My fellow officials,
I was wondering what you all have found to give the shiniest appearance to your referee shoes. I was using the Amway shoe spray, but they no longer make it, and my local amway distributer says that he can no longer get it either. I know some sprays crack shoes, but that's okay, cuz I get a new pair every year anyway. Thanks

Jeremy Hohn

Before the season started, I took all my officiating shoes to the shoe repair guy. He was running a special for a .99 shine. Put down a great base coat.

Then I got some URAD shoe cream. Once a week, less than 5 minutes (total) to wipe some on each shoe -- it takes very little, I think I have about a 5 year supply. No buffing needed when it's applied. Just a quick wipe with a soft cloth after each game to rub out some of the blemishes.

I am a big promoter of Leather Luster. There is zero maintenance after it is applied. No wax , spray or buff even comes close to the gloss it puts on your shoes.

Check out http://www.leatherluster.com

When this stuff is applied correctly, prepare for a ton of compliments...

I've done several items, so if you need special instructions or tips, just e-mail me at <b>[email protected]</b>

[Edited by BigDave on Mar 17th, 2001 at 12:05 PM]

I use Honor Guard by Kwik

AK ref SE

I've been using griffin self-shining liquid. One or two coats and no buffing. It looks good so far.

never shine again
 

I bought the new Converse in patent leather. They felt great and I was asked about them at just about every game this year. I sure don't miss shining and polishing shoes.

I just got a product from Wal-Mart last night called Instant Shine. It's easy to use. All you do is take off the lid and rub down the shoe with a 4 inch wide pad. It took 30 seconds per shoe and gave a great shine. Perfect to carry in your bag and use just before you take the floor. The sticker says it's good for 100 shines.

You can get Leather Luster through the National Federation. I just bought a kit for $9.99 and it is amazing how glossy my shoes look. I can almost see my face in them. My shoes have never looked so good! I'd recommend getting Leather Luster (but be sure to follow the instructions COMPLETELY!)

SHOULD YOU DECIDE FOR LEATHER LUSTER GET IT FROM LEATHERLUSTER>COM. IT'S CHEAPER! (And yes, I do mean to yell because I spent too much money on this from the Nat Fed!) Only a 4oz can for 9.95!

Last try at this . . . . . . :)
 

Now I feel really dumb. :( It is cheaper to order this from the <A HREF="http://www.nfhs.org">National Federation</A>. They sell the same kit that you get from http://www.leatherluster.com for $9.95 where Leatherluster charges $11.00. Sorry for causing confusion on this.

Thanks!

OK...let me show my ignorance here. I've often seen shoes that look like they belong in the military. Although mine are clean, they don't shine. Now what I'm wondering is if they're a different type of shoe. I have a regular black shoe (looks like regular 'ol black tennis shoe material) that's made by New Balance. They certainly appear 'clean', just not shiny. Is there a certain shoe with a different type of material that make's 'em shine so much, or will all these different solutions being discussed work the same wonders for my regular $40 shoe?

MikeSears - What do you mean by COMPLETELY ??? I bought my kit the other day, and looked over the instructions last night. The one thing I noticed was IN A WELL VENTIALTED AREA. That prohibitted me from doing it in my basement (afraid of blowing up when the heater would kick off).
What else do I have to look out for ???

Dan - I have seen the leather luster on the new balances, it looks great.

DrC. - I have not used it yet but I guess you really, really need to work the cleaner part of the process to remove all ofthe dirt, dye, wax, or other junk on the shoe. Until the rag stops drawing black you're not ready. Also I heard you need to dry them in direct sunlight. This is why I am waiting until summer to do mine.

You must make sure that the previous coat of LeatherLuster is dry before applying the next coat. Can't be impatient (like me) and try to hurry things along ;)

Another Vote for LeatherLuster
 

I saw someone advocate LeatherLuster on this board back in November. Ordered the stuff and applied it in early December on both pairs of shoes I use for officiating. The original coat is still going strong on each pair. Dynamite stuff...highly recommended. Beats the heck out of ordinary shoe polish with all the elbow grease.

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.

John is dead on!!
 

Guys & Gals,

Follow John's advice. I'm in the military and I also swear by this stuff. There is no better product.

I use the oven also. I can strip my shoes, buff them with steel wool and apply three coats in one day. The initial work is tough, but once they're done, they're done.

Thanks for the instructions, John. I just bought it and my first attempt didn't go so well. The product wouldn't dry. I've been told that it won't dry if the old polish isn't fully removed. Your instructions will be helpful.

Mike Sears: You say U can buy Leatherluster through the National Federation. Is that IAABO? Thanks.
Jamie O'D.

http://www.leatherluster.com/

Denny,

You can get this stuff at the BX.

white shoes
 

Has anyone used the white leather luster?

