Timberland has been in the market for a long time. There isn’t much to say about that. Timbs are known for their quality and performance, but scratches are pretty much inevitable no matter the quality.
Scratches can be a real disappointment. It can be an accidental scratch when you trudge through the snow, or you can have them scuffed up by mud and pebbles, it’s annoying to see scratches on your favorite pair of boots.
Fortunately, there are many solutions to repair the scratches and put your Timberlands back to their fresh new look. And this article has everything you need to know to fix your scratched Timbs back to new in no time.
Before You Fix Scratches in Your Timbs
There are a few things you should know about your leather Timberland boots before you attempt to fix the scratches.
Firstly, Leather mostly can’t be repaired since it’s made from animal skin that’s been dead for a long time. It means that instead of repairing the scratched area, you’ll be able to fix it in a way, so it looks like it was never damaged in the first place.
Now: Bumps and scratches can be divided into light, medium, and deep. It doesn’t matter how nasty the gash is; it’s most likely covered with dust. As a result, cleaning up is a must before you start fixing your Timbs.
To properly clean the boots, you need to soak a soft cloth in gentle soapy water and wipe off the shoes’ exterior. Continue the cleaning process with a clean towel soaked in water to remove any remaining dirt residue. After drying the washed area with a clean, dry towel, you’re all set to start the fixing process!
Related: Are Timberlands Vegan? Exploring the Animal-Friendly Side of this Iconic Brand
Fixing Light Scratches
Light scratches are hard to spot but almost effortless to remove. All you have to do is simply follow the three steps below –
Step 1: First thing you need to do is oil to condition the leather. You can use Olive oil or mink oil, for everyday household items, so you’ll have them somewhere around your home.
To get the best results, or if you’re feeling fancy, you can also use a specialized leather boot oil specially designed for leather.
Step 2: After putting a few drops of oil on your fingertips, Lightly dab a few drops of the oil on the scratched area.
Step 3: For at least 3 to 5 minutes, polish the scratched area by using a clean and gentle piece of cloth. Soon you’ll see that the scratches are beginning to go away. Until you can no longer see scratches, keep polishing the scratched area.
Fixing Medium Scratches
Medium scratches are more noticeable but tend not to damage the leather as much. For that reason, getting rid of them is not a big deal. Oil conditioning, however, is not as effective on medium scratches as it is on light ones.
For medium scratches, lanolin cream is the most convenient and time-saving option. To soften and nurture leather, lanolin cream is a better choice than regular oils because of its specific formulation. You’ll see that, When a small quantity of liquid is applied to a scratched leather surface, it expands the leather.
Thanks to this extension, The boots quickly get restored to their original condition. You can apply the lanolin cream the same way you apply oil. Apply a tiny amount of the cream to the scratched area with your fingertips, and then use a clean microfiber cloth to buff the area until the scratches are all gone.
Fixing Deep Scratches
It’s no brainer that deep scratches cause noticeable damage, including rips and lacerations. That being said, don’t be too worried because It’s possible to get rid of them. The good news is that you can use a method to repair your boots, even if it can get a bit difficult.
You should know that oils and creams will not be enough to fix the deeper scratches. Most oil and cream conditioners will minimize the appearance of deep scratches rather than conceal them. The scratched areas need to be blended with the unaffected parts, which require more effort.
1. Glue and Leather Filler Technique
If you didn’t know already, glue or leather fillers are viable options to fix deep scratches. These products are quite good in filling in and masking the damaged area. Glue and leather fillers, however, are just a short-term fix. As they are temporary, they don’t work on shifting spaces the way oils and creams do.
To put this into context, think about how moisturizing elements like oils and lotions work for light and medium scratches. In order to cover up scratches, you can simply apply a layer of the moisturizer to the scratched area and they are easily absorbed to hide the scratches.
On the other hand glues and fillers penetrates the interior. Which, instead of being absorbed, they will dry up and harden, leaving scars that are separate from the rest of the shoe. You’ll also notice that the glue or filler will start to break and chip away, which will reveal the area you have fixed again.
Nevertheless, there is a technique to enhance and extend the results of this technique. Applying the glue or filler is obviously the first step. But the technique that will help to extend your fix is the sanding process which I’ll discuss in depth below. This process requires sanding to level the surface which is then finished up by polishing the area.
You should first master the art of applying glue correctly before moving on to the sanding stage. When it comes to the color of the glue, Clear super glue, leather fillers, or a tint that perfectly matches the color of your boots, are the best options. This will make sure there is color consistency all throughout your shoe.
In my own experience, because of its durability and stability, super glue is a great choice. Simply put the glue to the scratched area with a toothpick or a sewing needle, and be careful not to get glue on the surface that is not scratched.
This will help keep your boots from being damaged. Apply the super glue on both sides of the scratch is big enough to bridge the gap. To remove any remaining glue, dab a dry, clean paper towel over the area.
As tempting as it may be, avoid using soft napkins since they may quickly stick to the adhesive and inflict even more damage. After you’re done with the process, As time passes, you’ll see the scuff disappearing.
Simply put, To fix deep scratches that aren’t quite as bad, this method will be enough. Nevertheless, if the scratches are more serious, you’ll need to use sanding paper.
2. Leather Polish Technique
Leather polish can be used to repair the color of the scratched area to work with the rest of the boot. Using a soft-bristled foot brush, add the leather polish to the patched area and afterward continue on to the rest of the boot, using delicate strokes to combine the colors.
3. Sanding Technique
After cleaning off the remaining glue, sand the repaired area using fine-grit sandpaper in a movement that simulates the scratch. Keep sanding to smooth off the glue as it becomes more visible as you go.
