Content:
- Impregnation action
- Varieties of water repellents
- Water repellent for leather and suede
- Funds for other materials
- Top Impregnation Rating
- Top Spray Rating
- Treatment
Snow and rain, frost and heat - these are factors that have a detrimental effect on our shoes, causing them to deteriorate. At the same time, not even expensive shoes can look attractive if properly cared for. Winter shoes need to use special tools, such as painting aerosols and water-repellent impregnations. You should not save, because they help the shoes look more presentable, and also can extend the life of your favorite pair. In this case, only one nuance is important - you only need to spend money on the goods, so it is important to understand water-repellent impregnations and which ones are better.
Impregnation action
Typically, water-repellent impregnations are presented on store shelves in the form of a solution or emulsion, which is treated with the surface of the shoe. Action means:
- Protect shoes from moisture, which can be provided even during the purchase of boots or shoes. It is enough to treat the surface of the shoe, causing a copious layer of solvent, which will disappear in a couple of minutes, but will create a thin layer, the molecules of which will protect the shoe from moisture.
- The special tool is capable of creating protection not only from above the shoe, because its molecules penetrate into the fibers, as they have minimal hygroscopicity.
Important! When buying a water-repellent impregnation, you need to read its instructions in detail, because each tool is intended for a particular material. You need to buy an impregnation that matches the material from which home shoes are made.
Advantages of using special impregnations:
- Shoes become resistant to moisture and aggressive components - reagents, dust, dirt and salt.
- The material retains an attractive appearance, as it dries less and becomes more elastic.
- Does not affect the breathability.
- Safe for humans and their skin.
- Does not weigh the material.
- Protects shoes and their surface from premature fading.
Important! As for the shortcomings, it is only one - the use of impregnation takes time and money. At the same time, it should be noted that the result justifies the costs.
Varieties of water repellents
At the moment, the production of such special equipment is engaged in several hundred companies that produce their products on the market. All assure that it is their products that are better, because they have a number of undeniable merits. Before you deal with those whose tool is better, you need to understand what kinds it is.
Impregnation
This type of product does not look like sprays or cream, because it penetrates deep into the material, providing reliable and long-lasting protection from the inside. When choosing the impregnation, it is important to determine for which material it is suitable, since each contains special elements that interact with different types of surfaces. Types of impregnation:
- Fluorocarbon resin impregnation is the ideal solution for nubuck and suede.
- Silicone impregnation - for leather and other smooth materials.
- In all other cases, you can use a special tool, which includes water repellents.
Water repellent spray
This type of special equipment is universal and at the same time ideal, as it can be used for any shoes and even clothes. Advantages of spray:
- Easy to apply, no need for special tools, brushes, etc. The only conditions when working with sprays - they can not be used indoors.
- The spray has almost unlimited shelf life, so that it can be used for more than one season.
Cream
Creamy impregnation conventionally divided into two categories:
- Thick - usually used for leather shoes and leather products (gloves or bags). The composition is dominated by coloring components, wax, solvent and animal fat.
- Emulsions and liquid - used in warm weather. Their protection is weak, since the main function of such impregnations is to make shoes more attractive.
Water repellent for leather and suede
It is necessary to approach the choice of means extremely carefully as having mixed up impregnation, it is possible to spoil the footwear. That is why it is important to know what kind of impregnation you need to buy:
- Aerosol - is used for smooth skin and is prohibited for suede. Suede shoes are best treated with universal means, which include fluorocarbon resins. Animal fat and wax will spoil the villi and destroy the appearance of nubuck or suede shoes.
- As for leather shoes, it needs fat and wax, which are contained in creams and aerosols. Ideally, if the composition of the special equipment is goose or seal fat, mink oil. It is these animal fats that have the greatest penetrating and protective ability.
Silicone impregnation - the world leader among impregnations for shoes, because its treatment with such a special means of water will roll off the surface. Silicone film reliably protects the material of the shoe, but at the same time does not impair the air exchange. The action of impregnation begins after 8 hours, so it is better to soak the shoes before bedtime. Here the main thing to consider a couple of nuances:
- Unscrupulous manufacturers can replace fluorocarbon resins with cheap silicone, which will impair the impregnation properties. In this case, the tool will break the air.
- Fluorocarbon resin is the substance in the composition of the impregnation, which is absorbed into the shoe, distributed between the fibers. In this case, the moisture will simply collect drops on the surface of the shoe and roll down.
Important! Study the instructions and composition before you buy the product. If it is written that there are water-repellent emulsions or components in the composition, then it is better not to buy such impregnation. The fact is that good manufacturers always indicate the name of the ingredients - fluorocarbon resins, animal fats, etc.
Funds for other materials
- Membrane shoes need the same thorough care as leather, so you need to buy a standard set of impregnations, which is in any shoe store. It is better to give preference to those means that are intended for genuine leather.
- Shoes made of leatherette - for her there are no special means and special impregnations, since this material is not able to absorb anything in its composition. The only effective way to protect shoes from imitation leather from moisture is a trip to the workshop, where shoes will be additionally glued and sewn.
- Cloth shoes - protection from moisture does not make sense, it is better to wear such shoes in dry weather.
Top Impregnation Rating
- WolySport is an aerosol based on nanotechnology. It can be used for all types of fabrics, best suited for sports shoes, the price is $ 7.
- Olvist is a universal tool that is used for all types of shoes. The main advantage is the price, which is no more than 5 dollars for one aerosol spray.
- TextileProtect - produced in the form of a bottle with a spray, the cost - $ 30. Impregnation is a specialized composition, so it can be used not only for shoes, but also for tents, covers, umbrellas, etc.
- Nikwax - a wide range, so you can buy impregnation, as for any type of footwear, and for down jackets or umbrellas. The price is about 5 dollars for 1 aerosol.
Top Spray Rating
- Collonil is a product that can be used for velor, smooth leather, nubuck and fur. The composition creates a special film that protects any surface. The cost is $ 22, it’s difficult to buy in a store, but it’s not difficult on the Internet. This tool is ideal for spring and autumn, but not applicable in the winter period of time, as it does not protect against salts and reagents. The disadvantage is a sharp and unpleasant smell.
- Salamander is one of the most popular brands in the domestic market, as it has a low price - $ 10. Spray can be used for umbrellas, shoes and clothes. The disadvantage is a pungent smell, so it should be used outside or in very well ventilated areas.
- Akvabron - a new tool, the cost of which is about $ 25. The spray is versatile and suitable for both artificial fabrics and natural materials. Due to the unique composition of the protective effect lasts 3 months, while there are no toxic additives, wax and paraffin, solvents or oils. The disadvantage - the purchase is possible only by reservation.
Treatment
If the water-repellent impregnation is selected and acquired, then it's time to do your favorite shoes, protecting it from external factors. First you need to clean the shoes:
- Rinse in water - suitable for skin.
- Clean with a brush and special foam - if it is suede.
Important! If all the care products are from the same manufacturer, then this will give an ideal result, because their products complement each other.
After cleaning the surface, you need to wait for the shoes to dry naturally, to dry them on heating appliances is prohibited. It is best to clean the shoes in the evening, so that in the morning you can treat it with impregnation:
- Take the impregnation and before using it, read the instructions for use.
- Follow the instructions carefully to achieve the perfect result.
- If the agent has an unpleasant smell, then it is necessary to work with it on the street, in a well-ventilated or uninhabited room.
- Shake tool and keep it at a distance of 20-30 centimeters from the shoe.
- Press on the piston and with a quick movement to process the surface.
- Apply the substance on the shoes need not less than 2-3 hours before going out, otherwise the effectiveness of the tool will be minimal.
