How to Polish Red Wing Iron Ranger | Mink Oil | Full Grain Shine 

Haha! Thanks Christopher! I appreciate your comment! My dad had Red Wings for years and always went liberal on the mink oil. Worked for him, works for me. I may do another video soon to show folks how my boots have held up over the 4 years I’ve had them. Hint, they are doing just fine! Thanks again for your kind comment!

@@YeahBuddy are those Amber (8111)

Thank you so much! I have never been one to go with the flow and neither was my dad. He wore Red Wings for work most of his life and used Mink Oil. It worked for him and it works for me. Really appreciate your comment!

@@YeahBuddy I guess it all comes down to how often you condition , any conditioner will darken the leather if you overdo it very often but in your case it looks amazing ! btw how long did your dads boots last ?

@@klajdceka5473 he wore Mocs but they lasted 10+ years. I remember he would get the resoled every 2-3 years.

@@klajdceka5473 yes, if I did this every month, that would definitely be overdoing it. But I probably oil them every 6-12 months depends on if they get dried out.

Thank you! Have you ever used Mink Oil on your leather boots?

Glad it is helpful! Let me know how it works!

Thank you sir! Good call on the laces and heat gun. Makes sense to me as it would likely open up the pores in the leather to allow it to absorb quicker. Thanks again and thank you for watching!

@@YeahBuddy You're welcome!

@@YeahBuddy Not only will the hair dryer open up the pores of the leather, it will melt the mink oil into a liquid.

@@stevenroche9874 very nice! I’m excited!

Anytime! Thank you for watching :)

Awesome! This will keep his boots looking good and in great condition for years!

Hi Adam! I appreciate your comment and warning. That is an excellent cautionary tale that I had not heard. The iron rangers are pretty durable and I have not had an issue…..yet lol. Thanks again for your support!

Thanks for your comment CB! I’ll take a look at the all natural leather conditioner also. I have heard mixed reviews on mink oil. But have used it since Red Wing suggests this as one of the care options. Thanks again and I’ll let you know when I try out the all natural leather conditioner!

I keep hearing this, but never anything specific. If it’s bad for the boots why does Red Wing sell it? Sounds like something Boot-Heads repeat 🔁 over and over

@@user-hd8ej8yx9p thanks for watching! I love how my boots look after I put the mink oil on! My dad, God rest his soul, wore Red Wing Mocs to work for years! He’d drop the Mink Oil on a couple times each year. The only thing he ever did was get them resoled. So - I agree with S9. Use what Red Wing suggests and you’ll be good.

The army used mink oil in the worst conditions possible. When you consider the pros and cons of all of the top used conditioners mink oil edges them all out in my opinion

#yeahbuddy

Thanks boss! That’s why I dig Mink Oil! Ever try it?

Muchas gracias amigo! Yeah Buddy!

One year after moving to NYC, I realized all my shoes and boots were being destroyed by all the walking. I had to invest in really good shoes and boots! Thanks really appreciate you sharing. Curious how your bro takes care of his!

@@YeahBuddy yeah I can imagine that. Lol. Idk I’ll ask him, he was in the military too. 😊

@@sophialeal16 oh awesome! Thank him for his service! I was Army Infantry.

@@YeahBuddysame to you! I’ll let him know 😊 he was in the army too, but I forgot what he said. Lol.

Oh he said he was a medic. Lol

That’s a solid methodology and I am going to give it a test drive!

@@YeahBuddy it's not toxic. But if there is some concern you could also use surgical gloves the bare-handed or gloves method feels like you're applying lotion to your own skin. It also makes accessing the nooks and crannies easier

Thank you! Glad it was helpful! Ever use Mink Oil on your boots?

Thanks for your comment and for watching. I did not clean my laces prior to putting them back in my boots. However, your suggestion is welcomed and makes 100% sense to me. I will do that going forward. I don’t think I ever cleaned my laces in the military (except scraping dirt and mud off them) Mind = blown 🤯 Thanks again!

