shoe repair – Simple Repairs for Your Cowboy Boots

A nice pair of boots is not a cheap investment. Cowboy boots are more expensive than normal shoes. That’s because the materials that are used and the construction techniques that are employed are specialized.

A pair of high-quality cowboy boots, such as Twisted-X boots, speaks volumes of your fashion statement just like your leather jacket or designer pants.

Keeping the boots aesthetically pleasing and well maintained is important because they play an important part of your fashion. No one wants to look at mud-caked, dusty, grungy, miserable-looking pair.

More important than cleanliness, however, is the condition of the boot. At all times, the boots shouldn’t have any holes, the Velcro straps should not be frayed, eyelets for the drawstrings shouldn’t be rusted, and the finish shouldn’t be marred.

Since boots are exposed to harsh elements and uneven terrain, it sometimes happens that they get damaged. If left unattended, this damage could become worse and could ruin a perfectly good pair. For relatively minor damage, you can repair the boots yourself. Here are some tips on how to fix them yourself.

1) For a simple crack in the sole of the boot, a simple remedy is recommended: you can use Shoe Goo. Sold only for a few dollars in shoe repair shops, Shoe Goo is an adhesive that is specially formulated to glue and seal cracks and splits in leather, rubber, and other materials in a shoe.

2) Minor scratches and scrapes on the boot may look like major damage. But don’t worry; they can be fixed easily.

Determine the material of the boot first; this information is normally printed inside the boot. If the material is leather, especially if it is a kind with a waxy finish, it can be fixed with a product called a leather lotion. The product, which is available in many shoe stores, prevents further cracking by moisturizing the leather. It is easy to use; just use a clean, soft cloth to wipe the substance on the leather material. It can smoothen out and hide scratches even seemingly deep ones.

3) If your boots are suede, do not use a leather lotion. Use instead a dry-cleaning bar. This product is usually sold together with a bristle brush. This cleaning bar has a very similar composition to a pencil eraser. In a way, you are using the bar to “erase” the scratches of the suede, just like the way you use an eraser on paper. Once the scratches are gone, you can use the brush to bring the suede’s fiber back up.

Finishing it requires a generous application of deep-cleaning suede spray or water repellant.

4) If, after walking in the snow, you find out that your boots have a leak, you need to thoroughly waterproof the footwear. Apply a liberal amount of mink oil. This makes the leather soft yet water resistant as well. When the oil is dry, apply a water-repellency spray on the seams. The inside of the boots should be treated with this spray as well.

For more serious damage, you would need to have your boots repaired by a professional. Not only damaged boots look bad, but they can also be dangerous, causing you to trip and lose your balance.

For more information on simple repairs for your Twisted X Boots visit http://www.rockytopleather.com