Bull polishing, bulling or spit shining refers to a method for polishing leather

Leather

Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...

 products in such a way as to give an extremely high shine effect. It is commonly used in the military

Military

A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...

 as a traditional method of presenting leather accessories (such as a Sam Browne belt

Sam Browne belt

The Sam Browne belt is a wide belt, usually leather, which is supported by a strap going diagonally over the right shoulder. It is most often seen as part of a military or police uniform.-Origins:...

) and boots for inspection. The finished effect should leave the surface of the leather as reflective as a mirror

Mirror

A mirror is an object that reflects light or sound in a way that preserves much of its original quality prior to its contact with the mirror. Some mirrors also filter out some wavelengths, while preserving other wavelengths in the reflection...

.

Method

There is great debate as to the best method for bull polishing, to a point where a 'lore' may be said to exist. Among techniques advocated are melting the polish, the addition of cigar ash

Cigar ash

-Smoking:Connoisseurs of cigars disagree as to whether the quality of a cigar may be determined from the appearance of its ash.-Uses:Cigar ash may be mixed with chalk to make a dentifrice or tooth powder...

 to same, and substituting coffee for water or spit. However, the basic principles remain the same:

• Wear the item a few times to establish any natural creases that occur during use. This is particularly important if the leather has been "burnt down" with beeswax (a process that gives the leather a smoother finish).
• Polish the item in the normal way with a brush a few times to get a decent 'regular' polish.
• Apply thin layers of polish to the item in a circular motion until a dull, smooth shine appears.
• Polish the final layer of polish with a good quality wet cloth or wet cotton wool until the desired shine appears.
• Use lots of water, keep the shoe rag wet.
• Do not use too much polish, it will take a long time to polish and it doesn't give a very good shine.

Ultimately, the process involves polishing the applied thin layers of polish not the leather itself. The process can be lengthy and is best learned with practice.