Help me (try to) save a pair of work boots

[OnTheWarpath15]

I'm guessing these boots are ****ed, and it's my own fault, but I thought I'd check with the fine folks of CP and see if you had any suggestions.

A buddy of mine was a rep for Wolverine boots a while back, and had given me a pair. I've worn them precisely once.

The problem is, that the night I wore them (chasing one of the dogs that got loose in a monsoon) I took them off in the garage, completely caked in mud and forgot about them.

So they've been sitting in our garage, caked in mud, exposed to the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

I'm guessing the leather is ****ed, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me any tips on removing the caked on mud without further damaging the leather, and getting them cleaned up as best as possible.

I'm just pissed because I normally take extremely good care of my things, I completely forgot I even had the boots, much less where I had put them.

Rep for useful suggestions, I've tried antifreeze, it doesn't work.

[El Jefe]

Originally Posted by rockymtnchief

Good tips by everyone. The only thing I'd add, after a good clean and polish, set them near a heat register over night. The warm leather should draw whatever you use on them deeper into the leather.

[QUOTE=OnTheWarpath58;7298113]Thanks for the responses, guys.

I should have been more clear. The warm water and soft brush was assumed.

The saddle soap and mink oil ideas is more of what I was looking for, it appears.

My concern is the mud staining the leather since it's been caked on so long.[/QUOTE]

Read above you.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Thanks for the responses, guys.

I should have been more clear. The warm water and soft brush was assumed.

The saddle soap and mink oil ideas is more of what I was looking for, it appears.

My concern is the mud staining the leather since it's been caked on so long.

The boots are treated before they leave the factory so you shouldn't have to worry about them staining too much if at all.

[Bill Lundberg]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Thanks for the responses, guys.

I should have been more clear. The warm water and soft brush was assumed.

The saddle soap and mink oil ideas is more of what I was looking for, it appears.

My concern is the mud staining the leather since it's been caked on so long.

The saddle soap and mink oil will darken the leather as well, but as long as you put it on evenly your boots should be uniform in color.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Donger

Wow. I have a pair of work shoes that are approaching ten years old.

mine last anywhere between 6 - 10 months. BUT oil will do that to workboots

[MOhillbilly]

i just spray mine down with WD-40 when they need oiled.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

mine last anywhere between 6 - 10 months. BUT oil will do that to workboots

What kinda boot you sport?

[Road Hog]

Neatsfoot oil

[Graystoke]

Saddle soap and Mink Oil are the best.
When they are clean and you are applying the Mink Oil use a Blow Dryer inbetween coats. This will open the pores of the leather, darken it all the same shade.
Do this 3-5X times.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsfanGoJC

Big difference in someone who works in their boots everyday in non-optimal work environments i.e: construction, mechanic garage etc etc, than someone who wears them on the weekends or whenever they are "working" outside of their office jobs.

Yeah, the most abuse those shoes get are trade shows and airport security.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by Graystoke

Saddle soap and Mink Oil are the best.
When they are clean and you are applying the Mink Oil use a Blow Dryer inbetween coats. This will open the pores of the leather, darken it all the same shade.
Do this 3-5X times.

3-5 times for a pair of wolverines?

Maybe for a pair of redwings.

[Graystoke]

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

3-5 times for a pair of wolverines?

Maybe for a pair of redwings.

I envision some pretty bad boots here. 3 times will make sure they are supple and waterproof.

[philfree]

Put them on and go for a hike in some tall, wet, grass. Then when they dry finish cleaning them and put some Danner Boot Wax on them.


PhilFree

[mlyonsd]

They're work boots right? Put them on, go outside and work for an afternoon. Spray them down with a hose and wipe them down with saddle soap once they've dried.

[tooge]

Originally Posted by philfree

Put them on and go for a hike in some tall, wet, grass. Then when they dry finish cleaning them and put some Danner Boot Wax on them.


PhilFree

This. My Danners are about 6 years old, they have been frozen, burned, mud caked, soaked through, and sud dried. All of these things many many times. I hit them with a hose, let them dry a few days, then, with the laces removed, apply two or three coats of Danner wax and buff at the last one. They look new until they have been abused 6 or 7 times, then I repeat the process.

[RealSNR]

Antifreeze