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ASK MR. EDGE
October 2006
Mr. Edge is a qualified skate technician with years and years of experience. He can answer your questions on boots, blades and foot problems related to your equipment. Questions will be answered in SKATING magazine and later posted on the web site.
Yes, you really can make them look bright and shiny once more.
Of course, it helps to have the right stuff in order to get them to look like the ones in the pictures. These old “Bettys” date back 35 years or so. Now, if I can make them look like new after that long, imagine how yours could look with a little “tender loving care” and some good old-fashioned elbow grease.
Mr. Edge's Recipe for Newness
Ingredients: leather preparer; paper towels or rags; fine grit sanding block; masking tape (two inches); white leather dye; white Harlick boot polish; camel or ox hair brush (half-inch); white spray polish; clear spray wax
Note: The soles and heels of the boots in the pictures have also been refinished, but that is a story for another day. The recipe for newness only applies to the boots themselves and not the soles or heels.
The following are step-by-step instructions:
1. Using masking tape, tape around the soles and heels of the boots. You may also tape over the blades or cover them with an old pair of soakers.
2. Using the leather preparer, dampen a paper towel or rag and thoroughly wipe off as much of the old polish as possible. Let dry for about 10 minutes.
3. Using the sanding block, sand down any rough spots in the boots and wipe away excess dust with a damp rag or paper towel.
4. Apply white leather dye to any bare spots on the boots and let dry for about 10 minutes. Re-apply a second coat of white dye and let dry again.
5. Using a camel or ox hair half-inch wide artist's brush, apply the first coat of Harlick boot polish to your boots, starting at the toes and working back to the heels (don't forget the tongues). Note: When polishing the tongues, apply polish across the tongues, not up and down.
6. After you have finished both boots, go back and, starting with the first boot, apply a second coat. Let both boots dry for about 30 minutes.
7. Lightly and evenly spray both boots with white spray polish and let dry for about an hour.
8. Apply the finishing touches by lightly and evenly spraying both boots with the clear spray wax.
If you've followed my directions, you will be extremely happy with the results. Note: You can follow the same directions for re-dying your boots tan, but be sure to use a tan leather dye instead of white before applying the tan polish. If you need to paint your soles and heels black, first rough them up with sand paper and then apply one or two coats of black Rust-Oleum paint (let dry overnight before you apply the second coat).
I almost forgot to mention where to purchase the leather preparer, white dye, spray polish, spray wax, sanding block and masking tape.
Sanding block and masking tape: Most any hardware store
Other materials (any name brand will do): Most any good old-fashioned shoe repair shop
Harlick polish: Take a wild guess.
Well, folks, I think I've used all my space. Good luck at your regional competitions.
Mr. Edge
Mr. Edge and all related elements are property of Arena Sports & Consulting Services, Inc. ©2013. Send your questions to Mr. Edge via mail (Ask Mr. Edge, SKATING magazine, 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906); FAX (719) 635-9548 or e-mail them online.
The opinions of Mr. Edge are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S. Figure Skating or SKATING magazine. Remember, if you have problems with your feet, check with a doctor – the problem may very well be with your boot, but it could be more serious. Check with your local pro shop for more information about boots and blades.
