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​How To Polish Your Leather Shoes

How to Polish Smooth Leather Shoes

Learn how to polish your own leather shoes using any of our products.

Total time: 30 minutes

Supplies

Tools

1. Pick Your Polish of Choice

There are multiple types of polish—wax, liquid, and cream—with unique uses. You can read about the differences by reading our post here[LINK]. Our polishes are available in a variety of colors and quantities.

Wax - Angelus Shoe Wax Polish 3 oz

Liquid - Angelus Instant Shine (3 oz)

Cream -Saphir Crème Surfine Pommadier (50 ml)

2. Grab Your Tools!

For the best results, we recommend using both a soft cloth and a horsehair buffing brush. For the cloth you can use an old t-shirt, microfiber cloth, or a shine cloth[link]. For the brush, we offer a few different products in both dark and light-colored bristles (the color of the bristles have no effect on the shining process.)

Ralyn Shine Brush (6.75")

3. Prepare Your Workspace

Lay out some newspaper or paper towels on the ground or on a table.

4. Clean Your Shoes!

This step is SUPER important; if you do not clean first, the polish will simply sit on top of any dirt or you may push the dirt around and scratch the leather. Use your horsehair brush to remove surface dirt, brushing rapidly over the entire surface of the shoe.

5. Apply the Polish!

The step you have been waiting for! If you are using a wax (paste) or cream polish, rub your cloth into the polish first, then apply to shoes in a circular motion. Apply gentle to medium pressure and be sure to apply the polish evenly. If using liquid polish instructions may vary from these, please read the bottle for more information.

6. Allow to Dry.

Let dry for around 15 to 20 minutes.

7. Repeat if Necessary

Should you want a glossier appearance, just repeat. Better to apply multiple light layers than one thick layer of polish.

8. If you do want shiny shoes...

Grab a soft cloth (a shine cloth like this one LINK) or a microfiber cloth, place one hand inside your shoe, and then quickly work it across the shoe in a side to side motion.

May 15, 2021 Paul

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