Bull polishing or spit shining refers to a method for polishing leather products in such a way as to give an extremely high shine effect. It is commonly used in the military as a traditional method of presenting leather accessories (such as a Sam Browne belt) and boots for inspection. The finished effect should leave the surface of the leather as reflective as a mirror.
Method
There is some debate as to the best method for bull polishing. However, the basic principles remain the same:
- Wear the item a few times to establish any natural creases that occur during use. This is particularly important if the leather has been "burnt down" with beeswax (a process that gives the leather a smoother finish).
- Polish the item in the normal way with a brush a few times to get a decent 'regular' polish.
- Apply thin layers of polish to the item in a circular motion until a dull, smooth shine appears.
- Polish the final layer of polish with a good quality wet cloth or wet cotton wool until the desired shine appears.
Ultimately, the process involves polishing the applied thin layers of polish not the leather itself. The process can be lengthy and is best learned with practice.
External links
- An detailed unofficial British army guide is available at [1]
- Another guide is available at [2]
