Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Can I use Lincoln Shoe Polish for high gloss shine? I want to see myself!

Yes, Lincoln Shoe Polish Stain Wax can be used to achieve a high gloss shine, or a military “spit shine”.

I've heard that some polishes can damage leather.  Will Lincoln Shoe Polish hurt my shoes?

Lincoln Shoe Polish will not harm or dry out leather.  We manufacture all of our Lincoln Shoe Polish products with natural waxes and without cheap solvents, aerosols, or silicon chemistry.  As a result, Lincoln Shoe Polish can produce a high-gloss shine, protect leather against moisture and wear, all without damaging the leather underneath.

My shoe polish is hard!  Is it dried out?

No, your shoe polish is not dried out.  Unlike cream polishes, Lincoln Shoe Polish is made with hard Carnauba wax, so it is solid at room temperature.

My stain wax has cracked or crumbled! Can I still use it?  

Yes, you can!  Hard wax polishes, like Lincoln Shoe Polish, may crack or crumble during shipping and handling.  This does not affect the performance of the polish. If you really do want your Lincoln Shoe Polish to have a smooth appearance, you can massage the surface of the wax until it is smooth or use a little heat to melt the wax back together.

There's a strange, white-ish layer on top of my shoe polish!  Has it gone bad?

No, Lincoln Shoe Polish does not go bad or expire.  That white or grey-ish layer on top of the polish is the result of “sweating” or wax bloom, and it happens when the shoe polish experiences rapid heating and cooling.  This may be accompanied by slight color separation. If you've ever seen a white-ish coating on wax-based art supplies, cosmetic products, chocolates or fruits, that's wax bloom!

How can I melt my Lincoln Shoe Polish back together?

If your Lincoln Shoe Polish has crumbled or developed wax bloom, you can use a little heat to melt the wax back into the shoe polish.  Here are a few ways that our customers melt their shoe polish:

1. Place the closed tin of shoe polish near a heat source such as a floor vent or radiator.
2. Hold a lighter underneath the can until the wax softens.  This method is often preferred by Lincoln Shoe Polish customers who served / are serving in the military.

My shoes are discolored.  Does Lincoln Shoe Polish add color?

Yes!  Lincoln Shoe Polish is a stain wax, and it will add color when applied. The Neutral “color” does not have stain added, and it will go on transparently.

How do I know which color is best?

The Lincoln Shoe Polish Color Guide shows all the available colors of our stain wax.  If you wish to polish white, cream, or light colored leathers, we recommend that you choose Lincoln Stain Wax Polish in Neutral.

What materials can I shine with Lincoln Shoe Polish?

Lincoln Shoe Polish Stain Wax is ideal for bovine leathers, cordovan, and corfam.  

What materials should I not polish with Lincoln Shoe Polish?

Lincoln Shoe Polish should never be used on patent leather, leather that has been treated to have a glossy finish, exotic leathers, suede or nubuck.