Its that time of year again...

[PTE Gruending]

Rememberance day is fast approaching, and its time to get DEU‘s ready to go. Can anyone give me tips for getting my DEU boots to shine? The technique I had been using; apply little spot of polish, and water buff, repeatx1000. Is this the proper way to do it?
thx

 

[fusilier955]

if you are starting from scratch, put a base coat on the boot (just smear a thick layer of polish on the boot and let it dry). this clogs the pores of the leather so it will make it smooth and shine well when you use the method you are currently using.

you could also try smushing a very small bit of polish, to release the oils in it (that gives the shine, but doenst blacken), and put that on as you come close to the final coats on the boot. make sure you use all the mashed up polish that you crushed, other wise it is usless in a few hours because all the oils have dried up.

the alternative is when you are on your knees desperate, and this is cheating, but you could try a "burn shine". you cover your boot with a thick layer of polish that hasnt been worked in. then you take a lighter, (making sure that you dont touch the boot with the flame you actually dont want to BURN it, just melt it) melt the polish, and be sure not to stop over one area for more than a second, then let cool. then after that you use the method you used before. HOWEVER, DO NOT DO THIS TOO OFTEN! the oil will dry up and the polish will crack off your boot, and if you do it wrong you can ruin your boots. if you do as follows properly, you will be able to see between your teeth when you smile in the reflection of your boot. good luck.

 

[Sundborg]

I wouldn‘t even suggest burn polishing, too many risks.

 

[PTE Gruending]

Not starting from scratch, I have about 13 hours invested in these things from last year, but they still look like crap!

 

[Kitanna]

Just listen to fusilier955, he knows what he‘s doin. (helped me a bunch! thanks dude!) he‘s the shiney boots master *bows*

 

[kurokaze]

speaking of DEUs, anyone know how to polish to plastic buttons? Mine are looking rather dull.

 

[fusilier955]

i think for plastic you are SOL, and where are they on your DEUs?

 

[xFusilier]

anyone know how to polish to plastic buttons

Can‘t really tell you there having come from a regt. that believed in brass buttons, I can recall at least one NCO in the PLF calling annodized buttons "private recruit buttons". I reccomend the following.

Attend to your local ATM and withdraw anywhere between 5 and 10 dollars

On you next parade night stroll into your unit and purchase new branch or regimental buttons in the following quantities four (4) big ones, and four (4) small ones.

Following the seven p‘s go to clothing stores and obtain eight (8) button keepers (you may loose them and what the heck they‘re free anyways).

Upon first opportunity apply said buttons in the following order four big ones to the front closure of your Distinctive Environmental Uniform tunic and the two small ones to the pockets of your Distinctive Environmental Uniform. Sew the other 2 small buttons to the epaulettes.

Voila you now have shiny plastic buttons on you‘re DEU tunic. No need to thank me I‘m just doing my job.

By the way did I mention that most NCO‘s in the PLF were sarcastic *******s.

 

[kurokaze]

Eh, plastic buttons are what were given to me! (besides, brass ones would have been like $20 IIRC)

The only ones that are metal are my shoulder flashes and my grenades (erhm.. the ones that go on the lapel).

xFusilier, I‘ll keep that in mind thanks

PLF eh? The Palestinian Liberation Front?

 

[Gryphon]

In my experience, 13 hours is not NEARLY long enough to have spent on your boots..

as for spitfires (burn shining) i do NOT recommend it, having seen the results of it.. it ain‘t purdy

But if your on your knees pray-Jesus-can‘t-help-me-anymore sort of f***ed, then i suggest something as a once thing

use hair spray.. i‘ve never done it myself, but i hear that you need to have a base coat already done...

but then again, who (under the rank of MCpl) can get their DEU boots to ever be perfect?!?

 

[xFusilier]

PLF can stand for many a thing. Needless to say the name fusilier comes from the people who had the jobs of standing at the gun positions to defend them back in the bad old days. Our interpretation of fact though is that it was to shoot the gunners in back when they ran away. And yes you do have to take that I‘m a mortarman, a totally higher plane of existance.

I‘m honestly hurt, you asked a question and I did my utmost to answer it.

Seriously, try toothpaste and an old toothprush it should loosen the crud on them, or should I say the rye/rum and coke residue from last St. Babs day? If there scratched though and they came from stores just exchange them.

 

[Danjanou]

Sarcasm is standard issue in the PLFs NCOs. They draw it from their QM (and yeah having worked with them in the past in Aldershot and Gagetown and more importantly drank with them in Halifax‘s seedier bars I should know. I also know all the nasty variations of PLF a side from Princess Louise Fusilers)

I‘ve even seen them give sarcastic comebacks while I debriefed them on their miserable excuses for a section attack on course. (Still a fail but full marks for improving course morale)

Fusiler refers to the special type of "bang stick" those infantry regiments designated to guard artillery back in the old days carried. It was less prone to go boom surrounded by all that gun powder etc.

Personally what can you say about any self respecting grunt that deliberatly stands large piles of gunpowder and other dangerous things that the bad guys are shooting at.

(Sarcasm was also standard issue in my unit) :warstory:

 

[xFusilier]

Yeah, the good old PLO, where it it was not uncommon to hear in the middle of an O-Gp, "just remember sir, its not insubordination if you walked into the slam."

Personally what can you say about any self respecting grunt that deliberatly stands large piles of gunpowder and other dangerous things that the bad guys are shooting at

Why the **** does he get to ride to war?

 

[kurokaze]

hey no offense intended xFusilier, your advice is appreciated!

 

[combat_medic]

Another good cheater trick if you‘re in a hurry and desperate; get a bottle of that liquid polish and put one (and one only) top coat on your boots/shoes before you leave. You need to have built up some base in order for this to work, but it does make the top coat very smooth and shiny. I did this every day before inspection on my PLQ and it helped keep the dust and crap off my oxfords. Don‘t use it all the time though, eventually you need to use regular polish.