Is wax supposed to change the color of y our boots?

“Just wondering, I've never waxed boots before.”

“Yup; it should darken them a bit.”

“Ok, cool :D THANKS A BUNCH!!!”

“Everything okay?”

“Nikwax?

It changed the colour of my boots. The suede leather got darker and has a shiny gloss now. I don't really like that it changed the colour, but my boots were in pretty bad shape anyway and needed treatment.”

“Yeah, its fine. Now how long for these suckers to dry?”

“Well, I applied a thin layer of Nikwax on my boots about three weeks ago, and there is still sort of sticky, waxy touch to it.”

“A while - just don't put them anywhere near a heat source.”

“i put the boots in the oven on warm with the door open... get the leather warmed up... then apply the wax. the leather really soaks the stuff up when it's warm. it will make the boots look a lot darker. i use snoseal, not nixwax.

my asolo boots are suede. the suede treatment works but constantly comes off. the leather/snoseal (wax) treatment lasts a LOT longer and is just as effective.”

“I have been putting them on top of the heater (it was only on low heat), hoping the way would 'melt in'. Didn't really work out the way I was hoping.”

“I used snoseal. I hope it doenst take weeks! I need my boots thursday!!!
last edited: 10/15/07 8:46:12 AM”

“good info Jimmy. I was wondering why the wax is so recommended. I don't like that it changes the colour and thus I would never apply it on boots which still look nice and new. Mine looked so badly that I didn't bother.”

“If they're made of sueded leather use a treatment designed specifically for suede. The color will still darken but the other characteristics of the leather will not change.”

“In my experience the nikwax suede treatment only takes a few days to dry.”

“I have used Sno Seal since the '70s.

It will uglify nice colored suede but preserves the leather and keeps feet dry.

The wax will remain sticky and dirt will stick to it further uglifying it.

Wax treatment is best because it will not soften leather the way oils will.

Hiking in snow can scour the wax off the toes.

I take a plastic bristled brush to my boots before applying wax to remove some of the dirt.

Mild heat is OK to soak the wax in.
Putting them in the sun is good.”

“I'm a snoseal guy. Yes, it darkens the leather, but MAN, do those boots look like new!”

“yeah, i have had old boots that looked like crap turn into really good looking boots after snoseal. they look like boots that have been hiked in... "real hiker" boots... not "out of the box" boots. haha!

the wax -does- cause things to stick to them. dog hair is my source of grief, but damn does the stuff work. i wax them up good before the snowshoe season and the difference is huge.

really, in my opinion, if you own any boot (leather or suede) this sort of task is mandatory maintenance. you can skip it but the boot won't work as well nor last as long.”

“Is the bottle too difficult to read?”

“Yeah...there is dog hair all over them this morning. Good greif!!”

“Snoseal just won't stay on in difficult situations (melting snow) when I need it most.

I use mink oil and it doesn't soften the leather noticeably.

Beware of silicone, it can destroy the stitching.

BTW, I would never heat boots - just the wax.

IMO, the various Nikwax preps are the best (once you use mink oil you have to stay with it).”

“Nobody likes a squeaky mink.”

“if snoseal "won't stay on" then you aren't applying it properly. read the instructions and warm the leather before applying it. the leather drinks up the stuff. it's amazing how much of it the leather will take versus just smearing it on the surface (which basically does nothing).
last edited: 10/16/07 10:29:28 AM”