The best ratio is 8 parts Naptha or Mineral Spirits to 1 part clear silicone. I've turned regular bed sheets into wood pile tarps. Works great.

First, you want to clean the object you are going to seal. For leather follow the best method for your type of boots, skipping any soaps with oils. You can however, add any types of dyes and scuff covers etc. Once fully dry then add this last waterproofing step. Always remove your laces before doing any work on your boots.

Well that beats the heck out of using Poisoness Telflon to water proof raincoats and shoes. Your new method is is brilliant :)

On my duster, a long, cotton coat, I warmed about a liter of petroleum jelly until it was melted, and mixed it with about equal of just regular charcoal lighter fluid. I unbuttoned and unzipped everything, and used a spray bottle to soak the outer layers. I did this while it was layed out in the sun, and when it had sufficiently dried, I did it again. I also did this to a cotton wide-brim hat at the same time. Quite water repellant, and I can do it again in the future if needed.

Ingredients: ~1 qt (946 ml) Odourless Mineral Spirits (aka White Spirit or Mineral Turpentine) to 100% Clear Silicone ~2.6 oz (1 tube, 83ml). Mix anywhere from 1:1 to 3:1... does not have to be exact since mineral spirits will evaporate after application. Need mixing container and paint brush (cleaned out with mineral spirits when done).

I would imagine a leather boot treated with this would not breathe at all. That would mean I would sweat much quicker. Sounds like a trade-off. Also it would probably take a long time for the boot to dry out properly if it did got wet after long exposure to water. Please let me know what you think or experience. Great video thanks for posting.

Many thanks for this. I just now used it to waterproof my work boots. Nylon ballistic material, and it soaked right in. For the first time that I can remember, I am actually looking forward to getting them wet as a test.

Trying to make my hair waterproof. Thanks for the vid it worked well!

I wonder how long it lasts? I imagine constant flexing of the boot at the usual places will eventually crack the silicone, losing its waterproofing. Nothing will remove or stick to cured silicone, so it cant be replenished. The beauty of beeswax and similar stuff, is that it readily redissolves and can be replensihed many times, and it also lubricates the material.

I use Vaseline on leather and warm it in front of the wood stove until it soaks right in. It works awesome. I put my new leather gloves on and rub Vaseline on them as well.

Thank you very much! I have spent a lot of money on those waterproof sprays and this looks like a much more effective and cheaper method.

I melt bees wax and olive oil and stir the mixture while it cools. It is a nice thick even paste that I can rub in to leather.

Holy cow! I wonder how this would work on crafts that would want to go outside! Worth a try Thanks!

You should never use mineral spirits, ever. You want a solvent that will evaporate. Acetates are too aggressive. The recommended choice is naphtha. It will dissolve the silicone into solution, penetrate the material and then evaporate leaving the silicone. That's how it's done.

I've used a mix of 50/50% clear paraffin wax (candle 🕯 wax) & toilet ring wax. That works amazingly well on leather boots. It also worked good on the the non leather boot tongue & boot strings. I've never tried on suede, so I'm debating on wax or silicone for my knock off tan military ⚔ boots.

For Australian viewers, use full tube of Selleys Speed Seal 100% Silicone and 700ml Diggers Low Odour Mineral Turpentine. Used very successfully on synthetic canvas motorcycle bags.

I'm watching this in 2022. How did the waterproofing last?? Did you try it in wet grass, walking in puddles of water or in ankle deep snow for extended periods?? I didn't see any follow up. How did this work over a period of several weeks or months or a year or two?? Looks like a terrific idea. Thanks for sharing. Ax

Quick and to the point! Thank you

Ty for showing this im gonna do my storm chasing cloths so when we go out chasing we wont b that wet.

I did try it, and it's really works. All my goldfish are totally waterproof now.

Thanks I got several pairs of old motorcycle boots , I will give it a try thank you much 😀 😊 👍 SWEET AND SIMPLE

Not recommended for cotton canvas since it reduces breathability. I would only use this on synthetics like poly canvas, etc. Canvas experts suggest using water based waterproofing. The mineral spirits used in this video is equivalent to White spirit UK or mineral turpentine in Australia & NZ

Imho this should be used only on textiles as tents or outdoor blankets. I think it would be effective and lasting.On the other hand I have read many years ago that silycon cut wrinkles in the leather. So better use boot grease and shoe polish for it. And they must be used properly too.

Good to know. I use snow seal or mink oil or Vaseline . This is good to know as well 👍👍

I'm going to make my dog ​​waterproof

Will try this on my old ADV boots, thanks for the tip

Cool, waterproof laces.

