Aquaseal Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Aquaseal Creme

Where can I buy Aquaseal® products?

Check our "Dealer Finder" on this website for a retail store near you or an online retailer. Our online page lists each product and the online dealers who sell it from their websites. Some of the online dealers will take orders over the phone as well as on the web.

What types of leather and leather products can you use Aquaseal® on?

Aquaseal� cream was formulated for smooth full grain oil tanned leathers. It can be used on shoes and boots, for work or play, outdoors or indoors. The following are some additional applications: Leather gloves, leather dress shoes (polish can be applied over or under), western style or "cowboy" boots, leather soccer shoes, leather athletic shoes, leather skates, leather tack, baseball gloves and motorcycle boots.

What is the active waterproofing agent of Aquaseal�?

High density silicone oil.

How is Aquaseal® different from all the other silicone footwear care products on the market?

Most silicone products rely 100% on silicone for the care and nurturing of leather. While silicone is an effective waterproofing agent it is not a particularly good leather conditioner. Aquaseal�, on the other hand, effectively combines silicone with an highly effective leather conditioning agent, which renders a true all-in-one product. Not only do your feet stay dry, but your leather will stay in tip top condition if used regularly.

Is Aquaseal� for all seasons and all climates?

Yes. From hot-dry to cold-wet, Aquaseal� works for every climate and every season. If you live in a hot arid region like many parts of Arizona, Aquaseal� will protect your leather from drying out. If you live in wet country like western Oregon or Washington, Aquaseal� will protect the leather from getting wet. If you live in a sub-freezing climate like North Dakota or Alaska, Aquaseal� is a good choice. It remains pliable at low temperatures, which makes it easy to apply.

Will silicone hurt the stitching of leather footwear?

No. Silicone and leather are very compatible. However, a number of years ago a few popular silicone "polymer" products had in their formula a solvent which tended to soften the glue in some footwear. Eventually this strong solvent was identified as toxic to leather and people. The manufacturers of those products discontinued using the solvent. This solvent was never used in any Aquaseal� product.

Does Aquaseal condition leather?

Yes, Aquaseal� contains a special conditioner that helps maintain the aesthetic appeal of leather. This same conditioner will also help restore dried out leather to its original suppleness.

Can Aquasal be used on the fabric parts of fabric-leather footwear?

Not recommended, but it will not hurt the fabric and will add some water repellency to it.

Can it be used on suede and nubuck leathers?

Liquid Aquaseal

Will it darken the leather?

Yes, some darkening will occur, especially on suede and nubuck leathers. If you think this might be a problem, try it on a hidden part first.

Is it safe to use on Gore-Tex� footwear?

Aquaseal

"Safe on Gore-Tex(R) footwear".

Does Aquaseal� allow the leather to breathe?

Aquaseal�

Does Aquaseal® waterproof the leather or just make it water repellent?

Aquaseal

dried-out

How much do you use?

For periodic maintenance apply enough to restore that rich leather look. If the leather is severely parched, two coatings may be necessary. Better to apply a couple of medium coatings rather than one thick coating. That way the first coating has time to soak in, leaving no excess on the surface. If you know you are going to be in severe wet weather for a prolonged period of time a third coating may be necessary. In this situation you will have much better success if you apply each coat a full day apart and then allow one full day of curing before your outdoor excursion. This will help Aquaseal� to bond to the leather and to the previous coating. Be careful not to over apply; more is not necessarily better. Let the appearance of the leather do the talking. You never want to apply so much that the surface looks "goopy" or feels "sticky".

How long will it last?

One application of Aquaseal� will keep feet dry from 2-3 days to 2-3 months depending on the degree of exposure and the amount of flexing of the footwear. Warm wet weather will accelerate wear as will extremely hot dry weather. We suggest you take some extra with you for those prolonged excursions away from home.

Can you apply Aquaseal to wet leather?

Aquaseal� can be applied to wet leather if necessary. It will tend to push the water out or displace it as you rub Aquaseal� in.

Liquid Aquaseal

What is the difference between Liquid Aquaseal� with dauber and Aquaseal� creme?

Both products are made of the same ingredients, but formulated differently. They both waterproof and condition leather. The crème contains more wax, which helps it to last longer in the leather whereas the liquid has more conditioning oil and silicone oil. The liquid is also a little quicker and easier to apply since it has the dauber.

When would you recommend the creme and when would you recommend the liquid?

Use the creme when maximum waterproofing is essential. It will also provide terrific conditioning. Use the liquid when convenience is desired due to the dauber applicator. The liquid is especially appropriate for Gore-Tex� footwear since it allows maximum breathability. Even though Gore-Tex� boots are waterproof, the leather outer will likely need periodic maintenance.

