How To Repair Cowboy Boots?

You may be wearing your boots for office use or maybe for the ranch or whatever it is used for. When you love your boots, you want to keep them in a good state. There is frustration that comes when your favorite cowboy boots are damaged or need repair. You might be thinking of ways on how to repair it by yourself.

To repair scuffs on your boots, remove the dirt by brushing it, after that you can apply the leather dye and leather filler for boot holes. For minor scratches, you can buff it using a soft brush but for major scratches, use sandpaper. For stains, you can use water, alcohol, nail polish remover, and talcum powder.

In repairing the cowboy boots, it is essential to know their parts to fix them properly. Some features of the cowboy boots play a vital role in keeping all the materials intact.

It is necessary to know all the parts and their purpose. Now, since you want to repair your boots, take a look at the following details below.

How to Repair Scuffed Cowboy Boots?

Repairing the scuffs of your cowboy boots is not that hard, but if it has severe damage or gouge, you need to make an effort to do that. The crack of the boots will tell you how much effort and work you are going to do. It is essential to use supplies that are of great use in repairing. 

Here are a couple of items that you could use to clean, polish and dye your cowboy boots, depending on the amount of damage... Here are some examples:

Jovitec Horsehair Shoe Repair & Polish Brush Set

Jovitec 3 Pieces Horsehair Shoes Polish Brushes Care Clean Daubers Applicators (Set C)

Jovitec Horsehair Shoe Repair & Polish Brush Set,
check price and availability

Bickmore Boot Care Kit:

Bickmore Boot Care Kit - Bick 1 Bick 4 & Gard-More - Leather Lotion Cleaner Conditioner & Protector - for Cleaning Softening and Protecting Boots Shoes Handbags Purses Jackets and More

Bickmore Boot Care Kit,
Check price and availability

Stone & Clark Shoe Polish & Care Kit

Stone & Clark 12PC Shoe Polish & Care Kit, Leather Shoe Shine Kit with Brown Wax, Shoe Brushes for Polishing, Compact Shoe Cleaning Kit with Horse Hair Brushes & PU

Stone & Clark Shoe Polish & Care Kit,
check price and availability

Kiwi Deluz Shoe Shine Kit

KIWI Deluxe Shine Kit M-26 (Packaging May Vary)

Kiwi Delux Shoe Shine Kit,
Click here to check current price

Fiebing's Leather Dye

Fiebing's Pro Dye Saddle Tan, 4 oz. - Professional Oil Dye for Leather

Fiebings Leather Dye, available in a selection of colors,
Click here to check color and availability.

How to Repair a Light Scuff on Your Cowboy Boots?

These are the easy steps in repairing light scuffs in your boots:

Step 1: Clean the Boots

Clean the surface of the leather to remove dirt and dust. 

Step 2: Heat the Boots

Gently heat the leather of the cowboy boots using a hairdryer. Make sure that it is not in full blast. Light heat will make the leather malleable, making it easy to repair.

Step 3: Massage the Boots

After heating the leather surface, massage it using a clean rag to soften the light scuffs. 

Step 4: Apply Petroleum Jelly

If the scuffs are still visible, you can use petroleum jelly on the shoe surface. It moisturizes the leather and keeps it vibrant.

Step 5 Apply Color-Matched Leather Balm as an Alternative

In case the application of petroleum jelly won't work, try to use a color-matched leather balm. The balm will help in case there is leather discoloration. After application, let it dry. After that, apply a leather conditioner; it will seal the color of your boots.

Dan Post Boots Mens Alamosa Ostrich Square Toe Dress Boots Mid Calf - Brown - Size 10 D

Alamosa Ostrich Square Toe Cowboy boot, Compare price & availability:
Amazon vs. Ariat vs. Zappos
(Check all three links for the best selection and price!)

How to Repair an Abrasive Scuff on Your Cowboy Boots?

These are the easy steps in repairing abrasive scuffs in your boots.

Step 1: Remove the Dirt and Stain

Clean your boots well. It is essential to remove the dirt and stains on the leather surface.

Step 2: Apply Leather Dye

Grab the leather dye and make sure it matches the color of your boots perfectly. Apply a small amount into your foam or sponge.

Dab the leather dye into your boots, and do not brush it since it will leave brushing marks. When you dab, you are allowing the air to dry the leather dye slowly. 

Step 3: Apply Leather Filler

The next thing is to apply leather filler into the damaged area of the leather. Apply the correct amount to fill in the gouge. Allow it to dry; you can use an air dryer to speed up the process. 

Step 4: Grit with Sand Paper

When the leather filler has dried up already, make sure to grit it slowly with sandpaper. Make sure to smooth it out and if the texture matches the entire area. You can use your fingers to run over the surface to check if you feel any imperfections. Once done, clean the area with a leather cleaner.

Step 5: Re-apply Leather Dye

Since the gouge has been filled already with leather filler, you can now apply the leather dye. Make sure that the dye matches the boot color. Allow it to dry at room temperature, or you can use the hairdryer to speed up the drying process.

Step 6: Apply Leather Sealer

Apply a leather sealer to leave a satin finish and add shine to it.

How to Repair Scuffed Leather Boots When the Leather is Exposed?

Sometimes buffering off the scuffs and scratches won't help; that is why polishing is necessary to hide them.  