Yeah Buddy! Thanks for watching!

Thanks Rad! Much appreciated! Any other videos you’d like to see?

You are welcome! Thank you for watching!

Yep. Crazy 😜 kid helping dad out :)

Yeah Buddy! Thank you for watching!

Thanks for watching! Some are definitely more reserved about mink oil. I’ve not had a problem with fit after owning for close to two years. My dad always “drown” his Moc’s in mink oil and he had Red Wings for years! The amount of mink oil is really personal taste. In terms of timing, I think reapplication of mink oil will depend on how often you wear them. If you wear them every day, you may need to reapply after a few months. If you wear once a week, six months seems about right. Thanks for your comment and for offering different perspectives.

I also use mink oil on my iron rangers with no issues, and have had them for years. I also use boot oil for light applications.

@@kevinborovsky3558 thanks for watching! I’d love to do a legit controlled study on this. There are so many variables and in the end it is all personal taste and what makes your feet feel good and look good. Thanks again for watching and commenting!

I am currently wearing my first pair IR’s almost exclusively. I’m about 4mo in, and so far … I brush them, and tree them daily. I add a little bicks 4 to the welt and scuffs. Not sure where this is going, but enjoying the ride …

I know there are some haters on how I add mink oil. But my boots are still looking nice. I brush them before and after I wear them and add oil as needed. Thanks for the comment!

Any time! Let me know how this works for you!

Thanks Rumni! These were only uncomfortable for a few weeks. After that, pretty great! Do you soak your boots in epsom salt?

Thank you for your encouragement! I will keep it up!

Yeah Buddy! Thank you!

Yeah Buddy! Thank you for watching!

Thank you! Cheers!

Awesome! Thank you!

Anytime! Thank you!

Wow! Thank you for your kind comment!

Thank you! Really appreciate your kind comments and support!

Yeah Buddy! Thank you for watching!

Thanks for watching and your question. On the size question, usually I wear 11 in boots. This was pretty standard in my 8 years in the Army. So I was surprised when a 12 fit in the Iron Rangers. I purchased mine at the Red Wing factory in Red Wing, MN. The clerk indicated that the Iron Rangers fit closer to what you’d size in a tennis shoe - which for me is a 12. Admittedly, I should be using a toothbrush to work the oil into the welt. I believe the color is Amber Harness - but as you mentioned, the Red Wing Mink oil darkens them a little.

@@YeahBuddy Hey buddy, Just wanted to thank you for your help. I pulled the trigger today and bought the 8111 Amber IR’s. After getting fitted, and trying them on, I got the 11 1/2 D. The E were a bit loose. Picked up some boot cream and a brush, and wore them out of the store. They are going to need some breaking in, but weren’t anywhere near painful as some people complain about. I think it helps, when you wear boots regularly.

@@butchcoolidge3261 that’s awesome glad to hear you like them! I have D’s also. E would be loose for me. They will look great for years to come! Congrats on your purchase!

Excellent! You def should! Let me know how it turns out plz!

Oh bummer! What brand are they and what brand of conditioner did you apply?

@@YeahBuddy they are Justin's work boots. I applied Saphir conditioning cream.

@@PFM666187 what type of leather - full grain, Roughout, calfskin, etc? My first instinct is to let them fully absorb the conditioner. Which, Saphir’s conditioner contains Mink Fish Sea Oil. Second instinct would be to try either a gentle clean (which may not work) or using the recommended boot balm/polish - if applicable. Also, were the boots new or were they well worn and perhaps in need of a deep clean first? If the later, the oil may have absorbed dirt, polish, wax, or other debris. I’m not as familiar with Saphir but looks like their products require multiple steps and purchases: “Then, as you would normally, apply a coat of Saphir Renovateur, followed by two coats of Saphir Medaille d'Or Pommadier Cream Polish to re-saturate the finish, followed by two coats of Saphir Medaille d'Or Pate de Lux Wax Polish (with an extra coat on the toe box to bring up a high-gloss shine). After this routine, your shoes will be incredibly conditioned and protected for another six months of incredible wear.” I’ll also speak with my cobbler soon to ask this question for you. Please let me know how it works!

