Crunchy shift boot
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 120
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Crunchy shift boot
So, I asked a guy at work if you can bring back softness to old leather ('88 shift boot is hard but not torn up) and he told me yes, rub vegetable on the inside of it and it will soften. He also said lard or bacon grease would work as well but, don't believe I want a bacon smelling shift boot.
Thought I would share as I am going to try and save myself $50 from buying a new one. Will let you guys know if it's a success in a few days when I get time to try it.
Thought I would share as I am going to try and save myself $50 from buying a new one. Will let you guys know if it's a success in a few days when I get time to try it.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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Bacon! Ha! That's a good one.
They do make leather softening and care products so you don't have to use food-grade stuff. Even vegetable oil has a smell to it.
Meguires, Lexol, and others make the leather softening cream I'm talking about. It looks kindof like vanilla pudding in a spray bottle. But it has the "correct" smell you're after.
FWIW, if it's really dry/cracked, even that won't work. Then you should consider a new one from Redline Goods. You'll find pics of their options in this forum.
They do make leather softening and care products so you don't have to use food-grade stuff. Even vegetable oil has a smell to it.
Meguires, Lexol, and others make the leather softening cream I'm talking about. It looks kindof like vanilla pudding in a spray bottle. But it has the "correct" smell you're after.
FWIW, if it's really dry/cracked, even that won't work. Then you should consider a new one from Redline Goods. You'll find pics of their options in this forum.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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i picked up a boot from a 90-91 console assembly, and the boot was fairly stiff, hard, but no cracking. just dirty, and obviously suffered from a lack of care. i cleaned the boot several times with a conventional leather cleaner, and then applied a very heavy coat of conditioner, and let it soak for several days. seems like it brought it back to life. 
, once the surface is compromised, i doubt that there is anything that will bring it back.
, once the surface is compromised, i doubt that there is anything that will bring it back.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
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Thanks for the feedback. Just remembered I have a bottle of Zymol leather conditioner on the shelf I picked up to try and save some 928 seats a while back. Gotta admit, that new boot looks supple and nice! I was just looking at mine and it wasn't torn up, was hoping to salvage it if possible. So, we'll see what happens with whatever route I try!
Other work over the holidays will consist of door window scrapers, 6.5in speaks in the doors and the fuel gage sender cleaning process for a proper fuel reading. Oh yea... my passenger side front fog/turn signal assy is floating around behind the bumper so, will see if I can JB Weld the lamp assy back where it goes.
Other work over the holidays will consist of door window scrapers, 6.5in speaks in the doors and the fuel gage sender cleaning process for a proper fuel reading. Oh yea... my passenger side front fog/turn signal assy is floating around behind the bumper so, will see if I can JB Weld the lamp assy back where it goes.
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Thanks for the feedback. Just remembered I have a bottle of Zymol leather conditioner on the shelf I picked up to try and save some 928 seats a while back. Gotta admit, that new boot looks supple and nice! I was just looking at mine and it wasn't torn up, was hoping to salvage it if possible. So, we'll see what happens with whatever route I try!
Other work over the holidays will consist of door window scrapers, 6.5in speaks in the doors and the fuel gage sender cleaning process for a proper fuel reading. Oh yea... my passenger side front fog/turn signal assy is floating around behind the bumper so, will see if I can JB Weld the lamp assy back where it goes.
Other work over the holidays will consist of door window scrapers, 6.5in speaks in the doors and the fuel gage sender cleaning process for a proper fuel reading. Oh yea... my passenger side front fog/turn signal assy is floating around behind the bumper so, will see if I can JB Weld the lamp assy back where it goes.
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From: Indian Trail NC
You can also use Neatsfoot Oil...and yes i checked the spelling from the bottle. The leather seats and shift boot in my 1990 were dry and this is what I used. They look new after letting the oil soak in...