Experience with electrically polishing boots?

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wazzageek

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#302880 31-Dec-2022 13:50

I'd like to give my boots a really good polish (to hide the scratches and dings in the leather) - I was wondering if some form of electric polisher would be worth it.

My google-fu is failing me, I cannot see anything in .nz for polishing boots - so does anyone have some experience with something like this: https://www.bunnings.co.nz/josco-75mm-calico-mushroom-polishing-buff_p6330464 + an electric drill?

Note - this is for RM Williams boots, and I'm asking for experience as I really don't want to fubar them ...

Cheers!

Ge0rge

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#3015550 31-Dec-2022 14:12

I'd not do it with power personally.

Give them a good wash, get all the dirt and dust off.

Once dry, use two brushes to nugget them - one to apply the appropriate colour, the other to buff it. Make sure they have a good coating all over.

Then get yourself some cotton balls (or just cotton wool, but the balls are about the right size). Wipe one through the nugget, and then evenly apply to a small area - start with the toe I would suggest. You're aiming to leave a very thin layer. Turn the boot upside down and, using a lighter, very gently melt the nugget - don't let it catch on fire! The idea is to have the nugget melt into any scratches and produce an even layer.

Take a clean cotton ball and either wet it (or spit on it, might be frowned upon these days, but that's where the name comes from - spit polishing), and polish in small circles over the spot you had just melted - let it cool first - keep changing directions and don't apply too much pressure.

Repeat over as much of the boot as you have the patience for.

wazzageek

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#3015608 31-Dec-2022 20:04

Thanks for that - I was thinking the electric power option might be a better option over using a lighter to melt the nugget ... however you have confirmed what I thought - I'll just have to do it properly.

Thanks!

Jase2985

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#3015630 31-Dec-2022 22:13

Ge0rge: I'd not do it with power personally.

Give them a good wash, get all the dirt and dust off.

Once dry, use two brushes to nugget them - one to apply the appropriate colour, the other to buff it. Make sure they have a good coating all over.

Then get yourself some cotton balls (or just cotton wool, but the balls are about the right size). Wipe one through the nugget, and then evenly apply to a small area - start with the toe I would suggest. You're aiming to leave a very thin layer. Turn the boot upside down and, using a lighter, very gently melt the nugget - don't let it catch on fire! The idea is to have the nugget melt into any scratches and produce an even layer.

Take a clean cotton ball and either wet it (or spit on it, might be frowned upon these days, but that's where the name comes from - spit polishing), and polish in small circles over the spot you had just melted - let it cool first - keep changing directions and don't apply too much pressure.

Repeat over as much of the boot as you have the patience for.

PTSD setting in here with that post

Geektastic

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#3015703 1-Jan-2023 11:02

We had an electric polisher at boarding school. Had polishing brushes on each end that rotated when you turned it on. You stuck your foot below the brush and moved it around to vary which part of the shoe was getting attention. Similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/NNHDWS-Automatic-Induction-Stainless-Polishing/dp/B08MQ3JYTV/ref=zg_bs_3743391_sccl_17/130-4386061-5274752?psc=1

I don’t allow my valet any labour saving devices though. Do that and they’ll be wanting days off next.

SepticSceptic

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#3015991 2-Jan-2023 00:06

Had to do a double take on the subject line.

My first thought was "wow, didn't know there was such a thing - electrically powered polishing boots. Hmm, that's an interesting way to polish floors.. I hope they come with a long enough power cord.."

wazzageek

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#3016028 2-Jan-2023 10:50

SepticSceptic: Had to do a double take on the subject line.

My first thought was "wow, didn't know there was such a thing - electrically powered polishing boots. Hmm, that's an interesting way to polish floors.. I hope they come with a long enough power cord.."

Hahaha! Fantastic ... maybe something Ryobi is currently looking into - battery powered!

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allan

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#3016031 2-Jan-2023 10:56

wazzageek:

SepticSceptic: Had to do a double take on the subject line.

My first thought was "wow, didn't know there was such a thing - electrically powered polishing boots. Hmm, that's an interesting way to polish floors.. I hope they come with a long enough power cord.."

Hahaha! Fantastic ... maybe something Ryobi is currently looking into - battery powered!

I was thinking Wallace and Gromit 😄

MadEngineer

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#3016173 2-Jan-2023 16:28

I was imagining something ultrasonic based.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

kiwigander

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#3031117 3-Feb-2023 07:22

Find yourself a Ronson Roto-Shine kit. USA manufactured between the late 1940s and early 1960s. Included power unit (mains, of course; will need a stepdown transformer), brushes for applying polish, brushes for polishing, bonnets for buffing. Still a fair number around on eBay. My dad had one--loved it so much, he insisted on polishing the whole family's shoes. Never damaged any shoes.