'bulling' boots

[darbo1103]

What is the best method of 'bulling' boots?

[4GS]

Use 'Kiwi' do not use 'Cherry Blossom'
First put on a 'skin' about 1-2mm thick, allow to dry for an hour or two. Then wrap a yellow duster (clean) around your index finger (the one you point with) then dip in the polish tin, Do NOT SPIT onto the shoe, place a drop of clean water on shoe then with your finger nicely wrapped in duster with a spot of polish make small circles on a small area of the toecap. Breath on the area you've just polished and continue polishing, carry on doing this until you achieve a mirror shine you can see your face in. This should take about 2-3 hours if done correctly

[Fitzer]

Ah, but not any old Kiwi will do as they make stuff that doesn't work well with water, the one you want is Parade Gloss.

[shylock73]

Ah, such memories. Spent hours doing just that. The youngsters of to-day should try it instead of b...dy trainers.

[tubeway]

I do not know if they still sell it - but a coating of "Johnsons Kleer" over the top of polished boots brings them on really well - If it is for a kit inspection do not use this as you can tell if it has been used by breathing on them. Which can result in your boots being thrown out of the window if you are caught.

Those were the days

Anybody remember burning the pimples off of your new boots?

[4GS]

Yeah tubeway with a spoon + candle or soldering iron?
You were RAMC weren't you?

[4GS]

If you 'bull' your boots to a reasonable standard, then apply "Kleer" as Tubeway suggests, then apply another skin of polish and 'bull' them up again then you can achieve a remarkable shine without getting found out unless the inspecting Officer/Snco (such as I was) is switched on. If you're posted to Germany ask an American squaddie for a tin of 'Morello' (SP)

[tubeway]

Hi 4GS - yes I was in the RAMC - and the covering the Kleer with polish was "invented" by a few of us at Ash Vale in 1978 (probably we were not the only ones to discover it) - I was never found out though - I wonder - did the person who taught you this trick go through A'Coll at Keogh Barracks at Ash Vale?

[4GS]

Tubeway
I was infantry until after the gulf, I re-joined as RAMC 18 months later.
I ended up a recruit instructor at Keough in 2004

[tubeway]

So no sneaking out down the railway lines for you then?

[4GS]

Lol, no there's CCTV everywhere there now, you hold your ID card up and they open the back gate from the guardroom!!

BTW tubeway, have you been on the military category on Society & Culture? your input on things Army would be well appreciated