Shame on me. I didn’t do a good job of cleaning my boots after last season. These are the two pairs of Russell Moccasin boots that I wear the most, and they both got some miles last season. On the left are the PH boots they did with Ball and Buck, and the right are the Zephyr IIs they did with Tom Beckbe. I really like them both. The PH boots are great for dove, and the Zephyr IIs are great for chasing quail and pheasant. They have the gum sole, which I find that I really like. It’s light and I don’t slip around.
I have a few other pairs of Russells that get some wear – specifically the tall snake boots and a pair of Cavaliers that I wear casually.
Anyway, before getting out into the field, I wanted to get these cleaned up and ready to go. Here they are before we get going:
I did a scrub in the sink with a brush and dish soap, followed by a serious rinsing. I put them in the sun for about two hours to dry, and then got busy with saddle soap:
I then put them back in the sun for about 4-5 hours, then brought them inside to dry out overnight:
They were totally dry the next morning:
Time for Obenauf’s:
I just use my finger to spread it. It’s essentially a sticky wax, so the heat from my hand gets it to a good place to spread. I did so liberally:
After a good spread, I put them back in the sun for a couple of hours to help it soak in:
Laced up and ready to rock:
Got another method that you like? Let’s hear it…
Great post. This is like old school RCS. My question is, have you used the Obenaufs on the PH boots before? I’m curious if they end up permanently darker or if they eventually lighten back up.