new plate shoes, polish or no?

[Majordave]

I just finished applying the third coat of Leather Luster to my NB 460's I got back in October and my Reebok Magistrate Base shoes I got from an MLB guy who didn't like high tops back in 2008. They look fantastic. I'll post pics in a couple of days when they are fully dry.

I'm also spit polishing my used Mizuno plate shoes I bought from Chris Hickman. I'll post pics when I'm happy with those. They are real leather. A very high quality shoe.

[Hawkman]

I'm with Major Dave; I leather luster mine then just clean with water and a brush after games. I use an old toothbrush to get into all of the little seams and along the edges of the soles. They hold a great shine with the leather luster.

[kylejt]

I Parade Gloss my old +POS oxfords (four man only(, and use leather products on my NB shoes. Mothers or Maguires.

[Thunderheads]

I Parade Gloss my old +POS oxfords (four man only(, and use leather products on my NB shoes. Mothers or Maguires.

Kyle, what Meguire's stuff do you use?

[Majordave]

These are the NB 460s I bought last October before MSBL World Series. Worked about 30 plates over three weeks.  This photo does not do them justice in my opinion.  Super smooth and shiny.

[T-Rav]

These are the NB 460s I bought last October before MSBL World Series. Worked about 30 plates over three weeks.  This photo does not do them justice in my opinion.  Super smooth and shiny.

NB460s with LL.jpg

Did you sand paper at all before applying LL? I've got the package of LL ordered but I'd like to know any secrets from the man with the shiniest shoes.

[Majordave]

Finest grade steel wool you can get.  VERY light rub in circular motion all over shoes before each coat.  Make sure you use the LL leather pre-cleaner, and let it dry overnight, before first coat.  Crucial to getting the LL paint to adhere.

 

Couple more hints.  I wear rubber/vinyl food handler gloves when I polish/paint my shoes.  Also make sure you have a lot of dropcloth area under you as you apply.  The applicator drips and you need an appreciable amount of product on the applicator to spread it on the shoe.

[WIUMP]

 

 

I have these also but was wondering if they are discontinued?

Would love another pair for the turf

 https://www.ump-atti...ackWhite?id=522

Honigs is selling the new model 1000s. http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Item=1635&Sub=9

 

 

That seems like a step back in the sole department.

 

I got mine on Thursday and finally got around to trying them on today. Fit and comfort is excellent as I have come to expect from New Balance. They are cut true to size. @MikeSafari has a point about the sole. It is not as aggressive as the previous edition but I don't think it will result in a loss of traction. My experience is that a more aggressive sole doesn't necessarily lead to better traction. I think these will perform admirably. I'm thinking of getting another pair for that black-out look when I'm playing.

[Haid D' Salaami]

I bought the same model shoes last fall. Wore them a month in AZ. While there I cleaned them with scrubbing bubbles. Wiped with rag. Sprayed with water. Wiped with different rag. Then sprayed with aqua net hairspray. Shined great but not enough for me so this winter I Leather Lustered them. Love that look. Now I will have to just spray them with water and wipe off. LL isn't for everyone but I really like that look. The hairspray trick I learned on here two or three years ago. No damage to the shoes. Noticeable shine if shine not just clean and black is your thing.

I only need the shine for 15 minutes... the 10 when i walk out to the field, the 1st impression is all that matters. after the 1st pitch then no biggie.

[Majordave]

Agreed. But, I've spent about two hours total and now cut my cleanup and shine time down to 5 minutes total for each time I wear them this entire season. And I'll look better than I normally would after that fifteen minute I need to.

[Jocko]

You guys could learn a lesson from Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. Just sayin.       

[Replacematt]

Resurrecting this for a question...

How far does a 4 oz can of LL go? I have a pair of plates and a pair of bases I want to do, as well as my backup pair of plates (if I have enough.)

[Majordave]

I used a can for three coats on base shoes (Reebok High Tops) and three coats on NB 460 plate shoes and a touch up coat on old Reebok Magistrate high tops plate shoes I sold via the forum here. The first coat is thicker than the following coats.

Partner of mine last week or so had his NB 460s with 5 coats on them. His looked better than mine. Gonna add a coat or two to my 460's. I have some left in my last can so I may get three pairs worth (9 coats) out of 1 can.

[ChrisUrbz]

Looking for New Balance 450 plate shoes size 12 1/2

[MikeSafari]

Looking for New Balance 450 plate shoes size 12 1/2

 

@ChrisUrbz instead of making post in every thread about shoes, why not just post a wanted ad in the buy/sell/trade forum? That's exactly what it's there for.

[BillKen]

I went to Target looking for Simple Green, but couldn't find any...so I ended up with Green Works All Purpose Cleaner.  Been using it all year on my Reeboks...the white is white and the black is clean and shiny.

[NWA_UMP]

Target doesn't sell Simple Green...

 

Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Home Depot, AutoZone, Advance Auto...I can keep going if you want.

[T-Rav]

The new shoe cleaning method in my area is using a microfiber car wash sponge with the blue tentacles to wipe down the shoes and get the dust off. It works pretty well if your shoes are just dusty and is an extremely quick and water free method of cleaning shoes. Plus its only $3 for one of these things and they are great for a quick touch up for between games.

 

[Welpe]

Not a bad idea, T-Rav. Thanks.

 

I use a light murphy's solution as well and haven't had an issue with residue building up. I spray the shoes and then wipe them down with a damp microfiber cloth and use a soft bristle tooth brush on the hard to clean parts. Always comes out looking great and I've had several partners ask me how I like my new plate shoes that I've been wearing for over 3 seasons.

 

There is no point in putting shoe polish on synthetic material shoes and truthfully with spit shining, ain't nobody got time for that (well at least I don't).