boot care

[roybmx]

I did a search on this but could find anything. I need to clean my boots and was wondering what the sort or stuff people use? I've heard that some kinds of polish can rot the stitching on your boots and that natural bees wax is better. Can anyone recommend a good wax or anything?

 

[slingback]

Used kiwi's polish on my issued boots for years With no problems, nail brush and water to clean, the wipe over to dry and a layer of polish, leave to dry and buff.

 

[Tank]

Does kiwi polish help waterproof the boots? Or is it worth getting some spray?

 

[slingback]

Yep, it waterproofed mine.

 

[Tank]

Cheers I was planning on doing mine tomorrow

 

[Llwyd]

I did an experiment when I was in my 20's. On two identical pair of boots I took care of one pair with shoe polish and the stitching rotted in 5 years of hard wear. The second pair I just brushed the mud from the barn yard off and put nothing on them. The leather rotted out in 7 years.

I started using Kocholine after that and it did not rot the stitches. It did darken the leather significantly though not that I have ever cared.

http://www.carrdaymartin.co.uk/product_details.html?cid=MQ&pid=NA==

 

[redbranchwarrior]

I use Altberg Ledergris, fantastic stuff.......

http://www.altberg.co.uk/leder-gris/

 

[roybmx]

I use Altberg Ledergris, fantastic stuff.......

http://www.altberg.co.uk/leder-gris/

I like the sound of this stuff. do use the green or red? or both?

 

[johnnytheboy]

I used barbour wax on everything for the past 20 years and cant think of any stiching rotting!

 

[lou1661]

Kiwi, rogue leather food, leader gris, mink oil paste, dubbin or whatever I can borrow, I do prefer something that doesn't leave too much sticky oils onn the surface as I find it picks up and holds dust.

 

[spandit]

I use Effax Leather Balsam - great stuff

 

[British Red]

Nikwax. I wore right through the soles and uppers of my old Timberlands....stitching was still solid

 

[Llwyd]

The main two culprits that eat stitching are neatsfoot oil and petroleum based products. Stuff based on bees wax and mineral oil are typically pretty good.

Even neatsfoot oil can be used safely if you wipe off all the excess every time and clean out any stitching grooves with a dry cloth.