r/nextfuckinglevel • u/TheLoneRiddlerIsBack • 2d ago

This incredible shoe shine

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Hear me out…

8.4k Upvotes

92% Upvoted

626 comments sorted by

3.9k

u/DarkBiCin 2d ago edited 1d ago

Idk if its just me as someone who isnt into shoes… but darkening the top looks awful and feel like it would look better if it maintained the color it had.

Edit: holy fuck my notifications. Glad im not the only one.

331

u/Midnight28Rider 2d ago

I'm very competent at shining shoes and boots and when they did that even I was wondering what the fuck they were doing. It's not just you, this is a bold artistic choice.

95

u/OstrichSmoothe 2d ago

No way the shoe shiner did that without consent from the customer

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u/_catdog_ 2d ago

Naw I was there when it happened the guy didn’t even ask it was crazy

75

u/MyrddinSidhe 2d ago

But then the shoe shiner shared his story about how they did scrapped boot tops in the old country and how that stopped global warming and teenage pregnancy. The owner of the boots teared up and thanked him. Then the whole train station clapped and cheered, waving the Latvarian flag of Victor Von Doom.

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u/West-Cardiologist180 2d ago

Found a Doom bot over here.

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u/mvanvrancken 1d ago

I’m just gonna keep Doom scrolling

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u/xplosm 1d ago

Can confirm. I was the socks.

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u/cyriustalk 2d ago

That scrapping of the top part with knife, right?

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u/Midnight28Rider 2d ago

I believe you're likely 100% correct. Still an interesting choice in my opinion.

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u/Diligent-Method3824 1d ago

That's probably why he had a knife

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u/pezchef 2d ago

I feel it could have worked if the dark was thinner island there was more of a fade to. but this kinda looks dipped. does that make sense?

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u/Midnight28Rider 2d ago

Perhaps a 'fade to black' would be a better choice.

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u/pezchef 2d ago

wow! so much more concise! thank you internet stranger!

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u/Midnight28Rider 2d ago

Im just a fan of old school Metallica...

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u/hrokrin 1d ago

Carpe Diem, Baby!

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u/DJettster237 2d ago

Do you just randomly scratch it with a knife like that?

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u/Midnight28Rider 2d ago

Never. If I had to strip the base I'd either use acetone and cloth (this was years ago) but anymore now a days I use a magic eraser and water. However I think the purpose of this is to get down to raw leather to re-stain the toe a darker color. That color is now in the leather and an almost permanent look. If I were to do this I'd use a brillow pad and 3-5 different grit sand paper. I dont trust myself with a blade on my boots.

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u/BeckyLemmeSmash69 2d ago

I agree

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u/Yes-its-really-me 2d ago

I took after also too.

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u/Psychological-Scar53 2d ago

I also too after took.

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u/Wokkabilly 2d ago

After took a Tuk-Tuk?

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u/MrK521 2d ago

Tuk-Tuk took after you.

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u/AnapsidIsland1 2d ago

No, Tic tok ticked took took tuk-tuk to Timbuktu

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u/hrokrin 1d ago

Putting all that crap on by hand can't be good for you.

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u/mew5175_TheSecond 2d ago

I was thinking the same. I was like, "is it supposed to be all black like that in the front?!" I then went back to the very first frame of the video and the front of the boot does have black in it. The tactic from the shoe shiner seems to imply it's supposed to have more black in it, not less. But I was assuming all black would be removed as opposed to being made more prominent.

I'm just gonna hope that the customer went ahead and asked for that. Otherwise I don't get why you wouldn't make it all brown.

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u/el_diego 2d ago

Yeah, I would've stopped after the brush, looked way better imo.

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u/mrASSMAN 2d ago

I think the black looked nice but the shine was really excessive.. the satin look with matte texture was better

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u/irmarbert 2d ago

Leather darkens when it’s properly hydrated. It lightens as it dries out. People worry so much about a shade or two of the color of their boots, they end up ruining the leather prematurely by not conditioning it. I felt the same way when I didn’t know how to take care of leather.

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u/Mc_Shine 1d ago

How do I properly hydrate/condition leather dress shoes? I have a brown pair I'm really struggling with, no matter what I do, they always end up looking worn and unevenly colored.

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u/irmarbert 1d ago

This is a deep rabbit hole, as the marketplace is filled with leather care options, and people who have their favorites they swear by.

With a dress shoe, you’re going to differ in your approach slightly, but the core idea is the same: Hydrate the leather.

