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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bulldog9 on March 26, 2022, 04:43:28 PM

Title: New Boot Care
Post by: Bulldog9 on March 26, 2022, 04:43:28 PM
I've had the same Western Boots (Engineer Toe) for 25 years, and have been using brown shoe polish to clean and maintain over those years.  I seem to have lost them, I don't know where, but have been bouncing around between my parents, home in VA and a bunch of other places. I'm sure they will show up..... 

Anyhow, I just bought a new pair (different color incase I find the other pair). These are a natural leather color with colored stitching, so no polish, and am thinking about Mink Oil or Saddle Soap, but I figured I'd ask the brain trust of other old cheap grumpy men.

Took me a while to find boots made in the USA, but a local shop had Double H, which I was thrilled to find made in Pennsylvania on the box. About $60 more than the Chinese/India options, but unless dummy me loses them, will last me till I'm feeding worms.

https://www.bootbarn.com/double-h-mens-ice-roper-western-work-boots---wide-square-toe/050D34.html
Title: Re: New Boot Care
Post by: Navydad on March 26, 2022, 05:17:30 PM
I have purchased a couple of pairs of boots at their brick and mortar store. It's been awhile since I've had anything other than black or brown boots, but there used to be a neutral polish available that worked for tan and light brown boots. One of the many tins of Kiwi polish I've bought over the years
Title: Re: New Boot Care
Post by: Bulldog9 on March 26, 2022, 06:09:21 PM
A 6" orbital car buffer makes short work of boot care. I use a toothbrush to apply a light coat of polish to work it into nooks and crannies and then buff with the orbital. Dress shoes get the same treatment. If you use a little heat from a hair dryer while buffing the shine really comes out.

What's your address, I will mail them with a pre-paid return postage ticket...........

When we used to wear our military boots polished, we would heat up and melt the Kiwi when we put it on and use a blow dryer to bring up the shine.  I dont plan to make these new boots shine, just keep matte neutral and natural for now.
Title: Re: New Boot Care
Post by: old head on March 26, 2022, 06:14:43 PM
I use mink oil on boots.  It will darken them some, but no more polishing and shining.  when the dirt starts to stick to the leather I clean with saddle soap, after drying reapply mink oil

done and done.

Old Head
Title: Re: New Boot Care
Post by: kballowe on March 26, 2022, 07:06:41 PM
Kiwi neutral
Title: Re: New Boot Care
Post by: kirby1923 on March 26, 2022, 08:17:35 PM
Try this web site for leather care and wx proofing...

//www.obenaufs.com ›

:-)
Title: Re: New Boot Care
Post by: n3303j on March 26, 2022, 08:43:58 PM
Saddle soap is exactly what it is named.
It is a mild soap for washing horse sweat off of saddles.
It's a good soap for surface washing any quality smooth leather.
It is used like soap (with water) to wash leather surfaces 

It is not for softening, protecting or preserving leather.
A preservative is applied after cleaning with saddle soap.

I'm a fan of very occasional neets foot oil applications. It will darken and soften the leather. Probably only use it once every 3 years. Sno-Seal gets rubbed (and baked) in annually and the boots remain reasonably waterproof.
GoreTex lining takes care of maintaining dry feet in extreme conditions.
Title: Re: New Boot Care
Post by: 80CX100 on March 26, 2022, 08:58:49 PM

 Sno-Seal gets rubbed (and baked) in annually and the boots remain reasonably waterproof.


     It's been a long time since I've owned leather boots needing and worthy of good care; but after having trouble with mink oil rotting out stitching, sno-seal was my go to on good boots.

    Applied, like Perrazz, tooth brush then gentle hair dryer heat & rubbed in

    ps, you do realize that now that you've bought new boots, you'll find your old ones  :evil:
Title: Re: New Boot Care
Post by: aklawok on March 26, 2022, 11:59:33 PM
Try this web site for leather care and wx proofing...

//www.obenaufs.com ›

:-)
X2 on the obenaufs!
I get it from cabelas and use it on all my leathers: holsters, belts ,hat boots coats...etc. specificaly this was originaly for some meindel hiking boots i had years ago that the obenaufs was recommended for as it is goretex safe. great stuff for thirsty leather!
Title: Re: New Boot Care
Post by: Iron Cross Junction on March 27, 2022, 07:32:36 AM
I've had the same Western Boots (Engineer Toe) for 25 years, and have been using brown shoe polish to clean and maintain over those years.  I seem to have lost them, I don't know where, but have been bouncing around between my parents, home in VA and a bunch of other places. I'm sure they will show up..... 

Anyhow, I just bought a new pair (different color incase I find the other pair). These are a natural leather color with colored stitching, so no polish, and am thinking about Mink Oil or Saddle Soap, but I figured I'd ask the brain trust of other old cheap grumpy men.

Took me a while to find boots made in the USA, but a local shop had Double H, which I was thrilled to find made in Pennsylvania on the box. About $60 more than the Chinese/India options, but unless dummy me loses them, will last me till I'm feeding worms.

https://www.bootbarn.com/double-h-mens-ice-roper-western-work-boots---wide-square-toe/050D34.html

I am still getting over a career soldier admitting -- in public of all places  :rolleyes: -- that he is doesn't know how to care for leather.   :embarrassed:

Never mind; I forgot; you took the king's shilling after we got rid of horse cavalry.   :grin:

Try this web site for leather care and wx proofing...

//www.obenaufs.com ›

:-)
X2 on the obenaufs!
I get it from cabelas and use it on all my leathers: holsters, belts ,hat boots coats...etc. specificaly this was originaly for some meindel hiking boots i had years ago that the obenaufs was recommended for as it is goretex safe. great stuff for thirsty leather!


On the merits, I'm in Obenauf's brigade.   :bow:

Superb product ... and it's 'Mer'can, too.  :azn:

Bill