How to Waterproof Leather Boots Without Changing Color?

By Sophie Williams
Updated: October 27, 2023
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Make your favorite pair of leather boots extremely hydrophobic and at the same time prevent the chance of discoloring. Yes! In the market, you may get many commercial times that can be used for waterproofing the boots. But the horrific point is these can change the color of your shoes. 

But today’s content,  we are unveiling the tricks of how to weatherproof leather boots without changing color. After some research, we found a product that can make your leather pair extremely water protective and does not hamper its color! 

So let’s see in detail: 

Best way to make your leather boots waterproof without changing color:

The first thing is picking a boot protector and reading our given instructions. If you take a quality boot protector and apply it according to our directions, you can easily turn your boots properly water-resistant without discoloring them. Let’s get started:

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Step 1: First of all clean your boots with a horse hair brush.  You can also use a dry cloth to clean it. Make sure that there is no dirt. Once you clean the boots,  take off the shoe laces. 

Step 2: Now, take the boot protector spray and point it on your boots. In my opinion, at least maintain 5 to 7 feet of distance. You may spray it two to three times, and the first spray should be light, and wait for a couple of hours for the next coating.

Step 3: After the first coating you will be noticed that the shoes are getting a bit darker, but do not worry. Now give the final coat and wait almost two whole days. Yes! For better results, you must give time, and it must be worth it.

After letting the boots dry for two days, test their waterproofing by pouring water on them in a sink. You’ll be surprised at the results – they’ll be remarkably water-repellent and free from discoloration. This process can help you maintain your boots and protect them from water damage. Regularly applying a boot protector spray can help extend the life of your boots and keep them looking new.

Apart from this, you can also make your pair of boots waterproof in the given two ways:

Conditioner :

Applying conditioner is another excellent hack to make your pair of boots highly water-repellent. You can use any type of quality conditioner to get the quick result. 

The thing you have to do is take a few amounts of conditioner and gently rub it over the boots, and make sure you are not leaving any fingerprints. After that let it dry overnight and get the result. It will not change the shoe’s color, but the surface will be even darker and glossier. 

You can apply conditioner once a month.

Mink Oil :

Mink oil was a favorite remedy to the early hunters to make their boots highly water resistant and make it even more durable. Still, in many leather production houses mink oil is highly used for long-term preservation. Its application process is pretty simple, just put some drop of oil on the shoe surface and gently rub it. You can also use a blow dryer and later put it under the sun for a couple of hours. 

Things to consider while using a waterproofing spray: 

While using a waterproofing spray keep in mind the following aspects to get the most effective result: 

  • You must use a low or non-silicone protectant. It can reduce the chance of discoloration
  • Do not apply spray over the wet leather. 
  • The first coating should be lighter and wait at least 4 hours for the second time spraying 
  • Spray from one direction 
  • Spray on a regular basis (once a month) 

Tips to keep  your leather boots from staining: 

  • Leather boots can be cracked and dry over time. Use a quality conditioner to make it soft and supple. 
  • Store it in a proper way. Do not put it in any plastic bags or in direct sunlight. 
  • Use a soft horsehair brush or dry cloth to clean it regularly 

And the most important thing we have already mentioned, make it waterproof by using any quality spray or our other given method. Because a pair of wet boots have more tendency to get stained and the chance of discoloration. 

Are leather boots truly waterproof? 

You can turn your leather boots remarkably water-repellent, but keep in mind that leather is not a completely water-proof material at all! But with the right treatment, you can make it water-resistant for a certain time. This property may go out over time. And the process we have mentioned earlier, if you can apply it properly you can get the result. The things you should keep in mind are the degree of water resistance of any leather item will depend on its proper treatment. Therefore, always imply the right conditioner, spray, or other quality materials when it comes to making your leather boots water-resistant for a longer time. 

Frequently Asked Questions :

How to Waterproof cowboy boots?

In a couple of ways, you can make your cowboy leather boots highly water-repellent. You can use wax sealant, mink oil, conditioner, spray, etc. But if you are also weird about preventing its discoloration the best way is to use a quality boot protector spray. 

Is Vaseline good for waterproofing leather boots?

Vaseline is not so effective to get a durable result, but for a temporary period using Vaseline can be an excellent hack to make your boots waterproof. In this case, there is no risk of discoloration. At the same time, it can make your boots glossier. 

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Sophie Williams

Sophie Williams

Sophie Williams is popularly known as a dynamic and creative footwear specialist, and she sharpened her skills and developed a strong foundation at College for Creative Studies, especially in design principles, boot and shoe materials, and boot construction techniques.

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