Fundamental missing thing in this video - remove the laces and pull the tongue out as far as it goes, pay particular attention to the seams attaching the tongue to the boot as well as all the other seams.

I like this solution. Motorcycle riding pants, shirts, leather items, even weathered birdhouses can be treated with this stuff. Unlike various oils and waxes, this stuff never wears out, it actually plasticizes the object you're painting it on because, like oils it soaks in. But unlike oils, it doesn't evaporate, ever. It stays put and plyable regardless of temperature. It also seems to bind fabric together, making it more durable without stiffening it (like waxes do).

Keep in mind that it is possible for the mineral spirits to weaken the adhesives used in gluing the soles of the boot to the leather. YMMV.

Wow, thanks for this tip! I can do this immediately!!!

Put a couple marbles in the container to help mix when you shake.

i could nt easily source 100% pure silicon unless i ordered it online so tried a bog standard 2 year old white silicone in the garage along with ancient old white spirit..Mixed some up quickly and painted it on an old none waterproof raincoat which had long lost any waterproofing ..Amazed to see the really heavy hosepipe I aimed at beading up and dropping off like water off a ducks back. So does it make any difference what % of silicon is used . Mine was the cheapest in the shop

There is a solution developed during WWI by the Germans that for me has worked better than anything I have ever used including Mink Oil or Saddle soap. It's called Ballistol and is mixed as follows. One quarter cup Ballistol to three quarters cup water. The Ballistol becomes active in the water and will look like milk. Mix well and spray on leather. The Germans developed this as a water proofing for leather and as a means to protect their metal and wood items. Many shooters use it for cleaning black powder guns as well as modern guns. The water will evaporate and leaves the oils in the Ballistol.

White gas is great for dissolving silicone and evaporates very well and does not included xylene and other additives that are carcinogenic.

Outstanding behaviour and thank you Sir, big up from England.

Can you use a mixer maybe on of those paint mixing blade things you put on a drill to mix this? I would like to try this for outdoor furniture cushions I just got, they keep getting soaked even after I sprayed them with the scotch guard stuff.

That's a cool trick. Does it change the texture of the material at all. Give it a plastic feel? Or does the leave look and feel exactly as it did before the treatment ?

very nice idea. thanks!

I did this tonight on my work boots. Thank you for this video

Going to do this on all my light colored shorts by the crotch area to avoid drip spots . 👍👍

Great video! This is super useful

Thanks for showing this... Can i ask for the ratio of the solution... Deeply appreciated

I work with a light spray of water sometimes and it a pain to change boots constantly look forward to trying it out thanx

Thank you so so much for sharing! This is amazing!

Don't know that I'd use it on boots. Boots w/ a Gortex liner will let perspiration out. Boots treated with a solution like this will likely result in the pores of the leather being sealed and keeping all the perspiration inside the boot and leaving the wearer with wet feet even on a dry day.

Great idea, just don’t expect them to be breathable anymore so your feet will sweat more. Capt. Obvious🕵️‍♂️

take your laces off first, or they struggle to hold a knot after,. This also gives you clear access to treat the whole of the tongue of the boot - one of the commonest points of leakage

How's it affected the leather over time?

I literally have this ,I’m so doing this

how long does this last?

Love the video and your instructions. Will do this!!! Great Video! (The music bed (your music background)was a bit of distracting from your great instructions. A bit too bouncy, as well, if you don't mind the feedback!)

Can that waterproof solution withstand chlorine at the pool? Can it also work with stretch fabrics?

Very good idea. Very much like that it easier than the cooking type waterproofing. FYI: the music is annoying. We came hear to hear you not fight the music. Some of us have hearing difficulties thus to hear and understand you we must fight the music.

You must be careful; the solvent you use may dissolve the glue that holds the boots together.

Thank you for making this

actually add a second valence material and it will keep the leather from cracking.... valence bonding to both! good job on video! edit i put it on my bivy and it withstood a torential rain with only minor dampness...

I do this too... I used it on umbrella, backpacks, tent...

Hello, do you think that clear silicone caulk could work instead of 100% silicone?