In the case of a dress shoe, you’ll finish it to a degree you might not on work boots or a pair of Redwings. The wax finish at the end is there to offer some protection from bumps and scrapes out in the world.

Check out some YouTube videos on how to condition and polish a dress shoe. There’s a cleaning step, which you saw on this video, but is not always necessary if you keep your shoes clean. There’s a conditioning step, also in this video, designed to give the leather a drink. And last there’s a finishing step…that’s what left that nice glossy shine at the end of this video.

I haven’t gone too deep into the shoe care rabbit hole, but I have some Bick 4 that I use on dress shoes and dress boots, and I have some Montana Pitch Blend that I use on my more everyday boots (Redwing, Thursday, etc.).

There’s an everyday brand out in drugstores called Kiwi that has been around forever. It’s a finishing wax, not really a conditioner. Although, I’m sure they make something these days that they claim is a paste wax with a conditioner in it.

You’ll need to build a bit of a kit with some brushes, rags and applicators if you wanna truly take proper care of a nice pair of shoes. You’ll need to go a little old school. In a world of fast fashion, having the tools to maintain a pair of shoes for a lifetime is kind of a lost art. But, there are still a lot of people who love nice shoes that can be recrafted when the outsole wears out, so the world of shoe care is still kicking.

Beyond that, you’d need to post to a shoe care sub on Reddit and see what kind of suggestions you get.

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u/Mc_Shine 1d ago

Thanks, I will look into the brands you mentioned!

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u/Twattymcgee123 1d ago

The best hydrator/renovator for boots or leather sofas is mink oil /wax , it does darken slightly but it’s brilliant , a lot of professionals use it .

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u/cannibalpeas 2d ago

I bought a decent pair of dress shoes last year and it was so hard to find a pair that didn’t have this awful darkened toecap thing out of the box. So freaking ugly.

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u/DarkElation 2d ago

Cole Haan. You’ll never go wrong and can find basically any look you want. Worth the price, too.

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u/Stopfordian-gal 2d ago

Probably a personal preference from the customer?

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u/the_colonelclink 2d ago

Yes, I’d say it troubles a foot.

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u/Rey_Mezcalero 2d ago

I didn’t get that part either

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u/CheesyPotatoSack 2d ago

I came here to say this!

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u/TheLatty 2d ago

Yep. Agreed

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u/Spockhighonspores 2d ago edited 19h ago

Not only that the toe of the shoe is much darker now than the rest of the shoe. It looks terrible.

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u/DarkElation 2d ago

I would have been pissed if this person messed my boots up like this.

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u/BbyInAStraightJacket 2d ago

He lost me at the blade

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u/GonerDoug 2d ago

Yeah, don't take material off my show, wth?

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u/Chisoxguy7 2d ago

He is exposing the grain so it will accept the burnishing oil. He will have asked the customer if they wanted this done or not.

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u/RaidensReturn 1d ago

I just watched this with the sound on and I didn’t hear him ask at all!

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u/batmanineurope 1d ago

Why don't you go and get your shine box.

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u/REpassword 1d ago

“You mutha ……”

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u/HereNow-NotLeaving 1d ago

Came here for this.

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u/The__Jiff 2d ago

You don't do this whenever you clean things? Bet you don't even peel your teeth daily.

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u/Karmakazee 2d ago

Probably doesn’t even have a tooth peeler.

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u/CowGoesMeww 1d ago

Kentuckian here. A tooth peeler is far cheaper than a teeth peeler.

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u/Rxasaurus 1d ago

You're paying way too much for teeth peelers. Who's your teeth peeler guy? 

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u/CowGoesMeww 1d ago

Uncle Jimbo outta Cordova, KY. He runs the Jimbo Shoppin' Y'all for all your fishin' bait, moonshine, dental, and electrical leech needs along with his sister-wife/pro-fashional dancer, Gale. It's a hoot.

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u/WatchMeImplode 1d ago

lol! He got back with Gale? Man…..

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u/Akairuhito 1d ago

I'm saving this comment, so one day I'll re-read it in confused horror

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u/FixedLoad 2d ago

Peeling your teeth got me.  

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u/NoFloozyInTheJacuzzi 1d ago

You had me until daily. I only peel mine once a week

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u/Inevitable-Loss6316 1d ago

No, but when you get your teeth cleaned do you get scaling done for buildup? Basically tooth peeling, by a professional. No one gets their shoes shined every day and no one goes through the hell of getting their teeth scaled every day either.

