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This is a great video to help all of us understand some of the challenges of stripping grime etc from leather and then trying to restore back to the original lighter shade. Very helpful !
Hey, red wing now sells a conditioner called Leather Cream that will not darken the leather and works on oil tanned and smooth leathered RW's. I just got some but haven't used it yet. Just wanted to let you know. Peace brotha.
Just use red wing leather cream. And eventually some Nikwax waterproofing. They stay the light color. Update: Bick 4 leather conditioner is also very good as a conditioner without darkening. You have project the leather afterwards with waterproof spray or Nikwax waterproofing
Try bick's #4 boot conditioner. I've used it for years. works good on my boots and NEVER darkens the leather. Comes in a black bottle. It does have a odd smell. But works good.
When I first saw the cleaned up leather, I was mortified that anyone would want their tanned leather to look like this. My Irish setters, sure, that is fine. I have these exact boots, and they are so comfortable. I would throw them away if they ended up tan. Clearly these boots want to be dark and beautiful. They even ended up darker, which is even better.
Super easy fix. Strip back to the original color. Allow to dry naturally. Use Bickmore #4 conditioner, allow to sit for 10 minutes then wipe away excess. Apply thin coat of neutral Lincoln wax or Saphir beaute de cutir pate deluxe. Sit for 1-2 minutes then buff with brush. Done! If you want a really supple oiled finish go 1 and only 1 light coat of Obenaufs oil and allow 2 days or so before it completely penetrates. Will darken 1/2 shade on oil tanned leather. Most people over do oil and that’s why it stays so dark.
Nice, I have a pair of 10 year old 1907s that look almost purple after a few mink oil applications. Hoping to bring back some of the patina after a saddle soap regimen. Probably will avoid the mink oil in the future
Sooo uh.......yeah........that happened. How painful was it to continue marketing the Armstrong product after using it to turn your Oro Legacy boots citrusy black?
Use RW leather cream. And for waterproofing, Nikwax leather conditioner and waterproofing. Your Moc Toes stying in great condition and don’t darken much.I use Fiebing’s Mink oil in stead of RW leather cream. Fiebing’s is the best for softening the leather and protecting it without darkening it much.
I know this video is 3 years old. I have a pair of Irish Setters Wing Shooters. A couple months ago I had new soles put on them, I had them put vibram stars and bars soles, It made a really good boot a great boot.
Great video . My chukkas saved my foot in a moto crash. This video really documents the lost art of shining shoes and boots. Use a soft cloth a lighter and several brushes and layers and then buff with nylon to finish. The brushes are for working in the base never for application . It should be applied like neosporin on skin. Just as these boots are made in the old ways the best way to care for them is the old ways.
After saddle soap use leather cream/conditioner NOT OIL. Use redwing cream or kiwi conditioner. Will not darken also I mix 1/4 mink oil 3/4 organic wax. Mixing in while using a heat gun and apply on welt and sole stitch only. This helps with water proofing.
Thanks for a great video mate, clear and concise,well done. One bit is you didn't tell us what leather you had to begin (rough and tough, amber harness, or oro-legacy). I am surprised that such an emollient rich product as saddle "soap" was able to strip the old oil treatments off so thoroughly.
I know this video is a few years old but from watching your other videos so much? Well if you haven't tried Red Wing boot cream, I'd try it. It seems to not change the color hardly at all. And it still protects some what. Just figured I'd throw that out there.
I just used kiwi on a leather pair of slip ons that I have that I mistakenly tried to condition with coconut oil lol which darkened them up A LOT and I hated it. I actually had to use the saddle soap twice to remove everything. My white rag that I used to removed the excess turned brown lol. They aren’t dry yet! But they’re looking promising already. Plus with saddle soap you don’t need to condition your leather because the soap cleans and conditions.
I know this video is old but something similar happened to me with my 1907's. I took them to RED WING for their free cleaning service and because I didn't specify I guess,, that I didn't want them to use mink oil they mess up my boots with mink oil. my fault I guess so I just sold them and got myself a new pair and now I make sure I clean them myself and use leather cream for conditioning
RW leather cream is the best one Ive found for not darkening. I liked that deep mahogany color of your mink oiled boots. Im going to use that RW mink oil on mine.
Hi DevonReviewer, i use Lundhags leather wax for all my redwings, this stuff is an all natural product from Sweden. It smells lovely, is economic in use and preserves the leather very well without making it very dark. Maybe it is worth trying.
You're quite obsessed about the color of your boots. I've used nothing but mink oil,on my leather boots,since the 70's. Leather changes,and darkens,over time. What's the big deal about?
Sorry this is way late but its about the patinas and shades etc. Some of the leathers redwing makes are beautifully colored and get better with age so when darkening them with the use of mink oil it takes away from the color contrast/patterns that you had going on. The patina will still be there but in different contrast.
Devonreviewer....after cleaning and conditioner, go buy wax toilet ring for about 2 dollars U.S. and hit boot with heat gun then apply wax with rag soaks up some doesn't change color also waterproof !
I used the same brand of saddle soap on my French army Rangers Boots. It literally dissolved black color and after I was finished they looked like they were made from undyed leather.
Definitely not ruined since it would only take about ten minutes to strip the oils out of the leather with saddle soap like he did in the beginning of the video. But it certainly wasn’t the look he was after since they ended up darker than when he started.
Hi, have you ever tried nikwax leather conditioner and waterproof? I use them on leather/gore tex north face walking boots and they haven't changed the colour at all. Just bought some redwings and would like to keep the colour as original as possible, would be interested to hear your thoughts on nikwax as an option? Cheers - Chris
I have tried the red wing leather cream and bick 4 on my 875's. Niether one will darken the leather. You get alot more for your money with bick 4 though. It is also easier to apply.
do you know anything about dying the boots a different color using kits? how would that be affected with a through clean and re oil? How long do you wait to do re oil / cleaning.