I wish that your voice was a little louder, or that your music was a little softer. But otherwise, this video was very helpful. How should we thin out this solution? I would like to use it in a spray bottle. My family has several tents of various sizes and we want to keep them as dry as possible for our camping trip. Most of them are synthetic but we have some canvas gear too. Thanks for sharing ⛺️🥾🎒👟🧢🧤🏕⛱

Ok, that was 5 years ago. Over the long term how well did the solution work out? What kind of upkeep did you have to perform? I seen a video in which a guy used crystalized wax, tung oil, tung oil finish, and ???? to make tin pants out of some carhartt pants. I'm wondering if that would even soak in to leather or tennis shoe material. There is an outfit in Australia that makes transformer expedition trailer who soak their canvas in some kind of waterproofing first before building these folding trailers. Here's something else I've been thinking about when you cant afford quality boots. There are all sorts of liquid rubber compounds. I remember vulcanized rubber tire patches. To stretch the life of your cheap boots, could you mop on a rubber compound on your boots then vulcanize the rubber with say a heat gun on high without damaging the boots? I would assume that you would have to put it on in layers including the hollow core soles.

What about shoelaces, can you coat that as well, ?? Very important

How to waterproof normal sneakers. Get two small candles. Rub the shoe with the candle until it is completely covered- black sneakers should look white. Make sure you do the whole shoe, down to the sole and all the laces. Then get a hairdryer and melt the wax into the shoe. It will feel and look exactly the same as it did, but will now be waterproof. It allows total breathability and works like a charm.

Does the solution disintegrate the leather etc?

Excellent idea!

How about using this waterproof solution and fibric and/or polyester to re-glue the soles of your gym shoes and/or boots?! I believe they will have very good grips for anti-slipping.

Does the material lose it's fabric soft to the touch texture? If so, by how much... meaning, if I were to do this on a sofa or a shirt, will it make the material uncomfortable enough that you no longer want to sit in the sofa or wear the shirt? Does this crack or wear off over time? if so how long does this last?

Thanks mister i like the idea so much

It can be spray with spray bottle?

I agree with removing the laces. I also say, washer, shoes, boots, whatever with plain water first. Duh. Remove laces, and then apply mixture whatever kind you think works, because you obviously can’t agree on it.

Great DIY. Can make gallons and gallons of this stuff at a fraction the cost of commercial ready to use products. Thanks for sharing. I do wonder though if is there a more natural organic formula?

How long can you keep the remaining solution for?

vaseline will dissolve into rubber and synthetic stitching weakening both

Outstanding buddy!! Thx for the info🙃👍✌

Can you use this to waterproof a shower base? Our shower keeps leaking after I have caulked everything!! I think I may have a small crack in the base??

My dad used to use dried bacon 🥓 grease on his redwings.. this is better because it doesn’t smell bad after awhile😂

Take the laces out and you will get better protection!

Remove shoelaces and waterproof that area, then sock shoelaces too. Let dry.

Great video thank you I liked it and I subscribed ! 👍👏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎈😊

I'm gonna try this as shoe polish is rubbish

Be interesting to see how this performs after the boots have flexed for a few decent walks, I suspect the silicone will begin to flake on the surface and ruin the boots.

Do they work on sneakers 👟 and also do they react with the material

Great video and great information

Someone said in the comments that you have to remove the laces and pull the tongue out when doing this, ok I removed the laces buth I do seal stupid doing thith wif my tongue hanging out! 😂

Very elegant method! But be carefull if you apply the solution by spraying it! You MUST AVOID contact with the aerosols! These so called "secondary crosslinking silicones" are very dangerous especially for lung an eyes and may cause serious damages.

can you save the balance in a sealed jar? Will it keep for re-use later? If so, how long will it keep?

Seems like mineral spirits and silicone are very flammable versus you saying bees wax is MORE flammable 😆 LOL.

Nobody in Europe knows what "odourless mineral spirits" means since nothing is marketed with that name here. We have "white spirit" which has a characteristic smell and is never odourless which "seems" to be the equivalent degreasing diy solvent but nobody knows.......

naptha works even better

The mineral spirit doesn't affect the leather?

That be a amazing undercoating for a truck

I wonder how this is on wood?

Can this be applied to bags?

Hi , can i use paint thinner ?

Well done!

very cool

That is cool love it.

Quick question: I know you shown a waterproof testing with your boots but what about after boots has been worn/ flexing all different parts, still waterproof? Does this solution adapt well to parts of footwear that is constantly flexing or mainly for stationary areas? Thanks

this is good for all sneakerheads like me!!! NO TO CREP PROTECT LOL

The solution doesn't last for me. Initially I tried 1 part silicone to 5 parts mineral spirit & that was fin to use on the day, but the next day it was like set jelly. Some people recommend a 1:10 mix by weight, others 1:15. I do a 1:15 mix now & that lasts a bit longer, but not indefinitely. I don't recall how long , but it also sets like jelly. At this rate, I may need to do several treatments, but if if try to do too heavy a mix, it can make items look rather odd.