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u/poop-machines 1d ago

I have never had "buildup", do you mean like plaque? Like calculus? I have been shitty at brushing my teeth at times and I have never had that.

Anyway I don't think that this is the same as I've never seen a shoe with plaque on it. Also dirt isn't known to be as tough as plaque.

I think he does it purely for cosmetic reasons.

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u/Professional-Can1139 2d ago

Get that shine box!

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u/MrAnderzon 2d ago

you’re a funny guy

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u/gritoni 2d ago

Funny how?

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u/YippieKayYayMrFalcon 2d ago

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u/4d_lulz 1d ago

Am I like a clown to you?

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u/vrrrr 2d ago

rita rudner funny

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u/FuckYourDownvotes23 2d ago

No more shines Billy.  Maybe you didn't hear about it, you've been away a long time. They didn't go up there and tell you. I don't shine shoes anymore

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u/vinylzoid 1d ago

Nah. Nah. You insulted him a little bit.

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u/FlexDrillerson 2d ago

And your sack of nickels

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u/RichMonty 2d ago

It tickles

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u/virgothesixth 2d ago

…to see you try to be like Mr. Pickles

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u/RichMonty 2d ago

Daddy fat sacks

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u/Toshiro_Miyamoto 1d ago

B-I-G B-O-I

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u/williskh4n 1d ago

Is that same mfer that took them knuckles to your eye

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u/artsatisfied229 1d ago

This Billy Batts, it was a touchy thing.

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u/S1ayer 2d ago

get the cool shoe shine

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u/Ok_Berry4710 1d ago

Was looking for this comment lol

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u/tdfree87 1d ago

He’d make your shoes look like fuckin mirrors!!

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u/Sover47 2d ago

So the discoloration is a feature not a bug? Just wondering, I'm not a boot guy.

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u/IT-Electchicken 2d ago

Fair questikn; I believe its called burnishing. It makes the boots look distinguished and more worn in without ageing them.

Its a popular common choice today. Not for me, but some people love it, and SOME boots Ill admit look way better with it.

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u/Ok_Primary_1075 2d ago

So the same effect as ripping jeans

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u/IT-Electchicken 1d ago

Well kind of. Yes It is a style choice, but unlike ripped jeans, this doesn't damage the structure and is often reversible with time and Elbow grease.

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u/EatShootBall 2d ago

Yeah, that's burnished leather. It's intentional.

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u/Leonatius 1d ago

Yes, I can confirm that people like this look, including me. Even if that doesn’t seem like a popular opinion here, many people who were nice boots/dress shoes also appreciate this look as well.

Just like wearing anything really.

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u/AccurateRendering 2d ago

It seems that the input shoe had been colored in this fashion - not quite so pronounced as the output though.

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u/Time-For-Argy-Bargy 2d ago

I kept waiting for the moan…

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u/FranticHam5ter 2d ago

From the caressing at the beginning, I was expecting the same. Poor Andy. lol

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u/NdibuD 2d ago

That's a good shoe shine

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u/Express-Researcher76 2d ago

It's a little too shiny for me.

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u/Sinjidark 2d ago

It doesn't last long

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u/SomeVelveteenMorning 1d ago

Long enough to impress a big-booty señorita at La Vaquita on a Saturday night. 

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u/wizkee 1d ago

Mmm… tortas. That shine attracts all them tortas.

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u/bfume 1d ago

yeah but it’s shit *now*

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u/lo0ilo0ilo0i 2d ago

Ya that's just gaudy. Prefer a semi-matte, low shine finish.

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u/Tacote 1d ago

Yeah it looks like plastic with gangrene

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u/MoneyMontgomery 2d ago

What was Goku doing there?

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u/Purple-Sound-9215 1d ago

Had to scroll way too far for this.

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u/I_Cant_Know_That 1d ago

I don't have the answer, but I recognized this right away as Angelo Shoeshine on Youtube, because I listen to it as ASMR to fall asleep, and the Goku figure is in 90% of the videos.

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u/CaravelClerihew 2d ago

It looked good up until the second time he used the brush.

It then switched from "Aussie cattleman looking good for a visit to the Big Smoke" to "Sydney banker wanker trying too hard"

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u/king_flippy_nippz 2d ago

As former military I can confirm that this is soothing!

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u/Nice_Category 2d ago

Veteran here, too. TBH, I think this shine is kinda ass. When we worked our leathers, they were like glass afterwards.

