks 😊
this is the correct way folks....those babies are gonna shine...
Thanks Steve
Standards must be maintained at all costs.
Cheers mate, joining the navy in two weeks, trying to get last minute tips
Btw you dont need to polish all around the shoe as its prone to cracking. Just the toecap is fine.
I started this way on my ww2 ammo boots for reenactment and I will stick to this way from now on
Thank you 😊
@@steveking8258 no problem and thank you for your service
Informative and useful to know. Thank you.
Very helpful thanks steve
I'm about to start training so this is now in my life hack section of my brain 😅
Fantastic news! Which ever service you join I wish you luck. Please get In touch of you need help with anything 😀
Absolute legend
this video was a godsend
Hi steve i was with 2nd batt coldstream guards from 74 onwards all the best m8 thank you for your service nulli secudas
if you want a chat steve hit me up via email ok i send you my number tc m8
I retired after 23 years of service over 9 years ago... why am I watching this? haha
Estimado amigo, un verdadero reto para probar una crema de zapatos, es aplicándola en un zapato que esté sucio.
Iniciar desde la limpieza del zapato, hasta terminar con un espectacular brillo, pero si lo haces con un zapato nuevo que no tiene ningún rasguño o alguna imperfección, pues no estamos viendo una diferencia de "un antes y un después".
El zapato estaba limpio y brillaba desde antes que le aplicaras el producto.
Yes this is the way.
Kiwi shoe polish is no LONGER available in shops.
New Zealand here...
Ebay ! 😉
My metho involves polish, water and two cotton balls.
1.) smear one ball in polish and rub into the boot in circles like you did
2.) sink other cotton ball in water, squeeze most of it out so it's damp, but not dripping in water, and rub in circles on polished area
Dead easy imo. What do you think of this method?
I have seen it before, it's the same principle but using a polish applicator that is reusable rather than disposable. Lol. Great comment, thanks !
The breath does a little bit of two things:
1 it adds the tiniest bit of moisture for lubrication
2 it contrasts the work you've done. You can become a little accustomed to the shine staring at it all day, but you get used to it and it looks worse the longer you stare at it. Fogging with your breath gives your eyes a break, and when it's gone you have a fresh look at your shine.
Great comments 👌
Hopefully this will work soon for me cool vid!
Easy mate, light pressure and patients.
I'm in India, My Nana thought me the exact same way...
Happy Days. ( Sent a few recruits to the Naafi for bulling rings lol ) Nice 1.
If it’s a brand new shoe, would you still use the off brush on the first layer, or wait until the first layer has dried and keep adding up to 10-15 layers and after they have dried, then use the off brush?
Thank your very much for sharing this method. I have followed several TH-cam videos but none of those work. I guess the kiwi gloss is relatively easier to spread than the safir gloss. It just shines so quickly and smooth out easily. One question to ask, by reading the comments, you recommend adding beewax to the shoes. Is it meaning by melting the beewax with a heat gun on the shoes? Also, around how many layers should be added and how to spread the beewax evenly?
Hi, thank you for your comments. I've done a second video on water bulling (finishing off) your boots. Waxing is primarily used by the infantry as a base preparation layer. But yes, it's melting it on with a heat gun and a sort brush. Paint or shaving style do the trick. One or 2 even coats need to be applied. I would melt kiwi polish in with it to darken it. You need to let it go hard before chipping off the excess, cleaning out the welts and then rubbing them down with scotch brite or brillo to get them smooth. You then start the polish layering and bulling process. You also need to pack out the shoe or boot with news paper or wet sand like the infantry. This will stop the boot creasing or shrinking during the waxing and heating process.
There are a couple of very good infantry videos showing this. 😊
Thank your for your input. To improve the shine and adding more layers, shall I polish with the damp rags first to ensure a smooth surface or just directly layering more polishs with my fingers? Thank you
How do you wash your 'Selvyett cloth ' ?
Need to show how we prepare the brogue when there new from QM will all the dimples and holes ? This is more important? If you don’t get that done properly you’ll have issues?
