Mink oil is a popular product used to protect leather from wear and tear. It can be found in many homes, with people using it to treat their leather furniture or leather boots. But what about patent leather? Can you use mink oil on patent leather? Is it safe?
After reading this article, you will know if mink oil will ruin your patent leather shoes or not.
So, can you use mink oil on patent leather? Yes, you can use mink oil on your patent leather items to help nourish, soften, and protect them from the elements. Just be sure to test it out on a small, hidden area first to make sure that there is no adverse reaction.
Simply wrap a microfiber cloth around your fingers, load some mink oil on the cloth, and rub the mink oil onto your patent leather surface. Then wipe off any excess with a clean microfiber cloth.
It is important to add that using mink oil on your patent leather items would also come with some downsides – such as making your patent leather extra shiny or greasy. But this is nothing you cannot manage or control.
Continue reading this article if your want to learn more about all the benefits of using mink oil on your patent leather items and a few of the downsides I discovered.
The Pros Of Using Mink Oil On Patent Leather
1. Mink Oil Conditions Patent Leather
You may be asking yourself why is it necessary to condition patent leather if it’s all glossed up with heavy plastic coating? Patent leather, although non-porous, still has some breathing room between the surface and coating, which can dry out over time.
This is because, underneath all that shine, gloss, and plastic coating is real leather that has to be nourished and conditioned from time to time to keep it soft and supple.
Using mink oil on patent leather is one of the best ways to keep your patent leather conditioned, nourished, protected from damage, and looking new for longer periods of time.
The secret is to spend a couple of extra minutes gradually working the mink oil deep into the leather. You’ll be amazed at how much better your patent leather looks and feel after this process.
2. Mink Oil Help To Treat And Prevent Mold Growth
Another reason why you can use mink oil on your patent leather items such as jackets, bags, shoes, etc is that it helps to prevent and treat mold growth.
Mold is not only unsightly, but it can also cause a lot of damage to your leather items if left untreated.
Mink oil forms an invisible barrier on the surface of the patent leather that will help to inhibit the growth of mold and mildew. It will also help to keep the leather dry, which will help to inhibit the growth of mold and mildew in the future.
In the same way, if you already have mold or mildew growth on your patent leather items, mink oil is a great way to get rid of it.
All you do is simply brush off the surface of the patent leather to remove any mold residues, dampen a microfiber cloth with mink oil, and wipe down the surface of your patent leather item.
Allow it to dry for about fifteen minutes before using so you can be sure that all mold has been removed from the surface.
3. Mink Oil Strengthens The Stitching Of Patent Leather
Another important reason why it is important to use mink oil on patent leather is that it helps to strengthen the stitching.
Over time, the constant flexing of the patent leather material around the stitches can cause them to come loose or even break.
But when you apply a coat of mink oil over the surface and work them into the stitching with a good welt brush, it will help to keep everything in place and prevent any further damage from happening.
Your patent leather item will hold up better for longer, and you will not have issues like your patent leather shoe soles coming apart or the stitching coming undone on different parts of your item.
4. Mink Oil Makes Your Patent Leather Shine
One of the main characteristics of patent leather is its ability to shine. When you use mink oil on patent leather, it will help to bring out your item’s natural luster and make them look new again.
Patent leather tends to lose its shine over time from everyday wear and tear. But when you apply a coat of mink oil, it will help to restore that lost shine and make your patent leather look as good as new.
What makes mink oil perfect for this is how it goes on the patent leather. It isn’t too thick. Instead, it is light so you will not have problems with staining or discoloration on your patent leather item.
It also absorbs fast into the material without leaving any residue or buildup behind to interfere with your shine. This makes mink oil perfect for use as a conditioner and a shine enhancer on your patent leather products.
5. Mink Oil Helps To Soften The Patent Leather
Mink oil is great for softening patent leather, which makes it more comfortable to wear.
Patent leather tends to be stiff and rigid because of the way that they are made. This makes them uncomfortable against our skin especially when they are new.
But when you use mink oil on your patent leather, it will help to soften them up and make them more pliable. This is due to the natural oils that are in the mink oil which helps to nourish the fibers of the patent leather material.
It also makes your item less prone to cracking over time, as well as reduces any of the stiffness or rigidity that you may have experienced when wearing your patent leather item for the first time.
6. Mink Oil Makes Your Patent Leather Last Longer
Using mink oil on your patent leather will also help to make it last longer and keep it looking new for a long period of time.
It does this by adding extra protection against all kinds of everyday damage that can occur.
The oils in the mink oil helps to form a protective coating on the surface of your patent leather which will help to shield it from things like dirt, dust, grime, and other forms of debris.
It also helps to prevent any kind of staining or discoloration from happening, which can be a common problem with patent leather items.
And if that is not enough, the mink oil will also help to repel water and other forms of moisture which can cause damage over time.
So by using mink oil on your patent leather, you are giving it the best possible chance of staying in great condition for as long as possible.
