Even that would involve filling the hull up to the lower deck with electrolyte and, to balance the pressure, probably flooding the bottom part of the dry dock with Thames water.
It draws out the solvents from the bottom-most layer of polish, leaving all the layers dry and hard, while conditioning cuticles with almond and jojoba oil.
Even though it was the end of the summer and the path was dry, the stranger took the time to wipe his shoes carefully on the mat at the bottom of the steps.