Thank you rockyroad for the information about the preservative on the new shoes. I stripped all the old wax off the NB's and reapplied the polish. Instantly looked a lot better. Deeper, richer, shinier color.

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Is this some sort of special polish? I'ver never heard of it. Where do you get it?

I've used Shape-up before, it comes in a bottle with an applicator. I believe its specifically made for military but you might beable to find it at CVS or some store like that.

I just googled and found this: http://shoe-stuff.com/shapeup.htm

You might not like it so try it on an old pair of shoes.

IMO they don't look sharp. I don't think I would wear any of those shoes (converse, OC or Reebok) if they weren't patent leather either.

I think the cleaning process Leather Luster does would work for any kind of polish. What they use is basically paint thinner or something like that(maybe someone else knows for sure). It can be purchased at home depot.

Among many other things, I've used Griffins polish and it works pretty good.

I agree, with tomegun in that, I have been very happy with Griffin's polish each time I have used it. As for the leather lustre, I am a member of the military so I have quite a bit of experience with shoe shining, and I would never use leather lustre. It cracks, and it does not allow the leather to "breathe" as it should, consequently it shortens the life expectency of your shoe by damaging the leather. I do like the patent leather shoes, only because I have gotten a lot lazier, and a whole lot busier. I guess in the end it all comes down to preference, and lately I prefer not to spend the hours I formally spent giving my shoes an ole fashion spit shine...Just MHO...UNSOLICITED

It's laziness. Pure and simple; lack of work ethic. What's this world coming to, when no one wants to spend some good old-fashioned elbow grease to get their shoes lookin' good? LAZINESS, I tell you!

At least that's why use the patents. :D

I have to jump in here to defend leather luster a little bit. A lot of people in the military do not apply the product properly. It should NOT be put in the oven to "bake" and the instructions should be followed for good results. I have sent two pairs of shoes to leather luster and they look good. They will NOT crack when done the right way.

It does hinder the leather from "breathing" like normal.

:D Again, I am strongly considering some for the court. I already have plate shoes that I love and I ordered base shoes (that will be here today!!). Just a lot easier to keep clean and again I think they look good.

I get mine from a company called Safety League - they sell police equipment and stuff like that...my sons get a kick out of looking thru the catalog!

Anyway, it is a "paint-on" type polish, so you have to be careful and do it right, but I usually make it thru a season with only 3 applications per, and the shoes look pretty good all season...