7. Mink Oil Makes Your Patent Leather Look New Again
Using mink oil to clean and condition your patent leather will not only give it deep conditioning but also help to bring out its natural luster once again which makes them look new again.
The oils in the mink oil are what help do this because they are able to penetrate deep into the fibers of the patent leather and help to dislodge any dirt or grime that may be hiding there.
It will also help to remove any scuff marks or blemishes that you may have on your item, as well as restore that lost shine that is so characteristic of patent leather items.
8. Mink Oil Weather-Guards the Patent Leather
In addition to keeping dirt, debris, and grime at bay, mink oil can also help to weather-guard your patent leather from the elements.
This means that it will help to protect your item from things like rain, snow, sleet, and other forms of bad weather.
Mink oil does this by creating a waterproof barrier on the surface of your patent leather which helps to keep water and moisture out.
It also helps to prevent any problems that may arise from things like salt or de-icing sprays, which can cause damage over time if they are not repelled by a good weather-guarder.
9. Mink Oil Enhances The Color Of Your Patent Leather
Another important thing mink oil does for patent leather is help to enhance the color of your patent leather items.
When you use mink oil on patent leather, it helps to bring out and darken any lighter areas that may be present which can help restore a uniform look across the surface of your item.
This is most beneficial for patent leather that has low to moderate shine because it can help to deepen and darken the natural color of the patent leather, making it look more vibrant.
Also, if your patent leather has lost its protective coating over time, the mink oil can help to add it back and shield your item from any further damage.
10. Mink Oil Is Safe To Use On Patent Leather
Last but not least, mink oil is safe to use on patent leather. This means that you do not have to worry about any kind of adverse reaction or damage occurring when you use it.
Mink oil is a natural product that is derived from the oils of minks, so it will not cause any harm or damage to your patent leather item.
In fact, it is one of the best things you can use to clean and condition your patent leather because it is gentle, safe, and effective.
The Cons Of Using Mink Oil On Patent Leather
As great as mink oil is for patent leather, it does have a few drawbacks that you should be aware of before applying any.
1. Mink Oil Can Be A Bit Greasy
The main issue with using mink oil on your patent leather items is that it’s sometimes grease. In all fairness, I find this to happen with certain brands of mink oil more than others.
If you purchase a good quality mink oil, then this shouldn’t be an issue for you at all because the oils in it will penetrate deep into your patent leather and not leave any greasy residue behind.
However, if there is too much grease or wax in the product that you use, then this can leave a greasy coating on your patent leather.
This can make the item more susceptible to dirt, debris, and other impurities which may get stuck in it or be rubbed off of it onto things around you.
2. Mink Oil Can Seep In And Darken Your Patent Leather
If you do not want the color of your patent leather to change, then you should avoid using mink oil on it.
Mink oil is known to gradually seep into the very tiny pores of patent leather and can cause it to darken over time.
While this may not be a bad thing for people with dark-colored patent leather goods, others may not want their patent leather items to become any darker than they already are.
Mink oil can darken lighter-colored patent leathers, so keep that in mind so that you can preserve the original color.
3. Mink Oil Can Make Patent Leather Slick And Shiny
Lastly, another issue that people have with using mink oil and other oils in general on patent leather is that it can make the surface of your item very slick and shiny.
If you do not desire an extra shine or slick in your patent leather, then you should avoid using mink oil and any type of oil as they can heighten the degree of shine and gloss on it.
You can stick to using creams and leather conditioners instead as these can help maintain the original shine on your patent leather while also conditioning it.
How To Apply Mink Oil On Patent Leather
If you’re happy with all the benefits and drawbacks that we’ve discussed, then you’re probably wondering how to apply mink oil on patent leather properly while managing to avoid the downsides.
Well, it’s actually very simple and straightforward;
- Step 1: Just wipe off any excess dirt or dust from your patent leather surface using a brush, microfiber cloth, or rag.
- Step 2: Wrap a microfiber cloth arough two of your fingers and then soak it in mink oil.
- Step 3: Rub the cloth onto your patent leather surface to spread a thin layer of the mink oil around.
- Gently rub it into the patent leather maintaining a circular motion.
- Step 4: Leave the patent leather for about 10-15 minutes for the mink oil to gradually penetrate the patent leather surface.
- Step 5: With the help of a dry clean microfiber cloth, buff the mink oil into the patent leather until it’s dry.
- Step 6: Once your item is completely dry, you can wipe any excess mink oil again.
- This way you avoid any greasy effects or oil streaks.
- Step 7: Allow the patent leather to air-dry. Done!
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, a few reasons why mink oil is a great choice for conditioning and treating your patent leather.
So, if you are looking for a good way to maintain the shine of your patent leather, then using mink oil is definitely the way to go. It will help to soften them up, make them more pliable, reduce cracking, and restore the original color.
It’s a great choice for adding extra protection and care to any item that you have with this type of finish. Just be sure to stick to top-quality brands so that they don’t leave any grease or wax on the surface of your patent leather.
