Author Topic: What brush to use when waxing your leather boots (and what technique)  (Read 8462 times)

Rob Goes Walking

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1418
In another thread we established that applying wax with a cloth is probably not good enough. I didn't want to hijack his thread so I made a new one. This is probably a stupid question but with all the brushes in the world I'm not sure what brush to apply the wax with. Would this be a suitable brush?

Also, does anyone have a video showing the technique? I can only find videos showing just a cloth.
« Last Edit: 19:33:32, 10/11/18 by Rob Goes Walking »

kinkyboots

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1535
Re: What brush to use when waxing your leather boots
« Reply #1 on: 20:04:30, 10/11/18 »
I find the brushes used to apply the wax and brush it down in to the leather get clogged with wax and shed the bristles pretty quickly and don't last that long so I tend to make do with a cheap and cheerful twin pack of small brushes from either eBay, amazon or the local supermarket (around £3) and replace them when needed.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shoe-Brush-Polish-Set-Shine-Boot-Non-Scratch-Like-Horse-Hair-Leather-New/273550609721

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Feet-Treat-Double-Shoe-Brush-Set/232739313851

For the finishing shine I use a fairly decent horse hair brush from either eBay or amazon (around £6 - £7) and these tend to last far longer.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-PURE-HORSEHAIR-BRUSH-SHOE-BOOT-POLISH-SMALL-MEDIUM-LARGE-SIZE-FREE-P-P/281757226544
« Last Edit: 20:17:20, 10/11/18 by kinkyboots »

Rob Goes Walking

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1418
Thanks kinkyboots.

Why do I want one small and one large as a twin pack?

I'm still at a loss as to technique, should I do it as if I was applying boot polish much like this video?

Owen

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1760
My finger, cheap and quick.

ninthace

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11821
My putting on cloth is piece of a Corr's Beer t-shirt - more use than the beer.
I have 2 brushes, a square ended one, Macson 510 pure bristle, for applying and first buff; a rounded longer one for polishing.  It is a Macson 21 and has light coloured bristles round the edge and a darker interior.  That way I can tell them apart.  I have had them for at least 50 years and I nicked them off my dad when I went to university, they are probably 1950s vintage if not earlier and still in good nick.  If the applying brush gets clogged I rub washing up liquid into it and run it under the hot tap.  A bit like these.
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-macson-properts-shoe-shine-512085495
https://picclick.co.uk/VINTAGE-WOODEN-SHOE-POLISHING-BRUSH-THE-STAR-392148438438.html


To answer you question - if Altberg sell it as a boot brush it will be fine.  Personally though, I think you need a putting on brush too, I think Altberg sell them as well.  Doesn't your local shoe shop sell brushes?


How to?  Search YouTube "how to use horse hair brush on shoes"  Same principles apply to boots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qwxhzlzG8w
« Last Edit: 20:42:06, 10/11/18 by ninthace »
Solvitur Ambulando

Mel

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10936
I do it like that video.  Exactly like it.


Or at least I did when I had leather boots.


Nowadays I'm a nubuck and suede spray on re-proofererererer.




Rob Goes Walking

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1418
To answer you question - if Altberg sell it as a boot brush it will be fine.  Personally though, I think you need a putting on brush too, I think Altberg sell them as well.  Doesn't your local shoe shop sell brushes?

I wouldn't have known what brushes to ask for.

I bought kinkyboots suggestions off of eBay so I hope they're suitable! Would you have recommended I get something like this instead?

I also wasn't sure how similar to polishing a boot it was. As to that, I've rarely worn smart shoes in my life that need brushes and although I polished shoes a couple of times as a kid it was a long time ago and I don't remember very much about it. So thanks for clearing that up everyone.

ninthace

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11821

I bought kinkyboots suggestions off of eBay so I hope they're suitable! Would you have recommended I get something like this instead?