This video has a nice explanation of how to repair scuffed shoes.

Step 1: Remove the Dust and Dirt

The first thing that you need to do is clean the boots to remove dust and dirt. 

Step 2: Apply Leather Dye

Then apply leather dye on the surface to the damaged part. Make sure to use the same color range to match the boot color. It is best to test the dye on the leather first to avoid discoloration or color mismatch.

You can use a small piece of leather for testing and buy it in leather stores. 

Step 3: Polish the Boots

When the dye is already applied, polish your boots as usual.

How to Repair Scratches in Cowboy Boots?

Having scratches on your cowboy boots might be frustrating, but there are simple steps that I'd like you to follow to leave your worries away. Here's how:

Although the next video isn't demonstrating scratch removal from cowboy boots, this process is still applicable...

Light Scratches

Step 1: Apply Plant-Based Oil

Dab oil into a clean rag. You can use plant-based oil like olive oil, castor oil, or sunflower oil. Rub it into the leather.

Step 2: Buff the Scratches

Try buffing out the scratches from the leather using a clean rag.

Medium Scratches

Step 1: Clean with Lanolin Oil

Grab a clean rag and add lanolin oil to it.

Step 2: Buff the Scrapes

Buff out the scrapes. Repeat the process until the scratches are less visible.

Deep Scratches

Step 1: Add Leather Pigment

Add leather pigment to flatten deep scratches.

Step 2 Apply Shoe Polish

Rub a shoe polish that matches your boot color. 

Step 3: Apply Leather Porotector

After that, add a leather protector. 

Step 4: Let it Dry

Let it dry overnight.

Soto Boots Men's Caiman Belly Print Cowboy Boots H4001 (Brown,11)

Soho Caiman Print Cowboy Boot, Check price and availability:
Amazon vs. Ariat vs. Zappos

How to Repair a Stain in Cowboy Boots?

When your cowboy has stains, it will ruin its beauty. If you are experiencing boot damage because of a stain, the following guide will help you to repair it better.

Dark Stains

Remove darker spots by scrubbing the stained area with a brush or soft cloth using dishwashing soap. Rub until the ink disappears. If you are experiencing tough stains, you may use alcohol solution by rubbing it on the stained area.

Grease or Oil

To remove grease or oil in your cowboy boots, you can sprinkle talcum powder or baking soda. Leave it overnight. The powder will absorb the grease. You can remove the powder using a brush or a clean cloth.

Ink

To remove the ink, you can use alcohol or nail polish remover. Gently dab it, but don't rub it. You can also use hairspray as an alternative. After that, wipe it with a damp cloth and dry it with a clean rag. 

How to Improve Heels on Cowboy Boots?

Comfort is always essential in wearing cowboy boots. 

If you want to add height to the heels of your boots, you will need a booster pad. You can put it between the body of the shoe and the heel.  

NTSWZYS Shoe Lifts for Men & Women Orthotic Heel Shoe Lifts Kit with Air Cushion Heel Inserts Invisible Height Increase Insoles Variable Height 1.2-3.54Inch (4 Layer)

Orthotic Heel Lift Kit (for men or women),
Click here to check price and availability

How to Fix a Cut (Ripped) in Cowboy Boots?

Fixing the cut in the cowboy boots depends on the magnitude of damage. If the damage is minor, you can just fix it quickly, but if the damage includes larger holes, you may need a new pair of boots or consult a bootmaker. If the damage is fixable, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Clean the Boots

Clean the boots using unused clothes or a clean rug. Mix water with some detergent power; use this as a cleanser. You can also use saddle soap.

Step 2: Rough up the Boot Surface

Rough up the surface of the leather before applying a glue stick to the cut. You can use sandpaper by gently rubbing at the damaged part.

Step3: Cover with Leather Strip

Find a leather strip that is the same as your boot color. Cut the leather strip and cover the cut.

Step 4: Glue the Strip to the Damaged Area

After cutting the leather strip, you can now glue it on the leather damage. Make sure that it has sufficient glue to make it durable and reliable.

Step 5: Dry and Polish the Boots

Dry the shoe, make sure that the glue is also dry. After it is dried, make sure to polish it.

How to Fix Water Damage in Cowboy Boots?

If you've got some water damage on your cowboy boots, then here is the process that you can follow to repair this damage. This video has a very good explanation, although the video isn't specifically about cowboy boots.

Here is the step-by-step process to fix water-damaged cowboy boots...

Step 1: Apply Salt Stain Remover

Use a salt stain remover. Gently pour it into a clean rag and massage it directly to the boots.

Step 2: Clean the Boots Using Leather Soap

Clean the boots using leather soap. Clean it gently using the brush and rinse afterward.

Step 3: Let it Dry

Let it dry. Once dried, brush it using a soft-bristled brush.

Step 4: Apply Cream Polish

Apply a cream polish to rehydrate and recondition the leather. Rub in a circular motion. After that, buff it using a soft-bristled brush.

Summary

Repairing cowboy boots may take a little bit of effort, but this is necessary so that your boots will not be ruined totally. Steps and guidelines may vary depending on the issue. Hopefully, this guide helps you maintain and repair any damage that's typically done to a pair of cowboy boots. And, that you can extend the life of your boots for as long as possible.

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