Can You Polish Faux Leather Boots? (Step-By-Step Guide)

Can You Polish Faux Leather Boots?

Polishing regular leather boots is an integral part of its care and maintenance but can you polish faux leather boots?

One of the best treatments for your faux leather boots is by polishing them with a good quality leather polish or wax. Not only does this make them look nice and shine, but it also helps to protect the surface against moisture and everyday wear and tear.

To learn the details on the benefits of polishing faux leather boots, examples of polishes you can use for your faux leather, and how to polish faux leather boots, keep reading!

1. Polishes Protects Faux Leather Boots From Scratches

You can polish your faux leather boots to help protect them from scratches and scuffs. When you polish your faux leather boots, you add a protective layer to the surface.

This prevents scratches from forming in the first place. Boots are one of the hardest-wearing apparel and will suffer a lot of dings and scratches over time.

Polishing your boots before wearing them will help prevent this damage to their original shine and look.

While it is true that polishing your faux leather boots can prevent them from getting scratched up easily, this does not mean they are completely scratch-proof!

Even with regular use and proper care, eventually, some scuffs will appear on even the most well-polished faux leather boots.

2. Polishing Your Faux Leather Boots Makes It Them Easier To Clean

Another awesome benefit to polishing your faux leather boots is that it makes them MUCH easier to clean.

All you need to do is give them a good polish after each wear and any dirt, dust, or general grime that comes into contact with your boots after you have polished them will be very easy to clean.

This means that dirt and all sorts of stains will not be able to adhere to the surface of your boots as easily, making it much easier to clean them when needed.

If your faux leather shoes are properly polished and protected, all you do when it comes into contact with stains or dirt is to give it a good wipe with a damp cloth and they will be looking as good as new in no time.

No more scrubbing away at your boots with harsh chemicals or solvents in order to get them looking like new again!

3. Polishing Faux Leather Boots Makes It Water Resistant

Generally, faux leather as a material is water-resistant but not completely waterproof as water, liquids, and other types of liquids can still get into the faux leather and damage it.

However, when you polish your faux leather boots with a good quality polish, it forms a protective barrier on the surface of the boots and helps to keep liquids from seeping into the material.

This means that if you get caught in the rain or walk through a puddle while wearing your polished faux leather boots, they will be less likely to become wet on the inside or damaged.

While this water resistance is a great benefit, it is not foolproof!

If your faux leather boots get completely submerged in water or if a lot of liquid gets into them and sits without being dried properly afterward, the material will eventually absorb the liquids.

This means that you should always try to keep your polished faux leather shoes out of the water as much as your can.

4. Gives The Faux Leather Boots A Nice Shine

One of the most well-known benefits of polishing faux leather boots is that it gives them a beautiful shine.

The shiny finish will make your boots look new and even show off their attractive texture. It also gives them a polished and professional look which can be really appealing if you are going for a formal or business-casual look.

Whether you are wearing them for a day out, a special event, or just to work, polished faux leather boots will always make you look your best!

It also helps to maintain the color vibrancy of the faux leather boots making sure that they don’t fade or become dull over time.

A good polish not only makes your faux leather boots look great but it also helps to keep them in top condition for as long as possible.

5. Polishing Faux Leather Boots Hides Scuffs And Scratches

As mentioned earlier, giving your faux leather boots good polishing will not only help to prevent scuffs or scratches from appearing on their surface, but it will also hide them if you already have some.

This is because when you polish your faux leather boots, it’s able to remove scuffs and minor scratches by smoothing out the surface of your boots.

While this isn’t an ideal solution to serious scuffs and deep scratches, it goes a long way in helping you maintain them for as long as possible.

It is important to note that if there are major scratches or scuffs on your boots, the best solution would be to take them to a professional for restoration.

Polishing faux leather boots is definitely a good way to keep them looking presentable and in top condition without spending too much time or effort.

6. Restores Faded Areas Of The Faux Leather Boots

Another reason why polishing faux leather boots is great is that it can restore faded areas of your faux leather boots.

Because faux leather boots are hardwearing it gets exposed to regular wear and tear, exposure to sunlight, or ultraviolet light which can cause the material to fade over time.

Exposure to sunlight for very long hours of the day gradually breaks down the faux leather material over time.

While there isn’t much you can do about this (apart from protecting them with sunscreen when wearing them), polishing will help cover up any faded areas and give your boots a uniform color.

It is also worth noting that if the surface of your faux leather boots has been severely damaged or worn out, polishing will not be able to completely restore it back to its original look.

What Can You Use To Polish Faux Leather Boots?

When it comes to some of the things you can use to polish your faux leather boots, there are many alternatives you can choose from;

Beeswax

Beeswax is a popular option for polishing faux leather boots as it has natural water-resistant properties and gives the boots a nice shine.

You can find beeswax at most hardware stores and it is a relatively affordable option.

All you need to do is rub a small amount of beeswax onto the surface of your boots with a cloth until they are completely covered.

After that, simply buff them with a different cloth until they have a nice shine. Be careful not to use too much beeswax as it can make your boots look greasy.

Shoe Polish

Another option for polishing faux leather boots is to use shoe polish. Shoe polish comes in a variety of colors so you can choose the one that best matches the color of your faux leather boots.

