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

**OnTheWarpath15** · 08:07 PM

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.

Bill Lundberg · 12-28-2010, 12:27 PM

You should be able to take a hose and soft brush and spray off all the mud. Then once they've dried, just get a can of mink oil and go to town. If they're good boots, which Wolverine's usually are they will bounce back.

**Donger** · 12-28-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

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.

Water and a soft brush would be my suggestion.

Demonpenz · 12-28-2010, 12:28 PM

gasoline

CaliforniaChief · 12-28-2010, 12:28 PM

The boot is probably not salvageable to the point that it will last as long as it normally would have. But you probably should try warm water and a vegetable brush.

KCSupersized · 12-28-2010, 12:30 PM

My work boots are always caked with mud, and concrete. I wear them till they fall apart. Usually 8-12 months.

Bill Lundberg · 12-28-2010, 12:32 PM

Better yet when they've dried use this

Let that dry a bit then use the mink oil

stevieray · 12-28-2010, 12:34 PM

get em clean..then use saddle soap..then use polish..then use clear polish.
once you get'em clean I suggest rubbing the polish and clear in using your hand..nothing helps getting into the pores of the leather better than your warm skin....

good leather should bounce back nicely.

**Donger** · 12-28-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCSupersized

My work boots are always caked with mud, and concrete. I wear them till they fall apart. Usually 8-12 months.

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

**pr_capone** · 12-28-2010, 12:40 PM

soak then in antifreeze

**rockymtnchief** · 12-28-2010, 12:51 PM

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.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-28-2010, 12:58 PM

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.

**Ming the Merciless** · 12-28-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

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

So basically you are concerned with how your boyfriend will think you look in them while he pounds your ass?

El Jefe · 12-28-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

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

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.

KCSupersized · 12-28-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

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

I think the chemicals in the concrete have corrosive effects.

12-28-2010, 12:24 PM
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4821115	Help me (try to) save a pair of work boots - HI BWANA 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. Last edited by OnTheWarpath15; 01-13-2022 at 08:07 PM..*
Posts: 60,268

12-28-2010, 12:27 PM	#2
Bill Lundberg American Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10004925	You should be able to take a hose and soft brush and spray off all the mud. Then once they've dried, just get a can of mink oil and go to town. If they're good boots, which Wolverine's usually are they will bounce back. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after. ~Henry David Thoreau
Posts: 3,919

12-28-2010, 12:28 PM	#4
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3042136	gasoline __________________
Posts: 54,282

12-28-2010, 12:28 PM	#5
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $12382899	The boot is probably not salvageable to the point that it will last as long as it normally would have. But you probably should try warm water and a vegetable brush.
Posts: 17,321

12-28-2010, 12:30 PM	#6
KCSupersized Starter Join Date: Aug 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	My work boots are always caked with mud, and concrete. I wear them till they fall apart. Usually 8-12 months.
Posts: 673

12-28-2010, 12:32 PM	#7
Bill Lundberg American Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10004925	Better yet when they've dried use this Let that dry a bit then use the mink oil __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after. ~Henry David Thoreau
Posts: 3,919

12-28-2010, 12:34 PM	#8
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2435273	get em clean..then use saddle soap..then use polish..then use clear polish. once you get'em clean I suggest rubbing the polish and clear in using your hand..nothing helps getting into the pores of the leather better than your warm skin.... good leather should bounce back nicely.
Posts: 71,275

12-28-2010, 12:40 PM	#10
pr_capone ** SOC & ** YOU Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chiefs Hell Casino cash: $10018214	soak then in antifreeze
Posts: 19,884

12-28-2010, 12:51 PM	#11
rockymtnchief Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Crazys of Montana Casino cash: $10018968 VARSITY	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.
Posts: 5,740

12-28-2010, 12:58 PM	#12
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4821115	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.
Posts: 60,268