Now that we are well into Timberland season, it’s logical that your favorite pair of well-lived-in Timberlands get scratched and scuffed.
While these scuffs will confer a bit of personality to your boots, you don’t want to look unkempt, especially when you consider how much you invested to purchase a pair. Fear not, scratches on Timberlands can be fixed.
Not only can scratches be repaired but there are several ways to do so. You could take them to a shoe repair shop or to a cobbler, or you could decide to do so yourself.
Is a Scratch Different than a Scuff?
Yes, it is! To properly fix your boots, it’s important to recognize the difference. A scratch is deeper and generally appears after you have collided with or rubbed against a sharp object while wearing your boots.
Unfortunately, scratches leave much deeper marks than a mere scuff.
A scuff will appear on your boots if you rub up against some surface or an object that is not sharp and they tend not to be as deep into the leather.
Can Suede Boots Be Scratched?
Both Nubuck leathers and suede leather feature surfaces that appear unfinished with the leather grain raised a bit.
Nonetheless, both scuffs and scratches will appear on suede leather, so if your Timberlands are suede or Nubuck, they are susceptible to scratches.
Can I Fix the Scratches and Scuffs on My Timberlands?
Yes, both scratches and scuffs on Timberland boots can be repaired. It’s necessary to smooth out the damaged surface.
Methods for repairing scuffs will be identical to those for repairing scratches. Scratches will simply require more time because the leather surface damage is deeper.
What Are Some D-I-Y Methods to repair Scratches on Timberlands?
If you don’t have time or don’t want to go to a shoe repair shop, here are several home methods that you can try to get those Timberlands back in tip top shape for their next wearing.
1. Use a Suede Eraser
Erasers are a good choice when attempting to remove minor scuffs and scratches on your Timberland boots. If the damage is severe, this may not work.
• Using a suede eraser, rub gently on the boot surface where the scuff or scratch is. Clean off the eraser bits produced by rubbing and verify if this method is working for you. Do not use simple pencil erasers as they may add to the damage.
• Make sure when rubbing that you are doing so in the direction of the suede leather grain.
• Know that if your boots are very dirty, this will not work so you may want to clean boots beforehand.
2. Apply Timberland Boot Polish
Timberland produces a cleaner/polish for its footwear products, so you may want to use what the manufacturer itself recommends.
The Timberland product is publicized as removing dirt, oil, and abrasions. Abrasions generally include scuffs and scratches. If you use the Timberland product, follow the company’s application instructions.
If you are using another brand of cleaner/polish, make sure it is of a comparable quality to Timberland’s.
• Remove any dirt using a brush for Nubuck or suede leather.
• Follow the brand’s application methods, initially applying a tiny amount of the polish to your Timberlands.
• Using a soft cloth or gloves, massage the product into the leather until the scuff or scratch has been reduced. After you have finished let the boots dry completely.
• Once your Timberlands are dry, using a clean, soft cloth, buff where you applied the product.
3. Try a Shoe Cream or Vaseline
Because Timberlands are made from leather, you can use the same method for repairing boot leather as you would dry skin.
• Apply the shoe cream (in a neutral hue or appropriate color) or Vaseline on the Timberlands and set them aside to dry.
• Once the applied cream has dried, use a soft clean cloth to polish your boots to a high sheen.
4. Try Boot Wax
This is a great way to remove scuffs. It can be used for deeper scratches but will require more patience.
• Apply some boot wax to your boot where it has been scuffed or scratched with a boot brush and wait for the wax to dry.
• Once the wax has dried thoroughly, use a brush specifically for suede to polish until lustrous.
• This process should be repeated until the removal of the scuff or scratch is satisfactory.
5. Try Sandpaper
This may appear somewhat radical, but it can in some cases produce the hoped-for results. Experts suggest using light grit sandpapers for lighter scuffs and scratches, and a medium grit sandpaper to remove medium scuffs. You might begin using only a light grit to verify the results.
• Place your Timberland boots on an old towel, rag, or newspaper to avoid making a mess on the floor.
• Begin rubbing the scuffed or scratched surface in small circular motions.
• Using a damp clean cloth, remove shredded leather fiber bits.
• Apply a suede leather protector where you have rubbed to polish.
6. Use a Nail File
No sandpaper in the house? Try a nail file.
• Use a nail file as you would the sandpaper. File the scuffed leather. Remove any fiber bits due to filing.
• Repeat until the scratch or scuff has been removed to your satisfaction.
• Should the filing ruin the color of the leather where you have filed, apply a polish that is the same as the boot color, or you can apply a mixture of water and vinegar on the filed part only to re-establish the leather tint.
See also: Can Boot Oil Help Scratches?
Can My Timberland Boots Be Restored?
Yes, both Timberland and cobblers or shoe repair centers will restore Timberland boots. You may not need to do this for scuffs and scratches, however, in the event that you wear out the soles, or experience boots losing color, or other, boot restoration is an option.
Can I Restore My Timberland Boots Myself?
If you mean to restore your boots through a good cleaning, yes, you can. Here’s how to do a thorough restoration cleaning of your Timberland boots.
1.) Remove the boot laces from your Timberlands.
2.) With a suede boot or shoe brush, brush gently to remove all of the dirt on your Timberlands.
3.) Using a damp clean cloth, wipe off any dirt or fibers that remained on the boots after brushing.
4.) Apply an appropriate boot cleaner for the type of leather used to produce your Timberland boots. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
5.) Should your Timberlands still appear to be dirty, prepare a gentle soap and water solution and apply it to your boots cleaning with a toothbrush.
6.) Rinse your boots off with tepid water quickly. Avoid soaking your boots.
7.) Fill your boots with clean old towels or newspapers to maintain the shape and allow the boots to dry completely.
8.) Once dry, brush your Timberlands with an appropriate boot brush.
9.) Now proceed to remove any scuffs or scratches using your preferred scuff or scratch removal method.