@@PFM666187 any updates?

Thank you! Mink oil is great!

@@Crypt0M0nkey I would check on the redwing website. They usually have boot care instructions for each of their products.

Ah! I like that idea. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Thank you and thank you for watching!

Great question! I actually have the 8111’s! Looking at Red Wing’s website for the 8085’s - which I encourage everyone to do - seems like boot care is the same. That being said, your leather is likely a little different. I’d start out the first time with a light coat of mink oil following the use of #redwing foam leather cleaner.

Thank you! Happy New Year!

@@YeahBuddy Thank you

Thanks boss!

Red Wing provides care instructions on their website. So it depends on the shoe/boot. This leather requires mink oil but I believe there may be other options.

Muchas Gracias!

Thank you for watching! Do you have any boots that you take care of?

Thank you Steven! I should have used the dauber brush on the welt. I get concerned I’m going to scratch the leather when using it on the upper.

@@YeahBuddy A soft horsehair dauber will not scratch the leather.

@@stevenroche9874 deal! They always seem to get brittle but I’ll look for a soft horsehair brush.

@@YeahBuddy If you keep them clean the brushes will stay soft. Soak them in rubbing alcohol for an hour or so after use then dry them with paper towels. Wash the brushes with hot water and dish soap or laundry detergent. Let air dry for several hours or overnight.

@@stevenroche9874 thank you sir!

Thank you! BTW - if you watch my Five Tips for growth video, I give you a good shout out! Thanks for watching!

It’s the 8111 - I bought them at the Red Wing home store in MN.

Great question! I have the 8111’s! Looking at Red Wing’s website for the 8085’s - which I encourage everyone to do - seems like boot care is the same. That being said, your leather is likely a little different. I’d start out the first time with a light coat of mink oil following the use of #redwing foam leather cleaner.

You are the best south side!

Oh man! Good question! I wish I remembered what color these were. I didn’t originally purchase them based on the color, but based on the price. I got them at the Red Wing store in Red Wing. They may have been discontinued so I picked them up for a steal!

@@YeahBuddy what model number on the tongue?

@@matttherrien9608 8111 - Amber - nice call!

Thanks for watching again! Hope you are well!

Thanks for you comment and input. Absolutely mink oil will darken you leather. I don’t mind, some may. That said, mink oil is the recommended way to take care of Iron Rangers per Red Wing Shoes. What method do you use?

Thanks for watching and for commenting! I have a new video coming out soon about my Red Wing Mocs. Hope you’ll check it out. Do you have the iron rangers?

Thanks for watching and I appreciate you opinion. This is my personal taste and have not had a problem with it. As for collecting dust, I’d recommend that you brush your boots before and after wear to eliminate any problems you are having on that front.

Yeah buddy! Old tshirts or socks work great! I think I polished my old army boots with socks!

SEO my friend! Agree with you 100% maybe a good idea for a video, difference between conditioning and polishing.

I appreciate your insight - do you happen to have a peer reviewed paper to support your hypothesis?

@@YeahBuddy I can pull many up, including a search on youtube. You're trying to rush a certain look on your boot to darken the leather and giving people advice on how destroy $300 boots. Dumbass.

Negative. I’ve had mine for three years, they are still good as new. I’ll reiterate; this is my preference, but I appreciate your passion for your boots. Also, RU-vid is not a peer reviewed paper. So I’ll ask again, which peer reviewed paper are you referencing or are you merely providing an opinion?

Thanks for your comment and for watching! Mink oil to taste my friend.

I’m going to have to double check on that!