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Faire Garb => Garbing => Topic started by: Captain Dungcaster on March 15, 2009, 08:47:55 AM

Title: Waterproofing shoes for fair
Post by: Captain Dungcaster on March 15, 2009, 08:47:55 AM
What do you do to waterproof footwear on those rainy faire days? Of particullar intrest are those long boots.

Thinking of Faire on a rainy day in Richmond. sigh.....

Frank Blanton
Lord Dungcaster of these Near Parts :D
Title: Re: Waterproofing shoes for fair
Post by: Sir William Marcus on March 15, 2009, 10:22:40 AM
 "Jig-A-Loo" www.jigaloo.com  An excellent water repellent, and has a lot of other household uses as well.
Title: Re: Waterproofing shoes for fair
Post by: Master James on March 17, 2009, 10:21:13 AM
The other option is what I do every year and it never fails.  I put a TON of shoe polish on my faire boots, I mean I lay it on thick.  I pay special attention to the seams and the sole where the boot meets it.  Then I take a lighter and melt all the shoe polish into the leather (be careful not to stay in one spot too long or you'll set the polish on fire!).  Once its all melted in all over, I let it cool then brush and buff as normal.  I've never had a leak and last year MDRF was a MUD PUDDLE one weekend and we were walking in ankle deep mud and water all day and my feet stayed dry!
Title: Re: Waterproofing shoes for fair
Post by: gem on March 17, 2009, 01:53:30 PM
I've just designated a pair dedicated rainwear, and try not to worry about mud.  (Of course, I'm also worrying about skirt hems, so you gents count yourselves lucky!)
Title: Re: Waterproofing shoes for fair
Post by: Syrilla on March 17, 2009, 03:51:38 PM
Master James suggestion is a time honored approach.  It also is better for your feet!
Title: Re: Waterproofing shoes for fair
Post by: Dayna on March 17, 2009, 06:07:03 PM
Master James, by any chance did you learn this method of Flaming the Polish while in the service of our nation?  I ask, because I learned it from a serviceman, and still do it at least once a year to this day, even for normal wear shoes.

Dayna
Title: Re: Waterproofing shoes for fair
Post by: Adriana Rose on March 17, 2009, 11:24:59 PM
 I have used the spray on water poofer that you can find in the camping stuff at wally world. it works fairly well
Title: Re: Waterproofing shoes for fair
Post by: Master James on March 18, 2009, 12:50:59 PM
Quote from: unilady on March 17, 2009, 06:07:03 PM
Master James, by any chance did you learn this method of Flaming the Polish while in the service of our nation?  I ask, because I learned it from a serviceman, and still do it at least once a year to this day, even for normal wear shoes.

Dayna

Dayna,

Actually I learned it before serving in the USAF while I was in the Civil Air Patrol, which is like JROTC for the USAF only they do a LOT more.  I even add Quintone to the polish if you can find it and I think that helps as well.  Like I said though, I have never had a leak doing it the way I do it.
Title: Re: Waterproofing shoes for fair
Post by: LadyDracolich on March 18, 2009, 06:47:31 PM
Master James' idea does work as does Mink Oil that you can get at any grocery store/ Wally World/ Dollar Store, etc.
Title: Re: Waterproofing shoes for fair
Post by: LadyOren on March 19, 2009, 08:37:06 PM
Mink Oil Definately!  As recommended per above posts, be sure to do all the seams, and if they are leather bottoms with threads sewn thru the soles, extra coat them too.  Best Wishes!