Geier Deerskin Gloves Waterproofing

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Picked up some Geier deerskin gloves with the merino lining recently. Want to put sno-seal or nixwax on them for winter activities. Geier said they don't ever get that question and didn't have a recommendation...

So...sno-seal or nixwax for deerskin gloves?? I'm leaning towards the former, that's what I've used on all my flylow leather gloves.

 

[TxxAgg]

I’m a sno-seal fan

 

[MTPipeliner]

No experience with those particular gloves, but I’ve used sno seal on other leather gloves and been pretty satisfied with it.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I think I’d gravitate towards beeswax.

 

[MarlinMark]

Beeswax is the way.... if you don't mind the work upfront to do it. I've got a pair of elk hide gloves I got in Butte that I took the time to treat with beeswax and they are still very comfortable and very water resistant. The break in after the treatment is a bit stiff but worth it. Definitely leave them in a warm place after treating and wear them a lot to get them broke in.

 

[cwitt]

Obenauf’s LP.

 

[survivalistd]

Beeswax

 

[PathFinder]

SnoSeal works well on leather gloves. Heating them with a heat gun on low and adding more layers until they won't take on any more works well, they end up almost completely waterproof. The treatment lasts for a long time, and usually only takes one or two layers to touch up.

 

[arlenmyles]

Obenauf’s LP.

This. Sno-seal smells like shit chemicals. OBLP smells amazing and works great.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

This. Sno-seal smells like shit chemicals. OBLP smells amazing and works great.

I have some Obenaufs too I think. Never noticed a smell with Sno-seal though

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Sno-Seal for me.

 

[Greenstig]

Sno-seal is going to be the easy answer for adding water resistance to leather gloves. Nikwax works very well when first applied, but doesn’t have much longevity for anything subject to friction (I.e. gloves).

Note that Sno-seal is beeswax, it just uses a hydrocarbon solvent to lower the melting point for easier application. When the solvent evaporates, only beeswax remains.

Heating your gloves to a high enough temperature to melt pure beeswax could damage the merino liners.

 

[yfarm]

I have used Obenaufs for years, just put the item in the sun generally is enough heat to liquify the product. There are some conditions( rain or wet snow) where nothing will keep leather dry and its time for Showa 282’s with fleece liners.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Tried the Sno Seal last night and uhh...not sure it worked that well.

Heated the gloves up but I think they cooled off way too fast. They got very tacky very quick. Trying to reheat with the heat gun seemed to burn the Sno Seal a bit so I couldn't do that effectively. Seems like I have too much on there now and no good way to work it into the leather or wipe the excess with how tacky it is...

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Can't believe they "Never got that question".

I bought some unlined after much research. And bought thin Merino liner gloves to pair.

Obenauf's is the direction I will go. And leave overnight at the wood stove

"Saw it right off........too much coal"

Went pretty heavy did ya?

 

[Greenstig]

"Saw it right off........too much coal"

Went pretty heavy did ya?

This.

Multiple light coats and gentle heat is the way. Fortunately, they will likely lose their stickiness with a few days of good use. Even quicker if stored in a warm, sunny location.

I disagree with those suggesting Obenaufs for this application. Unlike Sno seal, it softens the leather too much and migrates into the insulation of lined gloves. It also stays tacky/oily to the touch far, far longer than even overapplied Sno-seal.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Maybe baking instead of a heat gun was the move? Want to say my Flylow gloves were easier to work the snoseal with but it's been a few years.

 

[Greenstig]

Maybe baking instead of a heat gun was the move? Want to say my Flylow gloves were easier to work the snoseal with but it's been a few years.

View attachment 1027438

Yep. Heat gun sounds way too hot, leaving the beeswax on the leather surface while the solvent essentially flashes off. Gently heating the leather itself prior to application will lead to much better absorption.

The ideal temperature for this is probably 110-125 degrees. The Flylow video says 185 degree oven, but only for a few minutes. The leather glove isn’t actually getting up to oven temperature, but just warm enough to instantly melt the Sno seal.