Spit Shining Boots

[whfdExplorer]

What is the best way to spit shine my station boots? I have google search this and I have found everything from using water to rubbing alcohol. The Department end of the year banquet is this month, so I want to look my best.

[Futureemt73193]

Sorry if this doesn't help but here is this site.

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/gener.../spitshine.htm

[CALFFBOU]

I would not spit on them or use alcohol.

I just use the liquid shine, let dry and buff out. Repeat. One of the best things I have bought was a sued shoe shine box off of ebay. They are all over the place and cheap. Go check them out.

[ndvfdff33]

Didn't we just have this same topic not all that long ago.


The way I do it, I've had instructors ask me to trade my parade boots, is take a damp kiwi cloth, lot's of polish and start making little circles in the desired area. Don't cover too big of an area at one time,then it gets sloppy. Concentrate on a specific part and go from there. If you start noticing a lot of scratches add some more water to the kiwi cloth and if required some polish as well.

[jacklrd]

Didn't we just have this same topic not all that long ago.

http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=93795

[t0asty]

HAY!!! I remember that!!! It came in handy! On a side note: The crew I did my ride along with were impressed how well I shined them.

[the1141man]

HAY!!! I remember that!!! It came in handy! On a side note: The crew I did my ride along with were impressed how well I shined them.

Well, at least until your first call....

I know one guy who keeps a spit-shined spare set of station boots for having "visiting VIPs" to the station, or when going out during event standbys, etc... his uniform allowance, and his choice. I wouldn't recommend spit-shining your "daily wear" station boots, and I certainly wouldn't recomment plopping down your own $$ (especially as an Explorer) for a spare set just so you can have a spit-shined pair and your "daily driver" set.

[whfdExplorer]

Thanks for the info everyone, and I didn't know someone had started another thread on this subject. I'll make sure I take a look at it.

[t0asty]

Well, at least until your first call....

I know one guy who keeps a spit-shined spare set of station boots for having "visiting VIPs" to the station, or when going out during event standbys, etc... his uniform allowance, and his choice. I wouldn't recommend spit-shining your "daily wear" station boots, and I certainly wouldn't recomment plopping down your own $$ (especially as an Explorer) for a spare set just so you can have a spit-shined pair and your "daily driver" set.

Yah that first "call" was great! Delivering smoke detectors!!! It could be worse like someones house on fire, always sad to hear about others pains and hardships. I had fun though. Learned a lot. And like you said I only plan on shining my boots for public events or if they are fairly scuffed up, with the occasional why not look nice polish. And I don't plan on spending my money on a pair of spare boots. I need all the money I can get for text books! Well time to sleep. I'm up way later then normal.

whfdExplorer: No problem. everyone makes a mistake here and there. Least you asked about something helpful.

[DonSmithnotTMD]

Sorry if this doesn't help but here is this site.

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/gener.../spitshine.htm

The only thing I would add is after you put the first dollop of polish on take a heat gun (craft-type or industrial on a low setting) and melt the polish -- spread it evenly on the boot and let it sit for awhile.

also these products help a lot -- http://dabootshop.com/mcart/

The polish and shine enhancer are what I mean. The shine enhancer will not work unless you actually shine the boot. It also helps protect the shine a little. Use as directed. Don't forget to use edge dressing.

Also, a second pair of boots just for stuff like this helps a lot.

[Futureemt73193]

The only thing I would add is after you put the first dollop of polish on take a heat gun (craft-type or industrial on a low setting) and melt the polish -- spread it evenly on the boot and let it sit for awhile.

also these products help a lot -- http://dabootshop.com/mcart/

The polish and shine enhancer are what I mean. The shine enhancer will not work unless you actually shine the boot. It also helps protect the shine a little. Use as directed. Don't forget to use edge dressing.

Also, a second pair of boots just for stuff like this helps a lot.

Sounds good. lol I just seen this thread and I typed in spit shine shoes and that web page came up so I posted it on here.