Wow! You must have worn the every day to get them like that! I had the same colour way in the early 80s. It took at least six years to wear them down! I would like to get another pair but I am afraid they will kill my feet until I wear them in. What then, do you suggest as a method for softening up the boots so that they do not kill my feel. I must say yours look rough in the most positive sense. You made me want to get my hands all dirty once more as that was why my Moc toes lasted so long. Sadly, I gave them away and now as I said, would like to invest once more in a pair but will need to make them comfy asap! Great explanation btw! 👍🏽
OrtizVintage many thanks for your advice. After two momths, they have not hurt my feet. But they fit even better than the first ones back in the 80s. What you suggested works a treat! Now to clean them!
The only leather conditioner i've found that doesn't darken or strip any dye is Bick 4. I use it on my saddleback leather items and cowboy boots. I've tried leather honey, mother's milk and a couple other leather conditioners and they all change and strip a bit of the color. That being said, the 875's are a oily leather so i'm not sure if the bick 4 would work for them. As for the resole, I've seen pictures of the Moe toe beckman with a vibrate sole and they look sharp! That being said, I have the round toe beckman and they are a pain in the ass. That type of sole isn't anywhere near as comfortable as the white sole. Good luck!
Thanks I will seek out some Bick 4 at some point. With regards resole, I want to get some Beckmans at some point so maybe I will get the regular vibram lug instead of the Rocia just to get a bit of variety.
I use Bickmore 4 on all my leather including my Wolverine 1k in brown. I used it because it will not darken leather. You can purchase on Amazon if your still loo. Cheers.
Much prefer the original light tan leather. Love redwings I just clean and add quality Dasco neutral Dubbin. Love to Stars and Stripes lace buckles. Want some.. Also we’re can I purchase those lace buckles I’m also from 🇬🇧. Have never seen them before.. Thank you also for the video I’m subscribed
I used the same exact saddle soap but for some reason my boots didn’t lighten up, they looked exactly the same before I started, am I doing something wrong?
imo the conditioner darkens the boots too much. It is a pity that the tanned color disappears again. I little boot oil conditions as well and will only darken a little. At least with my 875...
HI - have you ever tried BIC 4? I use it on my copper rough and toughs, it darkens them immediately, but after a few days of wear they lighten up again
Nice video chum. BTW. I got issued with some kind of cleaner/additive with my army Altbergs. Maybe that would darken them less? I'll have a rummage and see if I can find it later and let you know.
I like the colour of the leather after just washing it with saddle soap. I hate to see them darken after treating them with a leather conditioner or a boot oil. Now what would happen if you just was them with saddle soap and do not apply oil? I will try to just wash my 875 with saddle soap to see if I can get it to a orangish colour without post treating them with oil!
I am a huge believer in shoe trees, they work miracles for formal shoes, especially those with leather soles; straighten the out, take out the creases, and helps the leather dry... BUT I do not use for Red Wings and other heritage boots, it seems like the leather and soles are tough enough without and keep their shape just fine.
Hey! Great video again man, am I wrong to be slightly disenfranchised with "heritage" products all of a sudden, quality boots but you need a new heel block after a year and a new sole after two? Just me??
The quality is there in the uppers I find, but the soles do wear quickly when walking in town etc... I have a number of boots in circulation at the moment and it gives the impression that the soles are wearing more slowly... may be you need to buy more boots! Have you had many of yours resoled? I am thinking of something more robust than a Christy on the 875s next time around... supersole, rocia, or lug?
thats not true these for over 20 NOTHING BUT THESE and i mean nothing the same pair worn daily everyday untill they are long past dead the soles i found around town/city took about 2 years to reach what you see in the video, maybe im ligher than you, light stepper who knows. but the one thing i can tell you, i have never tried to be carefull with them i wear them as if im wearing 20 pound boots
What Color are those 875's. I want to get some Red Wings. I'm currently loving my Thorogoods, but they're the tobacco color and I've noticed Red Wings get almost a red patina, which is what I'm looking for. Are those the Copper? Love the channel brother. Good stuff.
with redwings the kind of leather is bound to the productnumber, the 875's leather is called 'oro legacy'. If you want the same model(classic moc) only in a darker brown, look for the 8138s. hope this helps!
Well, I see videos and photos where the boots get a red tent to them, I can't tell if that's the underlying color of the boot or caused by the Red Wing oil, but that's the look I want. Thank you, this helps friend.
Hi I once got too drunk and puked on my red wing boots..only to notice it when i woke up the next day. Is my leather on the boots a goner for absorbing my puke or its still good? anyone can advice?
Monkey D Luffy I can't tell if you're just joking, but anyway... Stomach acid is just that - acidic. I would definitely use some saddle soap. Even though they are dry by now it is a good idea because soap is a base so it will neutralize they acid and help get out the little chunks of onion, carrot and pizza. Be sure to eat a proper meal before drinking next time.
I use redwing saddle soap and for the longest time I thought I was using it wrong because of how much it will strip from the boot, now I know that's how they are supposed to look after being saddle soaped
trust me im an expert in red wings have worn nothing else but these red wing boots for over 20 years the days they were only 150.00 pounds the soles on a daily use, i mean everyday nothing but the same boot, around town/city usage they will take around 2 years to reach that level of sole degeneration . maybe abit longer buy 6 months
Next time use RED WING MINK OIL for your boots instead of the ambstrong product. So you wont darken the leather that much. And you have better results and nicer looking shoes that the amstrong.
