Anyone familiar with leather boot restoration?
 

I purchased a set of vintage MX boots. Being about 30 years old, they're obviously in rough cosmetic shape but they're not torn and the soles are good.

They're mainly scuffed up and I'd like to restore them to a newer condition and return them to their former shiny black appearance.

So, I know nothing about leather restoration but I'm pretty good with painting and dying and I think I could do it if I knew what to buy and where to get it. Anyone have any experience in this area?

I would consider some type of leather conditioner as part of your revival plans. No point in restoring gloss if the leather starts cracking as soon as you use them.

I have a customer that restores boots and shoes. He does work for some very wealthy people. Maybe you could ship them to me and I could get him to fix them.

I'd be very suprised if something like leatherique wouldn't do a great job for something like that. It really returns leather to its original suppleness.

There's some stuff called Hide food that makes leather supple but doesn't soak the leather in the process. It's very hard to do any cosmetic dyeing of boots if the leather has been already treated with conditioner, but if the dye gets in there first, then the dye will last and the conditioner and subsequent oils applied will protect the coating.

You may want to do some research first before you buy/attempt anything.

The product to which you refer is now called Connolly's Hide Care. FDA had concerns with the word "food" in the name. I remember using this back in the '70s. Good stuff, reputedly recommended by Rolls Royce for the leather in their cars. A google search will probably turn up places to purchase it.

we also used animal fats to need the leather on Rolls royce leathers after striping the dye off, that is the only stuff that will bring it back to its original softness ( and no it does not smell )

the people who sell dye for RR cars also sell the softner -- its been years since i bought any and companys changed names when we were using sooo who knows what name they use today

I'd like to try and do this myself since I'm an arts and crafts type guy but I'll keep it in mind... :)

Thanks to everyone for the insight.