[ndvfdff33]

The only thing I would add is after you put the first dollop of polish on take a heat gun (craft-type or industrial on a low setting) and melt the polish -- spread it evenly on the boot and let it sit for awhile.

also these products help a lot -- http://dabootshop.com/mcart/

The polish and shine enhancer are what I mean. The shine enhancer will not work unless you actually shine the boot. It also helps protect the shine a little. Use as directed. Don't forget to use edge dressing.

Also, a second pair of boots just for stuff like this helps a lot.

Although burn or heat shining boots works well, it works well if you know what your doing. A person who has never done this before I would advise against it. I've seen a lot of people try this and really screw up what were a good pair of parade boots. IMO I'd wait on trying this.

Use a bit of elbow grease,some polish,water and a kiwi clothe. It's a pain in the *** but it works and it will probably cause you less grief in the end. If you use that way your boots, after some work will look great and you won't need any enhancers or anything. Also I would avoid getting stuff that comes in a thing that looks like a bingo dabber. Bad choice as well. Only thing I use other than black boot polish is something called neutral. I don't use it a lot but it helps out sometimes.

[backsteprescue123]

I just did mine about 20 minutes ago using some Kiwi Polish, Mink Oil wax whatever, and some good old fashioned elbow grease.



And they are a damn sexy looking pair of boots if I do say so my self.




They are a Haix zipper boot if anyone is interested. Don't know the model name.

[Jonnee]

What is the best way to spit shine my station boots? I have google search this and I have found everything from using water to rubbing alcohol. The Department end of the year banquet is this month, so I want to look my best.

One question , WHY would you want you station boots spit shined? If you first fire they will get messed up.

Doesn't make any sense to me. You have too much time on your hands....

[ndvfdff33]

One question , WHY would you want you station boots spit shined? If you first fire they will get messed up.

Doesn't make any sense to me. You have too much time on your hands....

Maybe because he takes pride in what he does. Beleive it or not things like ironing your uniform, shining your boots and taking the time to do it shows you have pride in your job and your uniform.


I know this isn't the military, but that is one way I determine if somebody takes pride in what they do. You come in looking like a sack of s**t it shows you don't really care and you take no pride in your job. You have yourself sqaured away, boots shone, etc etc it shows you take pride in yourself and what you do. Guess what, a lot of supervisors note things that like. That's my opinion. Might just be the soldier in me though. Just because you may not have any pride in how you look, does not mean this guy doesn't want too.

[BLSboy]

One question , WHY would you want you station boots spit shined? If you first fire they will get messed up.

Doesn't make any sense to me. You have too much time on your hands....

STATION BOOTS.
http://deeddee.ytmnd.com/

You wear them around the station and for EMS calls.
I spit shine mine, along with pressing my pants, and starching my button ups.
Its about looking squared away, and professional.

[t0asty]

Best thing you can do is look and act professional. Even though you are young (and look young) it give the patient (if you ride along) confidence even if all you are doing is grabbing items from a bag or setting up the O2. So keep your boots shiny and your uniform (if issues) washed and pressed.

[whfdExplorer]

Thanks everyone. I got my boots to were they have a more gloss shine then normal. They don't have a shine like the high gloss boots I see in Galls, but they are close.

[backsteprescue123]

Maybe because he takes pride in what he does. Beleive it or not things like ironing your uniform, shining your boots and taking the time to do it shows you have pride in your job and your uniform.


I know this isn't the military, but that is one way I determine if somebody takes pride in what they do. You come in looking like a sack of s**t it shows you don't really care and you take no pride in your job. You have yourself sqaured away, boots shone, etc etc it shows you take pride in yourself and what you do. Guess what, a lot of supervisors note things that like. That's my opinion. Might just be the soldier in me though. Just because you may not have any pride in how you look, does not mean this guy doesn't want too.

Took the words RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH!


Maybe that's why we are bash brothers....


PM coming your way ryan.

[ndvfdff33]

Took the words RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH!


Maybe that's why we are bash brothers....


PM coming your way ryan.

It's more than likely why we work so well together. We should get into buisness together. We could make MILLLLLLLLLLLLLIOOONNNSSSS. HAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA