Okay so I bought some very pretty black Ariat tall boots. Just rode in them for the first time and am quite pleased. Anyways, I need some advice on how to make them nice and shiny. I use Horsemans One Step to clean them off but was wondering what to use to shine them? It’s been a while since I a) ridden in tall boots and b) cared if they were shiny.
Any little bit helps. Thanks! 
Don’t use OneStep (or any other saddle cleaner or conditioner) on your boots. Too gunky. Use Urad or another dedicated shoe/boot polish. Follow directions on label. :yes:
So Urad cleans and shines all in one bottle?
I only clean my boots with a slightly damp rag followed by boot polish. Use a brush to apply it,a soft brush and a soft rag to make them shine. Never put soap on them!
Urad definitely! I have Ariat’s as well and this stuff works great. In between rides I just wipe them down with a damp cloth and let the Urad do its stuff
[QUOTE=Hunterkid;7975391]
I only clean my boots with a slightly damp rag followed by boot polish. Use a brush to apply it,a soft brush and a soft rag to make them shine. Never put soap on them![/QUOTE]
I second this. Urad or another liquid might give you a better shine the first time, but nothing beats layers of old fashioned Kiwi polish.
Where was I reading about someone treating her boots with mink oil between polishing? She had really shiny boots!! Amazon sells electric boot polishers. I have been able to get boots very shiny using one with good boot polish.
[QUOTE=Limerick;7975457]
Where was I reading about someone treating her boots with mink oil between polishing? She had really shiny boots!! Amazon sells electric boot polishers. I have been able to get boots very shiny using one with good boot polish.[/QUOTE]
If it was a recent boot polishing topic (price for boot polishing services), that was me 
OP – how in depth do you want to go about polishing your boots? I could chat your ear off. :lol:
The basics:
-On brand new boots, before you go wear them ANYWHERE, build a nice base of polish on those babies.
-Then, to clean them, use a damp sponge and buff them with a microfiber/cotton chamois (this will dry the boots and shine them back up). Wipe them after every ride; do not let the dirt SIT on your boots.
-When your boots no longer “bead” water or are looking dull, it’s time to re-polish. THIS is your opportunity to strip them down with yes, SOAP (to remove all the old leftover polish.), condition them with conditioner (THIS IS leather; you need to condition them to keep them supple… I use a mink oil based conditioner), then rebuild your layers of polish.
That’s the short version.
Thanks everyone for the info! I’m definitely going to order some kiwi polish and see how it goes!
Karasha- Dumb question but, do you polish the insides of the boots too? I’ve always wondered…Thx
[QUOTE=xcjumper;7976118]
Karasha- Dumb question but, do you polish the insides of the boots too? I’ve always wondered…Thx[/QUOTE]
I polish inside below the ankle. Otherwise, the upper portion (ankle-to-calf), I only cleanse it with soap whenever am stripping off all of polish from the rest of the boot. I will condition the entire boot in this time (includes inside) to keep it supple and moisturized. Then I polish in the appropriate areas. If the inner calf is a little grippy/sticky from conditioning (and letting it set), I would just wipe with a damp sponge and dry with cotton chamois.
