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Applying Shoe Grease/ "Dubbing"


Both work best if product
and boots are warm. Set
them in the sun or use a
hair dryer.
Huberd's is dark, and
similar to syrup. An old
toothbrush makes a good
applicator.

Work grease into the
leather, (only on the outside
of the boots) paying
attention to the seams
to seal the stitch holes.

Rub boots well with a
towel to remove excess
grease. Make sure to
clean out the eyelets
so you don't slime your
laces.
Sno-Seal is a thick paste,
comparable to shortening,
very similar to the WWII
issue dubbing.
The application process
is the same as with
Huberd's. Apply paste,
work it into the leather.
...wipe off the excess
goop, clear out the
eyelets...
Allow a few hours to dry,
and done. The Huberd's
is slightly darker, but
otherwise the end result
is the same. Now the boots
can be polished if one
desires.

Huberd's or Sno-seal? Honestly, there is no clear cut answer. Both are great, American made products, and the end result is basically identical. Sno-seal is physically more similar to the WWII issue dubbing, and Huberd's will darken the boots slightly more.

Break in/ dubbing: Some say it's best to break in boots first and then apply dubbing. I have done it both ways and noted no clear advantage to either method. Do leave polishing until last.

Operator errors: These products are meant to be applied to the outside of the boots. And do not use an oven (includes microwaves) for any of this!

Death Wish: Both are relatively messy so unless you and your life-partner enjoy sitting in bacon grease, I don't recommend applying them on the sofa while watching Patton. Clean up is soap and warm water- these products aren't caustic, just greasy. An old toothbrush and a towel are the best application tools. And don't forget to clear out the eyelets lest you want your laces to feel like the were dipped in Crisco. (Personal experience.)

Does this work on other boots? Yes, leather boots. All WWII boots will enjoy a bath in these products- Jump Boots, Service Shoes, Jackboots, Lowboots and so forth.

What else should be put on boots? The only other products to use to maintain leather boots would be polish (if you wish), and in some cases dye or edge dressing for color touch up. With Sno-seal or Huberd's, there is no need for "Saddle soap", mink oil, "conditioner" or anything else.

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