Can I use shoe polish to stain and polish wood?
Absolutely! I do it all the time – makes a beautiful stain and finish, albeit somewhat limited in the color choices. In fact, right on the back of the Kiwi shoe polish tin states: “An excellent stain for unfinished wood; a fine wax polish for furniture, hardwood floors, and other wood surfaces.” Depending on your wood and how well you have sanded will determine how the polish takes. I frequently condition the wood with a prep of walnut oil (buy it at the supermarket in the cooking oil section – way cheaper than the hardware store). This will produce a slightly lighter color, but a more even coverage. Buff lightly, and “sand” with a super fine steel wool for superior gloss and smoothness, and finish with another waxing of polish (colored or clear) or wax if desired. Work with a spare piece of wood or the backside of the piece to determine the best solution for your wood.
