Hey Mike, Hi-tek here, just to add on to a little of what DarkKnight was saying, we used to do it the same way and another little trick is to start off with a heavy-once over-base coat of polish;next take a lighter and hold about an inch to inch and a half away from the leather surface of the boot and just let the heat from the flame of the lighter melt the polish( don't hold it so close to the leather that you burn it or dry it out ) but close enough that you'll be able to actually see the polish film fade into the leather as you work your way all around the boot. This gets the polish down deep into the pores of the leather and will give you a good "base' to start putting your final polish job on top of. After burning in, then start back to the way DarkKnight was telling you about, a little water in the can lid and some polish on your rag covered fingers and start working it and and wetting;dipping in polish;rubbing in circular motion;dip in water;dip in polish;more circular rubbing; until it starts bringing surface to the shine you're looking for.Lota work, but once there, it'll shine it's hine off and last a while. Also, after all that hard work, ya might wanta put some ol hunting/hiking socks over em to protect the shine. "Good Luck'', Hi-Tek rednek :42: