Sno Seal

[skippyjoy_207]

I didn't apply Sno Seal to my boots before skating, and the color of the soles is a bit ...darkened at some places. Will the dark spots go away? Also, is Sno Seal supposed to be applied to the leather uppers as well as the soles and heels? Thanks.

[altsk8ter]

Also, is Sno Seal supposed to be applied to the leather uppers as well as the soles and heels? Thanks.

I apply sno seal to the leather soles and heals of my boots. I don't know if the brown spots you mention will go away or not, I've never had them; I would try to dry it out a few days. If it's water damage and there's still moisture in there, you should try a different water proof wax; I was told (by a sales guy where I bought my sno seal) that sno seal is not breathable so if you apply it to an area that has moisture trapped inside, it won't dry out and the leather may deteriorate faster...

[TreSk8sAZ]

The dark spots are water damage. They will not go away. It happens when water gets into the leather. I used Sno Seal on my old skates and only applied it to the soles and the heels.

If you do apply it, make sure the leather is warm so that the wax can get into the leather.

[Andie]

The same thing happened to my boots - I never did the Sno Seal until recently, and part of the sole of my right boot is darker from water getting in it. If I ever have another pair, I'll have to remember to do the Sno Seal when I first get them.

[skippyjoy_207]

The dark spots are water damage. They will not go away. It happens when water gets into the leather.

Uh oh. Oh well, it's no use crying over spilt milk. But like Andie, I'm gonna have to remember next time.

[skippyjoy_207]

Should I remove my blades to waterproof them?

How do I know if they'll be straight after the remount, even if I do have the holes to guide me?

[Skate@Delaware]

You don't have to remove your blades to seal but I did on mine, but I've only done that once, when my boots were NOT sealed (tho I was told they were). I traced around the blades and I had my permanent screws in (the ones with just the little holes, not slots) so they don't slide back and forth. As long as you don't do this every time you should be ok, and make sure you put the right blade on the right boot (although I think they will line up only one way).

Just double-check that your permanent screws are in first!!!

[skippyjoy_207]

Did anyone apply it to the uppers? Maybe it can be used like a waterproofing polish or something. :??

[skaternum]

I apply it to the uppers, as well as the sole and heel. Leather is leather -- it all needs waterproofing.

[Skate@Delaware]

I did to my first set of skates, but found later that white polish didn't really 'stick' well...

Maybe I will to this set, after I heat mold them.

[skippyjoy_207]

I apply it to the uppers, as well as the sole and heel. Leather is leather -- it all needs waterproofing.

Thanks to skaternum, and SkateDelaware too. :)

[flippet]

I've never bothered applying it to the uppers--the skate polish/paint, whatever, is pretty waterproof all by itself, barring any gashes. I do sometimes stuff sno-seal in the area between the upper and the sole, though. I've never removed my blades to do it--I'd be too nervous about getting them re-mounted exactly right, because being off even a fraction can really do a number on your skating. I just heat up the soles with a hair dryer, and then put on as many coats of the stuff as the leather will soak up, or until I'm sick of rubbing the stuff in (which happens after 4 or 5 'layers'). I just make sure to work it in really well around the sole plates.

[skippyjoy_207]

I Sno- Sealed my skates today, including the uppers. Is stickiness of the boots normal, or did I over-do it? Should I varnish/ polish them afterwards?

[stardust skies]

You shouldn't sno seal the uppers. It'll turn them gray-ish. Plus, you don't NEED to, cause it's already waterproof. Meanwhile, make sure you put in 7 coats of sno seal and that it all absorbed into the leather between each coat, and after the last one. Yes, stickiness is normal. I'd never sno seal my own skates- my boot fitter does it, but they always come back sticky. The whole process should take 24-48 hours. You need to let the seal dry between coats, you don't just want to go at it for hours on end. 4 coats throughout one day, and 3 on the second is ideal.

[samba]

In all my years skating I have never heard of sno seal, what's it made off? and don't say snow.

Cheers
Grace

[skippyjoy_207]

In all my years skating I have never heard of sno seal, what's it made off? and don't say snow.

Cheers
Grace

It's waterproofing for your skates, made of beeswax.

[samba]

Thanks Skippyjoy, I would hate to be the only one not to know.

Cheers
Grace

[Casey]

Meanwhile, make sure you put in 7 coats of sno seal and that it all absorbed into the leather between each coat, and after the last one. Yes, stickiness is normal. I'd never sno seal my own skates- my boot fitter does it, but they always come back sticky. The whole process should take 24-48 hours. You need to let the seal dry between coats, you don't just want to go at it for hours on end. 4 coats throughout one day, and 3 on the second is ideal.
That's pretty extensive. How often do you have this process done? My fitter recommends one coat every 6 months, which honestly doesn't seem like quite enough, but doesn't seem to have horrible consequences either...

[stardust skies]

That's pretty extensive. How often do you have this process done? My fitter recommends one coat every 6 months, which honestly doesn't seem like quite enough, but doesn't seem to have horrible consequences either...

Every 6 months is correct. 1 coat would do nothing. If you read the back of the sno seal bottle, it says 5-7 coats, I'm pretty certain. Either way, never heard of anyone using just one coat. Might as well use nothing at all, the leather will soak all of it up and there will be nothing left on the outside. You need to put it on, heat it with a blowdryer, and then put more on, until it's completely sunk in and has a little residue on the outside (which indicates the leather cannot soak anymore up). This is usually done in a day or two, with 5-7 coats. Boot makers and pro shops wouldn't all charge about 40 dollars to waterproof your skates if it was as easy as putting one coat on. *Please* get your skates waterproofed elsewhere when you get them- or have Klingbeil do it before they send them to you- because the last thing I wanna see after you went through your disappointing ordeal and saved up money to buy new boots is for you to have them rot after a few months. If they rot, they won't hold the screws in your blades anymore, so, better safe than sorry!!

[TaBalie]

Casey--

I might be wrong, but I think you have Grafs right? They come superwaterproofed when you buy them. My skate shop, when they first starting selling them, would try to apply SnoSeal to no avail--the boots just couldn't soak any more up. So they stopped :P My fitter said maybe in 9-12 months try to apply a coat or so (whatever it takes utill it won't absorb anymore) the soles for maintenance.