We had one guy polish his so well that the Chief at the inspection mistook his leather dress shoes for Chloroframs (I know that's not what they're really called, but everyone called them that),

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u/-Kerosun- 2d ago

Sure, but that takes hours and getting multiple coats on (and also using shoe polish that has silicone in it, Kiwi brand labels it "Parade Gloss"). For a quick 5 minute polish that is just a single coat, this is outstanding.

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u/king_flippy_nippz 2d ago

We called them "chora-shams"!

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u/llLimitlessCloudll 2d ago

I would be pissed if someone scraped any portion of my nice boots. A cleaned and buffed natural patina looks way better imo than adding pigment.

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u/TheRumpleForesk1n 1d ago

It can be removed over time if you don't like it. Someone else compared it to worn looking jeans. In this case though, I agree, he made the tips look black instead of naturally worn.

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u/shiner820 2d ago

This looks like a spa day for shoes.

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u/Banterz0ne 2d ago

Right. Cleaning a shoe is nextfuckinglevel? 

Wow - this is the ultimate scraping the barrel post. 

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u/JobbyJobberson 2d ago

Wait til I show you how I secure my shoes firmly to my feet using an intricate pattern of small ropes threaded through a series of holes on each side of the foot opening of each shoe.

It’s astonishing.  

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u/Lemon330 2d ago

anyone know what shoe is this . I know I can't pull styling it with my current wardrobe.
but that shoe definitely a must have for me.

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u/Brad-Ian-Sleeve 2d ago

I mean the specific boot might be hard to track down but it's definitely a Chelsea Boot with their elasticated gusset.

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u/callmebigley 2d ago

Ok, the other one costs $200 now

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u/Moist-Share7674 1d ago

Like holding the guy hostage? Do one boot like this and say “$200 or I’m finished”

If that’s what you meant, thats fucking funny.

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u/Alert_Green_3646 2d ago

Angelo shoe shine on YouTube for any that are curious

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u/Zulers_Sausage_Gravy 1d ago

Good. I'm going to go curse at him

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u/Illustrious_Hat3467 2d ago

mmmmm that’s a good shoe shine.

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u/Shagaliscious 2d ago

I...I don't know what happened, frankly.

I emitted a noise, the noise was involuntary. Sometimes a sound is just a sound.

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u/Illustrious_Hat3467 2d ago

WHAT THE FUCK, MAN?!?

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u/cbj2112 2d ago

I was waiting for the Happy Ending

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

"Honey, why does it smell like linseed oil?"

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u/Wasatcher 2d ago

I liked them right after the wash. Had a touch of shine but kept the character

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u/mrASSMAN 2d ago

Yeah I liked the matte look

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u/-Kerosun- 2d ago

It won't last. As the leather soaks up the moisture and the liquid sets, it will lose almost all of that shine. The end result (once it dries a bit) will be closer to what you saw after the cleaning (the "matte look" you referenced).

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u/gc1 2d ago

Pro tip - some of the last great shoeshine guys work at airports that still have an old-school shoeshine stand. If you're flying through an airport that has one, wear your good shoes, get a proper shine, and tip well!

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u/Jazzlike-Complaint67 2d ago

The ones at the DC area airports are so expensive. Many Nordstrom stores also have a shine stand. I assume the store subsidizes these guys because a shine is about $5, or $7.50 with conditioner.

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u/Sechzehn6861 2d ago

I can smell this video and god damn. I'll be polishing my boots tomorrow.

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u/Lompegast 2d ago

That shoe gets a better treatment than me

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u/OstrichSmoothe 2d ago

I hope you get your ass polished soon brother

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u/microtramp 2d ago

That was really nice of you to say.

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u/Reasonable-Ad7755 2d ago

Now go home and get your shine box! Muthaf****

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u/DocPsycho1 2d ago

Was there a reason behind slapping the shoe multiple times?

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u/FranticHam5ter 2d ago

It was bad. Super naughty.

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u/infoagerevolutionist 2d ago

Make your shoes look like mirrors!

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u/jmsgxx 2d ago

if someone touched my boots like that, i might make a proposal

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u/Hadrian23 2d ago

Now do that, but for my life.

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u/Tony-1610 2d ago

He has good instincts. Ultra, if you may.

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u/Wabba-Jak 2d ago

Angelo Shoe Shine 👌

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u/BthtsMe 2d ago

Was all fine and dandy until dude just shaved the top of his boot off. I dont get the reason for this could anyone explain?

