Waterproofing Canvas Shoes and Boots

[PatchTwist]

I researched this method to waterproof shoes and boots, but I see no reason this couldn't work on any fabric/canvas gear. I think this makes things more water resistant than proof, but whatever works is what I say.

In this example, let's use shoes.
Get yourself some beeswax. You can find it at most hardware and craft stores.
Coat the canvas of the shoes with the wax. Rub it real good and make sure you get all of the crannies and edges, too.
If you have a blow dryer, use that on the wax coating for a few minutes until the whiteness of the wax disappears.
If you don't, you can most likely use a public bathroom hand dryer.
When you're done, let them set for a few minutes, test them, and you should be good to go. The shoes will be a bit stiffer, but they'll be work in soon enough.

I plan on trying this once I get the shoes I want.
Has anyone tried this before? Any other ideas and methods you've used?

 

[Desperado Deluxe]

Yep I used a combination if mink oil and beeswax on the lid of my shoulder bag. Its also lined with tyvek envelopes keeps really dry in there. Also stays cool to keep those veggies fresh.

 

[JanykShorrths]

I've had great luck with "Sno Seal" on leather and canvas. It's made from bee's wax, although I'm not sure exactly what percentage is used. I inherited an old jar of it from my dad that he had since the 70s. I've since bought a few more jars and totally recommend it.

When possible I heat up the material I'm sealing with an oven or hair drier or campfire, apply the Sno Seal, then hit it with more heat. You can see it absorb into the pores of the material as everything is heated, so it goes on a bit thick and shiny but ultimately dries (this is super satisfying and Zenlike to me for some reason). It does seem to darken up the material a bit too.

 

[somn]

I think most waxes can be dissolved in a chemical solvent for application without heat.

 

[OutsideYourWorld]

I'd recommend melting it with linseed oil and turpentine/mineral spirits. I also mixed in pine tar and some pine essential oils for the smell.

I did a backpack, a jacket, some pants, and a satchel with that and it turned out pretty well.

 

[Will Wood]

What canvas shoes are built strong enough to last long enough to justify water proofing them??

 

[DrewSTNY]

I'd recommend melting it with linseed oil and turpentine/mineral spirits. I also mixed in pine tar and some pine essential oils for the smell.

I did a backpack, a jacket, some pants, and a satchel with that and it turned out pretty well.

This sounds like it came out really, really well.

 

[ScumRag]

I researched this method to waterproof shoes and boots, but I see no reason this couldn't work on any fabric/canvas gear. I think this makes things more water resistant than proof, but whatever works is what I say.

In this example, let's use shoes.
Get yourself some beeswax. You can find it at most hardware and craft stores.
Coat the canvas of the shoes with the wax. Rub it real good and make sure you get all of the crannies and edges, too.
If you have a blow dryer, use that on the wax coating for a few minutes until the whiteness of the wax disappears.
If you don't, you can most likely use a public bathroom hand dryer.
When you're done, let them set for a few minutes, test them, and you should be good to go. The shoes will be a bit stiffer, but they'll be work in soon enough.

I plan on trying this once I get the shoes I want.
Has anyone tried this before? Any other ideas and methods you've used?

I've always used Hubert's Shoe Grease. I know a lot of West Coast shoe shiners swear by it. As a result, I've never thought of Mink Oil as a reliable product... saddle soap to clean and then followed by Hubert's gets the job done. It's a great protectant- (pine tar oil is the main ingredient)