Question:
I've recently bought my first pair of leather boots (Meindl Borenos
which I'm exceptionally pleased with) and at the time I bought a tin of
Nikwax original wax to treat them with. I used them two weeks ago and
want to wax them before using them again on Tuesday.
I've cleaned them etc as per the Boot FAQ posted here but I'm unsure
about how to wax them as I've never had to do it with my old boots. So,
here are a few questions:
1. When I opened the tin there's a hard yellow layer on the top of the
wax and a smoother layer underneath. Should I remove the hard layer or
is it okay to mix it into the smoother layer and apply to the boots?
2. Should I lash it onto the leather and rub it in until it'll take no
more and then remove the excess or apply a thin layer only?
3. What's the best way to remove excess wax if I overdo it?
Answer:
The boots will have come treated with a hydrophobic coating
which wont wear off for a while yet and you gain little in waxing
them before it does. Once water stops beading on the surface
the leather its time to consider waxing. Not before.
That's just a skin. I've never bothered avoiding it and my boots
don't seem to have suffered.
I tend to get a scoop on three finger tips and work that into
the boot, warming it up and smearing it in with the heel of
my hand until the boot has a transparent coating all over it.
I don't like leave the boot with obvious was smears.
It's not something I've ever tried but I imagine that modern
synthetic boot waxes are designed to work on thier own.
I doubt that you are going to be inspected by the RSM before starting off?
I'd say you were sold an oldish tin of Nikwax - time does dry out the
top, but what the hell?
On return, once the mud on your boots is dry enough brush it all off
(incl the bottom of the sole - bio-security matters) with a floor
scrubbing brush.
Using a stiff brush scrub the Nikwax enthusiastically into the leather.
When you get bored, put the lid firmly back on the Nikwax, put the brush
on top of the tin, and go and have a beer.
Leastways that's what I do to my leather Scarpas.
Now with fabric or fabric and leather boots, it's the white liquid
Nikwax, and better apply it when the boots are still a bit damp.
Each of the above questions bring to mind the use of a small hairdryer
to "melt" the wax, especially on the seams. Wile the wax is still a
sort of liquid it can be rubbed into the leather. Similarly when liquid-
like, excess may be removed with a cloth.