That is the one but it is not essemtial. I haven't got one.  Sometimes an old manual toothbrush is useful for the welts too.
Solvitur Ambulando

Rob Goes Walking

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1418
Nowadays I'm a nubuck and suede spray on re-proofererererer.

The people in George Fisher told me waxing was easier. Do you disagree? My boots are nubuck (Meindl Meran GTX) they told me I could use either.

Also could I switch treatment types if people disagree and say spray on re-proofing is easier? I've got wax already and just ordered the brushes so I'll be using wax for now.
« Last Edit: 21:35:21, 10/11/18 by Rob Goes Walking »

Mel

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10936
I've never tried waxing them.  I just brush/wash the muck off them and spray on the re-proofer... so I guess it's easier.


Is waxing needed for suede/nubuck?  My experience so far seems to think not.




kinkyboots

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1535
Those brushes were a couple of examples to give you an idea of the type I use - the size of the brushes is not important.

The technique I use is to warm the wax to soften it a little (this won't be required if you're using Meindl Sportwax) and apply it to the boot sparingly with my finger end. The heat from your finger helps the wax to spread and be absorbed into the leather (you could use a cloth if necessary). Pay special attention to any stitching and the tongue.

Then brush to drive the oils contained within the wax down into the leather. Keep brushing until only a fine almost invisible layer of wax remains on the surface and the leather no longer feels greasy or sticky to the touch. This is best done with your brain disengaged while watching TV etc. and it does takes some time and effort.

It may take two or three coats of wax to initially build up some decent protection. Several thin coats is much easier to work in than trying to dollop it on in one thick layer.

Finally buff to a shine (if required) using the horsehair brush.

From memory Meindl's preferred method for treating their waxed nubuck leather boots is a combination of Meindl Wetproof and Meindl Sportwax. I'm sure I've posted about this before.

jontea

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3492
My finger, cheap and quick.


Me too  O0
Walking is the world’s oldest exercise and today’s modern medicine.

https://www.johntrowsdaleart.com/

Instagram  jontea62

Rob Goes Walking

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1418
Thanks kinkyboots.

From memory Meindl's preferred method for treating their waxed nubuck leather boots is a combination of Meindl Wetproof and Meindl Sportwax. I'm sure I've posted about this before.

I found this thread with a post you made on it.

Thanks to Owen, Mel, ninthace and jontea too for replying.

kinkyboots

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1535
A couple of links which you may find useful

https://www.meindl.de/service/care/?lang=en

https://www.bramwell-int.co.uk/faqs/

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj8t87hk8zeAhXOTsAKHSX_DB4QFjAAegQICRAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhunt-fish.eu%2Fpl%2Fp%2Ffile%2F7360ffa6b3921862bc3fa382c94005ca%2F24-meindl_trekking_care-konserwacja-obuwia.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2HY0NEE9TYfFYXfASk6SW8

From my experience what I found was that after the initial application of Meindl Wetproof and after a few coats of Meindl Sportwax had been established I never needed to use the Meindl Wetproof again and to me it ended up being money wasted.

It's up to you but I think you'll find the advice given and the products recommended by Whalley Warm & Dry in this post more useful and just as effective on your boots.

http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=37346.msg529788#msg529788
« Last Edit: 10:46:38, 11/11/18 by kinkyboots »

sunnydale

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9105


The technique I use is to warm the wax to soften it a little (this won't be required if you're using Meindl Sportwax) and apply it to the boot sparingly with my finger end. The heat from your finger helps the wax to spread and be absorbed into the leather (you could use a cloth if necessary).



I've heard this before....using your fingertip instead of a cloth.
I usually apply pre warmed wax with a soft cloth, then allow it to dry/sink in for a bit before buffing up with a brush.
Any 'rubbing' action, whether you use your finger or a cloth, will create heat...surely?


I think over waxing boots or applying wax too often has a detrimental effect on the leather. They don't need treating after every use.
***Happiness is only a smile away***

 

Terms of Use     Privacy Policy