This is by far the best video I have seen. Thanks for the tips Steve. On my boots how do you get them up to the standard you like? Just keep going with the water and cloth? I can see the reflection of my ring light…
Or would you after using the water add more polish layers and water again and repeat? Or repeat layers, brush off more layers, brush off before adding the water?
Hi Adele. Thank you. I need to do another one covering people's questions. Just keep adding a couple of light layers of polish and keep bulling. Tap in the polish and bull, tap in the polish and bull. Just keep checking for polish specks on the cloth that can cause the swirl scratches.
I am parading at the Cenotaph on Sunday with the Royal British Legion. I've spent all week bulling my shoes. 😎
Did you ever find that Green Kwack that got nicked in Walton? 🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️😂😂
Hope you are well Stevey… passing on the CAV hints and tips!
I use brown polish every third layer, makes the shine deeper.
Great tip as brown adds depth.
Brown may add depth to the black, but to bring out the gloss, finish with a couple layers of transparent polish before your water bull.
Will an old cotton Tshirt work?
Steve king wud u suggest a sylvet cloth rather than a duster and how many layers of polish do u recommend as Iv watched a few videos and they do about 7 layers and a ball of cotton wool Iv tried this way doesn't work so I'll gladly give Ur way a go thanks
I'd add, wear them for about two weeks beforehand as much as possible and polishing them constantly as normal. This should get them worn in and softened a bit. Then start with the bulling.
My shoes look gleaming, cheers
This is interesting.. so simple, do your boots or shoes ever crack from putting too much polish on it?
Drill Boots no. But shoes as they are softer will crack the polish where they bend and flex. The toe caps and heels will be fine. Just brush off the residue and repolish. Thanks for the comment 😬
thats where youd use beeswax burnt into boot then polish layers on top after sanding it that stops cracking and takes bulling to patent levels lol
Good day, where did you get that beeswax polish from? Thank you Sir
knows what he is talking about
If it’s a brand new Shoe, would you still use the off brush on the first layer, or wait until the first layer dries and keep adding up to 10-15 layers and after they have dried, then use the off brush?
No difference if its new mate. A few base layers to start, allow to dry then brush off. Basic bull up then repeat layering. Just keep repeating and building that shine. 😁
Can we see finish look
High end shoes don’t have a bookbinder polish. They’re hard to shine as unsealed. I think the only way to get them to this standard is to add water and lots of patience.
We have always been told not to brush polish your toe caps, is it worth doing before bulling them??
100%. Who ever is telling you that has no clue. Clean them, brush polish, layer up, allow to dry, brush off, get bulling. Layer brush bull, layer brush bull. When happy with finish water bull with a cold water and cotton wool balls.
Don't know if you'll see this but I recently got some new shoes and polished them up nicely, but got them out to wear for a parade and all the polish cracked and seemed to flake off. Is there anyway I can prevent this without using shed loads of waxes?
Nope, bee's waxing them like guards ammo boots is the only solution. Just fall in love with bulling and start again 💕
@@steveking8258 Cheers Steve, once waxing is done the bulling is the fun part 😃
Hi Steve, Stellar video. Just one question. What's best in your opinion to clean your fingers to get polish off? Always seem to have a black tint on my fingers
Soap ! Lol and a nail brush 😬
Excellent video, thank you! Quick question after bulling with cloth do you go back and repeat the process from layering up with fingers then brushing off?
Yup, layer, brush, bull, repeat! 😄
I've just watched about five 20 minute videos on this and they had a worse shine than this so thank you
Nice
When you have wiped it down with the damp selvyt to the point that it is dry, do you start over and wipe another layer on with your fingers, off brush it and then start again or do you just carry on adding polish with the selvyt?
I would probably spend 20-30 minutes bulling and creating a shine. Then re layer, allow to dry, brush off and start bulling again. Just build up until you are happy with the depth of the shine. When you can see the ceiling lights or your own perfect reflection, you can stop ! 🙂
@@steveking8258 preparing for my first parade in a while and everyone around me is flapping. Hopefully this will work 🤣 thank you for your response
It goes super dry super quick when I use my fingers do you dip ur fingers in water or swim thing?
