Saving my boots

[Grigori_Storri]

1999 I had a pair of 1860 stovepipe cav boots made by buffalo runner of Henrietta Texas. Dang good boots wore well. But after 9/11 all my stuff went into stowage by my wifes hands. I dug them out a few weeks ago and I got a problem not only has the leather dried but there is mold growing on them. I have not shown out yett because I want to wakeup. Just trying to figure out away to save them. Seams are good for now and I have plans to start polishing or should I retire them and try again?

[River City John]

Brush off as much mold with a stiff brush as you can while dry. Hold off on polish until you can treat the leather into the pores as polish will seal the surface somewhat.
Then apply Lexol, a leather rejuvenation product. Several applications if needed.

If the leather is dry rot and cracked, not much you really can do as the damage is done. Rejuvenate and see if they'll stand the wearing, otherwise look to be buying a new pair and chalk this up as lesson learned.
If they're still going to be usable after treating, then polish.

RCJ

p.s. There is another product called Pecard's but I have no firsthand experience with it.

[Pitspitr]

We had a very wet spring/early summer. I went to the basement and found that all of my gun leather had turned green. I had just bought a bottle of GOOP wipes and wondered if they would take the mold off. Not only did they clean the mold off, but when I got done the leather looked as though I had just greased it. I got to looking at the GOOP label and found that they have a lot of lanolin in them. Im now using GOOP wipes to do all my leather cleaning. If I were you I would use it first followed by lexol as RCJ suggested.

[Grigori_Storri]

No they have not dry rotted I can put them on but because the leather is so dry I needed alot of help getting them off. I am worried about the seams around the leather souls and heels. But there are a few shops here in Augusta but I am afraid they will want to glue them back together. I know I will have to do some shopping around for good service.

But I do thank you both for the help will go get some Lexol and try to bring them back.

My gun leather was not as bad off as my boots thankfully.

[S. Quentin Quale, Esq.]

I would mechanically remove the mold as best you can with a soft rag.  Then you might try Stubben Leathersafe (available at most tack shops) to clean the surface.  Let it dry and then buff it with a soft cloth.  Then use Stubben Hamanol (a leather dressing).  Put a little bit on the tip of your thumb and finger and work it, getting it to your body temp.  Then apply it in a smooth layer.  Let it dry, then wipe it down with a soft cloth.  You can do multiple coats as required.  Then, when the leather has become more supple, try a coat of polish.

As others have stated if the the leather is cracked you're probably out of business.

Good luck in the project.

SQQ

[Grigori_Storri]

Thank you, and I have inspected them from toe to top while wearing my 275 reading glasses and I can not find were the leather is cracked at all. they are just stiff as dry cardboard. but I will take the advise on working the leather. I am getting paranoid about the seams tho.