When would I use the "pump" product instead of the liquid with dauber or the crème?

It is very quick and easy to use, dries fast, will not darken and is safe on suede and nubuck leathers. It is an ideal application for casual leather footwear when exposure to rain is moderate.

Suede & Nubuck

When would I use "Aquaseal� Suede and Nubuck"?

Aquaseal� Suede & Nubuck was specifically designed for the care and maintenance of suede and nubuck footwear. It is a water and stain repellent. It will not darken or flatten down the nap if used properly. Be careful not to over apply. It is better not to rub the leather with fingers but use a brush. A high percentage of hiking boots and many casuals are now made with nubuck leathers.

All-Purpose Footwear Cleaner

What kind of footwear do you recommend using Aquaseal� Footwear Cleaner on?

This is an excellent cleaner for all types of outdoor or indoor "activity" footwear. Footwear Cleaner comes with a handy scrub brush. It can be used on casuals and dress footwear, but use on a hidden part first.

Stitch Guard

What is Stitch Guard for and do I really need it?

Stitch Guard has two benefits for outdoor footwear. It provides a long lasting plug for the stitch holes so water cannot get through. It encapsulates the stitching thread in a protective coating to help protect against fraying. Since the stitching holes are much bigger than the pores of the leather this tends to be the first place where water penetrates. Stitch Guard is a must for those in need of maximum protection from water penetration.

Cork Seal

What does Cork Seal do?

Cork Seal is designed for resealing the perimeter of the soles of cork soled sandals such as Birkenstock�, Simple� and Naot�. These types of sandals are efficiently sealed at the factory, but after much wear and tear the sealant may begin to wear off. Cork chips off easily without a proper sealant.

Black Leather

Is this just for black leather or can I put it on other colors of leather?

We recommend it only for black leather. The black dye in it will darken other colored and non-colored leather.

Will this stuff hurt my leather?

No, it is basically the same as our Liquid Aquaseal (same components), which will bring your leather back to life, and restore the black that has been worn and/or sun bleached.

What is the difference between Aquaseal� Black Leather and Kiwi� Shoe Polish?

Kiwi� is a shoe polish and dye. It will do a very good polish job for you, but will not waterproof or condition the leather. Aquaseal� Black Leather will waterproof and replenish the conditioning oils that are lost through heat, time, wear and tear.

Polycoat

Does Poly Coat work on canvas tents?

No, it is only designed for nylon tents.

How much Poly Coat do I need for my 8' x 10' tent floor?

One 8oz bottle of Poly Coat will coat approx. 25 sq ft. of nylon tent floor; A 16oz bottle will coat approx. 50 sq.ft. The tent floor usually includes 12"-16" of wall from the floor up all the way around. First calculate the total area to be coated. 8' x 10' = 80 sq.ft. + 36 feet of perimeter x's 1 �' for wall portion, 36' x 1 � = 54 sq.ft. Now add the two numbers, 80 sf + 54 sf = 134 sf. If you are purchasing the 16oz bottles, which are more economical, then divide 134 sf by 50 = 2.68, which rounds off to 3 - 16oz bottles of Poly Coat. If the tent fly needs coating then that will need to be calculated as well.

How long does Poly Coat last?

This completely depends on severity and frequency of usage. A good rule of thumb would be at least one-half - two thirds the life time that the factory coating lasted. Since we, the makers of Poly Coat, have no direct control over the application we can only estimate the coating's longevity.

Can I use the tent the day after I coat it?

We recommend waiting a full 72 hours for a full polymer cure process before using the tent.

My whole Boy Scout troop needs to waterproof their tents. Can it be bought by the gallon?

A limited number of our customers will special order gallon quantities. Contact us for more information.

Seam Seal

Do I really need Seam Seal to waterproof my tent?

Unless the seams on your tent are tape-sealed you definitely need to seal the seams for a water tight tent.

How much do I need to seal my tent?

A 2oz bottle is usually sufficient for a 2-3 person tent. Bigger tents will need two bottles. Some stores carry our 4oz economy size bottle.

Map Seal

How does Map Seal® waterproof your maps?

Map Seal® is a type of liquid plastic. It is like a do-it-yourself laminate except that it is easy to fold and much less bulky. It permanently waterproofs your maps just like a laminate does.

How much coverage per bottle of Map Seal®?

An 8oz bottle of Map Seal® will coat approximately 6-8 topographical maps or 3-4 nautical charts. A 4oz bottle will do one-half as much.

Can I still write on my map after it is coated with Map Seal®?

It is a little difficult but with a little trial and error you can find a pen, pencil or marker that will work.