No, it's supposed to do that. Just be generous with the amount you have on your fingers. Rub it in thoroughly 😌
every time I polish the whole shoe like that it ends up flaking all over the place as soon as I walk in them. Any tips?
Not a lot you can do tbh! Other than going full 'guards' on them with bees wax! Just keep brushing off and adding new polish once worn. It's good for the soul 😊
Is it worth doing this to combat boots, or is it pointless due to getting all scuffed and dirty?
Up to you. A good bull now and then actually helps soften and protect combat boots. And when you clean them normally they will naturally have a better finish. I've bulled Guards ammo boots, Cavalry long boots, combats, parade shoes, civvi shoes even brown Chelsea boots ! 😀
Watching these while trying to get my horse riding boots to shine.. and failing 😂 if I ever got them this shiny do you think there would be a risk of black polish transferring to my competition saddle pad (white) or on to my horse? 😅
Its high finish polish at the end of the day. One way to really annoy a soldier is to scuff his parade boots. Pressure or rubbing will scuff them. I'd still bull them if i were you. Look at the Household Cavalry, they fully bull their long riding boots and they are thigh length 😮. Good luck
Quick question, there's a couple of patches on my shoes where the polish has cracked badly, pretty much down to the bare leather, when I start to layer them up again should I focus on those patches until they're back level with the rest of the polish on the shoe? or should I strip all the polish off and start from scratch?
Personally I would put a blob of black polish onto the patch or dent and heat with a lighter so it melts flat. Leave it to go hard, brush over it then start layering and bulling as normal . Good luck 👍
@@steveking8258 brilliant, thanks for the quick reply, I’ll give it a go!
Hi Steve, on the edge of my toecap the polish cracks / flakes off quite severely along with the area of the shoe behind it. Is this strange for a toecap?
No, sorry tocsay it's perfectly normal. It's where the leather stretches and flexes with movement. Other than bee's waxing the whole shoe/boot, there's not a lot you can do other than brush them off and relayer. . Good luck !
I tried this and on the first step all my previous progress wiped off immediately, what do you reccomend
Hi Joe. Sorry to hear you are struggling, I'd love to open a bulling shop and sort everyones shoes out 😬 it's difficult to answer your question without seeing the shoes but my initial thought is that you haven't put enough layers on (4 or 5) and allowed atleat 30 minutes before gently brushing off before bulling with a damp Sylvet. If the cloth is dry or you bull too hard, you can drag off or over heat and wipe off layers.
Watch again and start again.
After you bull them with the selvyt do you just keep going or is there any time where you would layer them up again?
Done well - thanks.
how do you clean the selvyt cloth
Great question. You can either chuck it in the washing machine or give it a scrub in the sink with some shampoo and a nail brush. 😊
@@steveking8258 thanks
Great video thanks. Seems to work a treat. I have been getting little dull spots in certain areas. Only a few mm. Do you know why this is?
Dull spots can be one of two things generally. Too much pressure or not enough polish layered on that spot.
I will get them to a high standards then cover them with fresh polish, and do that 3 or 4 times before I go for final shine, maybe a layer of brown for depth then water bulling.
Good luck.
@@steveking8258 Thanks for getting back so quickly. I thought it may be too much pressure. Many thanks
One question would you repeat this process over and over again until your happy ? And also for when you get second hand parade shoes have you got any tips as to how and get cracks out of the polish ?
Hi imogen . Yes I would repeat over and over until I'm happy.
As far as cracks are concerned, there's not a lot you can do. Shoes or boots will crack until they are broken in and the lines in the leather are established. Brush them off even they crack and start layering again. If you have a scratch or chip on the tie cap, you can add a layer of polish and gently melt it into place with a lighter. Once it's dried in place, just start the bulling process.
I hope that answers your question. 😬
@@steveking8258 thankyou so much I’ve been doing that and they look so much nicer 🙂
Hi Steve, Daughter started Air Cadets, purchased everything from the Rangers surplus store....her parade shoes new appeared to be Matt finish, will they polish out to be as shiny or dis they supply her with the wrong shoes, please help.
I’ve been in for 3 years and cannot stop them cracking ??