Just like beeswax, you can find shoe polish bees at most hardware stores. All you need to do is put some shoe polish onto a cloth and rub it into your boots until they are covered.

After that, use a different cloth to buff them until they have a nice shine.

Paraffin Wax

If you are looking for a more durable polish that will last longer, then paraffin wax is a good option.

Paraffin wax is a type of hard wax that is used to protect and seal surfaces from water and other environmental elements.

You can find it at most hardware stores or online. Just like beeswax and shoe polish, you apply paraffin wax to your boots using a cloth.

However, unlike the other two options which are used for polishing only, paraffin wax also needs to be melted onto your boots before it can work its magic.

To do that, simply put the tin of paraffin wax into boiling water and let it melt. Once it has melted, use a cloth to apply it to your boots and then leave them to cool.

Lanolin

Lanolin is an animal product that comes from wool. It has a water-repellent and self-cleaning effect which makes it great for protecting leather materials, including faux leather boots.

Just like beeswax, paraffin wax, and shoe polish you can find this at most hardware stores or online. They are also very easy to use.

All you have to do is rub a small amount of lanolin onto your boots with a cloth until they are completely covered, and then leave it to dry for about ten minutes before buffing them with another clean cloth.

Lanolin works by leaving a protective layer on the surface of your faux leather boots that resists water and absorbs dust.

Petroleum Jelly

If you are looking for a more affordable option, then petroleum jelly is a good choice. Petroleum jelly is also known as vaseline can be found at most pharmacies and supermarkets, and it is a very cheap option.

Petroleum jelly is also easy to use – all you need to do is rub a small amount onto your boots with a cloth until they are covered.

Just like the other polishes, leave it to dry for about ten minutes before buffing them with a clean cloth.

One downside of petroleum jelly is that it does not have a very good shine, so your boots will not look as polished as they would if you used some of the wax-based polishes mentioned above.

However, if used properly, it will still protect your faux leather boots from water and dust.

Homemade Polishes

A homemade alternative to polishing faux leather boots is using coconut oil or olive oil. These natural oils are lightweight and have a shiny finish that can give your boots a nice shine just like the other options mentioned above.

However, they do not offer as much protection against water damage so you will need to re-apply them more often.

To use coconut or olive oil, simply put a small amount on your boots and rub it in with a cloth until they are covered. Then leave them to dry for about ten minutes before buffing them with a different cloth.

Clear Wax Polish

Clear wax polish is a more expensive option, but it does offer more protection against water damage.

Just like the other polishes mentioned above you simply put some onto a cloth and rub it into your boots until they are covered.

Then leave them to dry for about ten minutes before buffing them with another clean cloth. I will discuss in detail the best practices when it comes to polishing faux leather boots.

How To Polish Faux Leather Boots

Now that we are clear about the benefits of polishing faux leather boots and the different types of polish that are available, let’s take a look at how to do it properly.

The most important thing to remember is not to use too much polish. A little bit goes a long way, and if you put on too much then it will be difficult to buff off later on.

Things Needed:

  • Polish
  • Microfiber Cloth
  • Horse Hair Brush

Procedure:

Step 1: Clean The Faux Leather Boots

  • It is a great idea to start by first cleaning your faux leather boots.
  • This will remove any dirt or dust that may have built up on the surface, and it will also help the polish to stick better.
  • You can clean your boots by using a damp cloth, a special leather cleaner, or any pH-neutral cleaner.
  • Be sure to read the instructions carefully so that you do not damage the material.
  • If you have stubborn stains on your faux leather boots, then you can use a solution of one part rubbing alcohol to one part water to gently scrub them off.
  • This will help to safely remove any stains or scuffs.

Step 2: Air Dry After Cleaning

  • Once you’re done cleaning your boots, be sure to let them air dry completely before moving on to the next step.
  • This will help prevent any water from interfering with the polish you will be applying.

Step 3: Apply Polish To Faux Leather Boots

  • Once your boots are clean and dry, it is time to start polishing them.
  • The best way to do this is by using a circular motion with the polish and a microfiber cloth.
  • Allow each layer to dry slightly before applying the next.
  • Gradually build up several layers of polish until your boots are fully covered.
  • This will establish a solid layer of polish that would be easy to buff.

When polishing faux leather it is the wax build-up on the surface of the faux leather that gets buffed or polished.

  • Be sure to work the polish into all of the nooks and crannies, especially around any scuffs or stains that you may have noticed before.

Step 4: Buff With Horse Hair Brush

  • Now it’s time for step 4 – buffing with a horse hairbrush.
  • Lightly dampen the bristles of the brush with water and start to buff the surface of the boots with a quick back and forth motion.
  • This will help break up any small clumps that may have formed around the polish, and it will also help to remove any excess wax.
  • Continue until you are satisfied with the results.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, faux leather boots, despite being a synthetic material, can be polished just like real leather.

There are many different products and polishing techniques that you can use depending on your needs and budget.

I hope this article helps to answer any questions or concerns that you have with regard to caring for faux-leather shoes/boots.

That’s all there is to it! By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your faux leather boots will look polished and brand new.

Kwabena

Hi! I’m Kwabena, the owner and founder of Favored Leather. I’m a huge Leathercraft enthusiast and I’ve been that for almost 13 years now. I'm excited to share my experiences and all the new stuff I learn each day about leather craft, leather cleaning & care, and everything in-between!

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