When the glue dries, it will become flat and straight. Sanding will also release leather dust, which you’ll then incorporate into the glue to make a more natural-looking repair that fits the rest of the boot smoothly.
After sanding the boots, take a second to look at them. If you’re happy with the final result, you can skip the sanding step. If you’re not, don’t stress it because you still have one more technique to help you fix the deep scratches.
5 Quick Fixes for Your Timberland Boots When You’re In A Rush
1. Shoe polish fix
If your Timberland boots have any visible scratches, high-quality shoe polish can help hide them. Keep in mind that the color you pick should be as similar as possible to the original color of your boots.
Allow the polish to dry for a few minutes before moving on to the next step. Make sure it’s completely dry before buffing it with a clean cloth. Make sure that any apparent scratches are thoroughly covered up! If you have polished your Timbs right, you should be able to hardly see any scratches.
But keep in mind that you may need to use more than one layer of polish if your scratches are really bad. Make sure that each layer of polish is dry before you proceed to apply the next one.
2. Try Using Nail Polish.
I totally get it if you’re surprised to know that nail polish can fix the scratches in your Timberland boots. It is in fact a very easy and quick method to fix the scratches if you’re in a hurry.
All you need to do is Choose a nail polish that is as similar to the color of your boots as possible. Afterward, use a paintbrush to paint a thin coating and let it dry for at least five minutes before adding another. And you’ll be good to go.
3. Use A Boot Wax
The scratches in your Timberland boots can be disguised by using boot wax. It’s a little more time-consuming, but you’ll get the best results if you do it this way.
Scratches will be easily repaired by applying a small coating of boot wax and letting it sit for a few minutes. Make sure it’s completely dry before buffing it with a dry cloth. Scratches should be covered fully, so make sure you don’t leave any part out!
After the initial application of the boot, the wax has dried fully, you can reapply it if needed. It’s the most time-consuming process out of all I’ve mentioned but you can fully rely on this method to fix the scratches in your timberland boots.
4. Spray Some WD 40
Something that’s likely available in your home is a WD 40 spray. Although it isn’t the ideal option for fixing the scratches on your Timberland boots, you can try this process if you need a super quick fix.
For best results, apply a little amount on a clean cloth, then massage in circular movements into the noticeable scratches on the boot.
Before letting it sit for a few minutes, make sure any apparent scratches are covered up. Using a clean cloth or cotton pad, rub off any remaining WD-40 until all of your boots’ surface is shiny and clean.
5. Use Vaseline
Use Vaseline if you don’t have any shoe polish or nail polish in hand if the scratches are too deep. Scratched skin can be restored with a few minutes of drying time after you apply Vaseline to it. Once it’s completely dry, use a clean cloth to polish it to a high sheen. Remember to thoroughly hide any obvious scratches!
Preventing Scratches in Your Timberland Boots
A solid rule of thumb is to avoid scratching your boots as much as you can even if there are efficient methods to help you fix them. In the long run, it’s better for your boots’ durability if you do this.
Foot spray is one of the best methods to keep your boots from being scratched. When you use a foot spray, it helps to protect the skin of your feet from being scratched.
If you have a sneaky cat, Make sure that they can’t get into the protected place you’ve set up for your timberland boots. Deep scratches on your boots are more than often the result of a cat’s claws.
Boot scratches are pretty much inevitable. There’s a good chance you’ll get a few scratches on your Timberland boots. However, it’s your job to pay attention to what happens to your shoes when they’re hit by a hard surface or trampled by a crowd, or even scratched by a pet.
Besides being conscious and careful, one thing I’d suggest is to go for the waterproof Timberland boots. Here’s why: Waterproof boots are protected with an undetectable and transparent layer that prevents water from penetrating the leather surface. And that extra layer of protection also keeps your boots from getting scratches in both watery or dry circumstances.
So, if scratches are your concern, make sure to choose waterproof Timbs. Also, Timberland offers a variety of waterproof boots so you should have no trouble choosing one.
If you tend to buy more plain boots than textured boots, the scratches will definitely be more noticeable. When it comes to minor scratches, textured boots do a pretty great job at hiding them throughout the textures which makes them less obvious. So, I’d highly suggest going for a textured boot if you’re into that look.
FAQs
How to Know If The Scratches Are Too Deep?
If polishing does not remove any apparent scratches, you can assume that the scratches are rather deep. The quality of your Timberland boots’ exterior will also decrease as a result of this.
Is It Safe to Use Shoe Polish on Suede Boots?
It isn’t. Suede boots cannot be polished using leather polish because the polish will seep into the suede and create a stain. If you use leather polish in your suede boots, it will Discolor your boots which might last a lifetime!
It happens due to the suede fibers’ nature and composition so I’ll suggest not using leather polish on suede boots.
How Frequently Should I Polish My Timberlands Boots?
How often you need to polish your boots varies on how often you wear them. However, From my personal experience, I suggest not to go longer than six months without polishing your timberland boots. and tear they take over the course of their lifespan. And the same goes for leather conditioners and waxes.
Are Timberland Boots Waterproof?
Timberland boots aren’t all made to withstand the elements. However, a big chunk of Timberland PRO® work boots for men and women are waterproof and made with the best materials. Timberland is known to guarantee the waterproofness of every model before it hits the shelves.
Conclusion
I’m hoping I did a pretty good job of relieving your anxiety and providing an in-depth solution to your Timberland boot scratch fixing issue. This guide has pretty much everything you need to know to fix the scratches in your Timberland boots.
As I said earlier, scratches are pretty much inevitable. However, despite all fixing measures, Preventing any damage to your boots as much as you can is still the best course of action, so the best tip of all is to be concerned!
