How To Wax Leather Gloves? 5 Easy Steps!

how to wax leather gloves
female leather gloves isolated on white

Last updated on : November 14th, 2022 at 05:19 pm

Do you know how to wax leather gloves? If not yet, then you’ll find the answer as you dive further into this article! For leather gloves waxing, you begin by heating the beeswax in the can with the hairdryer or the oven.

Once the beeswax is melted, use the lint-free cloth to apply a thin layer of wax to the gloves. Once the wax has been applied, allow the gloves to dry completely.

Waxing leather gloves helps to waterproof them and prevent them from drying out and cracking.

Leather gloves are an essential item for almost everyone. These gloves protect from the elements, but they will rapidly get damaged if they are not appropriately waxed.

This post will go through numerous techniques for waxing leather gloves. So, if you want to preserve your leather gloves in good shape for a future season, keep reading! So, without further ado, let’s get started!

 

Steps To Apply Wax To Leather Gloves

Waxing leather gloves is a process of coating the gloves with a thin layer of wax, which helps to protect the leather and keep it from drying out.

how to wax leather gloves

Water damage, such as discoloration, cracking, and fracturing, may be avoided by applying a waterproof coating to your gloves.

This also prevents your gloves from being neat and feeling fresh and extending their longevity for next season. We’ll go through a few easy steps on how to wax leather gloves at home, so follow these steps:

 

Step #1. Use a mild soap to clean the leather

The leather should first be cleaned with water and mild soap. Any mud, grease, or other impurities on the leather’s top will be eliminated.  Do you know how to clean leather work gloves?

Circularly knead the soap into the leather with a microfiber sponge, soft cloth, or brush. Before proceeding, rinse the gloves with fresh water and allow them to dry.

If the gloves are very filthy, continue this process a few times. After every wash, properly rinse the gloves to remove any leftover soap. On leather gloves, do not use any strong chemicals or cleansers.

 

Step #2. Use a weatherproof wax

After the gloves have been cleaned and dried, add a waterproofing substance to them. There are several different methods for waterproofing your gloves. One popular way is to coat them using beeswax.

Various leather waxes are available on the market, including beeswax, mink oil, and neatsfoot oil. Whichever method you use, make sure you correctly follow the directions to avoid damaging the gloves.

There are several waterproofing product brands to pick from, so you can find one that best meets your demands. But before, there’s one more step you need to take to make the waterproofing process more successful.

 

Step #3. Heat your gloves

Heat the leather gloves before applying the sealing wax or lotion. This would assist in loosening up the pores in leather, allowing the substance to infiltrate better and preserve the material. This may be achieved by utilizing a hair dryer in a low-temperature setting or putting the gloves in a preheated oven.

Keep the gloves approximately 12 inches from the heating sources and rotate them around to absorb the heat equally. Take care not to overheat the gloves since this might harm the leather. Read this guide to learn how heated gloves work before starting the heating process.

 

Step #4. Put the wax on your gloves

Once the beeswax is melted, apply a thin layer of wax to the gloves. Use a soft cloth or toothbrush to spread the beeswax,  Nikwax, or cream to the leather in a circular path.

Cover the gloves’ surface area and any seams or stitches. Using your hands, spread it evenly throughout the leather.

steps to apply wax to leather gloves

Allow the product to absorb the leather for at least 20 to 60 minutes before putting on the gloves.

Make careful to clean up any leftovers. If you think your gloves need further waterproofing, you can add more layers of wax or cream.

Be sure to wax the inside of the gloves as well as the outside. Simply let each layer dry thoroughly before applying another.

Allow the beeswax to dry properly before wearing your gloves. Do not expose them to a heat source, which may lead to not being soaked effectively, damaging the ultimate product.

Once the gloves are dry, you can buff them with a soft cloth to give them a shine.

 

Step #5. Reapply the wax coating

You must apply the waterproofing treatment every few months to maintain your gloves in excellent condition. This will make your hands dry and pleasant while providing protection for the leather from moisture. Regardless, here’s a helpful article on how to use the best leather conditioner for baseball gloves.

 

Is Waxing Leather Gloves A Good Idea?

While applying waterproof wax gloves has numerous benefits, they give water repellency and prepare your glove for snow.

There are some risks to ponder. To begin with, it’s crucial to realize that these materials will alter the look of your pair of gloves, mainly wax.

After treatment, the leather becomes a bit darkened and may get harder. As a result, before treating the glove, you should test the product on a tiny unnoticeable section of the gloves.

Another disadvantage of waterproofing solutions is that they might reduce the breathability capacity of the gloves. That implies that using them may cause your hands to sweat excessively, which could be unpleasant.

This is important to consider if you reside in a hot climate or want to use your mittens in hot weather. If you suffer from sensitivities or allergies, try the product on a tiny patch of skin before putting it on the gloves.

Many brands of waterproofing solutions may irritate some people. Always read the instructions and avoid using the product when encountering negative results.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below we have answered the questions related to leather gloves waxing, so go down:

 

#1. What type of wax are you using?

Many types of wax can be used for different purposes. The kind of wax that you use will depend on what you are trying to achieve.

For example, if you are trying to create a smooth, glossy finish, you would use a different type of wax than if you are trying to make a matte finish. Some common types of wax used include Carnauba wax, beeswax, paraffin wax, and soy wax.

 

#2. Are you using a brush or your hands to apply the wax?

You can apply wax to your car in a few different ways. You can use a brush, you can use your hands, or you can use a cloth. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. For brushes, these are the advantages:

  1. You can get into all nooks and crannies with a brush.
  2. Brushes are less likely to leave streaks than other methods.

 

#3. How are you heating the wax?

There are a few different ways to heat the wax. The most common way is to use a double boiler. This is where you put this thing in a bowl or pot sitting on top of a pot of boiling water.

The heat from the boiling water will melt the wax.  Another way to heat the wax is to use a crock pot. You can put the wax in the crock pot and turn it on to a low setting.

 

#4.  What is the temperature of the wax?

The temperature of the wax can vary depending on a few different factors. The type of wax, the brand of wax, and the specific wax formula can all affect the temperature.

Generally, the temperature of the wax should be between 140-160 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

#5. Are you using a cloth to buff the wax?

Yes, I am using a cloth to buff the wax. I find that it helps to remove any excess wax and leaves a nice, smooth finish.  You should let the wax dry for at least 30 minutes before using the gloves. This will allow the wax to harden and form a protective barrier on your hands.

 

It’s A Wrap!

To summarize, waterproof leather gloves give your hand breathability; they have a thin membrane that keeps your hands dry all day.

Waxing leather gloves every 3-6 months is recommended to keep them in good condition.

Note that the waterproofing gloves will ultimately become wet if they are exposed to water for an extended period, regardless of how thoroughly you wax them. If I were you, I would also check on the ways on how to care for your leather gloves.

Waxing treatments simply prevent the leather from water degradation and assist in prolonging the lifespan of the gloves. We hope that you understand how to wax leather gloves. We are sure that we helped you out. Thanks, friends, for being with us!