Best shoe shine products?????

[John Arduini]

Been using Leather Luster for over 5 years. I also umpire and find that after a mud filled game, just run the shoes under a tap, wipe off excess water and they are brillent again. Swear by the stuff.

For an extra shine (if this is possible) I use Pledge the furniture polish. Quick spray, quick clean with a cloth and all the dirt is off and shoes are sparkling. Be careful the Pledge doesn't get on the floor...very slippery.

So now for some thoughts on applying. Ya gotta remove everything down to the bare leather. Use steel wool with lacquer thinner from a paint store. Once you think you are there, then another coat of lacquer thinner and rub off with a cloth. No black on the cloth?...then you are there.

Problem with lacquer thinner is that it stinks. So doing this in the TV room with the family isn't going to win you friends. Go outside or use a well ventilated place that will let the fumes out. Took 3 days in our hosehold to get the stench out. Not a popular guy.

The shoes have to completely dry before you apply the luster leather. Room temparture overnight usually does it.

Now apply the luster leather and let it dry. Outside in the sun is one way. But in the middle of winter, not so easy. Another way is to put your shoes in the oven at 120 degrees Fahrenheit (no higher otherwise you'll melt the rubber in your shoes) for half an hour then turn the oven off and leave in the oven overnight.

Hope this helps.