Bootblacking 101

There are so many classes with this title and this certainly isn't a class but I was asked several times this weekend as to what is the basics of a new bootblack kit and I desperately wanted to compile a decent list of the items and pearls of wisdom for starting out blacking boots.

First off, we'll cover the items you need in your kit.

• Super glue
• Saddle soap / Glycerin Soap (if you use glycerin, MUST be un-dyed/-scented)
• Dauber Brush (Start with a small for boots, a med for small apparel like vests, and a large for pants/coats/chaps)
• Old toothbrush
• Water bottle (Trust me on this, get a hair mist bottle from the $1 store)
• Dish for water (tupperware/plastic bowls are smart)
• Towels (hand towel or wash clothes to be retired)
• Black Polish (Kiwi / Lincoln's solid wax or Meltonian creme wax)
• Boot Oil (I use Oubenoff's LP)
• Soft cloth rags (old Tshirts cut into 4" x 12" strips are good)
• Boot brush (small or large - use separate brushes for polish & oil items)
• Nylons (used, worn in, the older and more worn the better)
• Head lamp

In answer to common questions, you can get pretty much all the leather care specific items from a cobbler. (I will update this with a list of cobblers I am aware of) Keep in mind that each cobbler will be an independent retailer so there won't be much guarantee of pricing equality - which can be very frustrating.

If you already have the basics but need to further your kit, here's a short list of other items that are great to get once you're up and going.

• Leather dye (Fiebing's is the brand I am most familiar with)
• Leather apparel oil (Again, I use Oubenoff's)
• Brown polish
• Extra brushes as needed (I like to have 2 small brushes for each leather type I work with, ie: black, brown, neutral wax/creme polishes each get a pair and then I have another pair for all my oil tan items)
• Nail brush (If that matters)
• Lots of extra rags

For plastic / clear coat boots; NEVER use a wax or oil on them. Among other issues, it will bead up and look gross plus it can damage the top film on the boot. You want to get a good pure silicone dressing (Pjur or M'Eros - which I think I spelled wrong - are recommended for it) and use sparingly. A little silicone goes a ludicrously long way.
Oh, and don't put wax polish on an oil tan to "make it shiny" - the leather wasn't prepared the same way and while it will last short term, it'll look worse later and it's a bitch to undo. Pardon my French.

And that's at least a starting place. :)