What solvent will soften or thin shoe polish?

[Buddyboy1]

It is commonly known that shoe polish contains petroleum solvents. Over time, even in a closed tin, the solvents evaporate leaving even a hardly used tin with lumpy dry polish. Can I add some solvent back into it which will, with a little heat, rejuvenate it? If so, what is the best solvent to add? This concerns polishes like Kiwi in little flat tins.

 

[Astaroth]

Slightly dried out polish can actually give the best shine

I've never had a polish dry out to the extent that they become unusable. On the basis Kiwi costs under $2 for a 50ml tin I wouldnt try and reconstitute it. Drying normally is the outer layer so gently heating it and allowing it to reset can be sufficient

 

[Buddyboy1]

Thanks for the reply, Astraroth. My question is as much an academic one as a practical one. I repair everything because that's me, even though I can well afford to replace by buying new. So, I am still interested in what a good added solvent would be. I used to polish daily but, now I am retired I don't need to polish many or often, hence my supply often dries.

 

[Astaroth]

Brush your shoes daily but you shouldnt be polishing them daily anyway.

http://www.wired.com/2009/12/st_shoe_polish/ gives you what they put in it. Depending on if you want a long term solution or just something to use in the short term you could use a more volatile substance, as you would if you were dying them rather than just polishing.

 

[Murlsquirl]

Welcome to the forum, buddy. This thread is pretty daunting, but it has tons of information on shoe care:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/228153/the-official-shoe-care-thread-tutorials-photos-etc

Best of luck!

 

[Buddyboy1]

Many thanks.