A product recommended to me by another official is called "Shape Up". I bought some from a referee equipment place for about $6. It's like a coat of plastic paint (applied with the included felt brush) so you don't want to put it on too often. I've probably done 25 games with the original coating and it still shines - tho I probably need to touch up some scuff marks. There's probably enough in the bottle to do another coat or two if I ever need it.

Shape Up
 

A lot of us in this area use this product. My bottle has done several coats and should do quite a few more. However, I find it not holding well to my NewBalance shoes. I applied it when they were brand new (never worn) without any special cleaning. I now find they need touching up after every game or two. I also find my NB shoes with SU seem to collect lint from everywhere, giving them a less-than-shinny look. It wipes off OK, but is still irritating.

I'm considering the Luster product....

Re: Shape Up
 

My first attempt at applying Leather Luster, I did not get the old polish completely off first and I then applied the Leather Luster. Consequently, the Leather Luster never dried. I wore them to a rec game and picked up so much lint from the floor that I looked like I was wearing fuzzy slippers! :) My advice is to <U>get the old stuff off first</u>. You don't have to buy Leather Lusters remover. You can buy other removers. (mentioned at Leather Lusters website) Spend some time getting all the old polish off and it will dry properly.

I have used Shape-Up with great success. However I can no longer get it from Honig's. I called them to ask why, and they said that they had received too many complaints. Seems it was not sticking to the shoes.

Well, if people would take the time to read the directions, it clearly states that the shoes, esp. if they are new, need to be thoroughly cleaned. Umm I can't seem to make the clock on my VCR quit blinking?...VCR tech. support got so tired of answering that question that now there is a damn button on the front panel to do this...lol

Anyway, if you clean your shoes first, Shape-Up works wonders. I re-applied one coat for the whole season, and it looked great.

Just t be different....
 

My personal preference is not "see yourself" shiny. At the begining of the season, I put a good old fashion Kiwi paste wax shine on the shoes. Then I use Armour All, spray it on let it dry completely then buff with an old T-shirt. Then as they get scuffed I take an old T shirt and buff out the scuffs, and periodically spray more Armour All. Laeves the shoes clean and shiny but not like the patent leathers my 6 year old niece wears. No offense to those who use the Patent leathers, I'm just not into it. I also won't wear saddle style golf shoes, reminds me of a cheerleader:)

Supp played the golf card. Now my feelings are hurt. :(

Big Dave, One exception
 

Dave, I never meant to hurt your feelings, JMHO, and since your contribution to this forum is always good, your using saddle shoes for golf is OK. I really meant to say the black and white saddle shoes like the girls wore to the "hop" in the 50's. I actually think the brown/tan and white saddles look ok on the golf course.

Sounds like I need to re-clean my shoes, then re-apply the Shape-Up. Anyone know if laquer thinner is the best to pull the old Shape-Up off and any waxes etc. that remain? (I find no readable instructions on my bottle or box.)

Next, and ideas on avoid the fuzzies they collect? (Previous shoes did not collect this.)

Lacquer may eat right into the leather. I would be real careful................
Jamie O'D.

You might try nail polish remover.

Yeah, Acetone is a great solvent.

Thanks!
 

Thanks for the suggestions. I simply thought of laquer thinner because that is what Leather Luster specifies.

Re: Thanks!
 

A quick phone call to shape up would do it. ;)
mick

Best Shoe Shine Products????
 

I have never used Leather Luster so I may be out in left field when I mentioned lacquer eating into the leather. Someone who has used it is more quialified than I to give an opinion here. I was merely offering a suggestion. Good luck!

Jamie O'D.

Re: Best Shoe Shine Products????
 

Lacquer thinner works well. I've used this on two different pairs of leather shoes and haven't had problems with either pair. I think the stuff included with the Leather Luster is simply lacquer thinner.

Best shoe shine product
 

I was also trying to find out about the Amway shoe shine but since it is not made anymore I tried Leather Luster as suggested by some people. I found it to be very difficult to use with "toxic" multi-step applications involved and long drying periods between those applications. Although the eventual shine is OK, it tends to be blotchy and not very even. However, the worse part was that after letting the last application dry overnight (12+ hours), I put the shoes on in the morning since they felt dry but the stain from the sides of the soles got all over the carpet. What a mess!! I had to use the rest of the pre-cleaner to get the stains out of the carpet. My suggestion is to avoid this product at all cost, unless you live in a barn.

I use the Kiwi liquid Premiere Shine. Works great for me.

Note that the thread was 7+ years old until ridkyjos decided to reopen it.

I feel so old beyond my years when it comes to shining my shoes. I use good ol' fashioned Kiwi Parade Gloss. Apply a coat, let dry for 1 or 2 minutes, brush, buff and then repeat until you get the desired sheen. Nothing beats the tried and true method.