Non Boaty - Spit'n'polish Ex Guardsman?

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Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

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
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

Polish, spit, more polish, spit, more polish......
for a couple of months.
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

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. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

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
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

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. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

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! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

Sgt Majors in Highland regiments used the toecap to check the privates (!!!) were not wearing breeks under the kilt. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

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.
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

Ah but I'm a traditionalist, nay even luddite by nature! That which is achieved too easily by used of high technology is all too soon regarded as worthless - besides donkey wallopers are even less to be regarded as exemplars than are woodentops. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

I used to cheat and use clear spray lacquer, it worked for me. Black gel coat might work!
Stan
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

Thats the procedure I used 48 years ago - sigh. But we always finished off the bulling by 'hardening' the polish with a ball of cotton wool under a slightly running cold tap to bring out the real lustre.
I once knew a guy who left it too late for Guard duty and he sprayed his toecaps with 'Dampstart'. Looked great but did not fool the inspecting officer and he spent the guard duty in a cell, doing them the hard way whilst being screamed at!
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

Spot on - I'd forgotten that last bit of the procedure. Guards Depot Caterham 1959 RSM 'Jolly' Rogers as the man to be avoided!! happy days. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

Spot on, also useful to have the corner of a poly bag under the yellow duster, condom style to prevent fingers being stained permanently black/brown. (dark tan is a sod to get rid of, black not so bad.

Start with one finger and work up to three.

Kiwi or'nery is the only one to use.

Before using hot spoon to remove dimples, smear area to be smoothed liberally with polish. With brown don't use a candle to heat spoon as carbon deposits spoil finish.
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

I was trained by an expert. An ex member of this lot was an officer in my ATC squadron, and he expected absolute perfection

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e7YktjHMLo&feature=related

My dad, WWII RAF pilot, made sure I got it right as well!

Between the 2 of them, I'd learnt by age of 14 to get my creases in trousers perfect, beret perfectly tweaked, and shoes glossy and smooth
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

Thank you all for your replies, some very useful information which I will pass on to No 1 grandson, he is a tall lad very well turned out and cannot wait to join the real thing - he will go far.

Mnay thanks,

David
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

One last tip - make sure he has breakfast before going on parade. It's a chargeable offence to miss breakfast as it causes fainting. Even worse, our lot used to have a couple of 'standy squaddies' to pick you up for the WO, and drag you off if you did, .... the WO used to make sure you were removed toe caps down and bouncing nicely. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
Re: Non Boaty - Spit\'n\'polish Ex Guardsman?

I agree!. My mate Johnny, Brompron Barracks, Chatham 1961, had no brekkie after a night pub-crawling with me down Rochester High Street. Lined up for Guard inspection with fixed bayonets, I heard a slight moan and a thump as Johnny hit the tarmac behind me. This was followed by his bayonet (on end of rifle) sticking into my back, through my battledress! One does not move in this situation, and it was removed, with no injury, by a screaming RP Sergeant as Johnny was dragged off to the Guard room. Not a happy day/week for him.
(WO2 Cave - 'Caveman' - shudder!)
 
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