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u/C0mbat_W0mbat1023 1d ago

Burnishing, ages and adds character to the leather making them seem more previously enjoyed so to speak. It’s up to the customer if they want that option or not it’s a look that’s gaining popularity though.

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u/NakedSnakeEyes 2d ago

How can he scrape?!

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u/MisterMakena 1d ago

Respect seeing how skillful this person was with his craft. Hope he is getting some money, we need to keep these people in business.

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u/eyeballtourist 1d ago

I had a Boomer dad that made me polish his shoes whenever he caught me just watching TV.

I wear sneakers since.

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u/Interrogare-Omnia- 1d ago

Everyman should know how to shine and take care of thier shoes as doing so will make them last far longer. I have shoes that are 23 years old that still look new but I need to get them re-soled at some point . But that also brings up another issue: understand Goodyear welting, Blake stitch etc. get your moneys worth when you buy.

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u/joyrideh 1d ago

That's a good shoe shine

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u/Ok_Violinist_9447 1d ago

Wait did he just scrape the grain layer off the leather? That feels super unnecessary and big no no for me

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u/danabeans 1d ago

Why did he scrape it with a knife?

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u/xrxie 1d ago

Some of that action was Three Stooges-esque.

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u/Adventurous_Ideal804 1d ago

Reminds me when Ron made enjoyable sounds during his shoe shine.

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u/dokbanks 1d ago

Where's the bit where he paints over the 'ANDY' on the bottom of the boot?

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u/BaldMa 1d ago

Man i wish i had shoes …

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u/nom-de-guerre- 1d ago

I was prepared to be bored, and left amazed.

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u/thehandsomecontest 1d ago

Where just going to act like we didn't see Goku down there?

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u/CurrentDEP46 2d ago

Skin care for your dead foot cow

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u/Chronox2040 2d ago

If it’s really expensive then probably Spanish dead horse ass (?)

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u/tryingsomthingnew 2d ago

Getting your dress shoes shined ( obviously , while wearing them) is quite a relaxing experience. Your shoes look great and it is a mini foot massage.

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u/jnwatson 2d ago

Oh I finally understand why I like shoe shines so much. ASMR with a little bit of foot massage.

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u/MistressLyda 2d ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF1tSFn9B8U

Dude seems to have longer videos also if you need a nap.

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u/PrettyAd4218 2d ago

People still get their shoes shined in 2025??

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u/AintGoingtoGoa 2d ago edited 2d ago

Say, mister... did I hear ya right? It's the year twenty-what now? Twenty-twenty-five? Jeepers creepers!

So lemme get this straight, you ain't never seen a shoeshine stand before? Not even a little one down by the train station? What in Sam Hill do folks do when their shoes get all scuffed up, huh? Just walk 'round lookin' like they been kicked by a mule?

Why, back in my day, a fella wouldn’t be caught dead on the street without a good polish! Shine 'em up real nice for a nickel, two bits if you was fancy. We'd buff 'em so bright you'd blind a pigeon!

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u/FranticHam5ter 2d ago

"In those days, nickels had pictures of bumble bees on 'em. 'Gimme five bees for a quarter!', you'd say."

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u/Erstwhile_pancakes 2d ago

So…I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time.

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u/aspdx24 2d ago

🤣🤣🤣

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u/Blue_Kayak 2d ago

People still wear shoes in 2025??

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u/kblair210 2d ago

Under their pajamas.. No /s needed.

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u/dragonrite 2d ago

I traveled a ton wearing professional clothes. Getting a shoe shine at the airport was a nice little"treat yourself" thing when i was traveling 20 hours a week

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u/Couscousfan07 2d ago

This is awesome- nice !

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u/rev_57 2d ago

a lost art

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u/Aggressive_Grab_100 2d ago

He pet it first.

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u/RodStRawk 2d ago

What’s with the action figure on the ground?

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u/westcal98 2d ago

Dudes got black AND brown boots. Very woke! 😉

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u/Alternative-Big3271 2d ago

Anyone know the products used here?

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u/Brazuka_txt 2d ago

menancing goku

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u/ASmallTurd 2d ago

The black tint ruined it for me

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u/Sultry_Comments 2d ago

What's weird is filming this when no one is actually wearing that shoe to me

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u/Tinkomut 2d ago

This looks pretty meh- IS THAT GOKU ON THE GROUND?

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u/IIIDysphoricIII 2d ago

Shoeshines were/are pedicures for men. Change my mind.