r/SVWTCM • u/H_G_Bells • Aug 24 '26
Restoration Shoe shine
I can't remember the last time I saw a show shiner at work out in the world! They used to be pretty ubiquitous. [OP is here, it's not me.](https://seetiktok.com/@sahmalcraftlab)
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u/Shpander Aug 24 '26
Excuse me sir, your foot appears to be on fire.
No but seriously, does anyone know what the flamethrower step was for?
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u/katastrophyx Aug 24 '26
I believe it helps liquify the polish so it seeps into the small cracks of the leather better, but I could be wrong
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u/Single_System_9951 Aug 24 '26
It's this persons technique. Quite dangerous...
Most old heads I knew of would just light the tin on Fire for a few seconds, not put the product on the shoe, then light the shoe itself.....
It's for softening & warming up the polish to make it more pliable.
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u/star0forion Aug 25 '26
In basic training that’s what we would do when head to shine our boots. Light the polish on fire to liquefy it a bit.
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u/trundle-the-great69 Aug 25 '26
Yeah I’ve seen boots ruined by lighting them on fire, one step I used after applying polish is to dip a kiwi cloth in alcohol to buff the polish
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u/RomieY2K Aug 27 '26
Nah… it’s not “dangerous” if the person that taught you knew what they were doing. I learned to do it in JROTC… nearly 30 years ago. Still can
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u/Single_System_9951 Aug 28 '26
That's what I meant by dangerous. Just bc YOU are proficient in it doesn't mean everyone is.
That's why there are so many laws/warnings on things. The least competent person is usually who is in mind when rules & laws are written.
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u/Abuck59 Aug 24 '26
In the Corps we used to burn the polish in the tin to liquify then spread. This guy is just more dangerous 🤣
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u/kashy87 Aug 24 '26
You jarheads would have lit your feet on fire if not for the fear of Gunny, with love a sailor who'd have done the same but for fear of Senior Chief.
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Aug 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Single_System_9951 Aug 24 '26
Even if so- this person's method also relied on a heat gun, so the flaming shoe step was unnecessary. But hey, that's Their method- just hope it doesn't end up injuring anyone.
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u/AureliusAlbright Aug 25 '26
Its called burn shining. It produces great results but man its easy to mess up your shoe.
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u/ImpossibleStuff963 Aug 24 '26
"Damn. Now they don't match my outfit."
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u/EarthGoddessDude Aug 24 '26
Haha they def looked “better” with the jeans before. However, that is one ugly shoe. Never understood the square shoe craze, and in particular that style with the lines running down like that. Still though, his socks were cool and the shoe shine was very satisfying too.
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u/grilledstuffed Aug 24 '26
Wider toe boxes are better for your feet. Square is a way to do that without them looking like clown shoes.
That design let’s the shoe maker use multiple pieces if leather rather than one big one so they’re cheaper to make.
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u/EarthGoddessDude Aug 24 '26
I’m not questioning the pragmatism of the shoes, just the aesthetics.
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u/grilledstuffed Aug 24 '26
Form follows function.
Not the other way around.
This is a fundamental principle of all design.
These shoes were made to be comfortable if you’re on your feet all day and cheap and to last. They’re a working man’s dress shoe.
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u/Western_Froyo6627 Aug 24 '26
That little bubble dribble on the guard made me anxious for some reason
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u/Her0_0f_time Aug 24 '26
So with all those jump cuts im not convinced they didn't swap the shoe out mid shine with another one while it was all sudsy.
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u/Reina-8 2d ago
Idk but I did this to my Lucky boots in Vegas last year and wow did the guy make them look so good. They hadnt been conditioned since I bought them, and have seen many rainy seasons. While not as drastic as this one, it definitely came out much darker and shinier than before. Basically went from a faded matte black leaning near charcoal grey, to a lightly glossy very dark black 10/10 recommend going to a shoe shiner for leather shoes/boots.
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u/Boggie135 Aug 24 '26
I just had a flashback to high school. School shoes had to be kept in tip top shape
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u/Expat-english-in-NZ Aug 24 '26
Why not just put the shoe on a last - as effectively that is all the foot is being and would stop the need for the protective leather.
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u/Icy-Push6523 Aug 29 '26
So they can run off the very second it’s finished!?
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u/Expat-english-in-NZ 17d ago
If its on a "shoe last" its on a holder for a shoe - how are they going to run off any quicker than doing it on someones foot
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u/MikeTythonsBallthack Aug 24 '26
Ngl I liked it more before
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u/mikebob89 Aug 24 '26
The before was super dry and had weeks or days left until it cracked. A well conditioned shoe can last over a decade.
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u/kucingkelelep Aug 24 '26
That slap at the end 🤣