tarik
regular
Reged: 16/02/2007
Posts: 96
Loc: Kent
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My grandson joined the Sea Cadets some months ago. He has been told that he is good enough to be in the Drill Squad. He wants his boots to be the best and have a very high shine, he has been told so many 'short cuts' he is totally confused. What is the proper way to bull his boots
as usual many thanks for all replies
David
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Kermudjon
regular
Reged: 14/02/2007
Posts: 1192
Loc: Essex
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Polish, spit, more polish, spit, more polish......
for a couple of months.
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CBT
regular
Reged: 16/02/2005
Posts: 249
Loc: UK
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OK here is the drill. Get the boot surface smooth ie no pimples. This achieved by rubbing the leather with a heated spoon until smooth surface achieved. Next - shoe polish - must be Kiwi black ( cherry blossom too greasy ). Clean yellow duster ( nice and fluffy ). Cold water in the tin lid - wrap the duster around forefinger - dip lightly in the polish and dab - with middle finger - a blob of water on the boot - start with the toecap. Lightly rub the polish on with small circles. Keep going - don't let the polish become sticky - keep dabbing the water on - don't use spit - too greasy!!The effect will not be quick; but steady application of foregoing will get results.
You did ask!! ps there are no shortcuts. 
Edited by CBT (17/05/2008 18:10)
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JasB
regular
Reged: 28/10/2005
Posts: 916
Loc: Harwich
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When I was UN in Cyprus, we had a tame Blues and Royals trooper, who would bull a pair of boots to glass shine in 5 minutes using a complete small tin of kiwi, he said that the riding boots they wore took him 15 minutes per boot...unfortunately, I was usually to interested in getting to the bar to learn from him...sorry
Edited by JasB (17/05/2008 18:55)
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CBT
regular
Reged: 16/02/2005
Posts: 249
Loc: UK
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Yup; but that was 'maintenace' polishing. You are right though - the cavalry lads were good at this stuff using four fingers as opposed to one as I suggested. For a Sea cadet - got to get a boaty reference in somewhere - I reckon one finger will be enough for a start.
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BrendanS
regular
Reged: 11/06/2002
Posts: 35813
Loc: Me: Wilts. Boat: Lymington
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For some reason, it remains a pleasant chore, even though not required now. When I joined one company some years ago, first day I turned up in my suit, and one of office staff looked at my shoes and commented they'd never seen shoes so shiny, and did I use them for looking up womens skirts! 
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trouville
regular
Reged: 10/06/2004
Posts: 2847
Loc: crusing with an Arpège
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I remember being told he came to attention & one toe cap polished came off.Builds up over time as varnish
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liveaboard
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CBT
regular
Reged: 16/02/2005
Posts: 249
Loc: UK
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Sgt Majors in Highland regiments used the toecap to check the privates (!!!) were not wearing breeks under the kilt.
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pau1gray
regular
Reged: 08/10/2006
Posts: 368
Loc: Plymouth
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Just a note on the Kiwi polish - avoid using the parade gloss - although this provides a quicker shine it tends to melt in the warmer weather.
One other tip - use Kiwi dark brown about two or three layers before the final coat - you will find that this give a deeper shine.
As mentioned above though - this all takes time but the results are worth it in the end. If you don't start seeing a shine after about 10 to 15 minutes you are doing somethig wrong.
Once you've finished you have to take care of all the good work - one scratch can mean you have to start again if you can't buff it out.
There are methods to cheat - but these are spotted a mile off - namely high gloss paint, Klear floor polish or an old polish we called MEP7 in the Navy. Once you use any of these you've wrecked the shoe - so try and avoid them at all costs.
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peterfs
regular
Reged: 02/10/2006
Posts: 111
Loc: London
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Heated spoon too slow. Donkywallopers used electric irons.
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