Shoe Shine
You know the value of purchasing a good pair of shoes. But for some men, that’s where the concern for their feet stops. Taking care of your shoes will not only make them last longer but will help distinguish you from the rest. We recently met Fred Payton, a sixty year-old shoe shiner who since 1964 has been shining the shoes of Atlanta mayors, celebrities, business men, lawyers, and everything in between. He shared with us some of his expertise:
-Like anything, there are the right techniques, tools and knowledge. I don’t believe in tricks, just hard work and a technique based on experience. When a guy pops your shoes with a towel he’s just playing with your feet. I use good polish, my hands, a simple rag and a brush.
-Make sure you always use the proper matching color of polish and never use those instant shines. Have your shoes polished once a month.
-Most men don’t pay enough attention to their feet but women notice. Why buy nice shoes if you don’t take care of them? A man should have three pairs of classic shoes. Rotate them, take care of them and your wardrobe can last longer.
-Some shoe shiners don’t properly turn the heel and do the back of the shoe. The back of your shoe is seen more than you think.
-Don’t use wooden shoe trees, use the plastic kind that lock. Wood takes out the moisture from your feet, but it can also dry out and crack the leather if you leave the wood in too long.
-Men didn’t properly handle the switch to the business casual trend. Casual doesn’t mean sloppy or that you don’t need to shine your shoes. With the tough economy and people fighting to keep their jobs, it’s brought back some pride in looking sharp. Remember that your shoes are a key part of that.
-As soon as you buy new shoes, bring them in to get a good polish. If you scuff new shoes you’re damaging the actual leather. There’s no protection until you get a layer of polish on them.
If you can’t make it to see Fred once a month, here’s how to shine your own shoes:
1. Clean the dirt and dust off with a slightly damp rag.
2. Apply polish with a thin rag and your fingers. Use 2-3 coats if necessary.
3. Use a tooth brush with a little polish on it to get in the crevices.
4. Shine with a brush.
5. Test with a drop of water; it should bead and roll off. If not, add more polish.
Visit Fred Payton in the lobby of the 1180 Peachtree St building Monday thru Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shoe shines are $10.
Also, today only our friends at ScoutMob are featuring half-off a shoe shine from Fred. Click over to their website and sign up for their daily deals.
