Leathercare and Bootblacking
Author: Sergeant Major
Filed in: leather, cleaning
Leather in all its various forms from garments to boots to accessories is the most obvious symbol of the lifestyle. Expensive to acquire, with proper maintenance and care it will outlast its owner’s participation. The care of smooth leathers will be covered in this article; professionals deal best with suede and patent leathers when care is needed.
LEATHER GARMENTS AND ACCESSORIES
Smooth leather garments are normally marked "Professionally Leather Dry Clean Only" however this is not required if proper care procedures are followed. The products used by saddlers and tack shops are available on the market and will do the proper job. If the leather has gotten wet allow to air dry before following the procedures below.
Equipment and supplies needed
1. Saddle soap
2. Sponge or soft terry cloth rags
3. Good quality soft buffing brushes
4. Neutral color leather dressing
5. Appropriate color leather dye
Procedures
1. Using a damp sponge or soft terry cloth rag work up a thick lather of saddle soap and clean the garment. Use the buffing brush to remove excess lather before it dries.
2. Allow to air dry without applying any form of heat. Garments should be laid flat to dry; hanging them will cause them to stretch and form to the hangers if hung.
3. When dry buff the surface with either a clean soft rag or the buffing brush to remove any residue from the saddle soap.
4. Small nicks and scratches or areas where color has been lost can be covered with dye.
5. Treat with leather dressing and buff to a soft luster.
BOOTS
The above procedures also apply to boots if they are soiled or have gotten wet. If the boots have gotten wet the use of shoe trees or stuffing them with crumpled up newspaper while they are drying will ensure they retain their shape and not shrink. The leather dressing can be used if only a soft luster is desired but the use of shoe polish is required for a high gloss shine.
Equipment and supplies for boot blacking
In addition to the above the following are needed.
1. Shoe polish of the various colors with black in the largest quantity. Lincoln brand is the best on the market, if that is not available Kiwi Parade Gloss is a second choice.
2. Soft buffing rag approximately eighteen (18) inches long and four (4) inches wide. Commercial ones are available but a strip of cotton fleece from a sweatshirt works as does a cloth diaper.
3. Nylon stocking or leg from a pair of pantyhose.
4. Small container for water.
5. Bootblack’s box with footrest.
Procedures
1. Brush the boots with a buffing brush to remove any dirt and dust. One brush should be reserved for this. Using one also used for polishing will not do a proper job due to the residual shoe polish on the bristles. Use of a rag for this procedure can drive dirt and grit into the leather.
2. Apply shoe polish with the fingers with a circular motion. The warmth of the fingers combined with the friction of the circular motion will soften and spread the polish to an even coat. Ensure that the entire surface of the boot is covered evenly.
3. Brush to a high luster with a buffing brush using rapid strokes. Use a separate brush for each color of polish used to prevent cross contamination of colors. Sprinkling the surface with a few drops of water will aid in this process.
4. Buff with the soft rag to a high gloss again sprinkling with a few drops of water. Use water sparingly, excess water will dull rather than shine.
5. Finish with the nylon and a few drops of water.
"Spit shining" is the only way to achieve a mirror like finish on boots however this is something which can only be learned properly by hands on instruction from someone skilled in it therefore it is not covered here.
This material has been extracted from "A Manual for the Formal Training of a Submissive" written by Sergeant Major and is published here with is permission. You can contact him via his email: sergeantmajor@leatherjourney.org
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